A Fresh Start (33 page)

Her focus faded and she began daydreaming until a police car stopped right outside the house. Her brows furrowed. She got up from her seat and half ran up the steps and to the attic.

Both Andrew’s and Justin’s heads snapped over at her entrance.

It was weird to see both Andrew and Justin in the same room. She stared at them, not knowing who she should address first.
 

Justin stepped off the treadmill and strode over toward her. “Is everything okay?”

The door bell rang before she had the chance to answer. “The sheriff is here.”

“Maybe the hotel reported Cole’s disappearance. I’ll go with you.”

“I want to see the sheriff.” Andrew placed the dumb bells on the floor and stood.

“Andrew, just a gentle reminder. He’s not some kid from school for you to tie to a flag post.”

Andrew’s jaw slacked and he seemed ready to argue, but after a look over to Justin, his features changed. He shrugged and sat back down.

The bell rang again, but she didn’t care. “What was that?” Andrew ignored her, so she turned to Justin and repeated, “What was that?”

“What?” Justin asked.

“That look.”

“It’s nothing.” Justin placed his hand on her back and led her over to the stairs. “The sheriff is getting impatient.”

Instead of ringing the bell and waiting for an answer, the sheriff was determined to bust the doorbell until one of them answered it.

“It’s not nothing,” she insisted.

She enjoyed not being stuck between Andrew and Justin the way she had been with Cole, but there was more to some shared camaraderie in that look.

“I’m not going to let it go,” she said while going down the stairs.

“He’s worried that your family has somehow spoilt you, that his protection of you was why you couldn’t handle the stress of the stalker.” He gave her a peck on her nose and turned toward the door.

Paige stood in front of the door and turned to face him. “Do you think I’m spoilt?”

Justin grinned even as the bell continued ringing.

“Open up, I know you’re in there!” the sheriff bellowed.

Ignoring the noise, Justin leaned in closer toward her.
 

She reached out and took his hand. “You once told me that it was tiring to be concerned about another person. I don’t want—”

“Open up, Justin! Miss Watson!”

“You won’t,” he answered firmly.
 

She smiled; a small, concerned smile.

“I don’t find it tiring to be around you. We’ll have this conversation later, when we don’t have someone pounding on the door. All right?”

“All right.”

Justin opened the door with an annoyed frown. “What’s the rush, sheriff?”

The sheriff stepped in, completely disgruntled. He gave Paige a head to toe scan and said, “So it’s true. You young people are so promiscuous nowadays. How long have you two known each other?”

She blinked, not knowing how to answer that.

“Is there something you need or are you here to check out a gossip?” Justin questioned.

The sheriff’s mouth twisted into a condescending sneer.

Paige found herself wishing she could slap the smirk away. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been snubbed by the police before, but the unjustified arrogance that the sheriff was exuding was simply irksome.
 

“A missing person report has been filed in the police department in Cheyenne. Your name was brought up by the hotel staff.” Then, with a conceited smile, the sheriff continued. “You’re wanted down at the police department in Cheyenne. I told them I’d bring you the wonderful news. Looks like you’re the prime suspect for Mr. Crowen’s disappearance. What did you do? Kill him for spilling your secret?”

Paige shook her head, not attempting to hide her contempt. “You go around accusing people without any proof to back you up. You’re lucky this town is pretty safe. Otherwise, you’ll be out of job, sheriff.”
 

“Young lady—”

“I got your message. You can leave now.”

The sheriff took a step forward, but she stood her ground.

Justin stepped in before the sheriff got too close. “Do you have a problem with your hearing, too? She’s gotten your message, you can leave now.”

The sheriff crooked his jaw, poking his tongue into his cheeks. “Remember to get yourself down there.”
 

Justin closed the door and turned to Paige. He knew she was probably still thinking about their previous topic. “I don’t feel tired around you,” he repeated. “You’re coping very well with everything that’s happening.”

