No Final

Destination

The Happy Endings

Resort Series

Book #17

Penny Harmon

No Final Destination

Copyright©2017 Penny Harmon

Publication Date: April 2017

All Rights Reserved.

This is a work of fiction. The characters, names, places, and events in this piece of work are simply products of the author’s imagination and/or are used in a fictitious manner to enhance the story. Any similarity to actual events, people, or places is coincidental.

No part of this book may be used in any form without express written permission of the author. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

Cover Design by: Kari March of Kari March Designs

Edited by: Genevieve Schull

Acknowledgments

I want to thank all of the awesome authors participating in the Happy Ending Resort Series and for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful community. You guys ROCK!!!

I also want to thank my partner, Dan, for putting up with me, which is not always an easy thing to do.

Chapter 1

Paige Ellison glanced at herself in the mirror and cringed.  She’d altered her appearance several years ago, but even now, if she wasn’t prepared, she could startle herself.  Pulling at the spikes of the once-blonde, now-purple, Mohawk-styled hair on top of head, she turned her head this way and that.  Combined with the dark black outline of her eyes, the black lipstick and pale skin, she looked…well…ridiculous.

Paige chuckled.  She could probably knock on her foster parent’s door and they wouldn’t even recognize her.  Not that she ever would.  Once she left, she’d made a promise she’d never go back.  

A last glance in the mirror and she picked up her purse off the counter.  The good thing was she loved going to her job every day.  It didn’t even seem like work.

“You guys be good while I’m gone.  No trying to break through the screens, either. It’s too hot in here to leave the windows shut, so be good.”  She leaned down and kissed the black and white longhaired cat on top of the head and then kissed the gray and black, Maine coon.  “Tom and Jerry, I’ll be back as soon as I can, so be good,” she said one last time and shut the trailer door behind her. They had a tendency to make messes and she knew that it wouldn’t make a difference to tell them to be good or not, but it was habit.

Looking around, she couldn’t believe the luck she’d had in finding this place.  When she had first drifted into Endings, South Carolina, she was just about broke.  The cold weather of the North had driven her to the South.  When she’d gotten here in March, the temperature had been at least thirty degrees above what it had been in Maine.

When the pet shelter had undergone some cuts in the budget, she’d been informed that her job would end.  Even though she still had her part time job at a book store and she’d fallen in love with the area, she’d packed up her old beat up Subaru and headed south.  She’d thought about Florida, but it was in Endings where she’d had a flat tire and decided it was warm enough to stay.

For the first week, she lived in her car with her cats while she applied for jobs.  That had been no easy task.  As soon as she secured a position at the local pet shelter, the manager told her about Happy Endings Resort.  After speaking to Rory, the owner of the resort, she agreed to offer pet sitting services for the guests at the resort and, in turn, she was offered a one bedroom trailer.  

If it had just been her, a tent would have been fine, but she’d been dragging Tom and Jerry along for the past six years and she wanted them to be comfortable. They were getting up in years and they deserved it.  After all, they’d been her only real friends since her parents died.

The resort was great.  It offered her everything she needed and more. The only thing she didn’t like was the friendliness of everyone else living there. Being a loner, she would have preferred someplace more private.

Rory had told her that things were pretty calm right now, but she said when summer comes it’s in full swing.  It was May and she was already noticing the difference from when she’d arrived last month. She didn’t know how she’d handle it when it really got busy.

Her trailer sat near the end on one of the side streets in the resort.  She was within walking distance to the lake and it was the perfect spot to walk the dogs.  While she’d only had two jobs since she’d been at the park, Rory said it would all change soon.

On her way out of the park, she waved to the guy at the gate.  She couldn’t remember his name, but he was at least friendly without being too-friendly.  He didn’t go overboard with questions when he’d first met her, which went a long way in her book.  People just needed to mind their own business.  That’s just how she liked it.

Once at the shelter, she put her things away in the locker she’d been assigned.  The manager came around the corner.

“Paige!  I’m glad you came in a little early.  I know you’ve only been here a little while, but how would you feel about taking on a little more responsibility?  I need someone to take over the training of the volunteers and scheduling them.” 

Paige was shocked.  Susan was going to trust her with training?  Paige had immediately clicked with Susan upon meeting her.  Once she had told Susan of her dream of owning her own animal sanctuary, Susan had hired her and told her she’d help her anyway she could. 

She’d been surprised to learn Susan’s own story of divorce and how her ex-husband had beaten her and any animal in his path.  Her ex-husband reminded her of her foster-father.

Susan must have noticed the shock on her face when she offered her the position as trainer, because she quickly said, “You have what it takes to do a good job.  Now, the only thing I wish you would do is tone down on the punk look, but that is up to you...it’s not a requirement.  My own daughter when through that phase not too long ago.  She always said she just wanted to express herself, so I get it.”

Paige’s hand flew to her hair.  She knew she looked ridiculous in a lot of people’s eyes, but she hadn’t felt she had much of a choice when she started.  Six years later, she was used to it.  She could barely remember what she really looked like beneath all the dye and makeup. Shit!  Not how she’d planned things.

“Um, Susan, I don’t know if I want to change my appearance.  Is that a problem?”

Susan laughed. “Absolutely not.  I just think that people might take you a little more seriously if your appearance was…let just say, if it was a little more subdued.”

Nodding her head, Paige agreed.  Over the years, she found that was the main problem, especially when it came to her jobs.  But, she’d always thought it was a great way to keep people at bay, which is why she did it.  

Susan grabbed her by the arm. “Let’s not worry about that right now.  Your first training class won’t start for another week.  In the meantime, come with me and I will show you how the scheduling works.”

In the office, a chocolate lab lay in the corner.  Sadie belonged to Susan and came to work with her every day.  If she had a dog, she could bring hers, too, but she’d never felt it was fair to take in another animal when she moved so often.

The boys she’d taken with her when she left her foster care.  Jim, the foster-father had treated them horribly.  If either was in the way, he’d kick them across the room.  That was what started her argument with him.

He’d backhanded her into the corner, told her he wouldn’t abide any insolence from her, and then leaned in close and felt her up. After finally making it into her room, she’d locked the door.  It took two weeks for her to get the chance to run, but when she did, she took the two cats with her.

Since she’d left Ohio, she’d lived in New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine.  Now, South Carolina.  From the moment she left, she’d been wearing a disguise.  She really didn’t think that she’d be prosecuted for stealing the two cats, but she didn’t want to take any chances of having to return them.

Susan had left her alone in the office after explaining the schedule and telling her to start on the new one.  She’d look at it when she returned.

She had only been sitting there for fifteen minutes when she was startled when someone else entered the door and Sadie let out a bark.

“Sadie, it’s okay.  Can I help you?” she asked.  It wasn’t until she turned her head that she noticed the Sheriff’s uniform.

“Yes, I am looking for Paige.  Is that you?”

Paige could feel her heart pounding and wondered if it were possible for him to hear it, too.  “Um…yeah.  I am.  Is there a problem?”

He laughed and the first thing she noticed was how his nose crinkled when he did. It only made him look better.

“Not at all.  I’m just signing up to be a volunteer and heard you were the one to talk to. I’m Clark Wentworth.”

Paige felt like an idiot and tried to ignore the burning sensations in her cheeks.  “Um, yes.  I just started doing this, so let me find the form for you to fill out.  Can I ask why you want to volunteer?”

“I’ve been around animals all my life and I’m not allowed to have pets in the apartment I live in.  I figured I could get my pet fix here and maybe it won’t bother me so bad.  How about you? Do you have any pets?”

Paige gave him a nod. “Yeah, just two cats.  I’d have more if I could.”

“Cats?  I like them, but I don’t think I understand them.  What I like about dogs is that you can teach them tricks.  You can’t teach a cat tricks.”

“I beg to differ.  Cats can learn tricks, but it takes someone special to teach them. They’re very independent.”  Both her boys loved to play fetch.  Of course, it took them a few years to trust her enough to let down their guards.  They’d been through too much before she’d come along.

“Well, I am sure you are right.  What I’d like to do is walk the dogs or just spend some time playing with them.”

“That can be arranged.  Any particular hours you prefer?” she asked.

After rummaging around in the filing cabinet, she finally found the form and handed it to him.

“Can I take this with me?  I’m on duty right now.  Can I bring it back tomorrow?  Will you be here?”

Paige nodded. “I work eight-thirty to five.”

“Sounds good, Paige.  I’ll be back tomorrow.”  With a nod, he turned around and walked out of the office, allowing Paige the chance to let out the breath she’d been holding.

Seeing him standing there in a uniform had startled her.  It wasn’t like there was a warrant out for her arrest or anything and the missing person’s report had disappeared as soon as she’d turned eighteen and reported that she was fine. 

She just felt nervous around cops and had been ever since one showed up at her house when she was sixteen to report that her mother had died in a car accident.

Sitting down in the chair, Paige looked at the schedule in front of her and tried her best to concentrate on it.  Sadie was now curled up at her feet, completely unaware of the anxiety she was feeling.

Chapter 2

Clark got into the car, a smile plastered on his face.  Paige was normally not the type he’d be interested in, but she’d blown him away.  At first he’d been put off by her unusual attire, but within a minute, he saw right through her.

When she’d blushed, it had sent him reeling.  He just wondered what she looked like when she smiled. From what he could tell, underneath all that makeup, she was a beauty, but it wasn’t just that.  She’d come across like someone who was genuine.  But then again, she also came across as someone who just wanted to be left alone.

Grabbing the receiver, he told dispatch he was headed back into town to conduct some routine checks.  He’d only been on the job for about a month, but so far, he loved the community.

He’d only applied for the job because he had watched his last partner die during a drug bust.  After counseling, he’d decided he’d needed a change and when one of his buddies told him of the job opening in Endings, he’d applied.

Endings was much quieter than Charlotte, but it didn’t mean that he’d be bored.  Hell, they’d even been a murder at one point.  But, he could guarantee it would be a much better place to raise a family and he was ready to find Miss Right and settle down.

The thought made him laugh out loud.  His mother had been on his case since he’d turned twenty-five. She wanted grandchildren and she didn’t want to wait.  At twenty-eight, he thought he was finally ready.

Thinking about Miss Right brought him back to the woman he’d just met at the shelter.  Paige.  She was something else, but he didn’t think she was Miss Right.  However, she just might be Miss Right-For-Now if she’d give him the chance. But, he wasn’t going to do a thing about it.  All he wanted was time with the animals.

For as far back as Clark could remember, he’d had a dog.  When he’d graduated from the police academy and became part of the Charlotte’s police force, the first thing he did was to get a dog.  Unfortunately, long hours and city living exactly make a good life for a dog that wanted his freedom.  At every opportune moment, his beagle, Fred, would run.  After about the tenth time, he’d found a home for him in the country where Fred would have room to run. 

Until he was settled, Clark swore he’d never have another pet.  In his current apartment in town, the landlord, Mrs. Nesbitt, threatened eviction if you even asked her about pets.  He knew that firsthand.

As the end of the day approached, Clark swung into the station.  It had been a quiet day and reports would only take about ten minutes.  He thought about how many hours he’d spent at his desk in Charlotte doing reports and smiled.  The less time he spent doing reports and the happier he was.

“Hey, Superman!  Want to join us for a beer?”  Dan, who was also a deputy with the department asked with a grin.

Clark’s first day on the job had quickly earned him the nickname of Superman because he had been the first to respond to a call regarding an elderly woman who had fallen.  Her name happened to be Lois and Clark would never live it down. 

“Sure.  Where you headed? I’ve got a couple of things to finish up, but I can meet you there.”

“High Bar.  Just don’t wear your uniform or you won’t even stand a chance with any of the chicks,” Dan laughed.

“Yeah, not worried about that, but yeah, I’ll change anyway.  I don’t think Boss Man would want to hear about us out drinking in a bar in uniform,” Clark smiled.

Dan shook his head. “Been there, done that…not doing it again.”

Clark just shook his head.  Dan was a few years older and had been a deputy for almost ten years.  He was a great guy, but was always in the doghouse about not taking his job seriously enough. 

Sheriff Tanner was easy to get along with, but he expected his deputies to take their job seriously and to show respect when out in the community.  As a bit of a jokester, Dan was always being called out for some type of inappropriate comment or joke.

Once Clarke got home and took off his uniform, he quickly decided that staying home sounded better.  He’d sent off a quick text to Dan saying something had come up and then threw on sweatpants, a pot of coffee, and settled in front of the television.  He’d never been one to go to bars a lot, but it was something Dan and a few other guys did regularly.  He’d gone a few times just to get to know them better, but it didn’t take him long to figure out that he preferred staying home.

Just before eight, his phone rang.  It was his cousin, Jade.  She lived in Moose Valley, Maine and he was surprised to see her number. 

“Jade?  What’s going on?” he asked.

“Hey, Clark.  Nothing really.  I just wanted to run something by you.  I hope you don’t mind,” she said and then added. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“Nope, nothing going on here.  What’s up?”

“Well, you remember Royce?  He’s gone missing and now all of us are being questioned.”

Clark took a deep breath.  When he was in his teens, he always went to stay with his Aunt Julianne and his cousins for the summer.  He hadn’t been back in a few years, but he knew the story of Royce. He’d dated his aunt when they were younger just to try to get his hands on the lodge and the land. 

“Yeah, I remember Royce.  When did he go missing?”

“Just a couple of days or so, but honestly, we had nothing to do with it.  The problem is that I got into a fight with him and…well, I probably said a few things I shouldn’t,” she admitted.

“Well, all they can do is question you.  Without any evidence, I wouldn’t worry.  How’s your mother?”

Jade sighed. “Pissed off.  What would you expect?”

Clark wasn’t surprised.  Ever since Royce had tried to use his aunt to get the lodge, Julianne had hated him and had never made any bones about it.

“That sucks.  You know if you need anything, all you have to do is call.  I wish I had something more to tell you, but don’t let it get you down.”

“Well, to be honest, it’s just pissing me off, too.  Everyone around here knows the connection between us and the Harrisons has never been good and now they’re just assuming we had something to do with his disappearance.”

“Just take the high road, Jade.  Don’t let them see you upset.”

“I will.  I just thought you should know what’s going on.”

“Keep me informed.  I don’t care what time of day it is, call me if you need anything.”

“Love ya, Clark!”

“Love you, too,” he said before hanging up the phone.  Damn, that wasn’t good.  If Royce had gone missing, it was no wonder that they were blaming his family.  Royce had been nothing but a pain in the ass to his family. He wanted the lodge and would do just about anything to get it.

Realizing that there wasn’t anything he could actually do about it, Clark turned the volume back up on the television and grabbed his beer.  Taking a swig, he thought about tomorrow.  He’d be seeing Paige again and the thought made him smile.

Chapter 3

The next morning, Paige crawled out of bed at six.  She’d always been a morning person and never needed an alarm.  She was thankful of that, especially now, as she wanted to take some special time with her appearance.

Susan didn’t tell her she had to tone down her appearance, but she’d suggested it.  She was going to try to see what she could do without changing too much.

Two hours later, she was satisfied with the compromise.  Her hair was still purple, but instead of in a Mohawk, it laid flat against her head, was parted on the side, and hung longer in the front than the back.  She still wore makeup, but she had only highlighted her eyes lightly, and she wore a paler shade of a purple lipstick. 

Her clothing she picked out carefully.  Instead of wearing her normal black, she wore her favorite pair of jeans and a short-sleeved white tee.  Hopefully, Susan would be happy with the changes.  She liked it here and wanted to stay.

It wasn’t until she drove into the parking lot that she began to panic.  These people she worked with had gotten used to her appearance.  She didn’t want to be noticed or be the center of attention. 

Once she stepped in the door, she realized she panicked for nothing.  The receptionist, Tina, was on the phone and just gave her a quick little wave.  When she went to put her things in the locker, Susan just gave her a thumbs up and kept walking.  Thank God!

In the office, she sat down and logged onto the computer as Susan had taught her to do yesterday.  She found two emails requesting details about volunteer opportunities and quickly answered them.  Just as soon as she was done, she twirled around in the chair to discover the deputy standing guard at her door.

