No Final Destination (Happy Endings Resort Series Book 17)

by Penny Harmon

  Realizing he’d just asked her to go on their first date, she laughed. “I would. What should I wear? You taking me to McDonald’s this time?”

  Clark chuckled. “You will never let me live that down, will you?”

  Paige shook her head. “Why should I? You were the one who wanted to leave the restaurant because they were taking too long to serve us. I did not want fast food.”

  “But you ate it,” he teased.

  “I was starving at that point!” she giggled.

  Both dogs barked and Paige saw Michael leading the lab mix toward them.

  “Well, we should probably head back. The more I’m around these two, the more I want them,” Clark said. To the dogs, he said, “Sarah and Sophie, you ready?”

  Both dogs wagged their tails and let out a bark. Paige could not wipe the smile off her face.

  Chapter 8

  Clark buttoned his shirt and looked in the mirror. He hadn’t been this dressed up since going to a wedding. But, he wanted to make sure that Paige knew, without a doubt, that this was a date. Tonight he was going to show her the difference.

  Glancing at the clock, he hurried to get his tie and jacket on. He wanted to have time to stop at the florist’s and pick up a nice bouget of flowers. He had no idea what type she preferred, but he’d figure it when he got there.

  His phone rang and when he saw the number he let out a big sigh. He knew what it was. “Hey! I was just getting ready to leave!”

  Paige said, “I’m sorry. I don’t want to ruin your night, but I’ve got a migraine coming on and I don’t think I’d be good company tonight.”

  “You need anything?” he asked and could hear the disappointment in his own voice.

  “I’m sorry, but no…I just took something and I’m just going to go to bed.”

  Clark took his jacket off and loosened his tie. “We’ll just plan on going out another time. If you do need anything, though, call me.”

  Paige sighed. “I will and I’m sorry, Clark.”

  “It’s not a problem. Go get some rest,” he said and disconnected the call.

  So much for that. He had a feeling that something like this would happen, but he was really hoping he was wrong. When he’d asked her out, she’d had that deer-caught-in-the-headlights look on her face.

  He knew she was attracted to him, but he didn’t know if that was enough. He didn’t know her full story, but he had hoped he’d made her realize that he wasn’t just trying to use her or just get in her pants.

  Granted, he had made mistakes in the past, but that was when he was younger. Now he just wanted to settle down.

  After changing into a pair of sweats and a tee, Clark grabbed a beer out of the fridge. The phone rang again. Paige calling again? He answered quickly.

  “Paige. Are you okay?”

  “I am. I just wanted to apologize. I…um…I made it up. I was just too…I don’t even know how to explain,” she said quietly.

  “Paige, you don’t have to,” he sighed. Sitting on the couch, he leaned back and put his feet up on the coffee table. “I shouldn’t have pushed you to go.”

  “You didn’t. I really wanted to go. I still do. It’s just…”

  “Can I ask you something?” Clark wasn’t expecting an answer, but he knew he had to ask anyway.

  “Yeah,” she said after a slight hesitation.

  “What happened to make you so scared of relationships?”

  He heard her sigh and wondered if she would hang up on him. He took a drink and waited.

  “Let’s just say I grew up too fast. Can we leave it at that?”

  “Is that how you want to leave it?”

  “Clark, you can’t answer a question with a question,” she answered and he could almost hear the hint of a smile in her answer.

  “You did…kind of. I don’t know what happened to you, but I can tell you this. I like you…a lot. I want to see where things go between us. I won’t push you, though.”

  “Clark, I don’t know if I am capable of even having a relationship with anyone. I’m used to depending on myself.”

  “I can see that,” he laughed. More seriously, he stated, “But, what if you didn’t have to just depend on yourself anymore? Don’t you have friends?”

  Paige let out a chuckle. “For the first time in my life, I have a few friends. I’ve gotten to know a few people here.”

  “And…you have me,” he added.