“That’s because you made me to face up to it. You made me understand that I didn’t have to be the victim. But Andrew is right, I couldn’t handle it. I ran home when things got bad.” She licked her lower lip. “I don’t want you to feel obligated to take care of me. I know you don’t want—”

“I wasn’t referring to you,” Justin interrupted. “If you need to breakdown, go ahead. I promise I’ll be here to pick you up. And that’s all you need. You ran home because you know there would be someone there for you. You’re not someone who’ll hide in a dark room forever.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because you went back to New York, and you got yourself together enough to bring yourself here. You were jumpy when I first met you, but not once did you ever use the stalking as an excuse for anything. So, your brother is wrong; they didn’t spoil you.”

She smiled and leaned in to kiss him. A peck, a soft touch of his lips against hers. Then he deepened the kiss, his tongue grazing across hers. With another peck, he broke their kiss and held her face in place, his forehead leaning against hers. “Now answer one of mine,” he said and waited for her to nod before he continued. “Andrew said you love New York.”

She waited, looking at him. “And?”

“And you’re choosing to stay for me.”

That still wasn’t a question.

“He said I should tell you if I don’t have the intention to stay.”

She leaned away from him. “Are you breaking up with me?”

“No.” Justin smiled wryly and took both her hands. “Definitely not. I’m not sure what I’m asking.”

“You’re leaving Pine Bluffs soon?”

“No.”

She was getting more confused with each passing second.

“But I’ll eventually have to leave.”

“This eventually…when will that be?”

“I’m not sure.”

“I’m a little con—”

“Don’t take the job,” he suddenly blurted. “I know it’s unfair to you, but don’t take the job, I don’t want to leave town without you.”

She hadn’t thought about that. Now she understood why Andrew reminded her of the obligation behind her teaching job.

Her lips parted, forming a smile. She wanted to say yes and was about to do so when the responsible her kicked in.

She wasn’t someone who did things like this. She didn’t throw caution to the wind and did things simply because she wanted to. She had to weigh the pros and cons, the right and wrong.
 

Besides, she couldn’t throw away her believes and travel around with Justin, living with him.

“You don’t want to?”

“It’s not that. I can’t move around and stay with you, I don’t think that’s right. And what should I do for a living? I can’t get a job if we’re moving around all the time.”

“Right.” Justin nodded. “Of course, you’re right. I shouldn’t have asked. I’m—”

“Hey.” She took his hand. “We’re both here now. That’s all that matters, right?”

“Right.” A corner of his lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“I can’t promise that I’ll go with you, but I promise we’ll find a way when the time comes.” She squeezed his hands. “Why are you suddenly so worried?”

“I have no idea.” He widened his grin and shook his head. “I’ll take a shower, then we’ll go have breakfast at the Seymours.”

Running water gushed down the pipes in the house moments after Justin went up to his room. Paige stood, with her arms crossed over her chest, and stared out on the streets, thinking about what Justin had said.
 

“Want to go for a walk?”

“Were you eavesdropping?”

Andrew hesitated for a moment. “Didn’t mean to, was going to take a shower in your room when I heard you rejecting him.”

“I didn’t reject him.”

Pushing the door opened, he cocked his head to the side. “Come, let’s go for a walk. Doctor says it’s good for my leg.”

Paige trotted out behind him and didn’t say anything until they were out on the streets. “It’s a lot to think about, especially since we’ve only started dating. And there’s so much going on…”

“You seem happy.”

“It’s your fault, you know. You told him that I love New York. I think that’s what got him thinking about the whole thing.”

“Actually,” Andrew said. “I told him not to ask you to stay if he wasn’t staying. You told me what he did. He can’t stay here forever, and I don’t want you to stay only because of him. What will you do when he leaves? From what I see, you only have one friend your age, and even she might be leaving soon.”

She sighed softly. Now that she thought about it, Andrew was right.

She had enjoyed Pine Bluffs for the safety she felt here. Once they settled things with Cole, once Justin left, there would be no reason for her to remain in Pine Bluffs.

“What should I do?”

“You seem happy with him. You have that young school girl crush look when you’re with him. You can’t seem to stop smiling.”

“Are you saying I should go with him? I don’t believe in staying together. And work? I’ll need a job.”

