Page 113 of Christmas of Love

She pressed her lips together and frowned. “Why do you say that?”

I chuckled. “Really? Do I need to explain your ability to sniff out any potential online issues with guys we go out with? It’s probably why I’m still single. Men are duds.”

It was the truth. Somehow, Emily had this unnatural and uncanny ability to find out anything and everything about someone. Things we didn’t even want to know. All it took was a name, and she’d handle the rest. I think Mae still hadn’t recovered from the man she almost went on a blind date with who had an entire family on the East Coast.

“The vase is actually really rare. Same estate sale as the sandwich plate, so I’m guessing whomever the items came from was well-to-do.” I sighed and gently untied the bundle again. “But these letters have got to get to that little boy.”

“Who might not be so little. Thank goodness names with J aren’t common,” she said wryly.

“I know it’s crazy, but I think these letters really need to get to him.”

Emily took the letter I’d opened and read it, touching her chest in the meantime. “Oh, my gosh. That is beautiful.”

I nodded. “And there are many more. I just didn’t feel right reading them.”

She plucked an extra cheesy fry off the top as Rick, another bartender, came over.

“How’s the meal?” he asked, eyeing Emily.

“Delicious as always.” She grinned, turning her attention to him. He was well over six feet tall and not only made the drinks here, but he also actually owned the pub and the building he ran it from.

“Good. Always like to hear it.” He glanced at me and then back at my sister. “Are you free tomorrow afternoon?”

Rick towered over us with his dark hair and gleaming blue eyes as he waited for my sister to respond. Was that why Emily always came to Milo’s? She had a thing for Rick?

“I’m actually working tomorrow.”

I shook my head, knowing it was only Audrey and me on duty, until I felt a swift ankle kick and kept my mouth shut.

One thing to know about me was that I had a tendency to try to be overly helpful, and apparently, this was one of those times.

Rick’s expression fell, and he nodded. “Maybe next time.”

Emily smiled and nodded as he trundled away. She grabbed her phone and started typing.

“What was that all about?” I whispered.

“He keeps asking me out.”

“Is that because you keep showing up on Friday nights to read a book?”

She snickered and stared at her cell phone.

“Are you going to help or not?” I asked, feeling a desperate itch to find JJ.

“What do you think I’m doing?” She grabbed another fry.

Within minutes, a droll grin spread across Emily’s face, and her eyes widened. “Whoa. If this is the J we are looking for, I’ll happily hand-deliver any letters needed.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “Are you serious? You found an option that quickly?”

“I can’t be sure it’s him, but there was an obituary from six months ago that listed a J. Edwards as the only son, and the family was very prominent. They’re an old timber family who also owned some orchards and sold some secret family recipe to one of the big beverage companies before buying it back and producing it themselves.”

“How could you find this in less than five minutes?” My pulse quickened with excitement. Could this really be him?

“It’s not that hard.” Emily shrugged. “I could be wrong, but I doubt it.”

“Let me see,” I nearly squealed.

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