  “Yes, and you, but what if we try this and it doesn’t work out? What then? Then I’ve lost you as a friend,” she stated.

  “But, what if it does? What if we stay together for the rest of our lives? What if we get married and then divorce two years later? What if you meet someone else and fall madly in love with them instead of me?”

  “Clark…”

  “Life is about risk, Paige. If you don’t take any risks then what is the point?” Clark smiled. He couldn’t wait to hear what she would say about that.

  “Every risk I’ve taken has not exactly worked out for the best,” she came back.

  “Was it a risk coming to South Carolina?”

  “I wasn’t heading to South Carolina. I was aiming for Florida,” she laughed.

  “Well, that risk worked out then, because you ended up here, you’ve got a great job, new friends, and me,” he teased.

  “I guess I can give you that one,” she teased. More seriously, she stated, “I’m sorry I lied to you, Clark. I just didn’t know what to do.”

  “It’s okay. I have an idea. Let’s pretend we’re on our first date right now. Then, when we actually do go out, it won’t be our first date,” he joked.

  Paige giggled. “Seriously?”

  “Yes, right now at this very moment, we are sitting down at the table in a fine restaurant and ordering from the menu. What are you having?” he asked. “I’m thing the sirloin tips sound good.”

  “Sirloin tips? I was thinking the lobster sounds good.”

  “Oh yes, let’s do it. Surf and turf sounds great!”

  “Okay, now that we’ve ordered, it’s my turn to find out more about you. Tell me about your life growing up, Clark. What was it like?”

  Clark stood up and grabbed a soda out of the fridge. He opened it and then replied, “Well, where do I start? I grew up in Raleigh…an only child. Both of my parents still live there.”

  “You’re an only child, too?” Paige asked.

  “I am, but I was not spoiled. My father was old school. If I wanted something, I had to work for it. My old man is a retired police officer, so I guess I kind of followed in his footsteps.”

  “Are you close to your parents?”

  “I am, but they raised me to be independent and they actually enjoy their time together enough that they don’t miss me…well, I’m sure they do, but they have a life,” he laughed. His parents were each other’s best friend. This was what he wanted.

  “Did you have a lot of girlfriends growing up? I’m guessing you were the school jock who always dated the cheerleaders,” Paige snickered.

  “You think? You couldn’t be more wrong,” he explained. “I was actually more of a geek…nerd…whatever your chosen name is for the kids that read books all day, join the marching band, and go to science camp.”

  “What?” she laughed so hard, he swore he heard her snort. “I don’t believe you!”

  “You should. I’ll give you my mother’s number and you can call her. She’ll tell you. I swear I was scared of girls until I got out of the academy.”

  “Academy?” she asked.

  “Police academy. I did go to college for two years to get my Associate’s in Criminal Justice and then I entered the academy when I was old enough.”

  “Your parents must be proud.”

  “Oh yes, my mother never lets me forget it, either. How about you? Did you go to college?” he asked.

  “No, I lost my mother at sixteen,” she said and he heard the sadness in her voice. He wished he was actually with her. Hearing this in her voice, he
wanted nothing more than just to hold her.

  “I am so sorry, Paige. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been.”

  “It was, but…”

  “Where did you go? You said you never knew your father?”

  “Oh, Clark. It doesn’t matter. Let’s finish talking about you. I want to hear more about your geekiness,” she teased.

  “You think so? All I can do is tell you that my life in high school was okay. I wasn’t the most popular, but I wasn’t bullied or anything like that. Summers I went to Maine to spend time with my aunt and cousins. I had a good life. I was lucky, I guess.”

  “It sounds like a great life,” she said. “I probably should let you go. Do you realize how long we’ve been on the phone?”

  “It’s been nice. So when is our next date? Remember, this was the first.”

  She did hesitate for a second, but he quickly smiled when he heard her reply, “How about Thursday night? Is that your night off?”

