Page 46 of A Heart to Find
She turned away, her chin suddenly cold from the absence of his warm touch.
He followed behind, searching the ground as diligently as she did.
Hours passed. She lost track of time, but the light of the night sky started changing.
Her frozen fingers trembled and her heart sank, but she knew they’d have to suspend the search.
Jared voiced her concerns before she could, saving her from having to make the painful decision.
“Sweetie, it’s almost dawn. Let’s take a break and come back out after we get some rest. Maybe someone has already turned it into guest services. We should at least check.”
Hypnotized by his reassuring tone and the endearment he snuck in, she could only nod in agreement.
“I promise we’ll find it. There’s no way I’ll allow something so precious to stay lost forever.”
Why did she have a feeling he wasn’t only talking about her necklace?
She nodded. That’s all she could do. But when he slipped her cold hand into his and held on tight the rest of the walk back to the lodge, more than her hand warmed.
She wanted to set her heart free and allow him to claim it, but where would it leave her? If they hadn’t worked out before, what right did she have believing it could work this time?
She’d have to be a bigger fool than she thought to allow her feelings to grow.
And yet…
He had been nothing short of amazing.
But it had only been a week.
Could he be trusted to show the same level of attentiveness and affection for the long haul?
He had changed—no doubt. She didn’t have to believe him to know this. She sensed it deep in her gut.
But that didn’t mean he had the capacity for loving her. She could be a handful, and though her friends would tell her she was low maintenance, she knew in matters of her heart she was anything but.
“What has you so pensive?” he asked, breaking the silence of the rising sun.
“Just tired.” She released a tight smile. “And sad.”
If she wanted him to be open and honest about his feelings, she had to do the same.
“I know, Keira. I’m sorry we didn’t find it. But don’t give up hope.”
She wouldn’t. Not now. Not yet.
Hopefully not this time.
Finding the necklace would convince her that her grandma had indeed led her on this strange path of serendipity.
But before she continued on the path, she needed to sleep.
Before she did something she couldn’t take back.
After walking her to her door, Jared slipped back into the fresh night air, grateful for the cold to lower his body temperature.
He had to find that necklace. He wanted to see a genuine smile return to her beautiful face, and he knew he wouldn’t until he could prove to her that whatever mysticism she attributed to the piece was alive and well.
Even if it didn’t mean she’d fall for him again, he wanted her to believe in love.