“Oh…I’m sorry.  I didn’t see you there,” she said and, to her horror, felt her cheeks burning again.

“No problem.  You looked busy, so I figured I could wait.  Just bringing my application back.”  When he smiled, she felt it all the way down to her toes and, not wanting him to see the effect he had on her, she quickly turned her back to her computer.

“Um, give me just one sec,” she told him.  One sec?  She’d need more than that.  His smile was intoxicating.  Realizing how cheesy her thoughts were, she let out a sigh.  It was a good thing he couldn’t read her mind. Besides, she wasn’t interested in anyone.  All she wanted was to do her job.

When she turned back around toward him, he asked, “Do you want me to come back?  I don’t want to interrupt you.”

“No, I’m sorry.  Just having one of those mornings,” she said.  “However, let’s get you processed and signed up for training.”

“Yeah, I hear you…don’t think I slept more than an hour last night,” he laughed. “Training?  How hard can it be to walk a dog?”

“Well, we have to go over general safety and a bunch of stuff you will probably find pretty boring…it’s all routine,” she told him, not once meeting his eye. She thought she was best to avoid it if at all possible.

“Sounds like fun.  Now, I did notice that training is available during the week.  Is there a class available on the weekend? Right now, I have weekends off.”

Paige looked at the schedule on her desk. “Yeah, we probably will, depending on how many people sign up for it.  I think Susan said that we have to have at least three in a class.  I’ll make sure to check with her.”

“Not really a problem if you can’t.  I could probably switch shifts with one of the other guys,” he said. 

“It’s not a problem.  We want…need…volunteers.  You wouldn’t believe how many dogs we have right now.”

“I can imagine.  I know I’ve brought two strays in here myself just over the last month.”

“Oh, that’s right.  I’ve seen your name on the forms,” she admitted.  “Did you already get a tour of the place?”

Clark shook his head.  “Not yet.”

“You got time now?” she asked and then regretted the words immediately. When he told her he had to get back to work, she was instantly relieved.  “No problem.  We can do it another time.  I’ve got your number so I can give you a call about when the next training class is…I’m guessing it should be within the next week or so.”

“Great.  I look forward to hearing from you,” Clark said and leaned in closer.  “Are you the one teaching the class?”

Paige nodded her head, daring to meet his eyes for the first time during their conversation.

Clark then winked, turned around and walked out the door, leaving her absolutely speechless.  Was he trying to flirt with her?  She couldn’t imagine it, especially with her purple hair, but he did wink at her.  Maybe he was actually flirting with her?  She wasn’t sure if it made her happy, though.  The last thing she needed right now was a relationship. However, this was not the time or place to worry about it.

Toward the end day, Susan called her into her office. “Is it possible to stay a little later today?  We have a situation that we may need some help with.”

“What’s going on?” Paige asked, concerned because the first thing she was told when she started working here was that there was never overtime.

“We just got a call in from the Sheriff’s Department.  They went out on a call for domestic violence and found a puppy mill.  Not sure exactly how many there are, but at last count it was forty.  I’m heading over there right now.  I need someone to stay here and get cages ready.  The vets going to meet us here in an hour.”

“Absolutely.  How can people do this?” Paige asked.  She’d never understood how people could intentionally hurt animals, whether the hurt came from a kick across the room or not getting the care that they so desperately needed.

“I don’t know, but it makes me sick. I’m going to head out now with the van.  I’ll call to let you know what time to expect the first ones in.”

“Great.  I’ll get started on getting things ready.”

“Thanks, Paige.  It means a lot and, by the way, I love your hair that way,” Susan said before walking out the door.

Paige’s hand flew to her hair.  She’d forgotten all about it.  Two minutes later, it was out of her mind again as she started preparations.

At seven o’clock, Paige finally got the call from Susan.  Thirty of the most critical dogs were on their way and the vet would be there in fifteen.  She was sending someone else in with the dogs, because she was still packing up more.  She told Paige there would be another thirty coming in about two hours. 

Paige glanced at the clock and couldn’t imagine what a long night it was going to be. 

When a Sheriff’s Department van pulled into the parking lot, Paige quickly propped the doors open and walked out to meet.

She was shocked to discover Clark behind the wheel.  “Hey, I see you’re working late, too,” he said.

“Yeah.  This is horrible.  Did you find them?” she asked, while waiting for him to open the back door of the van.

“Fortunately, I did.  Damned domestic assault case and then we discovered this.” Before he opened the back door, he told her, “Be prepared…it’s awful.”

The stench that came out of the van when he opened the door made her gag immediately.  A quick glance and she knew why.  What dogs she could see were covered in feces that were caked on and little paws that should have been white were stained yellow with urine.

Paige couldn’t stop the tears that gathered in her eyes.  “How can people do this?” she whispered.

Clark reached out and patted her on the back.  “I don’t know, but we’re going to help them,” he said as he pulled out the first cage containing three, very underweight Pomeranians.

Chapter 4

Clark wiped the sweat from his brown and took a glance at Paige.  They had just started with the last dog they were assigned.  When the team of volunteers had shown up, Clark had made sure that he had been paired up with Paige. Now, at two o’clock in the morning, he couldn’t imagine helping anyone but her.

Sixty-two dogs had come into the shelter at the same time.  The more critical dogs had been sent to the veterinarian’s hospital, leaving them with forty-eight to clean up.  With twenty volunteers and staff, things had gone smoother than he expected, but he was now exhausted. Thankfully, one of his buddies had agreed to cover his morning shift.

His was quickly jarred out of his thoughts when was suddenly the victim of a dousing by dog.  The Pomeranian might have been small, but when she shook, she’d covered him.  Laughing, he said to the dog, “Gee, this is the thanks I get for bathing you?”

Paige had giggled and he was shocked.  It was the first laugh he’d heard from her all night.    Before now, he’d only heard muttering and curse words and watched as she occasionally wiped a tear from her eye.  At least he now knew she could laugh and he wanted to hear more of it.

“Find that funny, do you?” he laughed.

Paige became serious again. “Sorry.”

Reaching out, he touched her arm.  He was shocked when she pulled her arm away quickly.  “Don’t be sorry.  I thought it was funny, so I was just joking.”

Paige looked nervous and said a little too quickly, “Sorry. I’m just tired and hungry.  I’d complain, but I bet you are just as tired and hungry as I am.”

“Yeah, I’m famished.  How about we go see what we can find to eat when we get out of here?”

Susan came around the door just as soon as the words came out of his mouth.  “That’s the plan people.  I’ve already called ahead to the diner…just wanted to let them know we have a big group coming in.  My treat!”

Clark laughed, “Sounds good to me. How did you manage that?”

Susan smiled. “Let’s just say I know the owner!”

Paige just nodded her head to Susan and went back to work trying to soak some of the filth off the small dog. 

Clark had been with her since he’d brought in the first batch of dogs at seven and he still didn’t know her any better than he had.  She certainly was quiet.  However, he’d seen her show emotion over the animals and knew that anyone who cared this much about animals was a good person. 

He had wanted to compliment her and tell her how pretty her hair looked, but didn’t dare.  In fact, he’d like to tell her that the Mohawk was ridiculous now that he’d seen her like this.  He wouldn’t, though.  He knew it would be the worst thing he could do.

Instead, he complimented her on how she well she worked with the animals.  Her voice was soothing and immediately put the animals at ease, as much as it was possible considering the circumstances.  Hell, she’d almost hypnotized him several times tonight with that voice.

Once Paige had finished washing the dog, he grabbed the towel and picked it up.  The dog, obviously feeling better after getting all that filth removed, started lapping at his jawline.  Paige let out a giggle.  “Looks like she likes you!”

Clark loved that laugh.  He smiled and pulled the dog closer.  “You’re a good girl.  I wish like heck I could have dogs, because I’d take you right home with me.”

“Me, too.  Out of all of the dogs we took care of tonight, she seems to be the most appreciative, that’s for sure,” Paige commented.  “I really wish you could take her…she seems to like you.”

“Well, that’s because she’s smart,” he teased and watched Paige try not to smile.

“Smart, huh?” Paige replied and he watched as her face quickly became a shade of crimson. 

She was definitely a shy one and he wasn’t talking about the dog.  The dog was proving to be anything but shy and was reveling in all the attention she was getting.

“Think I could sneak her into my apartment?  Probably not.  I’d end up living on the street.  Sorry, Buttercup, but it looks like I’m not available,” he said to the dog and then laughed when the dog yipped in his arms.

At that moment, Susan came back in and took the Pomeranian with her to get her settled into her temporary home.  Paige turned around and started to clean up the wash station.  She was exhausted, but he could tell she wasn’t the type to leave anything undone.  Grabbing the dirty towels off the floor, he threw them into the laundry basket.

“What else can I do?” he asked.

Paige turned around and looked at the mess.  “Um...let me think.  Do you know how to mop?”

“Do I know how to mop?  You are talking to the mopping champion of 2002!” he stated with the most serious face he could muster at almost four o’clock in the morning.

Paige rolled her eyes. “Mopping champion?”

“Why yes!  When I was a teenager, I used to go to Maine for the summer to stay with my Aunt and cousins.  I helped out in the lodge and my duty was mopping the kitchen and dining room floors.  Let’s just say I was better at it than anyone else!” Clark said. 

“Oh really?  I just moved here from Maine.  What part?” Paige asked.

“Up north…Moose Valley.  Where did you live?”

“Portland.  I never went further than Camden, though.”

“Camden is a beautiful area, but nothing beats Northern Maine. Portland is a nice area, too.”

“Yeah, it was, but I have to say I like the weather here better,” she smiled and when she did, he knew he was done for. 

“The weather is much better here, but I do miss my winters. I used to love going up there for Christmas. Snowmobiling. Skiing. I haven’t done that in ages.”  He’d never realized just how much he missed it until now. Maybe next Christmas, he’d take a short vacation. 

Paige shrugged her shoulders.  “I didn’t get a chance to do any of that stuff in Maine, but when I was a kid, my mother used to take me to this place where we could slide down a huge mountain.  Well, when I was a kid it seemed like a mountain, but now that I think about it, it was probably just a big hill.”

“Yeah, funny how your perspective changes as an adult.”  Wow, he couldn’t believe he’d told her something so personal and he couldn’t hide the smile on his face no matter how hard he tried.

It hit him right in the gut when Paige didn’t hold back her smile.  Before he could say something stupid, Susan yelled out, “You guys almost finished?”

Paige answered, “Almost.”

“Well, hurry up.  By the time we get to the diner, it will be open and ready to serve us.”

“Be right there,” Paige told her and then hurried to pick up the rest of the towels and wipe down the sink while he mopped the floor.  Ten minutes later, they both looked around the room and nodded their heads.

He was hoping like hell that Paige would ride to the diner with him, but before he could even ask, Susan had told Paige that she could ride with her because she wanted to talk to her. 

More than a little disappointed, Clark just hoped he’d get another chance to spend some time alone with her without making it look too obvious.

Chapter 5

Paige pulled into the drive, put the car in park, and turned off the engine.  She honestly couldn’t remember the drive home.  She didn’t think she’d ever been so tired before in her life.

Oh, she’d worked overnight before, but she’d always managed to get a little bit of sleep before going in.  She’d now been up for twenty-six hours and it was taking its toll on her.

As soon as she walked into the trailer, both Tom and Jerry started circling around her feet, making it difficult for her to even walk.  Anyone else might look at them and think they were happy to see her, but she knew better.  They only wanted food.

Once the cats were fed, Paige stripped off her clothes in the bathroom, used the makeup remover to take off the layers, and got into the shower.  It was then that the tears started.

She couldn’t imagine what it must have been like for these poor dogs.  Sixty-two in total and Susan had told her on the way to the diner that at least ten would have to be put down.  She still couldn’t believe it.  In her eyes, people who committed crimes against animals should receive the same sentence.

Before her mother had died, Paige had dreamed about becoming a vet.  After all was said and done, though, she had no choice but to give up that dream.  Her dream had now changed.  One day, she hoped to be able to afford her own piece of land where she could operate a small sanctuary for abused animals. 

Of course, the jobs she qualified for didn’t pay the best and her savings amounted to less than five grand.  Five grand was nothing when it came to buying property, but she wasn’t giving up on another dream, no matter how long it took.

After her tears subsided, Paige threw on her robe and dried her hair.  Looking in the mirror, she wondered what Clark would think if he could see her without makeup.  Would he think she was pretty? 

Looking at herself in the mirror, she groaned.  Why was she even concerned with what Clark thought? It wasn’t like he was interested in her or anything.  He was there because of the dogs.  That’s it. 

She remembered his wink, his smile, and his teasing.  At the diner, he had been sitting just a couple seats away from her making it difficult to talk to him.  However, she had noticed him watching her and, while it had made her nervous, it did make her smile.

As she crawled into bed, she glanced at the clock.  Eight-thirty and she now had the day off.  She was going to use every single second that she could to sleep.  That is if she could get Clark off her mind.

Paige opened her eyes with a start.  Unsure of what had woken her she rubbed her eyes and glanced at the clock.  Four o’clock.  Then she heard it again.  Someone was knocking on her door.  Nobody ever knocked on her door.  Nobody ever visited her.

Grabbing her robe off the door, she looked out, surprised to find Rory standing there waiting.  She cracked open the door.  “Hey, Rory.”

Rory smiled. “Sorry to disturb you.  I heard about all those dogs.  I should have realized you would still be sleeping.”

Paige laughed. “Yeah, but it’s okay.  I need to get up anyway or I won’t sleep tonight.”

“I just wanted to see if I could give something for the shelter.  When I heard what happened, I went around and collected some donations for the shelter.  We came up with five-hundred. I know it’s not much, but I hope it can help them.”

Paige was shocked.  Really? Donations from the place she rented from?  Well, worked, too, but she hadn’t done much of that yet.

Rory laughed. “If you could see the look on your face right now!  Just take it and give it to the shelter.  If they need anything else, let me know.”

Paige was not about to turn the money down.  The shelter was in desperate need.  “How can I thank you?  This is wonderful.”

“No need to thank us.  Everyone here contributed.  I told you.  We’re like family and that includes you.”   With that, Rory stepped down and said, “See you later.”

Paige sat down at the couch staring at the envelope in her hand.  Family?  It had been so long since she’d had one.  She hadn’t given anyone in the resort a chance to even talk to her before and now they were giving her money to help the shelter? 

Her stomach growled and she realized just how hungry she was.  Putting the envelope on the counter, Paige went to her room and threw on her jeans and a tee.  She hadn’t been grocery shopping for over a week and had nothing in the fridge. 

As she drove out of the resort, she actually smiled at the guard, giving him a small wave.  A big smile came across his face and he waved back.  Paige was surprised by the feeling it gave her.  Perhaps it was time to start making friends?

In the grocery store, she grabbed a cart and stood in the entry way.  She hadn’t even made a list.  Frustrated, she wheeled her cart toward the produce section and quickly stopped in her tracks.  Clark stood in front of a bin full of grapes.

She hadn’t even put on makeup on!  Panicking, she scanned the area and realized there was not one good place to hide without the potential of him seeing her.  She could only hope that he wouldn’t turn around.

Clark was picking through the bunches of grapes turning them this way and that.  He looked so serious and Paige quickly stifled a giggle.  When he picked one grape off a cluster, Paige couldn’t help it.  She laughed.  When he turned around, she stated seriously, “You know, you could get arrested for that…it’s shoplifting.”

Clark just gave her that wide smile that made her go weak in the knees.  “I promise not to do it again if you don’t tell anyone.  Besides, I don’t think you can get arrested for it.”

Paige returned his smile and stated, “Well, I did that at sixteen and the police were called.”

His eyes widened.  “Seriously?”

“Um, yeah.”

“Did you get arrested?”

Paige hesitated for a second and then laughed. “I ran out the door before they could get there.”

Clark’s laughter probably could have been heard as far as the bakery on the opposite side of the store. “I would have loved to have seen that.”

“No, you wouldn’t.  I hid for hours behind a dumpster across the street.”

Clark just shook his head.  “I take it you woke up hungry?”

