He hoped she was right
After a moment of quiet, Cassidy stepped forward and quietly asked, “So you’re ready to proceed?”
He stepped away from the window as the car disappeared. “As ready as I can be.”
She held up a paper, still looking hesitant. “This is the message I think you should send to Jennifer. Then we’re going to your house, and we’ll wait for her. With an invitation like this, surely she’ll show up.”
Wes read the words on the paper.
Breaking up with you was the biggest mistake of my life. I need to see you again. Please. It’s all I can think about.
He glanced at Cassidy, who’d been openly studying his expression.
“What do you think?” Cassidy asked.
He let out a long breath. “Well, it’s not a lie. I suppose it just depends on what perspective you look at it from.” Breaking up with her had been a mistake—it had caused heartache. Yet it had been necessary. And thinking about finding Jennifer again had been at the forefront of his mind for days now.
“Since we don’t have her phone number, post it as a private message to her social media,” Cassidy said. “She’ll read it. Hopefully, she’ll come looking for you. When she does, we’ll arrest her, and all of this will be over with.”
“It almost sounds too easy, doesn’t it?” Wes sagged against the table.
“It’s worth a try,” Cassidy said. “If it doesn’t work, we’ll come up with Plan B.”
Ty crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the kitchen counter, his eyes narrow with thought. “Are there any new reports from anyone who’s seen her around? As many things as she’s done, I just can’t believe she’s been so much of a ghost.”
“People saw her in Lisa’s that day, of course,” Cassidy said. “And then the man saw her pull away with his boat. But . . . otherwise she’s done a great job staying under the radar.”
“This island’s not that big,” Wes muttered. “Yet it seems entirely too easy for people to hide out here.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more.” Cassidy straightened. “But we’ve got some work to do. I need to wait at your house with you, preferably without Jennifer knowing I’m there.”
“Any ideas how we’re going to do that?” Ty asked.
“I’ll figure out a way,” Cassidy said. “In the meantime, we don’t have any time to lose. Let’s get moving.”
Paige went back to her RV and packed her things. As she did, her emotions clamored for attention inside her. She wasn’t sure which one would win and get the forefront position in her heart and mind.
Betrayal—by Wes.
Anger—at being left out of the loop in all of this.
Relief—at seeing her parents and realizing they didn’t hate her.
She paused from packing for long enough to close her eyes and hold her tears in. This wasn’t the time for her to lose it. There would be plenty of opportunities for that later.
Right now, she needed to finish packing.
She’d really only brought a suitcase with her, her laptop computer, and a few personal items when she’d moved. It wouldn’t take that long to gather everything.
When she got back to Florida, she would mail the rest of her rent and let the RV’s owner know that she had moved out. He’d find a new tenant.
As she’d gathered her belongings, her parents looked around, sad expressions on their faces. They’d worked hard to purchase a small home on the water. Of course, they’d wanted better for their daughter than for her to live in an old camper. To them, this probably looked like Paige was at the lowest point of her life.
The truth was that, up until a few days ago, she’d felt on top of the world. Would her mom and dad ever understand that? Should she even bother to explain?
In the grand scheme of things, there were bigger issues at hand. There was her dad’s heart attack. The fact that he could no longer work the job he’d loved because of it. The fact that all of it was her fault . . . all because she’d been so selfish.
Standing in the doorway, she looked back one last time at her “home.” It hadn’t been much, but she’d been happy here for a little while. Really happy.
She stepped outside and raised her suitcase. The sunshine hit her face, and once again she was reminded of how much she would miss this place.
She forced a tight smile at her mom and dad as they shifted awkwardly in front of her.
“Let’s go.” Her stomach roiled as she said the words.
Her mom patted her hand, a frown pulling at the corners of her lips. “We’ve missed you so much, Paige.”
Tears rimmed her eyes. She was so mad at Wes, yet . . . her parents were here. She’d been so certain they’d never want to see her again. Yet all the hate she’d expected was absent.
“I can’t believe you’d welcome me at all.” Her voice cracked as she said the words.
Her dad tilted his head, warmth filling his gaze. “Oh, Paige. You know nothing you could do will ever change that.”
Paige fell into his arms, months of guilt clawing at her insides. She’d missed his hugs so much. But she didn’t deserve his forgiveness. No, she deserved every moment of sadness she’d been through.
