Chapter 190
Blake’s POV
I noticed Laurel’s smile suddenly freeze on her face, but my mind was too preoccupied with Audrey’s whereabouts to think
much of it.
Laurel quickly collected herself, offering an awkward laugh. “Sinclair said it’s getting late,‘ she replied with a forced smile. *And as an outsider, she didn’t want to join our family dinner,” Laurel continued. “She mentioned wanting to meet her dear
Ethan for dinner instead…”
“Audrey said that?” I frowned.
“Yes…” Laurel nodded, looking down. “That’s what Sinclair said.”
“How did she leave? Did someone pick her up?”
Laurel hesitated. “Sinclair took off her shoes and left barefoot.”
“What?” I stood up sharply. “That’s crazy!”
These roads are dangerous at night. What was she thinking? The nearest bus stop is miles away, and taxis rarely come out here
unless called.
“Did she say where exactly she was going?”
“Just that she was meeting Ethan. I figured she had a ride arranged.”
I grabbed my jacket from the chair and headed for the door.
“Blake darling!” Laurel called, jumping up. “Where are you going? We haven’t had dinner yet.”
I paused at the doorway, glancing at the darkening sky. “A woman walking alone at night isn’t safe.”
Laurel caught my arm. “But what if someone’s already picking her up? She must have a way back.”
When I didn’t respond, she pressed harder. “Nora’s almost done with dinner. She made special dishes just for you tonight.”
She lowered her voice. “Nora’s over fifty. She went through all this trouble. Wouldn’t it be rude to leave without even trying her food?”
Scarlett joined in from her seat. “Blake, please stay. Let’s have dinner, just the three of us!”
“It’s just thirty minutes,” she added. “If something were to happen to Sinclair, what are the odds it would be c exact thirty minutes?”
those
Her comment had the opposite effect/I felt my concern deepen as I remembered a news alert grandfather had forwarded me just yesterday – there had been wolf sightings in this area recently.
I pulled away from Laurel’s grip. “I’ll try Nora’s cooking next time. I need to find Audrey.”
“Blake darling!” Laurel shot her mother an annoyed look before chasing after me. “Let me come with you. I feel responsible
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Chapter 190
for Sinclair leaving alone…”
As we approached the door, a voice called from the kitchen.
“Dinner’s almost ready! Are you leaving?” Nora appeared, wiping her hands on her apron.
The smell of roasted meat and herbs filled the air, making me realize I hadn’t eaten since lunch.
Audrey probably hasn’t eaten either.
“I have something urgent to handle,” I told Nora. “Could you pack the food to go?”
Nora brightened. “Of course!”
She hurried back to the kitchen, and I followed to the doorway. Inside, steaming dishes covered the counter as she washed
out a thermal container.
“Should I pack for one person or two?” she asked.
“Two, please.”
Nora smiled knowingly as she transferred food. “Taking our Miss Rose somewhere special? Too romantic to wait for
dinner!”
Laurel stepped in before I could answer. “It’s not a date. Blake has something urgent to handle and can’t eat with Mom and
me.”
She took the packed container from Nora, her voice softening. “I’ll carry this. You have more important things to do.”
I pulled her aside, lowering my voice. “I’m not deliberately avoiding dinner with you.”
“The suburbs are dangerous at night. If something happens to Audrey, we’re both responsible.”
Laurel sniffled but forced a small smile. “It’s okay, Blake darling.”
“She’s your ex–wife. It’s natural you’d worry about her.”
She bit her lip. “But I’m partly to blame. If I’d stopped her from leaving, you wouldn’t be so worried…”
Her eyes were pleading. “So please, let me make it up to you. Let me come along to help find her.”
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