“That’s sweet. As you can see,” Paige said. “I’m still in one piece. What’s the rumor?”
“There’s a rumor going around that your ex-boyfriend’s back, and Justin got into a fight with him because you’re getting back together with your ex.”
“Who said that? I mean how did they know?”
“I think it started from the doc himself. I’m not sure, but someone came up and asked me if it was true. It’s a small town, people talk.”
“It isn’t like that. I’m not getting back with Cole. Cole insulted me and Justin punched him. That was it. Didn’t you see Justin? He was still here when I left for a jog.”
“He went out after you, said he was going to buy something. I was sure he was going to follow you around in his car,” Mrs. Seymour joked. “You didn’t see him?”
Paige laughed at Mrs. Seymour’s words. Justin wouldn’t follow her around that way. If he didn’t want her to go for a jog, he would’ve asked. “No. I have no idea where he went.”
“All is good, then?” Jane asked.
“Yes,” Paige assured. “And you?”
The sound of keys jiggling turned their heads to the door that inched open slowly. After a moment, Justin popped his head in and stepped out from behind the door. “You’re earlier than usual.”
She was. Without the audiobooks, she couldn’t help feeling what a waste of time it was and it got rather boring to run without doing anything else.
Justin’s eyes flickered over to Jane. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
“Why are you being so secretive?” Paige leaned forward and narrowed her eyes.
Justin grinned at her and pulled out the bouquet he was holding behind his back. “Morning.”
“Aww.” She stood and moved over to him. “You didn’t have to do that. It’s not because Cole brought me flowers, right?”
“I bought you flowers because I wanted to, and I brought it here despite knowing that Mrs. Seymour won’t let it go without some embarrassing remarks because I doubt you wanted to see flowers on your porch.” He bent down and gave her a peck on her lips.
“I see you guys are perfectly fine.”
Justin arched a brow at Paige.
“There’s some rumor about me getting back with Cole.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not letting her go.”
Paige smiled sheepishly as Jane grinned.
“That’s smart. And I’m actually here for something else, too. I was thinking of asking you to help me with my résumé,” Jane said to Paige.
“Résumé?”
“Yeah.” Jane’s grin grew wider, creasing her eyes. “A position in the American Museum of Natural History opened up. I really want that job, but I have no idea what to put in my résumé.”
“That’s fantastic. Yeah, I can help you with that.”
“Did you have to type a résumé? I thought you were hired even before you began searching for a job?” Justin asked.
“But I’ve seen a lot of résumé when I’m hiring,” she countered.
“All right, I’ve to pick up the window grills for you anyway. At least you’ll have someone to accompany you.”
“Wow, look at those flowers,” Mrs. Seymour commented.
“And here we go,” Justin said.
Mrs. Seymour knocked Justin on his head and continued. “You think I didn’t hear what you said when you came in?” Turning to Paige and Jane, she said, “Let’s eat, breakfast is ready.”
Later, when Justin went to pick up the window grills they’d ordered, Paige and Jane went back to her house to work on the résumé.
She could see how excited Jane was. Each time Jane spoke of the job, of moving to New York and starting afresh, her eyes would sparkle.
Jane definitely needed a fresh start. She needed to get away from all the negativity and constraints she’d allowed herself to be bound to in this town.
While finalizing the résumé, Paige’s ears pricked up at the sound of a car engine entering the street. After months of having Justin driving his truck up to her house, she could recognize the specific sound of his truck’s engine.
And whoever was driving in definitely wasn’t Justin.
She got to her feet and went over to her window. “Crap.”
“What’s wrong?”
“The ex who won’t let go,” she grumbled. She leaned her head back and sighed softly when she realized she’d left the gun right where it had been sitting—behind the lamp on the nightstand in the Seymours.
Seriously, Paige, she chided herself.
Cole headed toward her house and she saw his eyes moving to the flowers and the ring she’d thrown on the floor.
Turn around and leave, she willed in her head.
Instead, Cole widened his steps and stormed over to her house.
“He seems angry,” Jane said as she peered out.
“This isn’t good.”
Jane pushed Paige over toward the door, her finger on her lips. “Shh…Let’s just pretend we’re not here,” she whispered.
Both of them jumped when Cole pounded on the door. Jane’s hand flew to cover her mouth while Paige froze.
Noticing the laptop that was still on her coffee table, Paige swallowed hard and pointed at it.
Jane curled her fingers into a fist, leaving her index finger pressed firmly against her lips.
“Paige, open up! I know you’re in there.”
Paige closed her eyes as the uncomfortable vibrations from Cole’s pounding pulsated down her shoulders. She pulled out her ring to the tip of her index finger, twirling it around.
Lord, please. Please do something.
“Paige!” Cole bellowed, and the pounding on the door continued. “Paige! Open up!”
Paige clenched her jaws and took in a deep breath through her nose as a sense of indignation rose within herself. She exhaled slowly, then lifted her back off the door.
She was done hiding.
She spun around and reached for the door knob, but Jane immediately grabbed her arm.
“No,” Jane mouthed, shaking her head. “Don’t.”
