The Disappearance of Emily: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series Book 2 by Elizabeth Pantley (best books under 200 pages .txt) 📗

Then I thought about the peek at my destiny and the photo of Jaxson. If he was the mystery man, that would be great, since he was one of my brother’s best friends. I could imagine us together, blending into the Caldwell family with our two little children. The four of us hiking and camping together. Was he my future? If he was, there was no reason to rush it, but I wanted to spend more time with him to determine if we were the match that the falls predicted.

I continued my walk, pondering my possible future. As I walked past the hiking trailhead, a man was coming out of the woods to the parking area.

He was carrying a hiking backpack, with two trekking poles attached to the side. He was wearing a hat and sunglasses. Hmm. Okay, then. So much for Jaxson being the only one to fit the vision.

As he came closer, I realized the man ahead of me was none other than Han Chow.

Was he another possibility of my foretold future? I hoped so. He was special, and I was drawn to him. Han is a close Caldwell family friend and an investigator who helped solve the murder a few weeks ago.

I was always comfortable with Han, and that was such a pleasant change, as usually I felt awkward around new guys. But Han was warm and easy to be around. He was a funny, clever, interesting guy. And oh my. Handsome. He reminded me of Henry Golding, the British actor from Crazy Rich Asians who also played Tom, the dreamy lead in the romantic comedy Last Christmas. Except he was an edgy, James Bond-ish version of the actor, but with the same wide, sexy smile and easygoing appeal.

As I walked his way, I spotted two other guys unloading their cars for a hike. They both were putting on hiking backpacks with trekking poles, and they both had on hats and sunglasses.

I laughed at myself. So much for figuring out the future father of my future children.

Han approached just then. “What’s so funny, Hayden? Inside joke?”

“Was just thinking of something I saw. How are you, Han?”

“Happy, but tired. Just finished a hike up to the falls. Ever been up there?”

Funny he should ask. “Yes, I have! It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Maybe even the most beautiful. I’ve hiked up there with Olivia a few times. It’s a challenging hike, but so worth it.”

“Agree,” he said. “What are you up to today?”

“I was in town at Vessie’s café, and then hung out with Olivia. My day got away from me, and I’m finally heading home.”

Home. Wow, how easily I said that. I’d been in Destiny Falls for a month, but it felt like this was the home of my heart. It seemed like the place had waited for me and had welcomed me with open arms. The people here were related to me, but what made them family was far deeper than a blood connection. It seemed like I was the missing part of their puzzle, that I was an important part of the whole. I felt happy here.

“Are you okay, Hayden?” Han asked.

“Oh, sorry. Just lost in thought for a moment. It’s really nice to see you, Han.”

He gifted me with one of his gorgeous smiles. “Want some company on your walk home?”

“That would be lovely,” I said. (But what I meant was, “Ohhh, yes!”)

I started to walk, but was so smitten by his smile, his nearness, and the idea that he might be my mystery man, that I nearly walked into a tree. He grabbed my arm just in time to save me. My hero.

“You okay there, Bambi?” he chuckled.

“Ha ha, my comical hero.”

“Hero, eh? I like that.” He put his arm around my shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze, then fell into step next to me as we walked together.

“So, Vessie’s Hideaway Café? Have you ever seen so much pink in your life?” he asked.

“Maybe at the flamingo exhibit at the zoo,” I said. “But I loved it, you know? Somehow it all works. And it seems to suit her personality.”

“I agree. She’s a sweetheart, so pink is appropriate. And she makes great coffee. What’s on your agenda for the rest of the day?”

“I have an article I need to finish and I need to touch base with my business partner. Then family dinner tonight.”

“Will that be fun?” he asked.

“Yes, it really will be! I never had a big family before. It’s a touch overwhelming sometimes, but mostly, yeah, fun. Tomorrow will be special, though. I’m going to Sapphire’s house for a girls’ night with my two sisters.”

“Nice to have sisters?” he asked.

“Oh, so nice! I never knew that I had a hole in my life until they filled it. There’s just something different about a relationship when it carries that label.”

I thought about it for a few minutes, trying to figure out how to explain my feelings. It was comforting that Han just walked quietly beside me as if he knew I was sorting it out and waiting patiently for me to finish my thought.

“Our relationship is new, but it’s already powerful. It’s like, you know, the connection will be there for the rest of your life, no matter what. It’s a safe space where you can be yourself. Where you’ll be accepted even when you aren’t at your best. It makes you want to cherish the specialness of it. It will build into a strong, unbreakable bond. I feel it.”

“That sounds about right. I have younger two sisters, you know?” Han said. “I know exactly what you mean. They’re mine, for good times and bad, happy and sad. We can be serious or we can be goofy, but we always get each other. We have each other’s backs. It’s a profound connection that’s bundled up in a tender exterior. Makes