She nodded her head. “I did.”

“This is my usual night to shop, but not in the mood for it tonight.  Still tired from last night.”

“I know what you mean, but I’m starving, so here I am.” 

“Since I don’t really feel like shopping and neither do you, do you want to skip it and just go get a pizza or something?”

She froze.  Go out?  Like a date?  How was she supposed to tell the difference?  Before she could say anything, Clark whispered, “It’s not a date.  Don’t overthink it.  Just two friends getting something to eat because they’re both hungry.”

All she could do is nod her head again and the only thing she could think is that he had basically just told her that he wasn’t interested in being anything but a friend to her.

Remembering the gift from those who lived at the resort, she told herself that the smile and wave to the guard at the resort was just the first step.  Going out for a pizza with Clark would be the second.  Making friends was supposed to be a normal thing.  Why couldn’t it be for her, too?

With a smile plastered on her face, she followed Clark out of the grocery store.

Chapter 6

Clark grabbed his jacket knowing that it would get chilly tonight and he wanted to make sure that Paige would have something to wear if she got cold.  They were just going out for pizza again, but he was hoping that she might go out for a drink with him afterward.

He’d asked her a few times before, but she always turned him down never giving him an actual reason why.  Tonight would be their seventh time going out in just a few weeks and he saw her every Saturday morning when he volunteered at the shelter.  However, he’d never made a move on her.  He didn’t dare.

For the last two or three weeks, he’d gotten to know her a little better, but he’d never seen a woman with such thick walls.  She’d put up a barricade and he wasn’t sure if she was capable of actually letting it down.

He was actually hoping to talk to her about that tonight, but he wasn’t counting on it.  The one thing he’d learned about Paige was that she knew how to change the subject without you even realizing it was being done.  The one thing he learned about himself was that he was falling hard.

When he pulled into the parking lot of the pizza joint, he saw Paige’s car was already there and he was surprised to find it empty.  Normally she’d wait in her car for him to arrive. 

Inside he saw Paige sitting a table talking to an elderly man.  He started walking toward her when he saw her give the man one of the biggest smiles he ever saw before he walked away.

“Looks like you made a new friend,” he said.

Paige grinned. “He just complimented me on my hair…told me if he could have purple hair, he would, too.” 

“I always meant to ask, but never did.  What’s your natural color?”

Paige looked down at the table. “Blonde.”

“Did you get tired of the blonde jokes?” he teased and watched her smile fade.  “I’m sorry.  That was just teasing.” 

“Um, no…it’s okay.  Let’s just say I didn’t want to be me anymore.  I just wanted to be somebody else for a change and, well…now I’m just used to it.”

Sitting back in the seat, he looked at her closely.  Her appearance had changed greatly since he’d first met her.  She no longer put her hair up in a Mohawk and the makeup around her eyes was a lot more subtle.  Her lips were now done in a light shade of pink and always looked kissable.  The last thought made him smile.

“Do you take after your mother or your father?” he asked.

“My mother, I guess. I never knew my father.” 

“Where’d you grow up?”

Clark was disappointed that before she could answer the waitress brought the pizza that Paige had ordered when she’d first got there as well as their drinks.

Paige gave him a smile and stated, “Hope you don’t mind, but I got onions on it.”

Clarke laughed when he saw the onions were only on half.  When he’d found out that she loved onions on everything, he’d made fun of her telling her that he tolerated them, but they weren’t his favorite thing to have on pizza. 

“So any new dogs come in today?” he asked.  He always did.  If the right dog came along, he’d move out of his apartment in a heartbeat.

“Not today, but the last Pom was adopted.” Her voice went down a notch and he knew that it bothered her.  He’d tried to talk her into adopting it for herself, but she claimed she wouldn’t leave a dog home all by itself all day.

“I’m sorry.  I bet it went to a good home, though,” he reached out and grabbed her hand in his.  Instead of pulling it away as he expected her to do, she squeezed his hand.

“Thanks.  I’m good,” she replied and let go of his hand.  He wished the moment would have lasted longer. 

He watched as she picked up a piece of pizza and started eating.  He did the same, hopeful that tonight would be the night that she’d say yes to going out with him for drinks.

It wasn’t long before the pizza was gone and they both pulled money out to split the tab and the tip.  Outside, he stated, “I’m thinking about going over to High Bar for a drink.  You want to come? I think someone’s playing music there tonight.”

“Um, another night maybe,” she squinted her eyes.  “I’m actually doing something tonight that would surprise you.”

“What?” He couldn’t believe she hadn’t just come out and said no the way she always had. 

“Well, it’s funny that that old man was complimenting me on my purple hair because I’m actually going back to my natural hair.”

“Really? Why?  I kind of like it this way.”

“Well, Pam lives in one of the trailers at the resort and does hair, so I’m going over to her place.”

“But why?” he asked again.

“I don’t know.  I thought it was time, I guess.”

“Good for you,” he said.  “So when I see you on Saturday you’ll be a blonde?”

“I will be,” she laughed.  “Maybe you’ll walk right past me without even recognizing me?”

“Not a chance with those baby blues,” his voice was low and he watched her face flush.

Turning around toward her car, she threw her hand in the air and waved goodbye leaving him out of breath.

Back at home, he paced around the living room.  Somehow he had to convince her to actually go out with him.  How he was going to do it he didn’t know.  Thinking of one person that might be able to give him some advice, he picked up the phone to call his cousin Jade.

She answered on the first ring. “Nothing’s changed, Clark.  Royce is still missing and, of course, nobody in this freaking town can do anything but talk about it.” 

“Sorry.  You sound frustrated,” he said and grabbed a beer out of his fridge.  “What else is going on?”

“Oh, you know how the rest of them get.  Jordan and Jenna want to fight me every step of the way, Johanna doesn’t give a shit, and Johnson’s too busy chasing girls.  I’m ready to give up.”

“What about Aunt Julianne? What is she saying?”

He heard Jade sigh. “She’s so stressed about what’s going on with Royce that I don’t want to bother her with stuff anymore.  She has enough on her plate.”

“Is there anything I can do?” If it was money, he’d be happy to send her what he had in savings.  He’d hate to see them lose the lodge.

“No, but thanks.  Besides, even if you had a couple of thousand to help, it’s going to take at least thirty grand to get this place renovated.”

Clark groaned.  If he’d had it, he would have gladly sent it to her, but he only had about five in savings…not even enough to put a dent.

“I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you all.  So anything else going on?”

“Yes, since Sheriff Richards and I have become so close, I thought I’d ask him if there were any openings and you could have a job here anytime.  I guarantee it.  Would you consider moving up here?  I’d even give you a permanent room in the lodge.”

Jade and he were just two years apart, but he being an only child had always considered Jade and her sisters as his own. He wasn’t really close to Johnson, Jade’s younger brother, but that was his fault. He’d stopped going to Maine by the time Johnson was in his teens.

“You don’t know how good that sounds to me, but…wait ‘til you hear this.  I’ve met someone.”

“Oh?  That’s nice,” Jade said.  “I was just hoping you’d take me up on the offer.”

Clark was at a loss for words.  Any other time, she would have been excited to hear everything about Paige, but obviously, what was going on was serious.

“You know what? Let me think about it, Jade.  I just started this position not too long ago and I actually do like it here in Endings.  Can I give you a call next week?”

“You can, but not before I tell you that I’d even be willing to sell you a piece of land at a very reasonable price to get you to stay.  Of course, on the condition that if you decided to sell, it would have to be offered to the lodge first.”

“Damn, Jade.  You are not going to make this easy for me, are you?”

He heard her laugh before she disconnected the call.  Move to Maine permanently?  What about Paige? He wanted to find out what it was between them.  He didn’t think he could leave without finding out.

Chapter 7

Saturday morning Paige awoke with a start.  The week had dragged, but today Clark would be in to walk the dogs.  She hadn’t seen him since late last week when they’d gone out for pizza.

In all reality, she’d actually been happy that he had been working extra shifts to cover for someone else. It had been her choice to go back to being a blonde and she wasn’t entirely sure she was happy with it.

Pam had done a great job.  It wasn’t that.  It was just that the blonde girl had disappeared years ago.  Every time she had looked in the mirror over the past week, she’d had to remind herself how that girl was gone now. 

It had taken her a few days, but she was finally feeling confident regarding her choice.  Pam had also styled it in a manner that made her look more sophisticated.  She would still wear her punk clothes when she wanted, but at least now she had more options.  A purple Mohawk gave her too many limits when it came to clothing.

Today she’d chosen to wear a pair of khaki capris with a light blue top.  Something a normal person would wear.  She wondered if Clark would even notice. 

She wasn’t disappointed.  The minute Clark had seen her he had walked up and stuck out his hand for her to shake.  “Hi, I’m Clark Wentworth.  Have you seen Paige Ellison this morning?”

Laughing, she playfully punched him in the arm.  “Stop it!  You’ll make me paranoid.”

“Don’t be.  You look…you look amazing, but honestly, you did before.”

Paige smiled.  She knew he was being nice.  She knew she looked more attractive now, but he was too nice of a guy to say anything. 

“Come on.  We just got two Golden Retrievers in that need to be walked.  These two have to be adopted together.  They’re owner just passed away and they’re heartbroken. No way could they be separated.”

“That’s a shame.  Let’s just hope someone adopts them soon.  I’d hate to see them not get adopted out.  How old are they?”

“Eight year old sisters and they are the sweetest things,” she said.  It broke her heart that she couldn’t adopt them.  If only she had her sanctuary. She’d take them in a heartbeat.

Clark grabbed her hand.  “Damn, Paige.  I don’t know if I want to see them. I’m serious.  Right now, I work too many hours and my landlady would evict me, but they sound perfect.  Not only that, I’ve had an offer to move to Maine.  I just don’t know…”

“What? You’re moving?”  Panic set in.  She couldn’t imagine not having Clark around now.  He’d become…well, one of her best friends.  Of course, if she was honest with herself, she’d realize he was much more than that.  For now, that’s all she would admit.

Clark turned around to face her.  “Um, no…not yet anyway.  I’ve been offered something that’s going to be hard to refuse, but...I don’t want to move.”

Looking up at him, she thought she saw something in his eyes, but before she could say anything, Michael, another volunteer came around the corner. 

“Hey Paige!  Can I take the retrievers out?”

“Um…” she looked at Clark.

Clark shook his head and Paige smiled. “Sorry, Michael.  We were just heading there.  However, there is a lab mix that needs some exercise today…he’s a wild one.  He’s in twelve.”

Grabbing Clark’s arm, she steered him in the other direction. “Our girls are this way.”

Twenty minutes later, she could only smile as Clark sat on the grass between the two dogs each vying for his attention.  When he stopped petting one to pet the other, the one he stopped petting would bring its paw up and put it on the arm he was using. Each time it made him laugh.

“What do you think about these two?” Paige asked.

“I hate you right now,” he laughed.  “I should have said no.”

“No, these girls deserve some fun.  This is the happiest I’ve seen them since they got here.  I wish so badly…” She stopped in midsentence, knowing that wishing generally got her nowhere.

Clark looked up at her seriously.  “You wish what?”

Paige shrugged her shoulders.  “It doesn’t matter.  I can’t do it right now anyway.”

“What are you talking about Paige?”

“I’ve always wanted to run a sanctuary for abused animals or animals that were old and no one wanted.  You know, give them a chance to live out their last years in peace.”

“That sounds…perfect.  I can see you doing it, Paige.  Why don’t you?” he asked.

“I can’t afford it.  I would need a lot of land and…it’s almost impossible.”

She watched as Clark massaged both dog’s necks giving them both the same attention.  He smiled at her and she felt something stir inside her.

“Don’t ever give up on your dream…it’s a good one.”

“Yeah, well, it’ll be awhile, that’s for sure.”

Clark stood back up and both dogs let out a whine. She laughed, but stopped when she saw the serious look on his face.

“Paige, I…uh…I don’t want to move before I figure out this thing between us.”

She didn’t know what to say.  She didn’t want him to leave, she knew that for certain.  But, she wasn’t sure about anything at this point.  Every time her mother had gotten involved with a man, she’d given up another part of herself.  She knew she was nothing like her mother, but was she willing to risk it?

“I…um…” she could barely speak.

Clark reached out and took her hand. “Paige, don’t tell me you don’t feel it, too.  I know you do.”

Looking up at him, she whispered, “I do, but…”

“There are not buts.  We owe it to ourselves to figure this out.  Are you willing?”

Her heart pounding and her breaths shallow, Paige could only nod her head.

She was surprised, and more than a little disappointed, when he gave her hand a squeeze and stepped back.  “Well, then, we’re going to have to do something different.  Would you care to join me for dinner tonight?”

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.”

Paige just smiled.  She’d ask Susan or someone else.  If Clark wanted a surprise, he was going to get one and she couldn’t stop her mind thinking of all the possibilities.

Chapter 10

Friday couldn’t go by fast enough for Clark.  The day had started out miserably with a car accident that had taken the life of a child.  Clark hadn’t been able to keep his mind off the look on the father’s face when he’d had to tell him that his child hadn’t survived. 

He still had a half hour to go on his shift when the call came in of a robbery at the convenience store just at the edge of town.  It figures, he thought.  The day just wasn’t getting any better.

When he got close to the store, he saw the Sheriff’s car was already there and blocking traffic from entering the parking lot.  Getting out of his vehicle, he walked around the Sheriff’s car staying low.  He didn’t know what the situation was and didn’t want to be within the line of fire if something happened.

The Sheriff was not in his car or anywhere in sight.  He quickly radioed into dispatch to find out of the Sheriff had checked in with his location only to be told by dispatch that they hadn’t heard from him since he had first contacted them when he’d arrived.  That was five minutes ago.

Clark advised dispatch he was going in to investigate and requested more backup to be sent.  As he silenced his radio, he went around the back of his car and took out his rifle.  Holding it up, he peered through the scope.

Inside the window of the store, he could see one man holding a gun on Sheriff Tanner and another one standing guard by the door.  While things looked pretty calm at the moment, he knew it could change in seconds.

“Shit...shit…shit!” he said aloud.  This was not how he wanted to do things, but if he waited for backup, it could be too late.  He knew he’d end up taking shit for it. Even if he went in and came out a hero, he’d still get his ass chewed for not waiting for backup. Regardless, Clark could not sit back and wait for whenever help arrived.  This is what he was trained for and he was damned well going to use what he learned.

Clark pulled the rifle down and went to the back of the car.  As he surveyed the area, he knew it would take a few minutes, but he could easily sneak through the woods and come around the back. 

Again, he called dispatch and advised of the situation and what his plans were.  Dispatch stated that backup was at least seven minutes away and he needed to wait for them to arrive.  Clark knew what could happen in seven minutes and started through the woods.

He stepped into the woods and stopped up short when he heard the first gunshot.  Taking off into a run, he didn’t stop to think about anything but getting to Tanner in time.  Two more gunshots fired and he quickened his pace. 

As he came up toward the back of the store, he stopped for a second to catch his breath and survey the area.  His heart was pounding and sweat dripped in his eyes. Nothing looked out of place and, while there was a window in the back, he didn’t think that anyone would be able to see him. He was going to take a chance.

It wasn’t until he had stopped at the back of the dumpster that he realized his mistake.  He didn’t see the third man, but he did hear the distinct sound of a revolver being cocked right behind his head.

Holding his breath, he set the rifle down on the ground and put his hands in the air.  He didn’t turn around.  A rough voice stated, “Put your revolver down there, too.” 

With his right hand, Clark carefully pulled his revolver from the holster and put it down on the ground.  He’d never been in this situation before and he was having difficulty thinking.  Training called for him to await for further instruction, but all he wanted was to turn around and get his hands on the thug.  

“Stand up!” the voice commanded.

Clark stood up slowly, his hands still held in the air.  The man behind him shoved him toward the back door at the same time it opened.  Clark knew it was now or never and grabbed the man that barreled through the door in front of him, whipping him around to the side and using him for cover from the man behind him.

Hoping that the metal door would be a cover, he pushed the man backwards to the other and rushed through the door and straight into the path of the man that had been holding his gun on Tanner.

