A Caged Songbird's Escape: Into the Arms of a Predator novel Chapter 130

Rowan opened his eyes, his usual sharpness softened for once. He was just about to get out of the car when the door swung open.

Janice grabbed his arm and practically yanked him out. “You’re free for lunch today, right? I need to talk to you. No arguments,” she said, leaving him no room to protest.

He looked at his grandmother, his patience on full display. “What’s going on?”

They walked into the house together. The rich aroma of food drifted from the kitchen, and Rowan glanced toward the dining room, one eyebrow raised in surprise. “What’s with the feast, Grandma? Feeling guilty and decided to spoil me all of a sudden?”

Janice was never one for extravagance. No matter how good things got, lunch was always two simple dishes and a bowl of soup. If it was just Rowan, she’d often hand him a plate of pasta and call it a day.

“Keep dreaming! It’s not for you. That girl is coming over,” Janice said, barely able to hide her excitement before schooling her features into seriousness. “Now listen–whatever happens, you’re going to cooperate today. Be polite. Got it?”

She’d worried herself sick over her grandson’s love life. Not that anyone else cared; the rest of the Murphy clan probably wished nothing more than for Rowan to stay single forever.

Rowan frowned. “Which girl?”

Janice shot him a look. “Which girl do you think? The young doctor. I invited her for lunch. And you’d better not give her that frosty attitude of yours.”

Rowan’s expression stayed cool. “If you’re setting me up, you could’ve at least warned

me.”

“It’s not a setup,” Janice said, deadly serious. “I just want her to meet you. If she happens to like you, well, that’s your good luck!”

Rowan arched an eyebrow, unconvinced.

Across the room, lan tried to hide a smirk. He couldn’t help but wonder if Grandma’s doctor had slipped something into her prescription–some kind of brainwashing agent, maybe.

Rowan’s gaze grew thoughtful. Suddenly, he asked, “Didn’t you say she was getting divorced?”

11:15

Chapter 130

Elissa and Frank’s separation flashed through his mind. Elissa was a doctor too. Could it possibly be…?

Janice busied herself in the kitchen. “That’s right. I asked her a couple of days ago–she’s already got the papers.”

Rowan’s lips quirked into a near–smile, then his expression hardened.

“Her ex–husband had it coming. Word is, he already has a kid with another woman,” Janice said. She hadn’t heard it from Elissa directly, but she’d caught mention of it when she overheard Elissa’s phone call at the clinic.

Rowan pressed his lips into a thin line. “I have something to do later–I’ll have to leave early.”

Janice set down her spatula and grabbed his arm, thoroughly annoyed. “I don’t care if the sky falls. You are staying right here until she’s had a good look at you!”

“If she’s not impressed, then you don’t need to bother coming back here ever again!”

Rowan let out a silent groan, rubbing his forehead.

With the holidays approaching, there were fewer patients than usual. For once, Elissa managed to leave work on time. She grabbed her bag and drove to the address Janice had given her–a peaceful, secluded neighborhood of cottage–style houses not far from Juniper Road. It was the kind of place perfect for settling down after

retirement.

Worried she’d be kept waiting, Janice had stationed herself at the entrance to the neighborhood.

Elissa couldn’t help but laugh. “You didn’t have to come out for me, Grandma. I could’ve found it just fine–now, hop in.”

Janice slid into the passenger seat, beaming. “It’s your first time here. I didn’t want you to get lost. Next time, you’ll know the way.”

“Take a right up ahead; you can park there.”

Following Janice’s directions, Elissa eased her foot on the gas and glanced over. “Careful getting out, Grandma. The sidewalk might be icy.”

At her age, a slip was the last thing anyone wanted.

“Alright, alright, I’m careful,” Janice replied, hurrying out as soon as the car stopped. She didn’t waste a second before taking Elissa’s arm and ushering her inside. “My grandson’s been waiting for you all morning.”

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