Winds of Danger

by Christy Barritt

  Then he was going to have to figure out how to proceed.

  Chapter Four

  Paige needed to find something to do with herself tonight after work. Normally, she’d spend her evening with Wes.

  Maybe that had been her first mistake. She’d put all her eggs in one basket, so to speak. Instead of taking the time to develop other friendships, she’d been content to hang out with Wes. Story of her life.

  Now that he was no longer interested in spending time with her, Paige felt lost. Then again, maybe she was reading too much into this. It had only been a day since they’d last spoken. Still, they’d talked often. Texted multiple times a day. Hung out every spare moment.

  And now nothing. She’d been in enough bad relationships to see the writing on the wall.

  As she pulled up to her RV, she put her beat-up sedan in Park. She’d found a little camper to rent for the summer. It wasn’t fancy or big, but it was cheaper than trying to find a house in the area.

  This was no ordinary RV lot, however. Unlike many campgrounds, this little community was full of permanent island residents who couldn’t afford the area’s real estate prices. Cost of living and affordable housing for full-timers was always an issue in vacation towns like this one.

  Wes’s friend Skye had recommended the place to Paige. In fact, Skye had a retro RV a few rows down from Paige’s temporary accommodation.

  Paige’s place wasn’t much, but it was clean and sufficient. She just hated to come back here tonight with nothing to do. Nothing to do meant she had too much time to think, to rehash her regrets.

  Feeling a surge of determination, she raised her chin. She would find something to do. She’d put on her suit and go down to the beach by herself, if she had to. She was not going to plan her life around a man again. She’d already made that mistake once, and it had cost her dearly.

  Her heart pounded at the thought.

  Her choice had been more than a mistake. It had been a decision that wreaked heartbreak and remorse. Something she could never undo. The biggest regret of her life.

  Paige shook back the memories as she climbed the makeshift deck to her front door. She paused by the entrance as something on the ground caught her eye. She leaned down and picked up a bouquet of daisies that had been left there.

  Daisies? Hmm.

  She opened a card that had been left with them.

  From a secret admirer.

  A secret admirer?

  Who could this be? Suddenly, her night seemed a little more interesting.

  Was this Wes’s way of apologizing while trying to remain mysterious? She didn’t know.

  But she was going to wait and see if Wes followed these up with a phone call. She didn’t want to assume things. But a spark of hope lit inside her.

  Maybe she’d misread the situation. Maybe Wes hadn’t suddenly ended contact with her with no explanation. But, even if that was true, she needed to remain cautious.

  For her heart’s sake.

  “So you’re telling me that someone purposefully put these holes in your kayaks?” Cassidy knelt on the sand near Wes’s equipment and examined the marks, a frown on her face.

  “That’s correct,” Wes said. “Look at the holes—they’re all even and equal. It looks like someone took a drill and put these here.”

  Dealing with the damage was stressful enough within itself. Add to that the fact that he had to fend off angry complaints from the customers he had to cancel on . . . his day sure hadn’t gone as he’d planned. He’d even sent Austin home, knowing his friend had better things to do than sit around for this.

  Now Wes had to explain what had happened for the official police report. He would need one when he filed an insurance claim—something he probably should do, and quickly.

  Cassidy stood and wiped the sand from her pants. “Why would someone do something like this? It’s not like there are other kayaking businesses here on the island who’d have motive for shutting you down. So what’s going on?”

  Wes let out a long breath, contemplating what to tell her. There was no need to hide the truth. Cassidy would probably find out anyway.

  He crossed his arms, the words burning his throat before they ever left his lips. “The truth is, I’m afraid one of my ex-girlfriends is in town. She’s . . . scary and vengeful, and I wouldn’t put something like this past her.”

  Cassidy narrowed her eyes as she observed him. “That’s why you’ve been giving Paige the cold shoulder today, isn’t it?”

  His eyes widened with surprise. “You know about that?”

  “Paige turned down an invitation to come to my house tonight just because you would be there.”

  Wes let out a breath before running a hand over his face. Nothing was ever as simple as he wanted it to be. “She didn’t have to do that.”

  “She didn’t want you to feel awkward.”

  “I just don’t want her to get caught up in the middle of all this.” How had everything become so messy? One day, he felt on top of the world. The next, everything seemed to be falling apart.

  “You also canceled on her for helping with the Lantern Beach Scrub a Dub Dub.”

  Cassidy knew that as well? Of course she did. “It’s not like that. The more Paige is around me, the more of a target she is. I just want her to be safe. I’m trying to do the right thing.”

  “Why don’t you just tell her this instead of beating around the bush? Wouldn’t that make things simpler?”

  “Wait—did you talk to Ty?” That had been his exact advice also.

  She raised an eyebrow. “Ty knows?”

  Wes sighed. “That doesn’t matter.”

  Cassidy leveled her gaze. “You should just tell her.”

  “Oh, come on.” He raised his hands in the air, more emphatically than he’d intended. “You want me to tell Paige I have a stalker? What kind of man says something like that?”

  “One who has a stalker.” Cassidy’s expression remained deadpan.

  “Real men don’t have stalkers. We’re protectors, not victims.”

