Being Emma Read Online Free PDF Page B

she
meant.
    “Well, the usual… work, work, work…”
    “No, I mean… you know… what do you do after
work?” She tried to look busy with her report, while Ethan was
getting confused. She’d never seemed interested before.
    “… I work out at the gym… practice at the gun
range … buy groceries…” He looked at her. “Why are you asking?”
    “I was just curious if you were seeing
anyone…”
    His jaw
dropped. What? Janie Johnson, the gorgeous deputy was interested in
him? He licked his
suddenly dry lips.
    “…Ah… No, not right now.”
    She smiled brightly at him. “Well, if you’re
free, there’s going to be a birthday party at my folks’ ranch this
weekend for my two nephews. They’re both turning three and it’s
going to be a fun do. Why don’t you come?”
    Ethan
could hardly believe his luck. Wow… Maybe she did like him …
    “Sure… when is it?”
    “Saturday at noon. There’s lots of people
coming – friends, family. I think my dad has invited Bud too. Meg’s
coming down from San Francisco with her little girl, Sofia. I’ve
invited a few of my friends as well.”
    “Well… Great! I look forward to it. Thanks
for inviting me…” He got back to his paperwork and finished it with
flair and a smile.
    Janie smiled too. She had also invited Diane
and was hoping to sort of push them toward each other. He had
seemed friendly enough to her when they met at the coffee shop last
week, but a party would be better. More people to socialize with
and Craig hopefully wouldn’t see what she was up to.
    Just to thicken the plot, Janie left the
workroom and called Diane on her cell phone. She asked her to come
to the Sheriff’s Office, if she could, to help her with something.
She worked close by and Janie wanted to throw them together again,
a preview for the party.
    She started fooling around with the passport
camera as Ethan came out of the workroom.
    “Hey, are you the one taking passport photos
now?”
    “I think that Bud wants us all to learn, so
anyone can do it.” It was a good digital camera and not difficult
to operate. She checked the settings and then looked over at Ethan.
“Stand over by the backdrop and let me get some practice shots.” He
walked over to the white board background and stood
self-consciously for a few minutes while she practiced. He turned
toward the door as Diane walked in.
    “Hi Diane… Nice to see you… Um… I’m just
practicing with the passport camera. Could you stand there with
Ethan while I take a few double shots?” Ethan looked puzzled but
Janie flashed him a broad smile.
    “Double shots?”
    “I’m just getting the feel for the
camera.”
    “Okay…” Diane hesitantly stood next to Ethan
who smiled at her.
    “A little closer, please,” Janie instructed.
She moved closer. Ethan was actually flattered that Janie wanted to
take a picture of him. She took several shots and then snapped off
the camera.
    “I think I’ve got it now.” Ethan walked up to
her.
    “Let me see some of the shots when they’re
uploaded, okay?”
    “Sure…” He left the room and Janie beamed at
Diane. She was nervous and shy.
    “Did you hear how he wanted to see the
pictures of you two? Sounds promising…” Diane blushed.
    “You really think so?”
    “You bet.” Janie glanced around. “Follow me
out.”
    When they had gotten outside, Janie told
Diane her plan.
    “It occurred to me how you and Ethan could
meet up again. You remember the birthday party this weekend for my
nephews, right?”
    “Right…” Janie leaned in to whisper in
Diane’s ear.
    “I invited Ethan to come. We had just made a
great collar on a suspect and it seemed like a good time. We talked
a bit and he said he wasn’t seeing anyone… So… he’ll be there and
you’ll be there and…”
    Diane laughed. “We’ll see how the ‘and’ goes,
Janie. You do get an A for effort.” Janie smiled.
    “It’ll be fun.” Diane thought about that for
a minute.
    “I hope so…”
     
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