  “It is. How about this? Let’s make this easy. We’ll meet at our regular pizza place, so that way you won’t call me and tell me you’ve got a headache…no pressure whatsoever,” he laughed. “How’s that?”

  “Sounds good. Thank you for a great first date, Clark. I had fun,” she said.

  “I did, too, Paige. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Goodnight,” she whispered.

  “Night,” he replied. Definitely not the kind of first date he had expected, but he couldn’t say he was disappointed.

  Chapter 9

  On Thursday, Paige took Sophie and Sarah for a walk before she left for the day. She was meeting Clark at seven, but couldn’t pass up the chance to spend a little extra time with the girls. So far no one had wanted to adopt two older dogs that had to stay together, but she was hopeful.

  By the time she got home, she had just enough time to shower and change for her date with Clark. It wasn’t until that she listened to her messages that she panicked. One of the guests at the resort needed her to let their dog out tonight and in the morning before she went to work, because they were gone on an overnight trip.

  So much for a long date tonight. They were meeting at seven and they’d asked that she take their dog out at ten. Hopefully, Clark would understand.

  At the pizza place, she walked in and found Clark sitting at the table they usually sat at. She almost laughed, though, because he was sitting there wearing a suit, tie and all, with a bouquet of flowers ready to hand to her. What was going on?

  She quickened her steps and sat down at the table. “What are you doing? I didn’t know I was supposed to dress up?”

  “I didn’t tell you that you had to dress…I didn’t dare. I was afraid you’d back out again,” he laughed.

  “Oh, so now you get to sit there all gussied up while I look like a bum? That’s not fair.”

  “Yeah, life’s not fair, right?” he teased.

  Her face went serious. “No, it’s not. I’ve actually got to be back home by nine…I have to let out a guest’s dog. I’m sorry.” She watched for his reaction. She hated the fact that she’d lied to him the last time they were supposed to go out. She wondered if he thought she was lying again.

  “Well, at least it’s not too hot tonight. It will be a good night for a walk,” he smiled. “Want some company?”

  Why didn’t she think of that? Of course, she hated the idea of having him come back to the resort with her. Even though everyone at the resort was nice, she’d also found out how nosey they were. Every time she drove in, she swore they’d all stick their heads out just to wave to her. Yeah, they were being nice, but damn, it wasn’t going to be good if she wasn’t alone. That would get them talking.

  “Sure, but be prepared. You know how in small towns everyone knows what everyone else is doing? Well, it’s kind of like that at the resort. We’ll soon be the talk of the resort,” she laughed.

  “Yeah, the next time I go to High Bar, I’ll make sure to talk to Stixx about that,” he laughed.

  “Um, please don’t. I know she’s a great person and all that, but she scares me,” she smiled. It wasn’t that she was scared of her as much as the fact that she was envious. She wished she had just a little bit of her confidence.

  At precisely nine-thirty, Paige went to the door of the RV and opened it where she was greeted by the barking of a small Chihuahua. “Come on, Casey! Let’s go for a walk.”

  Once the little dog heard that word, he was ready to go. Upon seeing Clark standing outside, the dog started yapping again, making them both laugh.

  “Well, it is a good thing that Chihuahuas are small. If not, they’d be dangerous,” Clark smiled.

  “Yes, they would,” she agreed and steered the little dog down the side of the road that wound its way through the resort.

  They watched as the dog did its business. “Well, let’s get you back home, Casey. It’s kind of chilly out here tonight,” she said and then smiled at Clark. “You want a cup of coffee?”

  “Sure, but only if you’re up to it. I know you have work tomorrow, too.”

  “I do, but I always drink coffee this late…never effects me.”

  Once she’d left Casey back in the RV, she and Clark walked slowly back toward her trailer. The sounds of the lake drifted around them and she could hear talking in the distance. While the resort could be quiet, she’d discovered that it was active. Summer was just starting and it was just about at full capacity.

