Hunter approached her and she smiled.
"I'm glad you texted about coming to the dog park. I was actually thinking of bringing my dog here today. I've been so busy, I'm ashamed to admit that I've been ignoring her", Lynn said, gesturing to her little dog, who was happily running around and smelling everything she could.
Hunter smiled and looked at his own.
"Yeah, same here. Keeping him locked up in a hotel room doesn't do him or me any good. Especially when he destroys said hotel room", Hunter said.
Lynn laughed softly.
"What's his name?", she asked as the big wolf approached her.
She ran her fingers through his fur. Hunter was surprised Forest let her touch him.
"Wow", Hunter said.
She looked up at him.
"What?", she asked.
"Its just, he doesn't really let people he doesn't know touch him like that. I'm surprised he let you", Hunter said.
Forest was pawing at her leg to get her to touch him again. She smiled down at him and pet him again.
"Well, maybe he can tell I'm a good person. He trusts me", she said with a smile.
Rain trotted back over to her and stopped, eyeing the big dog before hiding behind Lynn's legs. Lynn bent down and picked her up.
"This is Rain", Lynn said.
Hunter reached over and scratched the little dog's head gently. Rain licked his finger tips.
"She's really friendly", Lynn said.
"She's sweet", Hunter said.
Lynn tilted her head a bit.
"Lets walk and we can talk about that whole, complicated relationship", Lynn said.
Hunter nodded and walked beside her as Forest took off and ran around. It was very rare that his trusted companion got some time to just be what he was, an animal.
"So Lynn, what is it that you do?", he asked.
"I'm a writer, well I guess not anymore since this stupid writers block hasn't left", she said.
He smiled.
"Maybe you just need to find your muse. Your source of inspiration", he said.
"Well, any time that inspiration wants to find me, I am more than ready for it", she said.
"So what is it that your writing is about?", he asked.
"Don't laugh", she said.
He chuckled softly.
"Why would I laugh? Come on", he said.
She nodded.
"I write modern fairytales. I've been writing them since I was a child. The setting is always in a winter wonderland. I have always found it like such a beautiful setting and romantic to me", she said.
"I can see the appeal, I'm from Earth 25 remember", he said, winking at her.
"Right", she blushed.
"Maybe you can visit some time and bring your novels to life", he said.
She nodded.
"Maybe", she said.
He couldn't believe he just invited her to his home. He cleared his throat.
"So is it just you?", he asked.
"No. My older brother, Liam and my sister Leslie both live here too. I have younger siblings too, but its been a long while since I last saw them", she said.
"And why is that? If you don't mind me asking", he asked.
She shrugged.
"My parents weren't really, I guess into parenting. They always left it up to me and I knew that if I stayed or went back at all, they would pressure me to stay. I would be full on responsible for my younger siblings and my parents.", she said.
"You could just say no. Talk to your parents and tell them", he said.
"Its not that easy.", she said.
He nodded.
"Now I get it", he said.
She looked over at him.
"Get what?", she asked.
"You have a hard time saying no to people, including your family. You don't want to let anyone down, because you don't want to hurt them.", he said.
She opened her mouth to say that wasn't true, but she knew it was. He had read her right. She looked down at Rain.
"You need to do what's right for you, Lynn. Damn whoever's feelings you hurt. Its like you said, its not your responsibility. If they don't like that you said no, then that's on them.", Hunter said.
Lynn nodded.
"I know", she said softly.
He looked over at her and reached over, setting his hand on her back.
"I didn't mean to upset you", he said.
"Its fine. Talking about my family always does that", she said.
"I know the feeling", he mumbled.
She had heard him. Setting Rain down, she took off towards Forest and they were running around like crazy.
"Speaking of family", she said.
He sighed and stopped. She pushed her hands into her jacket pockets.
"I was married, yes. I also had two little girls, they were so beautiful", he said, tears welling up in his eyes.
She noticed and reached over, rubbing his arm.
"What were their names?", she asked.
"Valentina, 12 and Vivienne, 10", he said softly.
"Pretty names", she said.
"Yeah, my wife let me pick them out", he said.
Lynn smiled.
"What happened to them?", she asked.
It took him a few minutes, trying to blink away the unshed tears.
"Car accident, or at least that's what I was told", he said.
"You don't think it was an accident?", she asked.
He met her eyes.
"Honestly? No.", he said.
She nodded.
"My advisor, the man at lunch with me, Shawn. He talked to me about possible fowl play. That someone might have been watching them to get to them to hurt me", he whispered.
Lynn's heart was racing.
"I didn't want to listen to him the first time he tried to tell me, but I was grieving and I just didn't want to hear it. I should have", he sighed.
"You lost your family, it makes sense that you didn't want to listen to anyone", she said.
He nodded.
"Do you have anyone looking into it?", she asked.
"Someone, I can't really tell you who because it could put you and this person in danger", he said.
She nodded.
"Completely understand", she said.
They started walking again. She couldn't help but feel like she could help him find whoever did this to his family. Sometimes the answer was right in front of your face, but you have to really look for it. Her extensive research for her novels helped her find details others couldn't.
She looked at him.
"I think I can help you", she said.
He stopped and turned to face her.
"Lynn", she stopped him.
"Hear me out first. Okay?", she said.
He nodded.
"Before I write a book, I have to do my research on locations and finding inspiration for my characters. I am really good at looking deep into things and finding what I need", she said.
"My investigator already did that and didn't find anything", Hunter said.
"Then you wouldn't mind me taking a second look. Maybe he missed something since he's been working on this for so long", she said.
Hunter could see the determined look in her eyes.
"I don't want to put you in danger", he said.
"I can take care of myself", she said.
He sighed and looked away.
"Okay fine, look, think about it and if you want my help, let me know. You have my number", she said.
He nodded.
"Rain, lets go", she called.
The little dog ran over to her and she picked her up. Carrying her to their car. Forest walked up beside him and nudged him. Hunter looked down at him.
"I know, she's beautiful", he said, watching Lynn get to her car before driving away.
Getting back to his hotel room, Shawn lowered his newspaper.
"How was your date?", he asked with a smirk.
Hunter rolled his eyes.
"It wasn't a date and it was fine. She's actually really nice", he said.
The smirk never left Shawn's face.
"I told her about Stephanie and the girls", he said.
Shawn's smirk fell. He tossed the newspaper on the coffee table.
"Are you crazy? That's dangerous. What if whoever killed your family is watching you and listening in? You could have put her in danger", Shawn said.
"I don't know Shawn. Alright, it, was like I could trust her and I just started talking and I couldn't stop", Hunter said.
"You have it bad and you barely know the girl", Shawn said.
Hunter sighed and collapsed on the couch.
"She wants to help", Hunter finished.
Shawn nodded.
"You think she can?", he asked.
"She's a writer. She has more experience behind a computer than you and I put together", Hunter said.
Shawn chuckled.
"If she does, we can't leave her here. Its too dangerous to leave her alone. Corey has guys backing him, its why he's not worried, but she doesn't", Shawn said.
Hunter nodded.
"What should we do? Introduce her to Corey and let him protect her?", Hunter asked.
Shawn chuckled and shook his head at his friend.
"You are so clueless sometimes", Shawn said.
"What?", Hunter asked confused.
"Invite her back to Earth 25 with us. What's safer than in your home in the Emerald region", Shawn said.
Hunter thought about it.
"You can also cozy up to her. I know you like her, and its okay to move on. Stephanie would want you to", Shawn said.
Hunter grabbed his phone and found Lynn's name. opening the text.
"Can I come over tomorrow to talk?"-Hunter
It took a few minutes, but she finally texted back.
"Yes"-Lynn