“Well, that didn’t go as planned,” he thought when the bullet ripped into his side.

“Opening his eyes, Clark groaned.  He’d had headaches before, but this one was brutal.  He lifted his hand to discover an IV in it. 

“Clark!  Thank goodness!” His mother’s voice seem to echo inside his head.

“Mom? Do you have to yell?”

“Oh, Clark.  We’ve been so worried,” she cried and grabbed his hand.

“What happened?” he asked. The last thing he’d remembered was one of the men coming out of the back of the store with a gun. “Did I get shot?”

His mother nodded her head. “But you’re going to be fine.”

“The Sheriff?  Is he okay?” Clark asked.

His father came into the room.  “I just left his room.  He took a bullet to the shoulder, but he’s going to be fine, Son.  Both of you will be.”

Clark let out a sigh of relief.  When he’d heard the gunshot, he’d taken off running, trying to get there as quickly as possible.  

Clark’s mother reached out and pressed the call button hanging on the bed.  “We need to let the nurse know you’re awake.  She’ll notify the doctor.”

“Yeah, I need something for this damned headache,” he groaned. 

“She’ll get you something for that.  When you got shot in the side, you hit your head on the concrete step…at least that’s what they think,” his father stated.  “You’re going to be just fine, but it will take some time.”

Clark looked out the window beside his bed.  The sun was shining brightly.  All he could think was that it should be dark. 

“How long have I been out?” he asked.

His mother dabbed her eyes with a tissues.  “Since it happened, Dear.  It’s Sunday morning.  We’ve been worried about you all weekend.”

Sunday?  He’d been out for almost two days?  No wonder his mother had been in tears.  He reached out and gave her hand a squeeze.

“When can I go home?” The only thing he wanted was to get out.  He hated the smells…the claustrophobic feeling it gave him.

“The doctor will talk to you about that,” his father replied. “You need to listen to what the doctor says, too…don’t be stubborn.  I’ve been in your position, Boy.  You’re going to hurt like hell for a few days, so you might as well get comfy in that bed.”

Clark was ten when his father had been shot.  It was a time in his life that he’d never forgotten.  It was, in fact, the reason he was a police officer.  That one event had changed his life forever.

Before his father had been shot, his only dream had been to become a famous baseball player.  His life was divided by that event.  Before his father had been shot and after his father had been shot. 

He wondered now if that would change.  Would his life be before and after?  Before he could come up with an answer, the doctor walked into the room to give him the news that he’d be required to stay in the hospital for at least another five days to ensure infection did not set in.

When his parents left to get something to eat, Clark lay in his bed, frustrated.  Definitely not how he’d planned things.

Chapter 11

Saturday morning Paige drove with a smile on her face.  She couldn’t wait to see Clark this morning and let him know of the plans she’d come up with for them tonight.  She just hoped that he would be up for it.

When she pulled up to the kennel, she was surprised to find Susan’s car in the parking lot.  Saturday was the one day that Susan took off from work and told everyone to never contact her unless it was an emergency.

Opening the door, she found Susan just coming out of the office and greeted her with a smile.  “Good morning!  I wasn’t expecting to see you here this morning.”

“Paige, I actually came in so I could talk to you.  Come in my office for a second,” Susan said. 

Paige quickly followed wondering what she had done wrong. Her mind flew through the last few days and she couldn’t come up with anything. 

In Susan’s office, Susan smiled. “Don’t worry.  It’s nothing you’ve done wrong.  I just needed to talk to you about Clark.”

“Clark?” Why would she want to talk about Clark?  Had somebody said something about them walking dogs together? 

“Yes, I wasn’t sure if you had heard or not, but I know Clark was due in this morning to walk the dogs and…well…I know you two have gotten close.”

“He’s not coming?”  Paige’s thoughts went crazy.  Had she done something to piss him off?  She tried to remember their last conversation, but Susan interrupted her thoughts.

“Clark and Sheriff Tanner were both in an altercation on Friday night and they were both shot.  Don’t panic.  They are both going to be fine from what I understand, but I wasn’t sure if you had heard.  By the look on your face, you hadn’t.”

Shot? Clark?  Standing up, Paige went to walk out of the office, but stopped in the doorway.  Turning back to Susan, she whispered, “Thanks for telling me.  I’m going to get to work now.”

Before she could turn around, Susan was standing in front of her and her hands reached out to hold hers. “Paige?  Are you okay?  I know you and Clark are friends…or dating…it doesn’t matter.  Go see him at the hospital and see what you can find out.  That’s why I’m here.  You take the day off.”

Paige pulled her hands away and took a step back. “No…no…I’m fine. I have work to do. I can check on him…”

“Paige, do you want to talk about it?”

Paige just shook her head and walked out.  Hands trembling, she opened the door leading to the dog kennels in the back.  If Clark was in the hospital, he was being taken care of…he didn’t need her.  The dogs in the kennel needed attention and she was going to give it to them.

The first trip down the trail, she took a lab mix and a terrier mix.  She walked along the trail, careful to keep track of the time.  She wanted to make sure every dog got enough time out of their kennel and being short one person could make it more difficult. 

An hour later, Michael arrived and Paige was left with just Sarah and Sophie to walk.  She always saved them for last, hoping to give them something a little bit extra.  After all, they were more like her than anyone else she’d met, except they still seemed open to anything that came their way.

One of the things she and Clark had been doing with the two dogs was walking down through the woods to let them loose in field.  She’d throw sticks and both would run until they’d tire and flop down beside her in the grass.

Today was no different.  Unhooking their leases, she laughed at their barking and dancing around.  The anticipation was high and, not wanting to let them down, she threw the stick quickly.

Sitting down on the grass, she watched them play.  She and Clark used to talk about everything from their favorite foods to their favorite childhood stories while watching them.  She loved to hear him talk about his past and what he wanted for the future.

Now, she was here alone with the dogs and Clark was lying in a hospital bed somewhere with a gunshot wound.  She knew that she should go to him, but she didn’t think she could. 

When her cell phone rang, she sighed…probably Susan wondering where she was. 

“I’ll be back soon.  I have Sarah and Sophie with me,” she answered.

“Um…is this Paige?” a female voice asked.

“Yes, it is and I can tell you right now that if you are trying to sell me something, I’m not interested.” 

“No, I’m not.  I’m Clark’s mother and I have his cell phone.  I noticed you both talk a lot on the phone and I wanted to be sure you knew what was going on.”

Paige took a deep breath.  Was he bad enough that his mother was making his calls for him?  Or was this a ruse to get her to the hospital to see him?

“I know he’s been shot.  I just heard about it this morning. Is he okay?” 

Paige heard Clark’s mother sigh.  “Yes, he is going to be okay…he’s still unconscious, but the doctor…they said he should be okay.”

Paiged asked quietly, “How did you know to call me?”

His mother chuckled. “I’m his mother and I’m nosey.  He’ll be the first one to tell you that.”

Paige couldn’t help but smile.  That was how mothers were supposed to be.  Paige’s mother never really cared too much about what she was doing.  She gave Paige all the privacy she ever wanted…even if she didn’t want it.

“When do they think he’ll come to?”

“I don’t know…they haven’t said, but I wanted to let you know in case you want to come see him.  I’ll be honest, he hasn’t mentioned you to us, but that’s not surprising.  Please stop by room 302 if you get the chance.  I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you when he comes to.”

“Um…I don’t know if you know this, but we’re just friends…that’s it.”

“He can use some friends right now.”

After Paige hung up the phone, she grabbed the leashes and let out a whistle. Sarah and Sophie came running.  They knew the drill even if Clark wasn’t with her.  All the way back to the kennel, Paige argued with herself on whether to go see him at the hospital or not.

She would feel bad if she didn’t because she had told Clark’s mother she would. 

She didn’t want to see Clark in pain.

How could she go see him when she knew that things had to end between them? No matter how much she cared about him, she didn’t think she could stand being close to him when he risked his life every day.  Why would she set herself up for that kind of hurt? 

With a big sigh, she made her decision. She would go see him, but she would also tell him that they could be friends.  That’s it. Anything more was just out of the question.

Back at the shelter, she locked up the two sisters in their kennel and went into Susan’s office.  Susan lifted her gaze to Paige’s and asked, “You okay?”

Paige smiled. “I am now.  Do you want to go see Clark at the hospital with me?  I thought it would be a nice gesture since he helped so much at the shelter.”

Susan stood up and grabbed her purse. “Ready when you are.”

“Well, that was easy,” Paige laughed.  “I thought I was going to have to fight you on it.”

“Nope.  I thought I was going to be the one dragging you to see him by your hair.”

Paige grinned.  The one thing she loved about Susan was her honesty.  She told you what she thought whether you liked it or not.

Chapter 12

Clark had only been conscious for a few hours when he felt the walls closing in on him.  It wasn’t until he heard a voice in the hallway that his spirits lifted.  Paige.  He’d know that deep, sultry voice anywhere.

What was she doing here?  He assumed that she wouldn’t have heard about the shooting.  It wasn’t like she was Miss Social or anything, but then again, it was a small town. 

His mother walked into the room and he thought he must have imagined Paige’s voice.  He still hadn’t tried to call her yet to explain why he’d stood her up on Saturday.  When she came in after his mother, the only thing he could think was they looked like they were as thick as thieves. 

Paige was wearing a pair of jeans with a pink tee and her blonde hair was swept back into a short pony.  His mother put her arm around Paige’s shoulder and steered her toward where he lay in the bed.

“Clark.  Paige is here.  She was here yesterday, too, but you were out.  Your father and I are going to leave the two of you alone.  We’ll be back in a bit.”  In a much lower voice, she said, “I like this one, Clark.”

Clark couldn’t help but smile when he saw the shade of pink creeping into Paige’s face.  His mother would never be accused of being subtle.

To his mother, he said, “Thanks.  You know where to find me.”

Once she walked out of the room, he looked at Paige. “I am so sorry I missed Saturday.  You don’t know how much I was looking forward to it.”

Paige just shrugged her shoulders.  “I’m good, but how are you?  Are you in pain?”

Clark laughed. “Only when I move.”

Paige sat down in the chair beside his bed. “I couldn’t believe it when Susan told me that you and Sheriff Tanner both got shot.”

He was still having a hard time with that himself.  No matter how many times he went back to that moment, he couldn’t figure out what had gone wrong.  He had to try something to get to Tanner. 

“We are both going to be fine.  We were lucky.  The only thing I wish is that the bastards had been caught.”

Paige’s eyes widened. “They’re still out there?”

“Yes, but I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you.  Honestly, if they’d wanted to kill me or Tanner, they would have.”

He watched as Paige held her hand together, twisting her fingers together as if she were nervous.  Her back was stiff and her feet firmly on the floor in front of her.  Definitely nervous.

“I can’t believe I missed my Saturday morning at the shelter.  I look forward to that all week,” he said and watched as her eyes lit up.

“You were missed, too.  I took Sophie and Sarah out by myself and they definitely noticed you weren’t there.”

He shook his head.  How these two dogs hadn’t been adopted yet he didn’t know.  If there was any way possible for him to take them, he would.  He just didn’t see how he could with his long hours and, well, now it would time to recuperate.   If it were feasible, he would do it in a heartbeat.

“You want them, don’t you?” she asked him and he shrugged his shoulders, wincing at the pain it caused.

“It’s just not possible,” he said.

“Why?”

“I work long hours.  I would need to move.  I just don’t see how I could make it a good life for them.”

“Lots of people have fulltime jobs and dogs.”

“Yes, but I would need to move, too.  I just don’t know if that’s possible, especially now.”  He loved the fact that she was passionate about animals, but she also had to understand that right now wasn’t a good time and the thought of moving to Maine was still in the back of his mind.

“Well, someone is going to come and grab them soon…I just know it. If you want them, you need to make up your mind,” she said in a curt tone.

“If you are so worried about them, why don’t you take them?” he asked. 

He watched as her eyes flashed in anger. “Me?  You saw my place.  It’s too tiny.  That wouldn’t be fair to them.”

Well, she obviously didn’t like it when her words were thrown back in her face.  His intention wasn’t to make her angry, but to try to open up her mind to the possibility of taking them herself.  So much for that.

“So you came by yesterday?” he asked, hoping a change of subject would mellow her out.  Her hands were still in her lap, her fingers twisting away at one another.  It was all he could do not to try to reach out and grab them.

“Susan and I came together…she was the one who told me, but it wasn’t until your mother called me that I decided to come.”

“What?”  His mother called her?  What the heck was his mother thinking?  Hell, Paige was skittish as it was. His mother could easily scare the poor girl even if she didn’t mean to.  His mother meant well, but there were times that she could be a little pushy.

“Yeah, she thought…well…it doesn’t matter, but she thought I should come see you.”

“Well, I’m glad you did, but if my mother made you uncomfortable I’m sorry.”  He watched the smile creep across her face.

“Uncomfortable?  It seems to me like you’re the one who is embarrassed that your mother called me.”

He tried not to laugh, knowing how much it would hurt, but he couldn’t help it.  The pain in his side was worth it, though, as he got to see the Paige smile one more time.

When she noticed his pain, she immediately stood up and came to his side. “Can I get the nurse?”

He’d learned real pain management was all in the breathing and took a deep breath in through his nose and exhaled through his mouth.  “Nope…I’ve had enough of nurses.  I just want to get home.”

“Get home?  Clark?  You were just shot.  They’re not going to let you home yet!” 

With a deep sigh, he looked at her in the eyes.  “I know, but I’m not letting them know if I’m in pain. They might try to keep me longer.”

She reached her hand out and rubbed his shoulder.  “Just do what they say so you can get out of here quicker, but don’t try to pretend you don’t hurt.  I’m sure they know the difference anyway.  Do you realize that your heartrate and blood pressure go up when you’re in pain?  Keep taking the pain meds and they’ll probably let you out sooner.”

He saw the concern on her face and gave her a grin.  “You’re probably right.  I didn’t think about that.”

“Well, I’m not just another pretty face, you know?”

He reached out and grabbed her hand, holding it close to his side.  “I’ve already figured that out.”

Chapter 13

By Thursday, Paige’s frustration level was at an all-time high.  She hadn’t heard from Clark, but yet she didn’t want to reach out to him.  It wasn’t that she didn’t want to talk to him.  It was more that she was afraid.

When she’d gone to visit him on Saturday with Susan, she’d met his parents and felt an immediate connection.  His mother had told stories of when he was young and she’d loved it.  Even Susan couldn’t keep from laughing. 

On Sunday when she’d gone alone, it had been different.  Clark had been awake then and it had been hard talking to him knowing that she could only be friends with him. 

However, if he’d really been serious about wanting to be in a relationship, wouldn’t and shouldn’t he be the one to call?  She didn’t get it.  She hadn’t really been in many relationships, but from everything she’d seen, if you were the one who wanted a relationship with someone, you had to actually work at it.

So what if he hadn’t called her?  It wasn’t like she didn’t have a life.  She’d gone out for pizza with Susan and her daughter last night.  She’d actually thought it was strange how quickly she and Susan had connected considering the age difference.  She’d expected to at least like Susan’s daughter, Samantha, but it just wasn’t possible. 

She’d found Samantha to be rude, obnoxious, and a little bit condescending to her mother.  There had been one moment when Paige had wanted to say something, but she’d learned from past mistakes on how quickly that could backfire.  Instead, she’d shut her mouth and wondered how Susan put up with her.

The one thing she promised was that she would never go out for dinner with Susan and her daughter again.  She couldn’t do it.  If she had to, she’d say something to Susan, but she didn’t think she would be asked again…even Susan had looked embarrassed.

As for Clark, if he wasn’t going to call her, it would make things easier.  The problem was that for several weeks, she’d allowed him to be a small part of her world and now she was feeling his absence.

It wasn’t until that she arrived home that she realized just how lonely she was.  Her phone rang and she jumped to answer.

“Paige? Is that you? This is Clark’s mother, Barb.”

“Yes, this is Paige. How are you?” Sitting back down on the couch, she was read for just about anything or so she thought.

