All these years he had been reluctant to get involved in social media. The idea of posting pictures of his private life for all to see was enough to make his skin crawl.
But if he could make a page like this one, just about his work and perhaps interact with people at arm’s length? That might not be so bad.
“Can we send her a message or anything?” he asked Meghan then. “Ask her to meet with us at the maze and maybe bring the bag?”
“We’d have to find out if she has it first. I’ll send a friend request and add a little message.”
‘You’re a genius.” Jake grinned as she typed away.
He knew he should probably try to relax and just wait to see if this Ally would reply, but again it was so close to Christmas - would she even be checking business messages?
No, the idea of sitting around and not doing anything was impossible - especially considering what was at stake.
He needed to explore all options, including the ice maze.
“I’m going to head down there anyway, see if I can maybe even spot the friend there. She said out by midday right? ”
“Ice Maze? Sounds like fun,” another voice approaching the kitchen piped up and Jake froze, knowing who it was, but almost afraid to look and confirm his fears.
“Morning Heidi,” Meghan greeted in a high voice, as an attractive blonde approached and kissed Jake on the cheek.
“What time were you thinking of heading out?” Heidi asked.
“In about like fifteen minutes or so actually, before it gets too crowded,” Jake replied, in the hopes she wouldn’t want to tag along. Then he’d have a lot of explaining to do.
“OK, I’ll go jump in the shower first.”
Before Jake could think of another excuse, his sister beat him to it.
“But I thought Mom needed you for food shopping today. You know, to help with Christmas dinner”
Jake did his best to act calm, as Heidi frowned considering. Then much to his luck, she smiled. “I’d forgotten all about that. You’re right, maybe I’ll just catch up with you guys later.”
And as he and Meghan grabbed their coats and hurried outside to the car, Jake let out the breath he didn’t realise he’d been holding.
Chapter 13
Ally spent the entire car ride to the ice maze thinking of the best way to try and identify the guy who’d bought the notebook, assuming it was the same guy whose case she had.
If he did indeed happen to be J.T. Turner, it was a real shame that there was no author photo on those books.
A needle in a haystack for sure.
Still, as soon as Lara’s minivan pulled into the parking lot, she began scanning every person they passed, looking for guy in a red sweater and corduroy trousers and a dark haired woman in a green coat.
“Ally?” Lara’s mournful voice pulled her back to the present, as her friend lifted the baby out of her car seat.
“What’s up?”
“I can’t believe this, but Charlotte’s just had an accident - a messy one, by the looks of it. I think I’m going to have to either take her home or to a restroom somewhere to change her.”
Ally looked at the baby, still smiling despite the fact that she was indeed a mess, and then back at the very long line already formed at the ice maze entrance.
“Maybe we should all go - looks pretty busy here.”
But the look of disappointment in Riley’s eyes nearly broke her heart.
“You go on ahead, and maybe just meet us after?” Ally suggested then, grabbing Riley’s hand. She was sure they’d be in and out of here in no time.