Open the door, I won’t leave you helpless. Those words resonated in her heart.
Squaring her shoulders, she opened the door.
“What are you doing?”
Paige heard Mr. Seymour’s voice, but Cole was standing right in front of her door, blocking out her view.
“Paige! Do you know how much the ring cost me? You think that hiding here will get rid of all your problems? Stop being stupid,” Cole continued as if he hadn’t heard Mr. Seymour.
“Young man, it’s time for you to leave.”
“Paige.” He reached out and tried to grab her arms, but she slapped them away before he could reach her.
“Are you deaf, Cole? How many times do I have to tell you ‘no’?” She raised one of her hands, with her palm facing him, and said, “Cole, for the last time, please leave me alone. I don’t care how much the ring cost. Get it out of my sight or I’ll throw it into the trash.”
She stared frostily at Cole even as his face went red and she could see the vein pulsing in his temple.
“You whore! You bloody bitch! You—”
Mr. Seymour rammed the back of his rifle into Cole’s back, sending him falling forward into her. Without thinking, she shoved against him and pushed him back.
While Cole stumbled, Mr. Seymour jammed the gun against him. This time on his leg.
Cole’s knee gave way and he bent over, swearing.
Shifting the rifle in his hand, Mr. Seymour pointed it at Cole and repeated, enunciating each word loud and clear, “Young man, it is time for you to leave.”
Scrambling off the floor, Cole aimed a scornful look at Paige. “I’ll see how long you can do without me.”
Without looking at Mr. Seymour, Cole scurried back to his car and drove off.
“You all right?” Mr. Seymour asked.
“Yes, thanks.” She looked over at Jane and continued. “I’m sorry abo
ut that.”
“Your ex is a little crazy.”
“A little?” She shook her head. ‘I’m beginning to think he’s completely insane, and perhaps I was completely blind.”
Justin loaded up the window grills and some of the other stuff he’d bought. Then he got into the car, ready to head back toward Paige’s house.
But the moment he opened the door, his phone rang. He got into the car and answered the call from Travis. “Hey.”
“I’m a father!” Travis exclaimed.
Justin eyes widened and laughed. “Finally! Where are you now?”
“At the hospital.”
“All right, I’ll be there in a bit.”
“All right.”
Once the call ended, he noticed the dozens of calls he’d missed. All of which came from the Seymours’ house.
Mrs. Seymour was probably calling him about Amy’s delivery.
He didn’t want to drive around with all the stuff in the back of his truck anyway, and he was sure Mrs. Seymour would want to go down to see the babies, too. So instead of heading over to the hospital directly, he drove back toward Paige’s house.
Just a minute into his drive, another call from the Seymours’ house came in.
He pressed the answer button and said, “I know, Travis called me already.”
“How did Travis find out?”
Justin narrowed his eyes. “Of course he knew; it’s his wife.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Obviously not what you’re talking about.”
“Justin Doyle, your girlfriend’s ex came over again and flew into a rage when he saw the ring and flowers. Victor chased him away, but maybe you should get yourself back here so I don’t have to keep hitting the redial button.”
His legs had slammed on the gas pedal the moment the word ‘ex’ came up.
Something was severely wrong with that guy. How many rejections would Paige need to slap in his face?
“I’m on my way.”
When he got back to the Seymours, Paige was sitting on the couch with Jane, chatting as though nothing had happened.
Paige smiled and got up to give him a hug as he strode over.
“I’m all right,” she said before he could ask.
“What did he do this time?”
“Nothing much.” Paige returned to her seat, pulling Justin along with her.
“He went crazy, pounding on the door and calling Paige names,” Jane said.
Justin didn’t have to ask what names he’d called Paige.
“We hid behind the door for a while, but Paige couldn’t stand it. She opened the door and confronted him.”
His eyes popped open. His tongue ran under his row of teeth as his jaw slackened.
“But Mr. Seymour was right there, so her ex couldn’t do anything.”
He nodded slowly. “Why did you open the door?”
“Because I’m sick and tired of having to hide. You said I can do this.”
“I meant it, and I still do.”
It was exactly what he wanted for her. It was better than her cowering behind the door. But his rationality couldn’t justify away the concern of what could’ve happened.
“We should do something about him. I don’t want him coming over and harassing you every day.”
“I’ve made it extremely clear to him that we’re not getting back together.”
“And he’s made it extremely clear that he’s serious hearing problems,” Justin retorted.
“Restraining order?” Jane suggested.
Paige sighed. “I doubt that’s going to change anything.”
“Where was your gun?” Justin suddenly asked.
That made Paige wince. “I forgot to bring it over with me.”
“You have a gun?” Jane asked, incredulous.
“Yeah,” Paige answered Jane. “It is Justin’s.”
“All right, I should get going.” Jane stood and took her bag. “You take care now. If you need a place to hide from Cole, I’m sure my mom won’t mind you staying over.”
“Thanks. And Jane, could you maybe not give your mom the details on what is going on?”
Jane pinched her index finger and her thumb together, then slid them across her lips.
“Thanks.”
“Do you want me to talk to Cole?”
