Finding Me (Love's Not Easy Series Book 1)

by Rickman, Nicole

  Piper went to the restroom so that on the way back, she could see the gentleman and, just like Lexi, she had noticed him as well. She sat at the table. “I think we should leave now. So we are not on the road in the dark. I have noticed him looking at us before too.”

  Aimee flagged a waiter. “Can we please have our check?”

  “You have not eaten much. Was the food ok?”

  “Yes, we just have a long drive back home.”

  “Very well.”

  When he returned with the checks, which Lexi insisted on paying for, Lexi informed him that the gentleman in the green shirt had been making them feel very uncomfortable. She told the waiter they felt he may be stalking them. Then she asked him to please distract him if he looked like he was going to follow them.

  They made it out of the resort without the gentleman following them, thanks to the waiter. They were well on their way back to Ancaster and no one was following them. Even though they relaxed some, Piper called James when they stopped for gas and to eat. They had another hour or so before they reach Ancaster. She told him about the man and he said he would start driving toward them now and follow them to their flat.

  Once they arrived to the flat, James brought their bags in and the girls sat in the living area, relieved. “I don’t think he followed us, but he was definitely creepy.” Aimee sat looking down at her hands. “I just wonder why he was looking at us all the time.”

  James sat beside Piper and wrapped her in his arms. “Seriously, Aimee. Are you that naive? Three hot looking ladies like you girls and you want to know why a man is staring at you.”

  “His stare wasn’t one like he thought we were hot, not to me. It was more of a creepy look than that.”

  “I don’t want to sound chauvinistic, but you girls may not want to go too far from campus alone for a while.”

  “You don’t sound chauvinistic at all. I actually agree.” Piper kissed his cheek, then Aimee and Lexi told him they agreed as well. Then, they went to unpack and give Piper and James some alone time.

  ♥ ♥

  The girls got up to leave. He stood to leave as well, but the young gentleman who waited on them stepped in front of him. He informed him that the young ladies feared he was stalking them. He informed him that the resort had strict rules about these things. They want all the guest to feel comfortable during their stay here.

  He told the waiter he was sorry, he never intended to cause the ladies any discomfort. When he was done, he tried to find the girls again, but they were gone. He figured they were on their way back to Ancaster, but they had an hour start on him. No need to try to follow them today. He would need to bring someone else to help him now since they saw him staring. He couldn’t let them see him in Ancaster, that was for sure.

  She looked familiar to his partner as well. They had followed her to church and to the outside of her flat. The guard at the gate would never let them in. It took them a few days to find who they wanted as a spy; now, they had to convince this person and they knew just how to do that.

  ♥ ♥

  The first week back to college and the classes had been tough. The professors were almost doubling the workload. They wanted to relax and have fun on Friday. Aiden found an alcohol free club near campus; so, when Friday night rolled around, the group of friends went to the club.

  The crowd was large. The owner informed Aiden that, when word got out about him coming here a few weeks ago, business was booming. The girls had worked on dance moves all week. Aimee taught them some of her hip-hop dance steps. So, they were ready to hit the dance floor.

  Aimee first spotted LJ when they entered the club. She avoided him. He had not called her since Valentine’s Day, which was nearly two and half months ago now. She stayed on the dance floor for a long time. The DJ put on a slow song and, except for Piper who was now dancing with James, the girls went to set at their table.

  Aimee took one sip of her cola, then noticed LJ standing beside her.

  “Aimee, I thought that was you I saw walk in the door. I waved.”

  “Oh, LJ, hi.” She wanted to say she hadn’t notice him, but she could not lie.

  “So, how have you been?”

  “Great and you?”

  “Good. Do you want to dance?”

  “No. Not right now.”

  “Later then?”

  “Probably not.” Lexi was holding back her laughter. Aimee was being so cool.

  “Did I do something wrong, you seem mad?”

  “No, I am not mad. Just confused.”

  “Confused?”

