A Fresh Start

by Grace, Trisha

  Not a single one of them asked Paige about her moving in with Justin. Not even Gloria with all her coyness dared to saunter over.

  But he could see that several had gathered around Mrs. Seymour, probably hoping to obtain some information from her.

  He wasn’t worried. Mrs. Seymour was a secret pot. She knew the town’s secret, but she hated gossiping.

  On the way back to Jane’s house, Jane hadn’t brought up that topic either. He figured she probably didn’t want to ask anything that could get her into trouble with Andrew.

  “Call me when you’re done. I’ll pick you up,” Justin said as Paige was stepping out of the car.

  “Will do.”

  Once the door closed, Andrew said, “Are you intending to stay here? I don’t think your work allows that.” Andrew paused for a moment, and continued when he didn’t reply. “I know what she said just now, but I know she loves New York. She loved the musicals she could watch, the museums she could go, and she loved all the unending variety of courses and seminars she could attend. She’s staying here for you.”

  When Justin leaned in to kiss her for the first time, he’d never thought about how different their lifestyles were. Her responsibility would make her stick to her job and they might end up in different cities, away from each other.

  When he’d asked if she wanted him to stay, he hadn’t thought about the long-term plan. All he knew was he wanted to be with her. If she wanted him to stay, he would. Instead of staying in the house he was working on, he would stay in town.

  And he did.

  If it weren’t for her, he would’ve returned the job to Travis a long time ago and left.

  But in the long run, he couldn’t stay. The nature of his work demanded him to move around.

  He didn’t mind moving to New York with her, but he couldn’t settle down and stay in New York either.

  “I don’t have an answer for you. And it’s not because I don’t care. I hadn’t thought about things beyond what has been happening.” He turned into the street and stopped at the bottom of the slope leading up to Paige’s house.

  “She isn’t the sort who have flings.”

  “I don’t treat her as a fling,” Justin replied, offended. If there was a way to make things work, he would.

  “Okay.” Andrew opened the door and with one of his leg outside, he said, “But if you make her stay and you leave, I won’t let you off.”

  “Noted.”

  He drove back home and sat in front of his laptop, thinking about what Andrew had said. He thought about the duration it’d take him to work on the houses he was intending to get. He could always stretch things out to a year and wait for Paige to finish up the school year.

  But what was next?

  It wasn’t a question he could solve on his own.

  He sighed and broke into a grin when his phone rang. “Done?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “Okay. Give me fifteen minutes.”

  Justin swung by and picked up Andrew before going over to Jane’s house. They still had plenty of time to head over to Cheyenne and find Cole. No matter what the future held for them, he wanted to settle this for Paige first.

  “Time to pay Cole a visit,” Andrew announced when Paige got into the car.

  “Let’s hope we can actually find him this time.”

  After a 45 minute drive and constant ringing of the bell for over half an hour, Paige had her ear pressed up against the door again. Andrew followed; both closing their eyes as they concentrated.

  Justin wanted to laugh at their behavior.

  Though they looked nothing alike, their behavior, and even their expressions, were exactly the same.

  Paige straightened and ran her hands through her hair. “Maybe he’s gone home.

  “His car is still in the parking lot.”

  “It could be one of those services that the rental company will pick the car up for you.”

  “Let’s go down to the counter and use the story we made up yesterday, maybe we can get them to open up the room,” Justin suggested. There wasn’t any point in wasting time on a bell.

  “That’s a good idea,” Andrew said. “I’ll wait in the lobby.”

  They went down as planned. Justin smiled politely as he asked for the manager and explained to him ‘the situation’. He told the manager how Cole was supposed to meet them for lunch yesterday but didn’t turn up, about the conversation they had with the housekeeper, and eventually lying about calling Cole for the whole of the day before and that morning.

  The manager nodded empathetically, but insisted that they wait in the lobby while he checked out what was going on.

  Less than fifteen minutes later, the manager returned with a key card and a security guard. Despite the polite smile he displayed, the manager was clearly distressed about something.

  “The staff hadn’t seen Mr. Crowen either. The housekeeper said that his things hadn’t been touched, and the bed hadn’t been slept in. We’re going in to take a look, would you like to come along?”

  “Yes,” Paige answered immediately.

