The older man smiled, the expression transforming his face. “Julie. Thank you for accommodating my family at such short notice.”
Jack emerged from the office, his greeting just as warm. “Good to see you, William.”
“Hello, Jack.” The older man turned to the women with obvious affection. “Julie, Jack, I’d like you to meet Dr. Eve Reynolds.” He gestured to the older woman. “Dr. Mia Gray-Duncan.” The younger woman gave a small smile. “And her daughter, Lila Duncan.”
Julie stepped forward to shake hands, Jack following suit. The girl, Lila, leaned close to her mother and said something that made the woman’s smile widen, though it still didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Nolan found himself watching without meaning to. The older woman, Eve, scanned the room once before returning her gaze to her group. The kind of awareness doctors developed from years in hospitals. The younger one, Mia, kept her hands folded in front of her, fingers worrying at something near her collarbone. A necklace, maybe.
Interesting subjects. Good faces for photography. Human interest angles.
His phone buzzed in his pocket.
Nolan pulled it out and glanced at the screen.
Dad D.
He turned and walked into the dining room as he swiped to answer, keeping his voice low. “Hi,Dad, how are you?”
Nolan chose a table near the window, positioning himself so he could see the door and the rest of the room. An old habit, born of travelling in high-combat, terrorist zones. He’d learned the hard way you had to always be able to position yourself to see what was coming.
“Are you there yet?” Dad D’s voice came through steady, with a hint of urgency that a parent gets when their child is travelling.
“Yes,” Nolan said. “I got a hire car, and I’m at the Christmas Inn. It’s as great as you said it is.”
“I’m glad you like it.” There was a pause. “Are there other guests?”
Nolan glanced toward the lobby, where Julie was leading William and the three women toward the dining room. “Yes, quite a few. It looks like it’s going to be an interesting holiday.”
“Good.” Another pause. “Just be careful and remember what you’re there for.”
Nolan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He was used to the constant checking in. Constant reminders to stay focused. “Yes,Dad. Don’t worry, I won’t let you down, and I’ll get everything you want me to. I brought all the best equipment, and I’m sure I’ll get to know the lay of the land quickly.”
“I know you won’t let me down.” Dad D’s voice softened slightly. “But just be careful and keep checking in.”
“I will,” Nolan said. “You be careful too, as I know your new assignment is more dangerous than mine.” He sighed. “After all, I’m just here to take pictures and report on the happenings in St. Augustine and Anastasia Island.”
“That can be more dangerous than you think at times.” The warning landed heavier than it should have. There was another pause, and Nolan could hear shuffling in the background, but didn’t ask. “I have to go. Don’t forget to check in regularly.”
“I won’t.” The line went dead.
Nolan slid the phone back into his pocket just as a young waiter approached the table.
“Hi, I’m Brian, and I will be your server tonight.” The kid looked sixteen, maybe seventeen, with the kind of earnest politeness that came from wanting to do the job right.
He started to hand Nolan the menu, then froze mid-motion.
Nolan followed his gaze.
Julie had just led William, Eve, Mia, and Lila into the dining room. The teenage girl, Lila, was laughing at something her mother said, her face bright and open.
The menu slipped from Brian’s hand.
Nolan’s reflexes kicked in. His hand shot forward, catching the laminated folder before it hit the floor, and he put it on the table.
Brian’s face went scarlet. “I’m so sorry.”
Nolan grinned. “Don’t worry. At least it wasn’t a plate of hot food, coffee, or water.”