“When you were studying, your scholarship didn’t allow you to get a job, but you found a way. If you set your mind to it, you always find a way.”

Paige stopped walking and turned to Andrew. “You really like him, don’t you? Is it because he’s like you?”

“Is he? I don’t see him ordering you around.”

“No. He’s nothing like you or anyone else I’ve met.” She pushed her fringe behind her ear, her fingers lingering in her hair for a moment as she thought about all those times when Justin did that.
 

“I like that you’re braver around him.”

“Thanks, Drew.” Paige looked down toward the floor, her gaze pausing on his leg. “Justin says I should rein in my concern. I know you can take care of yourself, but am I allowed to ask and get a serious answer for once? I promise I won’t ask again.”

“I am fine. It hurts a little when I jog, but I know not to push myself too hard. I’ve gotten injured many times, I know my body.”

“I know,” she said firmly. “I just needed to look you in your face when you say that. I needed to know you truly mean it, that you’re not being a superman because you think I need you to.”

“I know I’m not superman.”
 

“Good.” She nodded.
 

They turned back toward Justin’s house. She had a new answer for Justin. Andrew was right, there was always a way.

“Paige Watson?”

Paige looked over her shoulder, and her head tilted when she saw a young boy coming down the slope on his skateboard.

She frowned. “Yes?”

“This is for you.” The boy reached into his back pocket and handed her a crumpled cream colored envelope.
 

She froze. She couldn’t bring her hand up to take the letter.

“Ma’am?” The boy thrusted his hand forward.

Andrew pulled the letter from the boy’s hand and opened it while the boy gave another kick to continue skating down the slope. Andrew stretched his arm out, but the boy deftly dropped below his arm and skated on.

Paige’s hands turned clammy as she pressed the ring into her index finger. Clenching her jaws, she looked over at the letter.

It wasn’t a long letter this time.
 

No admiration. No admonishment. No poems. No photos.
 

Just a single piece of paper with the words ‘It’s time’ typed in the middle of it.

She swallowed hard and scanned the area. “It’s him.”

“Come on.” Andrew took off after the boy before she could stop him. She joined him in the chase, but the boy was on a skateboard and he’d made a turn. She paused for a moment even as Andrew pressed on despite not seeing the boy.

He ran down the road and turned into the nearest corner.

She sped up, but skidded to a stop almost immediately.

Justin’s mom stood at the end of the road, beckoning her.

This was such a bad timing. She thought Justin’s mom had left. Where did she spend the night?

Her head swiveled to where Andrew had turned into, then back at Justin’s mom. She should stay with Andrew. She would have to apologize to Justin’s mom another time.

But as she turned away, the corner of her eyes caught a sudden movement.

She looked over and found Justin’s mom doubling over, her face all crunched up as if she was in severe pain.

Paige ran over, placing her hand on Mrs. Doyle’s arm and elbow, trying to support her from collapsing to the floor. “Mrs. Doyle, are you all right?”

Justin’s mom straightened slowly, her arm remained over her abdomen. “Gastric, old ailment.”

“Do you want me to take you to the doctor?”

“No, no, darling.” Mrs. Doyle pulled her closer and wrapped her fingers around her arm. “I’m fine. I called you over because I want to know how my son is doing.”

Mrs. Doyle didn’t appear drunk. The pain she was suffering from seemed to have disappeared, and she seemed somewhat buzzed. Her eyes were wide, her brows raised, and her smile seemed forcefully plastered on her face.

Paige looked over her shoulder as Justin’s mom continued to drag her further away, pulling her down the street.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Doyle. Now isn’t a good time.”

“We can always make time, darling.”

Paige sighed softly, she didn’t want to waste time playing games with her. Andrew would be worried sick if he noticed she wasn’t right behind him. “I didn’t bring my wallet out.”

Justin’s mom waved it off. “Oh, don’t worry, I got that covered.”

Paige tilted her head to the side and took a good look at Mrs. Doyle’s face. Gently, she placed her hand over Mrs. Doyle’s arm. “Justin loves you very much and he’s willing to do anything for you to get well.”