Paige closed the door and turned to look at him right in his eyes, seemingly gauging how serious he was. “No, I don’t see how that could end well.”
“Are you afraid I’d hurt him?”
“You sound jealous.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Yes, I’m afraid you’ll hurt him and get yourself into trouble. I’ll never forgive myself if that happens, so don’t.”
“What were you talking about on the phone?” Mrs. Seymour asked as she came out of the kitchen with a glass of water for Justin.
“Damn, I forgot all about that. Amy just gave birth, I told Travis I would be there in a bit.” He stood, already pulling Paige toward the door. “You guys coming?”
“Yeah, but I need to change. You kids go ahead, we’ll be right behind.”
“Are you sure it’s all right that I tag along? I don’t know them.”
“They won’t mind, and there’s no way I’m leaving you alone. I left to pick up some stuff, then you had to hide behind a door while your ex tried to pound it down. I doubt he would’ve succeeded—”
Paige stopped abruptly by the car, looking at him with her brows raised. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You can’t possibly watch me every second of the day. You did teach me the means to protect myself, it was my fault that I forgot the gun. Besides, you’re the reason why the Seymours are watching over me as they are.”
Tapping his finger against her nose, he scowled. “You shouldn’t be concerned about making me feel better now.”
“You shouldn’t be blaming yourself in the first place.” She stepped closer toward him and laid her head against his chest.
He ran his fingers through her hair and asked softly, “Are you all right?”
“When Cole first turned up, I thought the break I got from moving here was over. But you didn’t allow it. You tried helping me see the stalker for who he is. You taught me how to shoot, so I won’t have to be trapped by fear.” She looked up from his chest. “You’ve done everything you can.” She tiptoed and gave him a peck on his lips. “And I’m perfectly fine.”
“I’m glad you decided to confront him, but the next time, will you make sure you have your gun with you before doing that?”
She smiled and nodded. “I didn’t have my gun this time, but I have God.”
His head slanted to the side, waiting for her explanation.
“I don’t know how to say it.” She chewed on her lips, looking to the side. “When I was standing behind the door, I asked God to do something and I felt this sudden rush of anger that fueled my courage.”
“You opened the door due to anger?”
“No. Yes, maybe. But there was more. I felt…secure. Something spoke in me, to me, I don’t know. I had this confidence that God wouldn’t leave me to deal with this alone. He’s already given me everything I need to deal with my situation.” She shook her head when she realized she was rambling. “And the moment I opened the door, Mr. Seymour was right there.”
Justin wrapped his arms around her waist. He was glad that she seemed to have found the answer she was searching for.
He hoped she was right. He couldn’t watch over her 24/7, but God definitely could.
“I don’t know how to explain it to you—”
“You don’t have to.” Tucking her hair behind her ear, he said, “If you believe that was what happened, then it’s good enough for me.”
With Paige’s hands in his, they hurried down the hospital corridor, searching for the room where Amy was in. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed Paige rubbing her palm against her arm.
“Are you cold?” Pulling her closer, he dra
ped his arm over her shoulders and rubbed his palm down her arm.
“Thanks, you’re always so warm.”
Which was why he never had the need to wear a coat or jacket unless it’s winter. His body had always generated more than enough heat to keep himself warm. “Stay close to me, then.”
The moment Justin and Paige stepped into the room, Travis placed his index finger over his lips. Both Travis and Amy held a baby in their arms.
Amy was lying in bed, clearly exhausted but still radiating with joy. Travis sat on a chair next to her hospital bed, gently swaying his body from side to side, rocking the snoozing baby.
Justin and Paige slowed their pace and lightened their steps as they moved toward the couple.
“Sorry we’re late,” Justin whispered. “This is Paige. Mr. and Mrs. Seymour are on their way.”
“Aah, the one who’s been keeping Justin in town,” Amy said, her voice equally soft.
Paige smiled politely and turned her attention to the baby in Amy’s arm. “Oh, look how cute she is. Look at how tiny her hands and feet are.” Gently, she ran her finger along one of the baby’s hands. “Aww…” she gushed as the baby’s tiny hand wrapped around her finger.
“You want to hold them?” Amy asked.
“I don’t want to wake her.”
“I don’t want to sound like a bad mother, but my arms are aching.”
Paige laughed softly and nodded. “All right, but don’t blame me if she burst out crying.”
As if she was lifting a bubble, Paige lightly slipped her hands between the baby and Amy’s arm, taking the newborn into her arms.
The baby stirred and there was an instant moment of silence when everyone held their breath, hoping the baby wouldn’t wake up crying.
“Shh…” Paige cooed while rocking the baby.
The baby shifted in her arms and went right back to sleep.
“She’s so tiny,” Paige commented when she noticed Justin looking at her.
“Justin, your turn.” Travis stood and walked over. “I wasn’t in labour, but I was up all night, too.”
Justin took a step back. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I don’t know how to hold the baby.”
“Just hold it like I am. Support the head. You can hand it over to Mrs. Seymour when she’s here,” Travis said. “I’m going to crash on the couch.”
A Fresh Start Page 20
