Page 73 of Love on the Run

Beau extended a hand to her. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“How do you two know each other?” Brittany asked, looking between them. “What does Dean think about the two of you traveling together?”

And there was the hit—the one Anna hadn’t expected. Sure, Brittany was sweet, but she didn’t always understand how her words could cut to the bone.

She wasn’t intentionally insensitive, and this was only the first of what Anna had to look forward to when she returned to Blackwater and faced the mess she’d left behind.

“Um, well, Dean and I aren’t together anymore. He cheated on me, remember?”

Anna had slowly told Brittany about the wedding over the last few days through messages. It had seemed like Brittany understood that Dean’sinfidelity wasn’t something Anna was interested in working past. Maybe she hadn’t been as clear as she’d thought.

“Oh, right.” Brittany slapped her palm to her forehead. “Silly. I forgot. I guess I just got so used to you being with Dean that it hasn’t sunk in yet.”

“It’s okay. And Beau is just a friend. We’re not together.” She turned to Beau for confirmation. “Right?”

“Right,” Beau said with a single nod.

Though, Anna had found herself wishing more and more that theyweretogether. She’d had the best time on this trip, and it was mostly because Beau had made it fun. She’d gotten a taste of pure happiness, and it seemed wrong to ignore it.

“Oh. Good to know,” Brittany said, clutching the strap of her purse with white knuckles.

“How did you know I was here?” Anna asked. “I don’t think we talked about Freedom.”

Brittany tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Oh, you mentioned this place, so I looked it up. This was the only Stories and Scones in Colorado.”

The sweet scented air turned thin in the small bakery. “Oh.”

Beau’s hand rested on the small of her back. Had he picked up on her anxiety?

“After you said so many good things about it, I figured you’d come back here.” Brittany opened her hands. “Andhere you are.”

“Right. Um, are you staying in town?”

“Yeah, I got a room at a little apartment down the street. What are the two of you up to today?”

A flood of questions rushed through Anna’s mind at once. How long was she staying? How long had she been waiting in this bakery? How had she gotten here from Sacramento?

“I—I think we’re just doing some shopping around town.” Anna paused to swallow past the dryness in her mouth. “Would you like to join us?”

“Sure!” Brittany said with wide eyes.

Okay, at least she’d have some time to talk to Brittany and get some answers. “Great. Do you want some coffee or a treat?” It was the least she could offer after Brittany came all this way.

Brittany stayed close to Anna all day as they wound in and out of shops on the main square in town. Aside from a few pointed looks at Beau, she didn’t get a chance to ask him what he thought about the woman showing up out of nowhere and basically tracking her down.

No, she wouldn’t be creeped out by that. No doubt Brittany saw it as kindness, not a breach of privacy.

They had a good time shopping for Christmas presents around town, and all of Anna’s concern about Brittany vanished. She really had come just to check on her, and hanging out with a friend was just what Anna needed.

When Beau’s arms were loaded with shopping bags, they started making their way back across town. The throbbing in Anna’s head was back, and exhaustion was gaining on her like a cheetah chasing a gazelle. She pressed the heel of her hand against her temple.

“Are you okay?” Brittany asked.

“I’m getting tired. I think it’s time to head back.”

Brittany looked around the decorated town square. “Oh, okay. Where did you park?”

“Over by Evelyn’s,” Anna said, pointing in the direction of the restaurant.

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