“Frustrated as hell, Dear.  That boy of mine knows how to press my buttons,” she sighed.

Paige didn’t know whether to laugh or not.  Instead, she replied, “I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay.  I was just wondering if you would think about visiting him tonight.  They let him out today and he refuses to let me stay.”

“I take it he’s doing good, though?” She couldn’t believe they’d let him out of the hospital already.

“Yes, but he pushed the doctor into letting him get out. I’m his mother. I know she shouldn’t be home alone and he insisted I leave,” his mother cried.

“You know what?  Don’t worry about a thing.  I’ll go over to his apartment and see what I can do.  If something happens, I’ll call you immediately.”

After reassuring his mother that she wouldn’t tell Clark she called, Paige put on her shoes.  She wondered what the hell she’d just gotten herself into, but there was no way she could ignore Barb’s pleas for help.

An hour later, she regretted her decision.  She stood outside knocking on Clark’s door.  Five minutes later she was still there.  He was obviously in there.  He just didn’t want to answer.  A half hour later, he finally answered the door.

“What?  How did you know I was home?” he growled.

Taking a step back, Paige snapped, “You’re not at the hospital.  I assumed you were here.  Now I’m leaving!”

Clark opened the door wider.  “Sorry.  My mother has been driving me insane. I’m not used to all this attention and, honestly, I could probably do without it.”

“Well, too bad, because I’ve designated myself as your caregiver for the evening…unless you’d prefer your mother to come back?”

Clark grinned. “Come on in!”

Two hours later, after she and Clark had devoured one of the casseroles she’d found in the fridge, they curled up on the couch to watch a movie. 

Clark reached out to take her hand in his and she squeezed.  It was funny how comfortable she felt with him, but the same thought saddened her as she knew it was not going to last.

“Are Sophie and Sarah still available?”

Paige sat up straighter.  “Are you going to take them? Oh my God!  That would be perfect.”

Clark sighed.  “I want to.  Believe it or not, I’ve thought about them every day.  I’ve thought about you a lot, too.”

Paige pulled her hand away.  Should she tell him now?  It would seem cruel to tell him now that she only wanted to be friends, but she didn’t want to lead him on either. 

“I’ve actually been thinking about you, too.  I think we need to just be friends.”  She held her breath not daring to look at him.

Clark was silent for a bit before he answered her.  “If that is what you want.”

Her eyes met his and he smiled. “Good,” she said. She couldn’t believe she’d been worried all week about how to say it to him.  It didn’t seem like it mattered to him at all. 

Feeling a little perturbed at his nonchalant attitude about it, she leaned back on the couch and tried to focus on the movie. Clark moved to get comfortable, or moved to get closer, she didn’t know, and suddenly she was more aware of him than ever.

His leg was only six inches or less away from hers and the heat just radiated from him.  She struggled to move without making it seem like she was trying to move away, but each time she moved within a second or two he would move again.

Clark reached out to grab the remote between them on the couch and his hand brushed against her thigh.  She jumped, startled by the touch, but didn’t take her eyes off the television.  Her pulse quickened and she worked hard to keep her breathing in balance. 

The last thing she wanted was for him to figure out the effect he had on her.  Pretending to watch the movie, she was aware of his every move and when he suddenly moved his arm to rest it on the back of the couch behind her, she groaned.

“Problem?” Clark asked with a smile plastered on his face.

“Not at all,” she replied smugly and leaned back. 

Close to her ear, Clark spoke quietly. “It seems like you have a problem sitting this close to me.  Could it be that this friend only thing isn’t supposed to be?”

Paige didn’t dare to move.  If she turned her head to look at him, her lips would be inches from his.  If she got up, he’d know he was having an effect.  She chose to ignore him.

“Paige?  Aren’t you going to answer me?” he teased. 

Paige shook her head and looked straight ahead.

“Why?”

She still didn’t answer him and when he pulled her toward him, twisting her around so she faced him, she gasped.  She was even more surprised when he leaned in and his lips took hers.

His taste, his smell, his touch…it was as if someone lit a torch underneath her and she matched every move he made with one of her own.  This kiss was nothing like she’d ever experienced before. 

The only way she could describe it was mind-numbing.  Every thought drifted out of her head when he deepened the kiss and pulled her into his arms. The only thing she could think of was getting closer without hurting his injuries.

Chapter 14

Clark woke to the sound of his alarm.  He forgot about setting it last night so that he could be at the doctor’s by nine.  Six o’clock and he reached out to the other side of the bed to find it empty.  She’d gone without saying goodbye.

A smile drifted across his face as he recalled how Paige had fallen into his arms.  Yes, she told him she only wanted to be friends, but he knew better.  He certainly wasn’t an expert on women, but he knew when one was interested.

The only thing that scared him was the feeling that she may regret her actions this morning.  Once he took a pain pill, he had drifted off to sleep and never heard another sound.  He assumed she’d snuck out right after.

Groaning as he sat up, he slowly moved his legs over the side of the bed and sat up.  His doctor probably should have told him no sex for six weeks because he was feeling it this morning. 

In the bathroom he splashed water on his face, wishing like hell he could take a shower.  Hopefully, the doctor would have news on that today.  If not, he was doing it anyway. 

The doctor had also told him no driving, but he was driving himself there this morning.  On his way back, he even thought about stopping by the shelter to visit Sarah and Sophie.  That would be his excuse anyway.

Two hours later, he’d received word from his doctor that showers were a go and he could basically do whatever didn’t cause him pain.  He’d almost asked about sex, but seeing as he’d already had sex, there wasn’t a point.

He pulled into the shelter parking lot disappointed that Paige’s Subaru was not there.  He wondered if she’d called out due to the lack of sleep and he couldn’t help but smile at the memory of what kept her awake all night.

Inside the shelter, he spoke to the receptionist to see if it were possible to just visit with the two dogs he’d grown attached to.  As he rounded the corner, Susan came out of her office.

“Clark!  How are you feeling?” she asked her voice filled with concern.

“I’m good…getting better every day. I just stopped by to see Sarah and Sophie and…well…”

“Paige?  I know I shouldn’t tell you this, but I know you two have gotten close.  She left this morning.  Came in to say she had to leave…something about affordable land in Arkansas or something like that.”

“What?  She left? As in quit?” Clark couldn’t breathe.  Arkansas? 

Susan sighed. “Yeah, she came in this morning and gave me her key.  I’m devastated over it.”

Clark shrugged. “Did she say anything else?”

“Just that she was going to call me when she settled somewhere so I could send her last check to her.”

“I got to go,” Clark mumbled and hurried as much as he possibly could back to his car.

What the hell was going on?  Last night was incredible.  He’d made love to her.  Hell, she’d made love to him.  She couldn’t keep her hands off him and now she’d run.  He shook his head.  He had to find her.

As he pulled into the resort, he had a feeling he would find her parking spot empty so he wasn’t surprised to find it that way.  He walked up the steps and opened the door knowing that it was already cleaned out.

Inside he looked around not surprised to find it spotless.  Paige wasn’t someone who would leave a mess behind.  He hadn’t known her that long, but he knew that about her.  She took good care of her things and everyone else’s. 

Wandering into the kitchen, he found a pad of paper and a pen sitting on the counter.  He picked it up and saw the indentations.  With any luck, he’d be able to figure out what was written on the previous page and he stuck it in his pocket.

Her bedroom was spotless as well, no different than the other rooms and he sat down on the bed.  The pain in his side was stronger now, but he wasn’t giving up.  Right now, he had to find her.

An hour later, Clark had packed a bag and had filled his gas tank.  He’s struck gold on the pad of paper.  In her handwriting, he had found an address in Arkansas.  The address was to an apartment building in just outside of Little Rock.  Apparently, he was taking a road trip.

He could just imagine what his father would say if he told him he was running after Paige.  “What the hell are you doing? You don’t chase pussy, Son.”   While he loved his parents, they were a little old fashioned and it wasn’t what he wanted in his own relationship.

One of the things he loved about Paige was how independent she was.  He wasn’t happy about the reasons for it, though.  No, he didn’t know her whole story, but he’d seen a lot in the time he’d been working in law and his imagination often got the best of him.

Maybe he was being stupid for following her, but what we he supposed to do? He’d been in a few relationships and none of them had made him feel the things that he felt with Paige.  His grandmother once told him that true love came once in a lifetime.  He knew he had to find her because if he didn’t, he might just lose his one shot at it.

Was it love?  He had no way of telling.  He couldn’t say he’d ever been in love before.  But the one thing he knew is that he’d never felt like this before. 

Driving through Georgia, Clark thought about what he would say when he found her.  He thought about joking with her, but couldn’t find one that would suit the situation.  The only thing he could do is try to be honest with her. 

Glancing at the clock on the dash, he winced.  It was already noon.  With any luck, he would find her by the end of the night.  The downside was that he didn’t know if she planned on driving straight to the address he found or if she planned on stopping somewhere.  It was less than an eleven hour drive, but she did have the two cats with her. 

Two hours later, Clark was driving through a small town on the outskirts of Atlanta.  As he drove past a small motel and restaurant and saw Paige’s car parked in the lot.  Pulling into a gas station down the road, he refilled his tank. 

He’d thought about pulling right in and waiting beside her car for her to come out, but he also didn’t want to scare her away.  She ran for a reason.  He just wanted to find out what it was. 

Deciding his best course of action would be to watch from a distance for a bit, Clark parked his vehicle discreetly in the motel parking lot.  If she came out and got into her car, he would see her without being noticed.

A few hours later and he still sat there in the heat.  Where was she?  Had she gotten a room for the night?  Seemed kind of silly to get a room so early in the day.  She could be in Arkansas before bedtime if she left now. 

Chapter 15

Paige threw herself down on the bed determined not to cry.  The cats were sniffing around the room.  Sadly, they were rather used to this and didn’t seem to be too perturbed over their new surroundings.  They were probably just happy to be out of their carriers.

The plan had been to leave South Carolina and drive straight into Arkansas by nightfall, but the landlord of the apartment house she’d planned on renting from called her and told her he’d rented it just an hour after talking to her.

Frustrated and ready for a mental breakdown, she’d seen the sign for the motel and restaurant and pulled in.  Again, it seemed as though she had no final destination in mind and it was killing her. 

Her search last night had provided her with just enough information to know that Arkansas had cheap land available.  She might not have enough right now, but if she kept her expenses low, she could have enough in less than a year.

The truth was she was tired of running.  She really Endings would be it for her.  Susan was the best boss you could have and she’d sort of made friends with some of them at the resort as well as Clark. 

What could she say about Clark?  Was he the biggest mistake of her life?  Probably.  She knew he was someone that was going to stick with her for a long time. 

The thing was she wasn’t angry at him.  She was angry at herself.  If she’d had a little more self-control, she wouldn’t have had to run.  Why couldn’t she have just turned away?

Instead, she’d made a fool out of herself and pretty much mauled the injured man half to death.  Less than a week before the man had been shot and last night she’d ridden him like he was a freaking rodeo bull.  What the hell was she thinking?

After Clark had fallen asleep she laid there thinking about what would happen when morning came.  Would Clark think that they were now a couple?  Would he profess his love for her?  The truth was she knew she couldn’t handle the disappointment when he looked at her and said that it was mistake. 

This wasn’t the first time it would have happened to her.  The last time had ruined her.  She’d fallen into bed with Bruce right after he had told her he was falling in love with her.  The next morning he told her it was nothing more than a mistake and they weren’t the right fit for each other. 

Like any normal human being she’d asked him for an explanation and he’d politely told her that they had had some fun, but it was time to move on.  It seemed like he was only interested in the actual chase.  She’d played hard-to-get and it only had intrigued him more.  Once caught, he was determined to throw her back.

Before she could hear those same words from Clark, she chose to disappear.  The only regret she had was that she had to leave in order to get away from Clark. 

Picking herself up off the bed, Paige found the boys sitting in the bathroom near the litter box she had just set up for them.  “I’m going to get something to eat.  You boys be good.”

Outside the motel room, Paige looked around.  Maybe the restaurant would have a paper she could look at.  While Arkansas had cheap land, she hadn’t even considered Georgia. 

Walking into the restaurant, Paige couldn’t help but wonder how often someone actually cleaned the place and debated whether she really wanted to eat here or not.  Before she could decide, a woman that was approaching elderly status came up to her.  “Take a seat anywhere, dear.  I’ll get you a menu.”

Choosing a small table by the window, Paige continued to notice all of the things that needed cleaning and silently pleaded for the food to be good.  Maybe the kitchen was cleaner than the dining area?  She certainly hoped so.

When the woman came back to the table, she carried a glass of water in one hand and a menu in the other. “Here you go.  My name’s Marge.  Do you want a cup of coffee or anything before you order?”

Paige smiled.  “Thank you, but I’m good.  What do you recommend?”

The woman laughed. “Honey, Harold will cook you anything you want whether it’s on the menu or not…just say the word.  With the lunch crowd over, it will be quiet again until dinnertime.”

Paige looked around.  “Is it busy in here at dinner?”

“Oh, you’re not from around here, are you?  This place is standing room only for lunch and dinner every day of the week.  I’m shorthanded right now, so it makes thing a little tougher.”

Laughing, Paige said.  “Just passing through and I’m staying at the motel for the night so maybe I’ll come back later, too.”

“You do that, but for right now, what are you craving?”

It only took a second for Paige to state, “Cheeseburger with mayo and onions on it only.”

“I’ll bring it out when it’s ready.  I’m just going to put my feet up for a minute while I can,” Marge said.  “You ain’t looking for work are you?”

Paige nodded. “I am, but I was actually heading to Arkansas to see what I could find.” 

“Arkansas?  What do you want to go there for?  Georgia is where you want to be.”

“I don’t know…are rentals high around here?”

“Yes, but if you work for me, you can stay at the motel for a cheaper rate.  I own that, too.”

Paige’s eyes brightened.  “Really?”

“Yes, really.  I need help and you look like you’re capable.  You ever waitressed before?” Marge looked her up and down.

“Yes, I have…a few jobs, actually.” Paige had worked more waitressing jobs than she would care to say, but didn’t want Marge to think she was a job hopper. 

“I’ll take your word for it if you want the job.  You could start tonight if you want and I’ll give you a seventy-five percent discount on your room.  It’s up to you, Kid!”

Kid?  It had been years since anyone had called her kid.  For some reason, with this woman, it sounded like an endearment.

“I don’t know how long I’ll stay, but…yeah, I could use the extra cash and a place to live right now.” 

Marge let out a whoop of joy that caused Harold to stick his head out of the kitchen. “What’s all the commotion about?”

“We got us a live one, Harold.  This here’s…what’s your name, Kid?”

“Paige…”

“This is Paige and she’s working here now.  Going to be staying at the motel, too.”

Harold gave her a thumbs up and asked, “What you eating today?”

Before she could answer, Marge yelled, “Go start a burger and I’ll bring you the order.  This girl’s starting tonight.”

After Marge left, Paige just shook her head.  What had she done now?  She was the only one in the restaurant now.  Was Marge kidding about it being standing room only?  She hoped not, otherwise, she’d just made another mistake.

Chapter 16

Clark had been sitting in his vehicle watching when he’d seen Paige come out of a motel room and wander over to the restaurant.  Less than an hour later, she had gone back to her room. At that point, he figured it was safe to go into the restaurant himself to grab a bite.

Surprised that there wasn’t any other customers, and pleased because he knew he could get served quickly, he simply asked for a burger and fries to go.  The woman just smiled and gave his order to the kitchen before coming back to sit at the booth closest to the door.

“I think I just saw a friend of mine leaving here a few minutes ago.  Thought I would check the place out.  If Paige eats here, I know it must be good.”

The woman turned around to look at him. “You know Paige?”

He just smiled and nodded his head. 

“Hmmmm…she told me she was just driving through. I hope she’s honest since I just gave her a job.”

Clark spoke up quickly. “Oh, she is. No worries there.  I’m just traveling through myself, believe it or not.”

Marge chuckled.  “Small world, eh?  Is Paige a good worker?  This place gets busy and you got to be strong to handle it.  I don’t know if she’ll be able to keep up.”

