As the emcee droned through his opening remarks, Noah scanned the crowd, searching for Charlotte and Miss Wright. He spotted them toward the back, Charlotte perched on Miss Wright’s hip, her face painted with a colorful design.
Miss Wright was smiling at something Charlotte whispered in her ear. She’d assured him that her sternum no longer hurt, though she still pressed her hand against it when she felt distressed.
How many times had he imagined what it would be like to have a family of his own? To be a husband, a father? Before Charlotte arrived, he’d resigned himself to the likelihood that it might never happen. After the divorce, he’d locked that part of himself away. Watching his niece and her nanny, he couldn’t keep those old dreams at bay.
“And now,” Mayor Collins announced, “I’d like to welcome Noah Aylett to the stage to present this year’s Elijah Aylett Bravery Award.”
The audience applauded as Noah approached the podium. He adjusted the microphone and cleared his throat.
“Good morning. Thank you all for coming to celebrate not just my ancestor’s heroism, but the spirit of community that has defined Driftwood for generations.” He delivered his speech, then presented the award to a teenage boy who’d rescued a child from drowning.
Finished with his part of the presentation, he resumed his seat and endured the mayor’s speech, which took a little too long for Noah’s taste. Finally, it was over and he descended the bandstand steps.
He was enjoying being out of the spotlight when a cluster of women converged on him. Elle was among them, all smiles and too-strong perfume. Another woman—Melissa something, the bank manager’s daughter—touched his arm and asked about his upcoming plans for the evening.
“I’m here with my niece,” he said, a polite but firm dismissal as he scanned the crowd, looking for Charlotte and Miss Wright. They’d watched his speech, but must’ve gotten bored. Noah’s pulse quickened as he searched faces in the crowd, butCharlotte’s purple dress and Miss Wright’s cream sweater were nowhere to be seen.
“Excuse me.” He stepped away from the group, his height giving him an advantage as he scanned over heads and between booths.
Where were they?
Charlotte had probably dragged Miss Wright away to show her something. But after everything that had happened, he couldn’t help the adrenaline rush.
He pushed his way through the crowd, attempting polite responses to people who remarked on his speech. He didn’t want to be rude, but wished everyone would leave him alone for a minute.
They could be anywhere—the craft booths, the food vendors, the petting zoo set up behind the library. They weren’t missing, just out of his sight. They were fine.
Except his heart was hammering against his ribs like a trapped fly.
Finally, he spotted Miss Wright near the playground. Charlotte was at the top of the structure, playing with her little redheaded friend, Shanyn.
Miss Wright was talking to a man.
Not just any man. It was that doctor from the hospital. Dr. Wright. Noah’s worry morphed to something darker but no less intense.
Cousins,he told himself. Except they probably weren’t.
Noah forced himself to walk, not run, down the path. The last thing he wanted was to create a scene that would fuel more gossip.
Miss Wright laughed at something Dr. Wright said. He stood close to her—too close for Noah’s liking—his hands animated as he spoke. The man’s body language screamed interest, from the way he angled toward her to how his gaze never left her face.
Noah’s jaw clenched so hard his teeth hurt.
“Uncle Noah!” Charlotte’s voice rang out from the playground. She waved frantically from the top of the slide. “Look how high I am!”
“I see you, Charlie-Bear. Very impressive.” He managed to keep his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him.
Miss Wright turned at the sound of his voice, and her smile faltered slightly. Was he so easy to read? “Mr. Aylett. You did a wonderful job. You’re a natural at public speaking.”
“Thank you.” The words came out clipped. He turned to the interloper. “What brings you here, Dr. Wright?”
“Call me Ethan.” The man extended his hand. “Good to see you again. I’m working in the medical tent.”
“Shouldn’t you be there then?” Noah had attempted the words to be lighthearted, but Miss Wright’s eyebrows drew together, telling him he’d failed.
Fortunately, Dr. Dreamy was oblivious. “I was on my way back when I ran into Delaney and Charlotte.” He turned to Miss Wright. “It was nice to see you again.”
“You too.”
