Page 33 of Finding Forever
“The chance of that happening is about a million to one.”
I sighed. There was no point arguing with Eric. The stubborn tilt of his jaw told me he wouldn’t be changing his mind anytime soon. Mom was looking forward to going to the festival, and so was I.
Perhaps Eric was right. There was a slim to zero chance of the stalker being anywhere near us. If he knew Eric was living in Sunrise Bay, he would have contacted him here, wouldn’t he?
“Okay. You can come with us.”
Eric’s grin didn’t make me feel more confident we were doing the right thing.
“Does this mean you’ll have lunch with me, too?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I can’t. I need to paint.”
“Fair enough. But make sure you eat something.”
This time I did salute him. “Aye, aye, captain.” I jumped off the edge of the veranda and winced. I was really looking forward to a hot shower. “Mom’s flight arrives at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. After I pick her up from the airport, we’re going straight to the festival.”
“What time are you leaving the cottage?”
“Eight o’clock.”
Eric nodded. “If I don’t see you later on, I’ll be waiting beside your truck tomorrow morning.”
I patted Sherlock’s head. “Enjoy your lunch.” And without hobbling too much, I walked to my side of the cottage. Hopefully, after a good night’s sleep, Eric would realize he was overreacting and stay in Sunrise Bay.
Seeing him for a couple of hours each day was bad enough. Spending the whole day with him would be sheer torture.
twenty-four
RILEY
The next morning I stepped away from the cottage and sighed. Eric was standing beside my truck, looking like he belonged there. “I thought you might have changed your mind.”
He sent me the type of grin that made my heart pound. “There was no chance of that. Are you ready to paint the town cherry red?”
I smiled at his early morning joke. The Cherry Festival could have used his words in their advertising. “You’re in a good mood.”
“I finished chapter eleven at three o’clock this morning.”
“Congratulations.” I looked around the yard. “Where’s Sherlock?”
“Alex is looking after him.”
“For the whole day?”
Eric nodded. “Sherlock’s stayed with him before. Is there anything you need me to carry?”
I unlocked my truck and left my pack on the back seat. “No. I have everything I need. What about you?”
Eric swung a small day pack off his shoulder. “Everything’s in here.”
“Including your gun?”
“That’s here.” Eric turned around and lifted his shirt.
I stared at the gun sitting in a holster at his waist. “I should tell you that I don’t like weapons of any kind.”
Eric stared at me in mock horror. “Really? You could have fooled me.”