He couldn’t believe that Paige took a job here, but he could understand why.  This woman wasn’t exactly shy.  With a nod, he told her, “She’s strong.  Did she say how long she’s staying?”

“Nope, just said it wouldn’t be for too long…got her staying in one of my motel rooms at a discount for now.”

Clark didn’t say anything else.  He just waited for his food to be brought out.  Now what was he going to do?  This woman was obviously going to tell Paige that she’d talked to someone who claimed to know her. 

After taking his food back to his car, he sat and watched the door of her room, willing her to walk out.  By the time he had finished one of the best burgers he’d ever had, she still hadn’t come out. 

He thought about knocking on her door, but he didn’t want to risk screwing up the job she hadn’t even started yet.  Granted, all he wanted was to bring her home to Endings.  But he wasn’t stupid.  If he pushed, she’d shove back or run until he couldn’t find her.  Either way he’d be screwed.

Five minutes later Jade’s number came up on his phone. 

“Jade.  What’s going on?”

“Hey Cuz!  How are you feeling?  You getting some rest?”

“Let’s just say I’ve been sitting around most of the morning, so…yeah, I guess I am.  What’s going on with you?”

“Well, nothing’s changed.  Royce is still missing.  My sisters are driving me nuts and I really want you to move here.  Have you given it any more thought?  Sheriff Richards still wants you.”

“I don’t know, Jade.  I’ve kind of gone and gotten myself into my own mess.  What the hell was I thinking?”

“What?  What’s going on Clark? Are you okay?”

Once he explained the situation to her, Jade could do nothing but laugh and he threatened to hang up.  “Wait.  I have an idea!”

“What?  Please give me something I can use…Christ, I feel like shit about it.”

“Well, the first thing you have to do is go knock on her door and let her know that you’re there.  Stalking is not cool and you know it.  Just tell her you want to talk when she gets out of work before you head back to Endings.”

“Okay, then what?” he asked.

“You talk to her,” Jade laughed.  “My God, you can be so dumb about women.”

“Thanks for your vote of confidence.  I know I have to talk to her, but that’s where I’m stuck.  What the hell do I say to her?”

“Tell her how you feel.  That’s all a woman really wants, Clark.  Don’t listen to what other men say, either.  They don’t know any more than you do.  They just pretend they do.”

“What if she doesn’t want to listen to me? How do I get her to listen?”

“Clark, use your powers, Sweetie.  What made her interested in you in the first place?”

“Funny, Jade.  We actually started hanging out as friends.  I went and ruined that, I guess.”

“Doesn’t have to be that way.  It’s all in your hands now.”

“Thanks for listening,” Clark said with a grin.

“You know, I just want to throw this out there to you.  You said Paige wants to start her own animal sanctuary?  Perfect place for it is here in Maine.  Christ, we could donate a couple of acres to her for that, but if she needed more than that you can get land up this way pretty damned cheap.”

Clark thought about how to broach the subject with Paige.  He couldn’t just come out and say, “By the way, Paige.  I know you just ran away from me, but would you be interested in moving to Maine with me if I gave you some land?”

“That’s nice to hear, but I can’t imagine how I could convince her to do that when I don’t even know if she’ll talk to me.  Anyway, I’ll get back to you.  Time to go knock on her door and see what happens.”

“Clark, call me back and let me know how it goes. Okay?”

Five minutes later, he stood outside the door to the room he saw Paige go into.  His hand reached out to knock, but he hesitated.  Should he wait until after her shift at the restaurant?

Pacing around outside her door, he thought about everything he would say if she gave him the chance. He was completely caught off guard when the door swung open and Paige stepped outside.

Her eyes widened when she saw him and she took a step back. “Clark.”  Clark was not surprised that she didn’t look happy to see him.

“Paige, I just wanted to know if we could talk after you get off your shift tonight?”

“My shift?  How?  Have you been following me?”  He saw the fear grow in her eyes.

“No!  Well, not really. I went to the trailer after you left the resort and…never mind.  It doesn’t matter.  I just want to know if we can talk later.”

“Talk?  I left Clark.  I walked out while you were sleeping and you want to talk? Seriously?”

“Well, this obviously isn’t going how I expected it to.  Can we just talk later?” Clark just needed five minutes…that’s all it would take.

“I don’t see why we have to talk, Clark.  It’s over.”

“Over? You didn’t even give it a chance for it to start!” he raised his voice.  So much for that, he thought, but he wasn’t leaving yet.  Reaching out, he pulled Paige to him.  He wasn’t leaving without one reminder of what things could be.

Paige gasped, but she didn’t pull away.  He looked into her eyes just before his lips met hers.  The taste of her lips and the feel of her body so close left his heart racing.  When he was able to pull away, he gave her one last look and walked back to his vehicle. 

Pulling out of the parking lot, he looked in the rear view mirror to see her still standing in front of her room with one hand covering her mouth. 

Chapter 17

Paige pulled her shoes off and peeled off her socks.  Massaging her feet, a groan escaped.  Never in her whole life had her feet hurt so badly.  Two weeks she’d been working for Marge and she felt like it had been a lifetime.

Marge and Harold were two of the nicest people, but they demanded perfection.  When Marge had told her that it was standing room only during lunch and dinner hours, she hadn’t been kidding.  Every day from eleven to one and four to eight the place was packed with people as tight as sardines.

Pulling her tips out of her pocket, she put them on the bed beside her.  Another good day.  In the short two weeks she’d been there, she’d pulled in almost fifteen hundred dollars.  Granted, that was without a day off, but still. 

Tom and Jerry had adjusted quite well to the close confines of the motel room. It really wasn’t much different in size than the trailer she had in Endings.  Just the thought of the place brought her to tears.

She’d been moving around constantly from the time she was seventeen and never looked back.  Every day was a struggle.  From the moment she woke up until the time she went to bed she thought about Susan, Pam, and even Drake who often helped her out with walking the dogs when it didn’t fit into her schedule.

Clark, of course, was the one who took up most of her thoughts.  He’d followed her to Georgia for Christ’s sake and all she could do is yell at him.  And then he’d kissed her.  It was a kiss that she would never forget. 

She thought about what would happen if she went back, but that wasn’t her style.  She never looked back and she berated herself for even thinking about it.  She just had to figure out a way to move on.

Picking up her tips from the bed, she walked over to large plastic container she’d purchased to keep the dry cat food in.  She couldn’t leave it in the bag because both cats would tear it open from one side to the other.  It made the perfect place to hide her money.

The funny thing was that when she was at the resort, she never worried about someone breaking in.  It was the one place she felt safe.  Here, not so much.  Marge wouldn’t even let her walk back to her room at night unless she or Harold watched her from the door. 

Tonight Marge had pissed her off though.  When she had finally had a chance to sit down after the dinner rush, Marge had sat down with her.

“When you going back to that guy,” she asked Paige.

“What are you talking about?” Paige sighed.

“The one who came in the day you arrived?  You can’t forget him…I see it in your eyes.”

Paige rolled her eyes.  “What did you see in them just now?”

Marge had leaned back in her seat and laughed. “You got it bad.  I give it another week and you’ll be packing up your room and telling me goodbye.”

“Bite your tongue, Marge.  I’m not doing that.  The one thing I learned in life is that you can’t trust anyone but yourself.”

Marge became serious. “You ever heard that saying about loving something enough to set it free and if it comes back to you it’s yours?  Well, think about this…he came back.  They all don’t come back, Paige, but that one did.”

Since that moment, Paige couldn’t get him out of her mind. Marge was right.  When she had walked out in the middle of the night, leaving him sound asleep in his bed, she had set him free.  But he’d followed her.  Did that mean that he was hers?  She didn’t know what the hell it meant. 

After a long shower, she picked up her phone.  Every night it was the same ritual.  She took her shower and then checked her phone for messages.  Tonight, it set her off. 

Why the hell was she checking for messages when not one person out there cared enough about her to send her one?  Why would they?  It’s not like she let anyone get close.  If they got close, she ran the other way. 

It wasn’t until after a night of tossing and turning that Paige made up her mind.  Six o’clock in the morning and she was packing her bags.  She’d made her decision and it would be the first time in her life she went back, but she had to.  If she didn’t, she could be missing out on something that would never come her way again.

Just before eight, she went over to the motel office where she found Marge talking with the front desk clerk. 

Before she could even say a word, Marge said, “You’re doing it, aren’t you? You’re going back?”

Paige just nodded her head.  While Marge and Harold were gruff on the outside, they had proven over and over again that they had big hearts.  They’d taken her in and shown her proof that trustworthy people still existed in the world.

Marge stepped toward her and wrapped her big arms around Paige.  “You are going to be just fine, Girlie…you just got to give people a chance…give yourself a chance.  You’ve been too hard on yourself.”

Paige wiped a tear from her eye. “How can I ever thank you and Harold?”

“You don’t need to do anything.  Just having you here with us for a bit was a blessing.  Just be sure that you stop by and see us if you’re in the area again.”

“You can count on that,” Paige smiled.

“Well, let me go get Harold and we got to settle up with you on your wages, too.  Give me just a few.”

As Marge walked out of the room and into the back of the motel which was where they lived, Paige sat down in one of the chairs.  Was she really going to do this?  Turn around and go back to Endings?  To Clark? 

By the time she said her goodbyes and got on the road, lunchtime had come and gone.  Marge, of course, wouldn’t let her leave without a full stomach and Harold had told stories about how many times he and Marge had split up when they were younger.  It gave her hope.

On the road back to Endings, she listened as Tom and Jerry scratched at their carriers.  Evidently, this move had been too quick for them and they were already anxious to get out.  She couldn’t blame them.  It had been a mistake to leave and now she had to try to fix things.

Chapter 18

Clark put the last of his books into a box and sat down on the couch.  The only thing left not packed was his clothing and personal items.  He could do those anytime in the next week or so.  He wasn’t heading out for two weeks, but he hated to leave things for the last minute.

He had spoken to Susan last week and she had agreed to hold Sarah and Sophie for him until he left for Maine.  From the moment he decided to make the move he knew he couldn’t leave them behind. 

Thinking of Sarah and Sophie, however, brought him right back to thoughts of Paige.  He’d tried.  He would have followed her all the way to Arkansas if he hadn’t run into her in Georgia.  With a sigh, he realized none of it mattered now.  She’d made her decision.

When he had called Jade back and let her know that things hadn’t worked out as planned with Paige, she’d insisted that he come to Maine for a fresh start.  Things were pretty hectic with the family’s arch nemesis missing in action and hopefully he’d be able to help. 

Earlier this morning, he’d had his telephone interview with the Sheriff in Maine and as long as he showed up within two weeks the job was his.  Everything was going according to plan.

His plans were to stay at the lodge until he could figure out where he was going to live.  Jade and her family had offered him a small piece of land for a great price, but he’d still have to figure out what he would put on it. 

Stretching his back and shoulders, he winced as his side hurt.  It had only been a few weeks since he’d been shot, but he was feeling a lot better.  Still sore, but that was to be expected or so he’d been told. 

A knock sounded at the door jarring him out of his thoughts.  Opening it, his jaw dropped as he found Paige standing directly in front of him. 

She didn’t meet his eyes, but instead stared at the steps and asked, “Can I come in?”

He took a step back and opened the door wider.  She looked great and he wanted nothing more than to pull her close to him and wrap his arms around her to hold her tight.  Controlling his urges, he turned around and shut the door behind him to follow her in the living room.

He found her standing there looking at the room full of boxes.  “You’re leaving?” she asked quietly.

“I am, but not for another week and a half or so.”

“Maine?” her voice quavered.

“Yes, I’m taking a job on the Sheriff’s department up there…figured I needed to get out of here…it couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Paige nodded her head and sat down on the couch.  “I’m happy for you,” she whispered.

“Why are you here, Paige?” he asked standing in front of her.

She shrugged her shoulders.  “I don’t think it matters now.”

“It matters, Paige.”  He bent his knees and crouched in front of her.  Still, she didn’t meet his eyes.

“I…I just…it doesn’t matter, Clark,” she whispered.

“Damnit, Paige.  Why did you come here?” he growled.  “I need to hear you say it.”

Paige blinked her eyes.  “I…I wanted to say I’m sorry for how I acted…for leaving…for everything.”

“Why?” he asked.  He needed to hear her say the words he needed. 

“I just thought that…I didn’t know you were leaving.”

“Me leaving has nothing to do with this or us, Paige.”

Paige shook her head and, when she tried to stand up, he placed each of his hands on each side of the couch, blocking her exit.

“No, you are not walking out again until you tell me why you’re here.”

Paige, looking like a deer caught in headlights, just stared at him.  His breath caught in his throat when she reached her hand out and touched his cheek.  “I’m sorry for what I did.  I didn’t mean to hurt you.  I just…I got scared, Clark.”

“Scared of me?” he whispered.

“Scared of what I felt…that I would get hurt and I couldn’t let that happen,” she cried.

“Oh, Paige.  I would never hurt you…I wish you knew how much I care about you,” he told her and leaned closer. 

Paige’s arms went around his neck and pulled him closer.  Her face nuzzled his neck and he felt the wetness of her tears on his skin. 

“Everything is going to be fine, Paige…just you wait and see,” he whispered.

Chapter 19

One Year Later

“Did you pack your swim shorts?” Paige yelled to Clark from the walk-in closet.

“Yes, I did.  I told you I’ve been packed for a week.  I didn’t wait ‘til the last minute,” he laughed.

Paige made a face, unseen by Clark, but then she smiled.  She and Clark were very different, but it worked.  She still couldn’t believe how lucky she was. 

Married just six month now, they were finally taking some time off to go on an actual honeymoon.  When they had first moved to Maine there hadn’t been time. 

They had combined their money and purchased a large piece of land just a few miles from Clark’s family and then took a mortgage out on home loan to build themselves a small log cabin.  Of course, they were going to have to add on now, but Clark didn’t know that yet.

Yesterday, she had taken a trip into Presque Isle to see her doctor and he had confirmed that in eight months, they would become parents. She was saving that news for when they got to Endings.

When Clark asked where she wanted to go for their honeymoon, she had smiled.  Happy Endings Resort was the perfect place to celebrate their marriage. 

She remembered the day that she had come back from Georgia to find that the manager had already rented her trailer out.  For Clark, it had been a no-brainer.  She could stay with him until he moved.  She had no idea that he was going to push her so hard to move with him.

Now that she thought about it, she knew she would have done anything that Clark had asked.  Once she had removed the barriers, she’d fallen fast and, a year later, she still couldn’t get enough of him.

“What are you doing in here?” Clark asked as he came through the door of the closet.

Paige smiled. “Just thinking about us.”

Coming closer, he pulled Paige into his arms. “We are perfect.”

“Yes, we are,” she whispered as she brought her lips to his.

A second later, they were interrupted by barking.  They quickly left the closet to find out what had gotten the dogs in such a ruckus.

Sarah and Sophie were standing on the porch while the miniature donkey that had just come to stay with them tried to crawl up the steps. 

“Looks like we have an escape artist on our hands,” Clark laughed.

“You just want some attention, don’t you?” Paige giggled.  “She really is sweet, but I think she needs some company.”

“You want another one?” Clark chuckled.

“How about a goat?” Paige continued to stroke the donkey’s back.   The donkey had already put on more weight in the two weeks it had come to them after being rescued from a hoarder. 

“It’s a good thing we have twenty acres,” was all Clark replied.

“You sure that Johnson can handle all the animals?” she asked.  Johnson was Jade’s younger brother and had spent a lot of time helping them when they built their house.

“Don’t worry.  Johnson will take good care of them.”

Sitting down on the steps of the porch, Paige looked around at her surroundings.  Their log cabin was perched on the side of a small hill and they had a great view of the field to the side and the mountains in the distance.

She had never expected her life to be like this.  She’d been on the run for almost ten years, but hadn’t discovered until it was almost too late that she wasn’t running from anyone but herself.

It had taken Clark to make her realize this about herself and, once she did, she’d never wanted to run again. 

