Page 11 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
“We make him jealous and let him think you’re moving on,” Emily told her, and Barb’s heart jolted at the thought.
“I’m not ready to get involved with another man.” Barb’s voice was laced with panic. “I have my baby and Oscar and…”
Emily leaned forward and patted Barb’s knee comfortingly. “You’re not really moving on, sweetie. You’repretendingto. It’s the oldest love trick in the book and a sure way to find out if Liam really is Zac.”
Barb took a breath and smiled as she thought about the deception and nodded. “I’ve never tried to make anyone jealous before.”
“Oh! Don’t worry about that!” Emily snorted. “I have plenty of experience with Hank. I can help you with that part.” Her eyes narrowed. “Making Liam… can we refer to him as fake Liam?” She shook her head. “I’m getting confused.”
“What if he hears us and then knows we’re on to him,” Barb pointed out. “I think for now, let’s just give him the benefit of the doubt and play along with his game.”
“Good point,” Emily agreed. “WhileLiamis being distracted and thrown off balance thinking you have a potential new suitor, we can do some snooping.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Barb said, feeling her spirits lift a little before another thought dropped them right back down again. “Do you know who Courtney Waller is?”
“The name sounds familiar.” Emily frowned. “Why?”
“She’s Zac’s ex-fiance who he believes he’s still engaged to and is at the chalet with them,” Barb explained, feeling the pain slice through her once again.
It was a cold blow to her heart as Barb suddenly realized she hardly knew anything about Zac, his past, or his family in the two years they were together. They’d been so busy with the Clean Water Project, falling in love and worrying about her criminal uncle who was looking for her. Barb hadn’t even realized Zac hadn’t opened up to her at all.
“I’ll Google her and find out what I can,” Emily promised. “Don’t worry, Barb, we’re going to figure this out while still having a wonderful Christmas.” She raised her brows. “You can’t let the Shields family spoil this holiday season for youor your kids.”
“I agree,” Barb said, her words sounding braver than she felt. “So what do we do?”
“A lot of detective work.” Emily frowned. “Like figuring out why the lodge is so important for them to be here.”
“Maybe this is where they were when Zac had his accident?” Barb suggested.
“No, he couldn’t have had it here,” Emily said. “I’d have known. But maybe he had it just after he left here?”
“Or maybe this is just someplace that Zac loved for some reason!” Barb shrugged.
“Like meeting you again?” Emily’s voice was soft, and her eyes were filled with compassion.
“I doubt that.” Barb’s voice was hoarse with emotion, and she felt the tears stinging her eyes.
A movement outside caught their attention. They saw Liam finally off his call and about to climb into thelimo. He stood between the open door and back seat, staring toward the lodge.
“So what’s it going to be, Barb?” Emily asked, looking from Liam and then back at Barb. “Are we going to do this?”
Barb’s heart started racing with excitement at the thought of launching their own secret investigation. “Let’s do it!” she agreed. “Let’s find out what on earth is going on with the Shields family while trying to figure out if Liam really is who he’s claiming to be.”
“Yes!” Emily did a fist bump in the air.
“Shouldn’t you go tell him he can stay?” Barb asked, pointing to Liam and bending into the limo.
“Nah!” Emily waved Barb’s concerns away. “I can guarantee,” she pointed to Liam, “he’s not going anywhere—yet.”
As if hearing her, Liam, or rather who Emily has now dubbed Fake Liam, pushed away from the car and stalked into the lodge. Barb turned to see himstride into the foyer, stop as he overshot the living room, and then backstep to duck into the living room and head toward them.
“I told you!” Emily grinned with a wink.
“How did you know he’d do that?” Barb whispered.
“When I told him he had to leave, I saw something close to alarm, and then panic, flash in his eyes,” Emily replied. “I don’t think he waslying about it being important for his brother to be here, as we’ve just guessed.”
“You got all that from watching him?” Barb looked at Emily in amazement.