  She studied his face. “You really like her, don’t you?”

  Wes shrugged, suddenly feeling hot. This was not the conversation he wanted—or anticipated—having tonight. “I do like her.”

  Cassidy knocked her fist into his shoulder. “Then don’t let things end like this. I expected more from you.”

  His jaw flexed. Cassidy just didn’t understand this situation. “I’m trying to look out for her.”

  “That’s not how it seems. It looks like you’re being a jerk.”

  He flinched as her statement slapped him in the face. “You really have a way with words, don’t you, Cassidy?”

  “Someone has to say it. Might as well be me.” She put her notepad away and gave him a knowing look. “I’ll write up this report, and we’ll keep our eyes open for this woman. Do you have a picture?”

  “No, but I can send you a link to her social media.”

  “That will work. I also need her name, age, contact information, and any other pertinent details.” Cassidy took a step back toward her police cruiser. “And Wes, if she’s as crazy as you think she is, be careful. We don’t need any more drama here on this island.”

  “I agree with that. I don’t like drama either.”

  “Keep your eyes open. I’ll keep my eyes open also.”

  “Will do.”

  As Cassidy left, Wes glanced across the water at the sunset. It really was a beautiful one tonight. People on his tour would have gone crazy over it.

  He wanted nothing more than to share the sight with Paige. What was he going to do? Come clean? Or attempt everything within his power to stay far away—for her sake, not his?

  Chapter Five

  The next morning, Wes headed to a plumbing emergency . . . at the RV park where Paige was staying. Though it had only been less than forty-eight hours since they’d spoken, Wes had to admit that he missed her company.

  After he’d cleaned up his site last night an
d called the insurance company, he’d gone to Ty and Cassidy’s to hang out with his friends for a little while. But he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Paige. About how she should have been there.

  What had she ended up doing last night? Did she hate him for not calling?

  His muscles tensed as he pulled down the gravel street, early morning sunlight washing over the area. He wished he didn’t have to be here right now. That he didn’t have to risk running into Paige. But the rec hall at the campground had a waterline backup, and he was the only plumber on the island. Normally, that was a good thing. Today, not so much.

  He slowed his truck when he saw the silver Airstream with a small deck out front, complete with two cozy lounge chairs. He and Paige had sat on those chairs many times, talking about their lives. Their dreams. Their futures.

  Not their future together. They hadn’t been that serious. But he’d hoped that one day they might be.

  Wes’s stomach still clenched when he remembered everything that had happened. Even though he was no longer with Jennifer, she was still ruining things for him. Going out with her had been one of his worst choices ever.

  As he spotted Paige’s car beside her camper, he hit the brakes. He parked his truck and hopped out. Walking to the other side of his vehicle, he peered at the windshield.

  It had been smashed.

  His heart pounded in his ears as he saw the cracks spiderwebbing through the glass. Who had done this?

  A door squeaked open, and Paige sauntered onto the deck.

  He sucked in a breath when he saw her. She wore beige linen pants and an olive-colored tank top. Her curly hair fell around her shoulder in crazy ringlets, and her big eyes were full of surprise.

  Her gaze went from Wes to her windshield then back to Wes. “What . . . ?”

  “You didn’t know about the window?” Wes pointed to her car.

  “No, I had no idea.” Her hands went to her hips, and she stared at him quizzically. “Not to be blunt, but why are you here?”

  He couldn’t blame her for her cold response. He deserved it after going radio silent on her.

  “I’m doing a job down the road. I happened to be driving past when I saw it.” He did a doubletake as her expression darkened. The truth hit him. “You don’t think I did this, do you?”

  She stepped down closer to him, a frown pulling at her lips. “I don’t know what to say. I walked out to see you here, and the window was smashed. I guess . . . I don’t know. I just thought . . .”

  “Why would I do this, Paige?” He tapped his chest to emphasize his words.

  “I have no idea. Then again, I don’t really know you, do I?” Her voice trailed with hurt as she stared at him. The words hadn’t been biting. No, they were filled with hurt.

  Her eyes showed betrayal, showed a wall that was going up to protect herself from any future hurt.

  Maybe Wes deserved it. If only Paige knew he’d put distance between them for her own good. Would she ever understand that?

  He raised his hands. “I was just trying to help. You didn’t hear anything?”

  “No. Then again, Marky Mark over there has been blaring music since five a.m.” She nodded across the street to a junky RV with speakers on a makeshift deck. “It’s no wonder I had no idea. I had to put earplugs in just so I could sleep.”

  Any other time, Wes might smile at her description. Not today, though. “What about the people on either side of you? Could they have seen anything?”

  “No one is occupying those RVs right now.” She tilted her head. “You look overly concerned. Why? I feel like I’m missing something here.”

  He swallowed hard, trying to find his words. “It looks like someone did this purposefully, Paige. I’m surprised you’re not more concerned.”

  “Honestly, I work for the police department. We see vandalism all the time. It was probably some bored kids or some thugs who got drunk and decided to cause some trouble. I’ve seen worse.”