  “Yes, confused. See, I went out with this guy on Valentine’s Day, who happens to look a lot like you. Do you recall that date?”

  “Yes, I remember.”

  “Really? Well, you must have forgotten the part where you said you would call the next day. Because it has nearly been two and half months and you still haven’t called.” Aimee was so cool, but Lexi and Piper, who now joined them at the booth, both laughed out loud.

  LJ looked down. “I’m sorry about that, I…”

  “Stop. I don’t want to hear lies. I thought we had a great time on the date. We even kissed and, if you know me at all, I don’t just kiss anybody, LJ. I thought you may actually like me, but now, I am thinking probably not.”

  “I am sorry, I have no excuses, and it was rude. But, I do like you, Aimee. Give me a chance to show you. How about you dance the next slow dance with me?”

  “No. Not tonight.”

  “Why?”

  “You need to show me you are truly sorry, LJ.” Aimee took a sip of her cola. “We can talk, but I will not do something as close or as intimate as dancing with you.”

  To her surprise, LJ took the seat next to her. “Ok, fine. What do you wish to talk about, Aimee?”

  “How about we start with the real reason you never called?”

  “I could say it was because of my class load.”

  “But, that would be a lie. And, you are not going to lie to me; I want the truth.”

  “I was being stupid. When we kissed, I realized that I have never dated anyone like you. You’re so innocent and genuine.”

  “Innocent and genuine? What a way to describe a girl.”

  “Hear me out. To you, Aimee, allowing a guy to kiss you is a big deal, right?”

  “Yes, it is a big deal to me.”

  “To most girls, a kiss is nothing special.”

  “Keep going.”

  “So, I realized that I was no good for you.”

  “No good for me? LJ…”

  “Let me finish. The guy you deserve needs to be special. I don’t know if I can be that guy. I am afraid of hurting you.”

  “This is the truth, right? You are not just saying what you think I want to hear?”

  “Yes. I really don’t know what you want to hear. All I know, is that I love being around you. I enjoy talking and going places with you. You are one of the best dates I have had.”

  “What do you purpose we do now, LJ? What has changed in you?”

  “I am not sure, Aimee. I just know, that when I saw you walk through that door, I realized how stupid I have been.”

  “So, how about we go back to being friends?”

  “Friends is a great place to start.” LJ stood and began to walk off. “I like the red highlights. The next time I kiss you, I will be certain I can be the right guy for you.”

  “Let’s not think about kissing.”

  “Okay.”

  Aimee watched him walk off. She waited until she knew he was out of her ear shot before turning her head to Lexi and Piper, who sat and listened to the entire conversation. “Did either of you believe that load of manure he just spilled out everywhere?”

  “I think we need some wading boots before we try to leave our table.” Lexi laughed.

  “Either that or have the guys come and shovel all the manure away.” Piper was laughing too.

  Aimee laughed and took a drink of her cola. “It is so great to have frien
ds who think like you do.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The day of the first ever Wise Chapel Carnival had arrived. Everyone spent a lot of time preparing and setting up the carnival. They had twenty different gaming booths, inflatables, food stands, live music, and a petting zoo for the kids. The lady's aide was hosting a pie baking contest and pie eating contest. The youth was sponsoring a cake walk and a dunking booth.

  The owners of Wise Park had allowed use of a portion of the park, so the kids had a safe place to run and play. The day was turning into a huge success. So many neighborhood kids came out to the festival. Everyone was enjoying themselves.

  Aiden and Colin stopped by to show their support. Aiden came over to Aimee’s game booth. Her booth was teaching about the ten plagues on Egypt. She had one of those games where kids had to flop a frog on a lily pad. She would wait until she had a group of six and then would tell them the story of the ten plagues God sent on Egypt and how God rescued the Israelites from bondage.

  He watched as she made the story come to life. She was involving the kids into the story. At the end, she had them to line up like they were leaving. She then had them march as if they were leaving the land of Egypt. “Now, let’s go play a game and learn about how God parted the Red Sea.”