When Clark sat down beside her, she reached out and held his hand.  She couldn’t wait to see how he would react when she told him that she was carrying a child.  

Looking up at him, she smiled. “You ready to leave tomorrow?”

“I’m ready for anything,” he whispered just before his lips touched hers.

Want to know more about Clark’s family in Maine?  Interested in finding out what happens between Clark and Paige?  You will be able to find them in:

The Moose Valley Series

Look for:

Jade’s Promise: Coming in June 2017

Also, be on the lookout for the next book in The Happy Endings Resort Series

Enjoy the prologue for Book 18

Withdrawn

By: K. Pinson

Coming May 1, 2017

My day had started like any other but things felt much different. Newfound confidence helped me get through my days even with the anxiety pouring through my veins.  I lived in a dark mental place which she illuminated every time she was near. Of course, I could never tell her. The weight of pressure wasn’t something she dealt with well. In fact, relationships were not her forte. I tried to understand where she was coming from, I know some about her past though she never really wants to talk about it with me, but my feelings are very strong for her and the selfish part of me just wants them to be reciprocated. Even if that means cutting herself open at the vein and pouring all the bad out so she can let me in. This girl had been through so many things that I could never dream possible. Had I known she was forced to endure that abuse, I would have murdered her Mother myself. 

I grew up at Happy Endings Resort. I hated every moment, knowing that I was never meant to spend the first part of my life there. My family lived in an enormous and beautiful house until I was eight years old. That year my Father unexpectedly passed away in a car accident. We didn’t have any savings and all the life insurance went to securing a new vehicle and paying for his funeral expenses. My Mom could not afford to keep us living the same lifestyle, even with her working two jobs. Soon after we were forced to move into Happy Endings. It ended up being one of the most important pathways in my life, leading me directly to her. Though I could not have foreseen the future then. I’m thankful for it now. Growing up alongside two girls who didn’t have life easy for them helped to mold me into the man I am today. I learned to appreciate things that others didn’t have and especially those who I cared about. I began to cherish the women in my life, even when that wasn’t always best for me. People may take you for granted, but it doesn’t mean you should stop trying. Never give up loving.

I walk out of my trailer knowing that I won’t be back here for quite some time, if only to visit my Mom. Excitement for school has me completely lost in thought. My acceptance letter from The Art Institute arrived a few weeks back, and ever since I’ve felt nothing but bittersweet confusion. I knew that attending the art school was the best thing for me, however I was frightened at the possibility of leaving her behind. Leaving them behind. 

I shut my conscience down.

This day is too important to let any sadness seep through. Hope filters in and I can’t help but smile. I’m going to ask her if she will go with me. I turn around realizing I walked passed my bike. I jump on my motorcycle and take off towards the town’s tattoo parlor.

This girl has always been a walking contradiction. From the confident air about her to the way she snarks at everyone.  When internally, I know she’s drowning. She doesn’t let many in to see that side of herself though. Always keeping a calm and collected demeanor, while dying inside. Even her appearance is off putting to some. She is covered in tattoos but has her hair the very same cut and color since high school, keeping it all natural. She wears minimal makeup but there is still something dark and smoky about her eyes. She is beautiful in every single way but doesn’t know it. Her beauty sneaks up on you because she doesn’t allow herself to be the center of attention, but it packs such a force that you’re knocked completely off your feet. At least, that’s what happened to me. 

My legs propel me, steadily making my way to the door. I can hear the music blasting and see her dancing around inside. I love her new sense of freedom, no longer bound by the chains of her past. She’s wearing ripped black jean shorts and a black crop top. Her lean body on display. I love when she wears her dark hair like this, piled on top of her head and messy, effortlessly gorgeous. I want nothing more than to wrap my hands around it and pull it down so I can run through the length of it with my fingertips. I sneak in, hoping she doesn’t hear the doorbell go off over the music. If she did, she doesn’t turn around. I saunter over to where she’s shaking her hips to the music, her back to me. I grab her around the waist and she melts against my chest, her body molding into mine perfectly. It is only recent that she doesn’t shy away from my touch. When I first tried that, she nearly jumped out of her skin. The thought of it immediately pisses me off again and I tense. The situations she has faced through her life that turned her hard and cold, unwelcoming to another human touch, twists my gut in a knot.  She turns around in my arms and studies me. Her scrutinization used to make me feel self-conscious but now I revel in it. I like when she looks at me, really looks, right into my depths.

 “Mornin’.” She whispers, bringing her lips gently to mine. She holds me captive.  

Everything with her feels so natural and it’s hard to believe that we’ve gotten so close in the span of a few months. Sure, we’ve known each other since we were young. But our relationship is much different now than it was then. It didn’t help that I chased after her sister for years. 

“Hey Princess,” I whisper against her lips. She hates when I call her any type of pet names so I switch them up all the time. Whatever comes to mind that day, I just go with it. 

She pulls back with a grin on her face. 

“Ass.” She laughs and it’s a sound I want to hear more of. 

“Your ass,” I respond with a grin.

We haven’t made anything official and this is the longest she’s let me hold her since we first realized our attraction for each other. She’s so different from other girls in many ways. There are parts of me that want to treat her like she’s made from glass and though she may shy away from my touch, I know she’s by no means fragile. She’s been through hell but doesn’t ever complain about it. She just keeps moving forward. I aspire to live my life the way she lives hers. I want my love to fill all the cracks in her hard exterior. I don’t want to change her or fix her, she’s perfect in every way. But I want to allow her to let go. I want her to get lost in me the same way I’m lost in her. 

“What do you say about closing down the shop today and just spending some time together?” she asks timidly.

Like I could turn down an offer like that. The breath I’ve been holding in expels quietly and I feel like a weight lifts from my shoulders. 

“You better call Cyber and tell him not to come in today. I don’t want any interruptions.”

Closing my eyes, I send a silent prayer up that today is the day she finally lets me in fully.  That will make my question much easier. I know it is soon for us but when you know, you know. I just hope she feels the same way I do.

She grabs her cell from the front desk and makes the call. He let her know he only had one client today anyway and was more than happy to take a day off. I lock the door and leave the sign where it lay in the closed position. We head upstairs to the apartment she has above the shop. Her boss lets her stay here for cheap. She’s one of the best tattoo artists in the area so he would probably let her stay for free if she would allow that. But she’s filled with chest swelling pride. I’ve been up here a time or two to hang out but usually with our group of friends. It has never been just us but for more than a few moments. 

The minute the door closes and our shoes are off, she turns around and wraps her arms around my neck. It is as if the world fades away and we are in our own dimension. Nobody here but us.

 “Hi,” I whisper into an already quiet room.

She smiles, it creeps up, reaching all the way to her hazel eyes. Instantly my lips meet hers and every bit of feeling I have is exuding out. I need her to know how amazing she is. We break apart and I instantly feel the loss. 

“I need you so much closer.”

Those words send me into overdrive. They resonate within me because I feel it too. The need for my body to touch hers, for our hearts to beat together. To feel her shaky breath and her cracking exterior. The want for her to fall apart underneath me. The need for completion. I yearn for us to complete each other. 

              Grabbing her leg and pulling it up to my waist, the other one naturally following suit as she wraps them around me. Her hair finds its way into my hand and I pull it down from its entrapment, throwing the ponytail holder to the ground. Laughing, she shakes her head from side to side like a shampoo commercial. My current reality is better than any fantasy. I walk us into her living room and place her gently on the ground. Trying to navigate to the bedroom just seems out of reach, I’m lost in her. Brain fog is real. Capturing her lips once more in a chaste kiss before parting to look into her eyes. The impending storm lies behind them and I can’t be sure where her head is at. As much as I want to rush, I'm her anchor. I need to keep her here, in this moment, instead of losing myself and potentially her as well. Slowing things down, I sit up and gently stroke her hair. The look of it splayed against her white carpet, stark in contrast, does something to me. 

“Come back to me,” I say with conviction.

This intense vulnerability isn’t a card I want to show when she needs me as her show of strength. I can tell that this type of closeness is a huge step for her, a moment that I don’t want to get lost in the shuffle of all my feelings. 

“I’m here Cohen. Just taking you all in.” She lifts her body from the floor and leans back on her elbows, looking me up and down. My soul catches fire. This girl has ignited a passion in me. My only hope is that we don't get burned. But if that’s the case, then so be it. I’ll melt for her.

“I actually need to talk to you about something before we do this.” Nerves strike me and I figure now is as good of a time as any. She giggles and it takes me down a peg or two. “And just what are you laughing about?” I fake pout. 

“I just think it’s cute how you assume that anything is going to happen between us today,” She quips.  Ah, there’s the smart-ass I’ve come to know and love. 

“Well, I just thought you damn near begging me was an indication, “I wink.

She reaches up to playfully smack my arm but I catch her hand in mine, bringing it to my lips to kiss. Lifting myself up first and gently pulling her with me, I find my way to the couch and take a seat. Probably best that we get out of our compromising place for this conversation. She just continues to laugh. 

“This is a serious moment Ari.” I scowl at her but she knows I can never actually be serious. She motions to her lips in a turning the key fashion, faking throwing it away. “Thank you,” I nod. “Now back to what I wanted to talk to you about. So, as you know…I’ve been subtly mentioning going to school.” 

“Yeah at the community college, right? I hear they have some amazing professors there. I thought about potentially taking a few classes with you.” She responds. 

“Well actually…I got accepted into art school.”

“Wow,” she murmurs, but her smile grows. “That’s amazing! I am so happy for you Cohen!” She looks genuinely happy but there is just a hint of sadness I see lurking. 

“It’s a couple hours away…so I just thought…maybe you’d like to come with me? With your talent, you can find work anywhere.” My usual confident self is fading and someone different stands in his place. For the first time in a long while, I’m unsure of myself. Nerves taking over. Her smile fades and she looks like she is thinking extra hard about what I’ve just asked her. 

“Uhm…really?” She asks quietly. Her eyes are downcast and she’s looking at her hands in her lap. 

“Yes. I know it’s sudden. I don’t want to push you because I know that it won’t be an easy transition for you, but I need you with me. “

I grab her chin, tilt it up until her eyes meet mine. I give her some added reassurance with one of my best smiles. I know long distance relationships don’t typically work but I’ll always be her friend. The smile she gives me back melts my heart in a way I haven't felt in a long time. I think there is something said about someone who saves all of her smiles for me. 

“When do we leave?” she asks and the world stops turning. My excitement skyrockets.

“Really?” I probably sound like a damn fool.

“Are you changing your mind already?” Her voice hints at a giggle.

“Never.” In this moment, I mean it. She leans over, kisses me and all the awkwardness dissipates. Instead of more words, I decide to show her my feelings through music. I turn on You and Me by Lifehouse using my cell phone, sitting it on the couch between us after. Grabbing her hand, I stand and pull her gently with me. Wrapping her in my arms, I slowly begin to dance. Spinning us around like we are dancing in a great hall. Her head on my chest, hopefully feeling how fast my heart beats of her and everything is perfect. 

When the song comes to an end and fades into another one, she steps away and picks up my cell phone. Saying nothing she walks away, into a hallway and leading us into the darkness. Following her isn’t even a second thought in my mind, I do so aimlessly. When we reach what I can only assume is her bedroom, with its black walls and red accents, she abandons the phone in an armchair that sits against the wall closest to the door. Without turning around, me just a small reach away behind her, she pulls her shirt from over her head and leaves it on the floor. Next, comes her bra and then her bottoms. Completely still, I stand. Afraid that if I even breathe, this dream will be gone and I’ll wake up. She looks over her shoulder at me, hair haloed around her face, so beautiful. The darkness I’ve always found in her eyes is gone and in its place, is something I never thought I’d see from her, innocence. 

Willing my feet to move in her direction and with a deep breath I arrive. I easily taking her into my arms like we’ve done this a thousand times before.  Everything about it feels natural. She instantly gasps at my invasion of her space. The closer I get, the more I begin to notice all the out-of-place markings on her. Buried within her intricate tattoo designs but still visible. When I begin to touch her raised skin, she grabs my hand to halt my movement. 

“Please go slow.”

She prods me. I didn’t intend on doing anything but that. I want to savor every bit of this moment. I nod and move my hands to the back of her head, wrapping my fingers around her hair and grasping. My feet move, meanwhile my brain shuts off, until her legs hit the bed and she falls on top of it. Letting go of her, only to lift my shirt above my head and remove my jeans. Desperation exudes from her eyes, she lifts her hips from the bed and grabs her panties, pulling them down and tossing them to the side. My entire body feels like it's on fire. Without saying a word, I point to the pillows on the far end of her bed. She gets the message instantly and scoots her body up until her head is resting on them. I crawl onto the bed after her. Finding her skin beneath my palm, I lightly caress down the length of her torso. She closes her eyes tensely. Lifting my hand to her cheek, I cup it in my hand. Leaning down I gently kiss her. 

“Look at me,” I whisper against her lips. She opens her eyes, sighing.  “I need to see you let go.” A hint of a smile graces her lips and that’s all I need as permission to keep exploring her.

Her body is truly a work of art. I'm in awe with the beautiful tattoos across every inch of the chest, angry lines visible underneath. Jagged edged reminders of what a shitty life she had to overcome. Visible proof of why loving her was easy in the same way she was strong. Starting small, I lean down and kiss a circle shaped scar right on her collarbone. 

“Cigarette burn for being worthless.” I cringe at the truth in her words. They hurt me but not any more than they hurt her. No words seem fitting so I move to the next scar. A thin line transcends across her chest, about five inches in length. I pepper kisses down it, looking into her eyes the entire time. A small tear makes its way down her cheek but her face remains impassive.

“Broken glass for being lazy.” Something urges me to continue even though I’m shattering before her eyes. I avoid several similar looking scars until I find the meanest one of all on her abdomen. Tons of tiny lines, not directly touching but all in the same area, creating mass chaos. I gently kiss every inch of her skin there.

“Self-inflicted to feel anything other than what I was.” When my eyes reach hers, she looks ashamed. I don’t want her to feel that way. 

“I can’t even imagine dealing with all the pain that you went through. There is no judgment from me on how you chose to escape your own thoughts. I’m just glad you didn’t hurt yourself so badly that you’re no longer here with us, with me. Please promise me that if you get into that place again, you’ll reach for me. I won’t let you fall.” 

“I’ve thought about it. But I couldn’t let the demons win. So, I stopped hurting myself and instead began drawing on myself instead. That’s what led me to my career as a tattoo artist. I truly believe that there is beauty in the breaking. I just had to let myself see it. I promise. I truly trust you, Cohen. I haven’t been able to say that in a long time. Thank you.” 

“I’m just sorry I couldn’t help when it was all happening.”

Now I’m the one feeling ashamed. I was always so caught up with Brynn that I never took the time to truly see Ariana. Not that she would have let me in at that time but I still could have tried. 

“Nobody knew, Cohen. This is not your fault. The monsters hid away safely under my bed and nobody was none the wiser. They knew how to hurt me and get away with it. It was Brynn or me. There has never been an easier choice made in my life. But I am free from them now, free from her. Can we just focus on the here and now?” she pleads and I give in instantly.  I know that I’m being ridiculous and needy. These traits that are so unlike me. She’s making me a pussy. A happy pussy though, so fuck it.

I don’t stop kissing her until I’ve explored every inch of her skin. Tracing her tattoo designs with my fingertip until she’s shaking with need underneath my touch. I kiss the inside of her thigh to tease her. She grabs my hair and pulls me to her center. It doesn’t take long before she is shuddering and letting go. At this point, a condom is long forgotten. Time is blurring, our bodies are melting. I find myself inside of her, slowly moving to work my way in. She tenses, so I find her lips with mine and stop moving. I just want to make sure she is okay. She pulls away, nods her head and grips my shoulders as hard as she can. Her nails digging into my skin only incites my passion more. Slamming into her causes both of us to gasp out loud. I brush her hair from her face and intertwine it around my fingertips while sliding back out only to slam back in again. When she winces in pain, I find myself stopping for a second time. I know this probably hurts her worse than just continuing but my conscience won’t let me.

“Are you okay?”