  He stepped back and nodded, realizing he’d outstayed his welcome—if that’s even what you’d call it. His plan to put distance between the two of them hadn’t gone over well. “Okay then. I just want you to be careful.”

  “I appreciate your concern. But I’m careful. Thank you.”

  She was definitely unhappy, and Wes understood that. But he didn’t want to do anything that might give the impression he cared about her—just in case Jennifer was watching. This was going to be one of the hardest things he’d ever done, though.

  “By the way, thanks for the flowers,” Paige muttered, apology in her gaze. “Sorry I didn’t call to let you know I got them. I’ve been feeling slightly guilty about that.”

  He froze, hardly able to breath. “The flowers?”

  Paige’s eyes narrowed as she shrugged. “The daisies? I assumed you sent them. Should I be embarrassed right now?”

  All the blood disappeared from his face so quickly that he felt dizzy. “Someone sent you daisies?”

  “Okay . . . I guess that wasn’t you. My mistake.” She took a step back, looking ready to run. “It looks like I have another secret admirer.”

  Wes hardly heard her.

  Had Jennifer done this? She was the only one who fit.

  His gaze met Paige’s as all his doubts disappeared. “We need to talk.”

  Paige stared at Wes from the seat on her deck, unsure if she’d heard him right. Thankfully, she had the good sense to make some coffee before listening to what he had to say. She let the steam and soothing aroma of the drink hit her face as she composed her thoughts.

  But only one realization remained at the forefront of her mind. She wanted her daddy now more than ever. Wanted him to tell her everything would be okay. Wanted him to wrap his arms around her in a bear hug. Wanted him to help her fix her car and advise her on how to handle things.

  She drew in a shaky breath and cast those thoughts aside.

  “Let me get this straight.” She said the words slowly, desperate to know if she’d heard him correctly. “You think the person who sent me flowers and the person who smashed my window are one and the same.”

  Sweat sprinkled across Wes’s face as he nodded. “That’s correct.”

  “And do you know who this person is?” She seriously wondered if Wes was losing it right now. Not only was he not acting like himself, but his story didn’t make much sense. Why would a secret admirer damage her car?

  He let out a long breath and squeezed his eyes shut. “Look, I know how this is going to sound. I was hoping I was wrong, but I think that’s less and less likely.”

  “Who do you think is responsible?” It was like Wes was putting off giving her an answer. Why in the world was he so nervous? Wes normally didn’t get frazzled. He remained calm and cool, with a laid-back, self-deprecating kind of humor about him.

  His hands went out in front of him, almost as if he grasped an imaginary object or tried to pull something solid out of thin air. “It’s like this. I dated this girl when I lived in Virginia Beach who had a thing for daisies, and now I think she’s here in town.”

  “Okay . . .” Paige still wasn’t following. “You think your ex-girlfriend sent me flowers.”

  He shook his head a little too quickly. “It’s more complicated than that. She’s . . . she’s not quite right.”

  “She’s a scorned lover bent on revenge?”

  He squeezed his eyes together. “It sounds weird when you say it like that.”

  “But is that what you’re saying?”

  He shrugged and opened his eyes. “In so many words, yes.”

  “I . . . don’t know what to say. Why would she send me flowers and smash my window?”

  “Because she’s playing a troubling game and because she’s vindictive.”

  “But you and I aren’t even dating. Why would she target me?”

  “She must have seen us together. I think she sees you as a threat.”

  Paige stared at him a moment, not saying anything, until asking, “Does C
hief Chambers know about this?”

  “I told her last night when holes mysteriously appeared in all of my kayaks.”

  She winced. “Oh, no. That’s not good.”

  “It’s not. My tours are postponed for the time being.”

  “Have you actually seen her?” Paige continued.

  “I thought I saw her after we went paddleboarding, but she wasn’t there when I checked. Half the time, I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

  “I can imagine.”

  He pulled his gaze back up to Paige. “That’s why I have been trying to separate myself from you. I don’t want her bothering you. The only way that’s going to happen is if she doesn’t perceive you as a threat.”

  “That explanation would have been nice earlier when you canceled our plans and stopped talking to me,” she said in a soft, chiding voice.

  “I know. I deserve that, and I deserve any other hard feelings you have toward me. I just don’t want to see you get caught up in this.”

  She remembered her car windshield. “It sounds like it’s too late.”

  Wes reached forward and touched her arm. A spark sizzled through her at his touch.

  He seemed to feel it too as he pulled away and swallowed hard. “Keep your eyes open, okay? Be careful.”

  The breath left her lungs as she realized what he was saying. “You think she’d go as far as hurting me?”

  “I have no idea, but I wouldn’t put much past her. In the meantime, I can’t talk to you in person for a while, Paige. Part of me wants to stay close so I can keep you safe. But I don’t think it’s going to work that way.”

  Though Paige was disappointed, she understood what he was saying. She didn’t want this ex-girlfriend to come between her and Wes. But maybe with time all the drama would pass.

  “I guess I should call the chief,” she finally said.

  Wes nodded somberly. “Yeah, I think you should. And Paige? I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”

  Paige stared at him a moment, realizing she was sorry also . . . sorry that Wes’s history along with her own seemed to be working against them.