  She came back to wait for her next group. “That was great.” Aiden stood holding an ice tea for her.

  “Thanks. For the tea and the compliment.”

  Aimee noticed the girls from the Sunday School class she and Piper taught coming to her booth.

  She hugged each of them and then turned to Aiden. “If you like my lesson for the little ones, you will love this.”

  She talked about the plagues and let the kids play the frog game. When they finished, instead of letting them go like the little ones, she discussed how the story of the plaques and how God freeing the Israelites from Egypt compared to how Christ came and died for our sins, releasing us from our sins. “Now, let’s go see what it was like when God parted the Red Sea.”

  When she came back to her booth, Aiden was telling Colin about the lesson Aimee had just taught to the kids. “If you two think that was cool, go to the last booth James and Mark are doing; and, then come back and talk to me.”

  The day was warm, but not too warm. Aimee lost count of how many kids came through her booth. Aiden and Colin came back to her booth twenty minutes after they left. James and Mark’s game gave them a lot to think about.

  It was now time to close up the booths and join everyone for an evening picnic. Aimee, Lexi, and Piper were cleaning their booths. They worked together to make it go faster. The last one to clean up was the booth Aimee used. She walked over to the area where she sat to clean, while James and Mark took down the frog pond. She saw a piece of paper on the ground and picked it up; it was a letter addressed to her.

  Piper and Lexi came over and placed the frogs and Lily pads in their totes. Piper noticed Aimee looking at the paper. “What is that?”

  “I don’t know, it is addressed to me. I just found it lying on the ground.”

  “Well, open it.” Lexi put the last of the stuff in the totes and shut them up. “We’re done. Let’s go sit under that tree and you can open it.”

  Aimee was scared, the writing seemed to be off and scary. She carefully opened the envelope and took out the note. IF YOU KNOW WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOU. YOU WILL GO BACK TO AMERICA AND NOT COME BACK.

  Aimee stared at the letter a minute then folded it back up and put it in her back pocket. “Someone is just playing a joke. Let’s not worry anyone else about it.”

  “Aimee, are you sure?”

  “Yes.” Aimee didn’t tell them she got a similar letter last week. She was at the market and someone placed it in her basket.

  Aimee sat quietly through the picnic that night; she hid the new letter with the other one. They were in the same strange handwriting. When she said her prayer that night, she prayed for her protection more than anything else. She was not going to be scared backed to the United States.

  ♥ ♥

  Still not sure the spy they had contacted would be fully invested into the job given to them. The two men were still in town. They had delivered two messages to try to see if it scared her. But, she did not seem to be bothered by the notes. Perhaps things are just as they hoped and she is not the heir they fear she may be. They still needed more time and a definite trust in the spy.

  ♥ ♥

  Aiden was waiting at the bottom of the stairs the next Sunday. “I thought I would join you for church today.” When Aiden walked through the door, no one treated him different. They greeted him the same way they did Aimee, Lexi, and Piper. He sat through service and listened to every word the preacher said. When he left, he realized one thing. He may be a Prince by title, but Jesus was the true Prince.

  LJ and Drew had been by every evening for two weeks now. Sunday night, when Aimee got home from church, LJ was sitting in the living area talking to Colin. Lexi was taking the same approach with Drew as Aimee was with LJ. Both guys showed a lack of respect by not calling the girls back like they said. He stayed until around eleven, then Aimee told him she needed to get some work done for school the next day.

  Wednesday, when Lexi, Aimee, Piper, and James came back from church, LJ and Drew were sitting on the couch. Aimee heard the guys arguing in the kitchen. From the sounds of it, Colin was shouting at Josiah. The girls, followed by James, entered the kitchen.

  “We have put up with a lot from you Josiah, but this has gone too far.” Colin threw a baggy full of pills on the table.

  The girls’ mouths dropped. Sophia and Aiden had come down from their rooms to see what the shouting was about. James and Aiden stopped Colin, just as he went to hit Josiah. Lexi and Aimee went to tell LJ and Drew to leave, but they had already left.

