Page 72 of Love on the Run

“Can we go back to Stories and Scones? I could go for some more of those chocolate-covered strawberries.”

“Anything you want,” Beau said automatically.

Anna walked close to him, and he slipped his hand into hers, desperate to link himself to her in some small way.

She looked at him, radiating pure joy. “You should smile more. I like it.”

If he’d been smiling before, it was gone now. He’d beensmiling? He didn’t smile. He wasn’t a smiling kinda guy.

And she liked it when he smiled? What did it mean when his world flipped on his head whenever she gave him the tiniest grin?

It meant he was in trouble. Big trouble since they still had days left to spend together.

Beau opened the door to Stories and Scones, and Anna entered first. He heard the feminine greeting before he saw her.

“You’re back!” Jan shouted, throwing her hands in the air. Her brow furrowed as she came to meet Anna. “And you’re hurt.”

Anna raised her braced wrist. “Just a sprain. I had a bout of altitude sickness the other day and passed out.”

Jan wrapped Anna in a hug, careful not to jostle her wrist. “Wait a minute. Did you have a snowboarding lesson with Aiden?”

Anna turned to look at Beau before giving her attention back to Jan. “How did you know?”

“Aiden is my son. He mentioned a young woman passed out yesterday, and he and Joanna were worried.”

Anna pressed her good hand to her chest. “I love this small town. We saw Joanna this morning. Shehelped me put my hair up.” Anna flicked her ponytail, emphasizing the subject.

Beau clenched his jaw. They needed to stop talking about Anna’s hair because it only made him think about washing it for her last night.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, and I’m happy to see you again,” Jan said as she ushered Anna over to the pastry display case. “I have some samples of cranberry flapjack for you to try.”

“I love cranberries!” Anna said excitedly.

“Anna.”

Beau turned when someone called Anna’s name. A young woman with brown hair and round glasses fidgeted with the strap of her purse. Could someone in Freedom, Colorado actually know Anna?

Anna’s eyes widened, and her jaw opened for a few seconds before she spoke. “Brittany.”

Chapter 21

Anna

There she was. Brittany Diaz was here in Freedom.

After a second of shock, Anna recovered and hugged her friend. “It’s so good to finally meet you in person. What are you doing here?”

Brittany hugged her back before pulling away and adjusting her glasses. “You sounded like you’d been having a tough time, so I thought I’d check on you.”

Um, was that sweet or…something else? They’d known each other for years online, but even Freedom, Colorado was still a long way from Sacramento, California.

“That’s so sweet of you.” It was sweet—probably the biggest gesture anyone had ever done for her.

Brittany gently cradled Anna’s braced hand inhers. “Oh, you poor thing. How are you feeling today?”

“I’m much better. I had a bad experience with altitude sickness yesterday and passed out. It’s just sprained.” Remembering Beau, Anna turned and waved him over. “This is Beau Lawrence. He came with me on this trip because I didn’t want to come alone.”

Brittany looked him up and down, but her face didn’t show much of a reaction. “I’m Brittany, Anna’s friend.”

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