Chapter 18

Nathaniel Griffith didn’t mince words. Clara Walton gave a soft cough, clearly caught off guard. He seemed to realize it, too. “Sorry. That came out harsh.” “It’s fine. Thank you anyway,” Clara replied calmly. What he said wasn’t wrong, after all. Then Nathaniel shifted tone. “Where are you headed? I’ll take you.” “Elm Street,” Clara said after a brief pause. Nathaniel frowned. He’d expected her to want to go home, not to a downtown bar district. “Relax, I’m just hungry. Not planning anything reckless,” Clara smiled faintly, her tone light, almost teasing. “Whoever left me here should be the one to come find me. Don’t you think?” Nathaniel understood the meaning behind her words. “Alright,” he nodded. “I’ll take you. Call me if you need anything.” “Okay,” Clara replied. Nathaniel moved to carry her, but Clara politely declined. He didn’t insist. Soon, Nathaniel drove Clara to Elm Street as she’d asked. Elm Street was one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, lively at night with bars and