  Josiah was now going after Colin. Aiden let loose of Colin and held Josiah. Lexi came and stood in between the four guys. “What is going on?”

  “Just stay out of it, Lexi. You four girls go upstairs.” Colin’s face was red.

  “We all live here and have a right to know what is going on.” Piper stood with Lexi.

  Aimee turned to see Sophia heading back up stairs. “You two need to calm down.”

  Colin relaxed a bit and stopped fighting James. “He brought drugs in here. Coming in here drunk all the time is one thing, but we can’t have drugs in our flat. We would all get kicked out.”

  Aiden tightened his grip. “Man, are you stupid? Did you even think about what kind of trouble that could cause everyone?”

  “They are not mine. I tried to tell my knot headed cousin, but he will not listen.”

  Aimee turned to Colin. “Where did you find the drugs?”

  “In the hall closet. Josiah had just come in and I went to get a pair of my shoes and found the pills laying on the closet floor.”

  “It is hard to say how long they have been there, Colin. To accuse Josiah without knowing isn’t right.” Aimee turned to both men. “Aiden, loosen up your hold on him.”

  “Aimee, why are you defending him? You stand to lose just as much as the rest of us.” Colin yelled at her.

  “Because we have no proof they are his or how long they have been in the closet; and, don’t yell at me.”

  “I am sorry.”

  Piper sat at the kitchen table. “Since we don’t know whose they are we, need to get rid of them.”

  “How?” Asked Lexi.

  “Flush them down the toilet and send them into the sewage where they belong.” James spoke for the first time, then he let go of Colin and nodded to Aiden to do the same with Josiah. They all followed James to the downstairs toilet and flushed the pills.

  When they went to the living area Aimee stood next to Josiah. “A guilty person would not have let us flush those pills.”

  Colin folded his arms and turned away. “He would if he wanted us to believe otherwise.”

  “Colin, seriously, we have known him our entire lives; do you seriously think he w
ould stoop to that?” Lexi looked him dead in the eyes.

  “You guys believe what you want. I just know I better never see anything like…”

  “Don’t worry, Colin, you won’t. I am out of here. I am not staying here and being ridiculed by the likes of you.” He headed up stairs and, in a short while, he had his belongings packed in his car.

  Colin seemed to not care one bit that Josiah was leaving. Aiden told him to at least stay and talk, but he wasn’t having it. Aimee went up to talk to him when he went for his last bag.

  “Josiah, I am sorry you feel you have to leave.”

  He turned to her. “Thanks. I am surprised, after the way you acted over Aiden’s hang over, that you took up for me.”

  “Aiden let me down and didn’t keep his word. He was supposed to be there for me and he wasn’t. I had proof of that. There is no proof the drugs where even yours. To place judgment on you would be wrong.”

  “I am glad you feel like that.”

  “So does Piper and Lexi.”

  “I get this all the time from other people. Because I dress different and play rock-n-roll, that doesn’t make me a junkie.”

  “No, it doesn’t. If I ever made you feel that way, I am sorry.”

  Aimee went to walk out as Josiah finished stuffing the last of his stuff in his bag. “Josiah, I know that what happened with your mom is hurtful. But, it does not have to control your live.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “When I look in your eyes, I see someone who is hurting and crying out for help. Don’t let things eat at you until there is no point of return. Find someone to talk to.”

  “You don’t know anything about my mom.”

  “No, I don’t know anything about your mom; and, I am learning that I know very little about my own mom. What I do know is, we can’t let what happened to our moms during the war here control our lives. We need to find ourselves and rise up from the ashes that we have been left to sift through.”

  “Your mom fled the country. My mom was taken advantage of and then died giving birth to me.”

  “I fear my mom went through far more than I know before leaving this country. I know she had an uncle I believe to be a radical member and he hit her and my Gran while trying to take over their family.”