  There was absolute silence as all of them, except Andrew, rode the escalator up.

  Justin couldn’t figure out why Cole had suddenly gone missing. He wasn’t injured, so he couldn’t have passed out somewhere. Even if he did, someone would’ve found him by now.

  He turned to Paige and saw the etch between her brows.

  Maybe he was trying to make Paige worry as some form of sadistic punishment.

  The lift chimed, taking his mind off the unless analysis. It wasn’t like he, or any sane human being, could figure out what Cole was thinking.

  Placing his arm on Paige’s back, they followed the manager and the security guard.

  None of them spoke until they were right outside Cole’s room.

  The manager rang the bell and waited for a moment, then knocked on the door. “Mr. Crowen? Are you in there?” He waited again before turning to the security guard.

  With a curt nod from the guard, the manager slotted in the key card and the door popped opened.

  Pushing the door open, the manager called out, “Mr. Crowen?”

  Nothing.

  Paige craned her neck, trying to look into the room.

  The manager stepped in and placed the card into the placeholder, turning on all the lights in the room. Leaning back against the door, the manager allowed the security guard to enter the room while gesturing for Paige and Justin to wait.

  “All clear. No one is inside.”

  Justin took Paige’s hand and went into the room. Cole’s luggage lay open in the corner of the room, his clothes still inside. On the desk were a cell phone, a laptop, and a digital camera.

  “Is that his phone?” Justin asked.

  Paige nodded.

  There was something wrong about the digital camera on the table. Cole wasn’t here for a holiday, why did he need his digital camera? He wanted to look through the laptop, too. If Cole was the stalker, there would be proof in the laptop.

  Justin took a glimpse of the manager who was busy scanning the room, but the security guard’s eyes were fixed on him. There was no way the guard would allow him to look through Cole’s laptop.

  Then, Justin noticed the sudden widening of Paige’s eyes as she pulled open one of the drawers by the desk.

  Justin looked into the drawer and found the same cream colored envelopes. Not the ones that Paige had received in Pine Bluffs, but those she’d received in New York, those she’d kept in the box.

  He reached over, but before his hands could touch any of the letters, the security guard stopped him.

  “We’re not allowed to touch his things. We’ll need to make a police report.”

  “Okay,” Paige agreed.

  “There’s no sign of a struggle or of Mr. Crowen being injured,” the security guard assessed and took another scan of the room.

  The manager stepped in front of them and said, “We’ll make the report tomorrow. Until then, I�
�ll ask my staff to keep a look out for Mr. Crowen. Do you want to leave your number? Once we locate Mr. Crowen, I’ll get him to contact you?”

  “He knows my number, just tell him that Miss Watson is looking for him.”

  “And I was staying in this hotel, you should have my records. Justin Doyle, you can call me if there’s any update.”

  “Sure, Mr. Doyle. Is there anything else I can do for you?” the manager asked as he ushered them out.

  “No, that’s all. Thanks.” Justin led Paige back to the lift and continued when they were inside. “The envelopes and paper.”

  “They look the same.” She drew in a deep breath and dropped her head back. “It’s him. I’d been dating the guy who was making my life a torture for the past three years.”

  He pulled her into his arms and ran his hand down her back. “At least you know who it is now.”

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and nodded. “And you’re right. He isn’t as scary when the mask comes off.”

  “Just a crazy bastard.”

  She laughed softly, her body vibrating in his arms. He ran his finger through her hair and lifted her from his chest.

  He was glad she wasn’t taking things badly, but he had to remind her. “Be careful of your surroundings from now on. You know who to look out for, and no matter what, do not confront him alone.”

  “I won’t.”

  Chapter Twenty One

  Swiveling around in the chair, Paige glanced out of the clear glass at the street. Watching cars driving by, probably neighbors on their way to work. Justin didn’t just build a house that was too modern for the town, he’d made sure he built it higher than the rest of the houses on the street.

  She shook her head with a small indulgent smile.

  There must be more to the neighbors not lifting a finger to help when his mother was drunk. There was some sort of message in this house.

  She sat there, with her hair slightly damp, in a white tank top and jeans, pondering on the various possibilities of how the neighbors had pissed him off.

  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?”

  “A
nd 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.”