I’m concerned. I don’t know a lot about her sexual background. This isn’t something we’ve really talked about before. Our conversations are almost always intellectual, usually straying from anything personal. I never saw this coming. 

“Better than okay. It just hurts a little. This is my first real-time.”

I’m temporarily confused by her words, but only for a moment, and then immediately saddened. It pains me to think of those who have hurt her in the past. My blood begins to boil and I want to hurt them all. I know my anger won’t help in this situation so I let it dissipate and stay focused on her.

“I want you to forget every other time before me, can you do that?”

As the words leave my mouth, I find myself slowly moving inside of her, building momentum. I grip the back of her neck, forcing her to look in my eyes. Distracting her seems to work and slowly her pitiful cries drawl out into moans of ecstasy.

“I am your first. Your only.” My words seem to relax her and she’s letting me in more. I finally feel like I’m gaining some control here and my true self is beginning to shine through. There’s a small part of me that prefers to dominate. I try to reel it in when I think she can’t handle it. It’s messed up that I even think that way, I know she’s strong but I can’t help it.

“Yes. My. Only.” She breathes the words through each moan. 

I’m getting closer to my release; my hands make their way to her face. Cupping her chin, I bring her mouth to mine. My other hand finds its way below and I stroke her until she falls apart again. Shortly after I let go. I get up and go to grab a washcloth. She has a bathroom en-suite so it isn’t difficult to find. I run it underneath the faucet, letting it get warm before shutting it off. Returning to the bedroom, she’s lying where I left her, eyes closed and bliss upon her angelic face.

“I love you.” I murmur to the room. She doesn’t respond but the silence is okay with me. I know in my heart that our feelings for each other are steadily growing.

I find my way to her and clean her gently. Afterward, returning the washcloth to a hamper in the bathroom. We spend the rest of the day talking, ordering food in and lounging in bed. In between resting, I make sure to show her my love repeatedly.

It was late when my phone began to ring, I’m not even sure of the time. Ari is sleeping soundly next to me, she looks like an angel. I quickly grab the phone and answer to avoid waking her. A voice I don’t recognize on the other end tells me that I need to get to Smith Street as soon as possible, that there has been an accident. The panic in the man’s voice on the other end tells me something is seriously wrong. He is slurring heavily and my focus only catches one word. Brynn.  I haven’t heard a word from Brynn in almost a year. I hear things around the town, we live in a small-minded area. Even though we’ve been out of touch, I know everything about her still. From the last date she went on, if it can even be called that, I’m putting it nicely. To the type of drugs, she’s buying on the street.   I’ve tried forgetting about her. Nothing that I say has been able to get through to her. The panic in the male voice on the other end tells me something is seriously wrong. I have no other choice but to go to her.

Making a hasty decision, I slide out of bed without waking Ari, deciding not to tell her.  I know their relationship has undying stress on it and truthfully, she’s been through enough. My need to protect her overshadows right and wrong. I throw my clothes on and sneak out the door before bringing the phone back to my ear. He was still talking, but now that I am safely away from Ari I can finish this conversation with his drunk ass and hopefully take care of this so I can get back to my girl as quickly as possible. Shockingly, I gleaned enough of the details of where she was from the inebriated caller. I reached my bike and started that way, wondering why he had called my phone. I guess she must have had me as the emergency contact in her phone or something. I hang up.

              I’m going faster on my bike than I ever have. My adrenaline has kicked in now and I’m truly afraid of what I’m going to find. Brynn has been dabbling with drugs for a while now. What started off as a party thing and led up into an addiction, there was nothing anyone could do to stop her. Any conversation about it was immediately shut down and then she would shut you out. It broke my heart but I couldn’t continue to try to help someone who didn’t want to help themselves. Watching her die wasn’t an option for me either so I cut off contact. As I’m riding down the empty streets I’m questioning if that was the right decision. I seem to question myself a lot when it comes to her, I always have. It’s like she takes away my common sense.

 Eventually, I pull up outside of the house and quickly cut off my engine, leaving my bike on the curb. You can tell that a party took place here, the music is still playing but only barely audible from outside of the house. Trash and beer bottles are strewn across the unkempt lawn. I walk up the pathway, internally gasping at the condition of the dilapidated house before me. After what felt like an eternity, I reached the door and turned the knob without thinking to knock. It’s unlocked, not so surprising. The smells of vomit and decay reach my nostrils and I dry heave. My heart is beating roughly and I want nothing more than to rip it out and hide it before I see her. 

I can hear people crying, screaming and I realize that I’d rather be anywhere but here. I said I would do anything to protect her from all that this life has punished her with, but she wouldn’t allow me in. I walk up the stairs, pushing past the hordes of people who never truly cared about her but are suddenly acting as if they do. I couldn’t possibly imagine how traumatic this moment would be or the way it would mold my life so I pushed through regardless. Had I of known then what I do now, I probably would have run hard and fast. I yell for everyone to get the hell out of my way. They scurry, moving clumsily into the opposite direction.

I see her body crumpled on the foreign bathroom floor, unconscious. Nothing about the girl I used to know belongs here. Her lips are blue and her face pale, she’s fading fast. I rush to her side and fall to my knees. My eyes barely notice the small movements in her chest. She’s breathing faintly, but breathing. I pull my phone out to do what none of these assholes thought to do and call the emergency services. I force myself to keep up all composure even though I want nothing more than to crumple into a ball next to her.  Since the day she began using I’ve envisioned this moment in all my nightmares. Now that this moment is finally a reality, the semblance of hope I had clung to through the years has finally shattered, leaving me an empty shell in its wake. I put my phone on speaker and mindlessly take the commands I am being given. Within a few moments, her eyes flutter and I took it as a sign that I was doing the right thing. A small semblance of joy found its way into my system.

When her eyes finally open to meet mine, they steal my breath. But not in the way that they used to. Her eyes were once as clear and blue as the ocean itself, but now they are red like the devil. Aptly so because this drug has stolen her soul the same way he would. The heroine had become her best fucking friend throughout the years. It took my place. I once believed that I’d follow her anywhere. But when the path veered off and hers led down self-destruction, I had no choice but to go my way. She wouldn’t allow me or anyone else to talk her down. The innocence she once encompassed was gone and the disease had taken over her body. 

“I’m sor…” She tries to apologize. Barely able to make out words.

I place my hand gently on her face and shush her. She sighs and inhales as large of a breath as she can get. I want her to focus on breathing, instead of apologizing for something that she’s in no way sorry for. This drug lies to her and it lies to me. I’m still haunted by our memories. 

My heart is breaking every minute I sit on this cold floor, watching the death wash over her. The air surrounding me feels different. Everything feels all wrong. Noise from the party is suddenly drowned out by the sound of sirens. People she thought were there for her, are gone. I feel a loss of breath myself. I cling to her, willing her to stay strong enough until the ambulance arrives. We are so close. I struggle to meet her gaze, but when I do, a solitary tear falls down her cheek. It is instinct for me to wipe it away, the same way I always did when we were kids. Time stands still. It's like watching flames dance up your most prized possession and not being able to a damn thing about it. I just sit and watch my world burn.

“I’m the one that should say sorry.” Tears will themselves from my eyes before I can stop the sobs that rack my chest. “I gave up on you.” She doesn’t speak. I can tell that she wants to but no words come. Her eyes speak volumes. Forgiveness is screaming from them. “I said I never would and I did.” The searing pain in my chest becomes unbearable.

She slowly lifts her hand to meet mine on her face. I swallow hard. She squeezes and I’m met with memories of when we were kids, her small hand in mine. The Police and EMT’s begin to rush in, surrounding us. I feel like I’m being pulled away, in more ways than one. 

              "Take me to the ocean, Cohen. Nobody is ever sad there." She faintly whispers, but her words are not lost on me.

I know that our time is almost over. I can tell by the shallowness of her breath and the weakness in her hand as it attempts to squeeze mine in reassurance.  Our roles have reversed and it feels all wrong. I was always the protector. My heart begins to race as she’s being loaded up on the stretcher, but I refuse to let her go. I need to hold her just one last time.  I’m holding my breath, but unable to take my eyes from hers. Tears are flowing down her face but a subtle smile greets her lips as comfort washes over her. All too suddenly, her eyes flutter shut and her body goes into a five-second-long spasm before her addiction steals her last breath. I bow my head and sob.

She was gripped by addiction, but I'd had hope. Promises were made, the birth of a pipe dream. Those promises will forever haunt me. Now the little blonde girl from the picnic table is lying dead in my arms. Ocean eyes closed forever. I'm not a knight in shining armor, though I'd tried to be. I'm a failure. I stand limp as I watch the EMT's take her body away.

It was a much more peaceful ending than one would expect after all the demons faced that has led to this moment. However, I felt no comfort. This wasn't the ending I had written in my mind. We were supposed to make it out together. Two kids from Happy Endings Resort, living out our happily ever after.

I feel like I’m losing it completely. Maybe I will stop feeling this way if I can escape from this burning house and the insipid thoughts trapping me here. Dealing with her death would be so much easier if it weren’t in vain. If it served some purpose or was unavoidable. But she did this on purpose. Used and used until it ate her away. I want to hate her. I try to hate her, but nothing she’s ever done can make me do that. I had grown to love her too much.

I find it hard to internally separate the little girl I used to know from the woman she had become. I could never understand why she turned to drugs, but I guess it wasn’t meant for me to know. I’m assuming it was her guilt that had gotten to her, the same way it was now getting to me. I’ve been rushing through life for as long as I can remember. I never dealt with the pain caused by my father passing away. Instead I funneled my energy into those I thought needed it more. I chose to focus on their problems instead of my own.

Brynn was my reason to stay, and then Ari. But they both deserve better. Brynn deserved better. I realize that I’m no good for Ari and I can’t disrupt her life more than it already has been. She shouldn’t have to deal with my breakdown and the loss of her sister at the same time. I’m nothing more than a burden to her. I’m not the man I thought I was. I’m selfish and I can’t stay here any longer. I hate this fucking town. Before my thoughts consume me, I run.

*****

Links to The Happy Endings Resort Series!

Book 1: The Inheritance: https://www.amazon.com/Inheritance-Happy-Endings-Resort-Book-ebook/dp/B00TXVMOL0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490999745&sr=8-1&keywords=Happy+Endings+Resort+Series

Book 2: Anywhere with You: A Novella: https://www.amazon.com/Anywhere-You-Novella-Endings-Resort-ebook/dp/B00VH7FWLC/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491000122&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Happy+Endings+Resort+Series+anywhere+with+you

Book 3:  Drunk on You: https://www.amazon.com/Drunk-Happy-Endings-Resort-Book-ebook/dp/B00VXYTTHC/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491000180&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Happy+Endings+Resort+Series+drunk+on+you

Book 4: Finding Us: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Us-Happy-Endings-Resort/dp/151411125X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491000234&sr=8-1&keywords=Happy+Endings+Resort+Series+Finding+Us

Book 5: Summer Maintenance: https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Maintenance-Happy-Endings-Resort-ebook/dp/B010E4UZXS/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491000281&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Happy+Endings+Resort+Series+Summer+of+Maintenance

Book 6: Elastic Heart: https://www.amazon.com/Elastic-Heart-Happy-Endings-Resort-ebook/dp/B012MMUEZY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491000357&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Happy+Endings+Resort+Series+Elastic+Heart

Book 7: Luring Shadows: https://www.amazon.com/Luring-Shadows-Happy-Endings-Resort-ebook/dp/B013XHGZM8/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491000409&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Happy+Endings+Resort+Series+Luring+Shadows

Book 8: A Soldier’s Dawning: https://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Dawning-Happy-Endings-Resort-ebook/dp/B014P63VV4/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491000472&sr=8-1&keywords=Happy+Endings+Resort+Series+a+soldier%27s+dawning

Book 9: The Thinnest Veil: https://www.amazon.com/Thinnest-Veil-Happy-Endings-Resort-ebook/dp/B0174E4EAG/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491000515&sr=8-1&keywords=Happy+Endings+Resort+Series+the+thinnest+veil

Book 10: Flowers for Marta: https://www.amazon.com/Flowers-Marta-Happy-Endings-Resort-ebook/dp/B018Q4PHF4

Book 11: Until You: https://www.amazon.com/Until-Happy-Endings-Resort-Book-ebook/dp/B01CASO1PY

Book 13: Hold Me Close: https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Close-Happy-Endings-Resort-ebook/dp/B01FL1EQYI

Book 14: Dirty Dancing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XBGC4F4

Book 15: The Art of Letting Go: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Letting-Go-Endings-Novella-ebook/dp/B01MUUVK37/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&%2AVersion%2A=1&%2Aentries%2A=0

Book 16: Through the Seven Doors: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XKQ9T1Z/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1489505784&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=sage+short+through+the+seven+dooors

April Fool’s: Book 12: Expert Tease: https://www.amazon.com/Expert-Tease-Happy-Endings-Resort-ebook/dp/B06XZ8PR4D/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491493067&sr=8-1&keywords=lola+kyle+expert+tease

Book #17: No Final Destination: https://www.amazon.com/Final-Destination-Happy-Endings-Resort-ebook/dp/B06XYQTNX8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491493139&sr=8-1&keywords=penny+harmon+no+final+destination

Book #18: Withdrawn-Prequel to Reckless Abandonment: https://www.amazon.com/Withdrawn-Reckless-Abandonment-K-Pinson-ebook/dp/B06WWNK7F3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491493170&sr=8-1&keywords=k.+pinson+withdrawn

-Check out the pages of my fellow HERS authors’ pages-

The Happy Endings Resort Series FB Page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Happy-Endings-Resort-Series/793762117371160

Find each HERS book listed on Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/series/147104-happy-endings-resort

~The Inheritance~  by Jennifer Benson Feb. 23, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Benson-Author/245003878989266

~Anywhere With You~ by Danielle Jamie Mar. 30, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDanielleJamie

~Drunk On You~ by Glenna Maynard Apr.27, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorGlennaMaynard

~Finding Us~ by T.H. Snyder May 26, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/authorthsnyder

~Summer Maintenance~ by Jennifer Foor Jun. 29, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/JenniferFoorAuthor

~Elastic Heart~ by Evelyn Stone July 27, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evelyne-Stone/434966173278127

~Luring Shadows~ by Kristina Rienzi Aug. 31, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/KristinaRienziAuthor

~A Soldier’s Dawning~ by Lisa Survillas Sept. 28, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLIsaSurvillas 

~The Thinnest Veil~ by M. Stratton Oct. 26, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/MLStrattonAuthor

~Flowers for Marta~ by Jenn Braddock Nov. 30, 2015

https://www.facebook.com/JennBraddockAuthor

~Until You~ by Heather Dahlgren Feb. 29, 2016 

    https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeatherDahlgren

~Hold Me Close~ by Alisha Cole May 30, 2016

              https://www.facebook.com/AuthorA.Coggins/

~Dirty Dancing~ by Brandy Lynn Feb. 27, 2017

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBrandyLynn

Beginning March of 2017

Two Books will be released each month

(Please be aware titles, authors and release dates are subject to change)

~The Art of Letting Go~ by M.C. Brightly Mar. 1, 2017

https://www.facebook.com/MCBrightly/

~Through the Seven Doors~ by Sage Short Mar. 15, 2017

~Expert Tease~ by Lola Kyle Apr. 1, 2017

https://www.facebook.com/LokyWrites/

~No Final Destination~ by Penny Harmon Apr. 15, 2017

https://www.facebook.com/pennyharmonauthor   

_________________________________

~Withdrawn~ by K. Pinson May 1, 2017

www.facebook.com/authorkpinson

~Untitled~ by L. Chapman May 15, 2017

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLChapman/

About the Author

Penny Harmon began writing at an early age and developed a great love of words over the years. After her children were grown, she took her writing more seriously and has published in both newspapers and magazines. In January of 2016, her first novella, Complicated Inheritance, was published and is the author of the Rocky Isle Romance Series. 

Penny lives in Maine with her long-time partner, Dan, two grandchildren, and three cats. She enjoys spending time with all nine of her grandchildren and enjoys working on DIY projects, especially those of repurposing.