  As they walked by one trailer, she swore she could hear the sounds of someone having sex and her eyes went wide. Clark reached out and grabbed her arm. She didn’t dare to look at his face.

  “Is that what I think it is?” he laughed.

  “Um, probably…I’ve heard some stories, but honestly, I don’t care to stand here and listen to it,” she said quickly and started walking faster.

  By the time they reached her trailer, her face was hot. How embarrassing to be on a date and hear that? She could only imagine what he was thinking and winced.

  Opening the door, she turned and looked at him, “Still up for coffee?”

  “Absolutely,” he said. “Don’t be embarrassed, Paige. Honestly, in my line of work, you’d be surprised by what I’ve heard and seen.”

  “I can imagine. It’s not that I’m a prude or anything, but…I just don’t want to hear it,” she said quietly. Growing up, she’d heard plenty of sounds coming from her mother’s room. She knew that it was stupid, but seeing her mother bounce from one man to another had left her feeling ill at ease about the topic of sex.

  She wondered what Clark would do if he discovered she was a virgin. Twenty-four years old and she was a freaking virgin! He’d really think she was a prude.

  Quickly making a half pot of coffee, Paige grabbed two mugs out of the cupboard and asked, “In a few minutes, you may get to meet Tom and Jerry if they decide to come out.”

  “Tom and Jerry? Like the cartoon?”

  She could help the giggle that escaped. “Yes, I know, but it suits them. Tom is the more playful one, but Jerry can be, too.”

  “Do they not like company?” Clark asked while looking around the small living area.

  “Not really…they were actually abused, so they’re a little shy, especially of men.”

  Kind of like me, she thought and then turned around to walk into her bedroom. She found Tom sleeping on her bed and Jerry underneath.

  “You guys hungry?” she whispered. “You want to come out and meet someone?”

  Both cats looked up at her and closed their eyes. When she walked back out into the kitchen, she grabbed the jar of treats out of the cupboard and shook it. She was relieved that Clark had set down on the small sofa and wasn’t moving.

  A few seconds later, Tom and Jerry stuck their heads out of her bedroom door and very carefully made their way to her. Tom kept glancing at Clark who hadn’t moved a muscle.

  Of course, once they’d eaten their treats, they gave Clark one more glance before they scurried back into the safety
of bedroom. Clark let out a chuckle. “Well, they want nothing to do with me. They are beautiful.”

  Paige smiled. “They are. It takes them a long time to get used to someone new in their life, though. Probably my fault, too. I’m not exactly the socialite they need to help them get accustomed to new people.”

  The coffee stopped brewing and Paige got up to make them each a cup. While she was standing at the sink, Clark said, “Tell me about your life.”

  “What life?” she laughed. “I work…that’s about it.”

  “Yes, but what else do you like to do?”

  “Read…I read a lot.”

  “Like what?”

  “Anything! I love a good mystery, but I also try to read the classics.”

  “Like Tom Sawyer?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she said. “I just finished that one last year and now I’m reading The Hobbit.”

  Clark came over to take his cup of coffee and then moved back to the sofa. “I read The Hobbit in high school...one of my favorites.”

  “It was good. I didn’t read much in school, but over the last couple of years discovered that it was a great way to learn about new stuff and its cheap entertainment.” Paige sat down on the other end of the sofa and put her coffee down on the coffee table.

  “I read, but I have to say I prefer a good action movie.” Picking up a book off the table, he looked at the cover. “Romance?”

  “Yes,” she laughed. “Don’t make fun of it! It’s a good book.”

  “To each their own. Actually, my mother is big on romance books. You two would get along great,” he teased. His face then went serious. “I had a great time tonight.”

  Paige felt almost breathless in an instant. “Me, too.”

  “Saturday night? This time, though, I want you to pick what we do.”

  “What? Saturday is fine, but I have no idea about choosing something. I don’t even know what there is to do around here.”

  “You have a couple of days to figure it out. Surprise me!” he grinned. “I like surprises.”