“But your heart attack . . .” she whispered.
“Paige, darling, that wasn’t your fault.” He pulled her closer.
She wiped beneath her eyes as moisture poured down, dampening her father’s shirt. “Of course it was. I chose Owen over my family . . . after what he’d done. I chose to believe him. I was so stupid.”
Her dad stepped back just far enough that Paige could look him in the eyes. “Owen was very charming. He pulled the wool over my own eyes for a long time. It’s the only way he was able to steal that money from me.”
“He told me that he didn’t steal that money from you. That he was framed. He said you’d never liked him and were looking for a way to get rid of him. Who am I if I don’t even stand up for my flesh and blood?” How could she have been so, so wrong?
Her mom rested her hand on Paige’s back. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes, especially in our youth. Love can blind us to things.”
Love can blind us to things . . . had she been blinded by Wes? Not that she was in love with him . . . it was too soon, right? They had been developing their friendship for the past month, though.
Still, it didn’t matter how Paige had felt last week or even a few hours ago. Wes had betrayed her. How dare he call her parents? To think he knew what was best for her?
This should have been all her decision. And she wasn’t sure how she’d ever forgive him for it.
Chapter Nineteen
An hour later, they were finally on the ferry. The line had been long, and they’d been at the end of it. They’d had some time to kill, so Paige, her mom, and her dad had walked to a little shop not far from the loading area and purchased sandwiches, bottled drinks, and bags of chips. They’d eaten outside, leaning on the hood of the car, and not saying much.
There was so much to say yet so little that was important.
Soon after, they’d pulled their cars onto the ferry, parked, and climbed out to enjoy the breeze coming off the water. The three of them stood by the railing now, waiting for the ferry to take off.
She thought maybe she’d feel relief. Feel closure. Feel something other than sadness.
But she didn’t. No part of her wanted to be on this boat right now. Her soul felt too unsettled.
“You care about this Wes guy, don’t you?” Her mom’s gaze, once on the water, drifted back to Paige.
A bittersweet feeling fell over Paige at her words. “Yeah, I do. Unfortunately.”
“If he cares about you, then he’ll wait for you.”
“Wait for me to what?” What was her mom talking about? Wait for her to return to her senses? To forgive him?
“He’ll wait for you to return.”
Paige did a doubletake. “You think I’m going to return here?”
A motherly look crossed her face, one that showed she knew her daughter more than Paige knew herself. “I think you love this place very much. I can see it in your eyes. You have friends. You made yourself a home. Found a job.”
“But you and Dad aren’t here . . .” Her family meant everything to her, which was why it hurt so much when she’d messed up. She’d basically been cut off from her family, and her aunt had made it clear she was no longer welcome . . . not after all the damage she’d done.
“Honey, a lot has happened since you left. The heart attack made us reevaluate things. We decided that it was time for us to retire. We sold the business and bought a camper. We’re going to travel the country.”
“What?” Paige blinked, certain she hadn’t heard correctly.
“We’re so excited. Your dad couldn’t continue on with that kind of work schedule. He was just getting too old. It puts a lot of strain on the body. Probably that’s why he had his heart attack. It was bound to happen.”
“But . . .” She tried to process everything she’d just learned, to figure out how that changed her future.
“Paige, you’re the one who has to wake up every morning and live with your choices,” her dad said. “Not us. I want nothing more than to take you back home so I can know you’re safe. So I can see you every day. But, my little girl, you’re not so little anymore. You’re a woman with her whole life ahead of her. You make the choices that you can live with.”
Paige wiped away her tears, his words overwhelming her heart with both love and relief. She’d never imagined her conversation with her parents would go this way. “You mean that, Dad?”
“Of course I do.” He gently patted her face. “I only want what’s best for you. That’s what love is, isn’t it?”
She remembered Wes sending her away . . . and saying it was because she’d be safe.
Maybe he really did care about her. Was he sacrificing what he wanted in order to keep her safe?
A new emotion and determination rose in her. “Mom, Dad . . . you’ve always taught me not to run way from my problems.”
“Right, dear.” Her mom stared at her in curiosity. Behind her, the ferry workers pulled a gate across the back of the loading area.
“I can’t leave here . . . not yet, at least. I have things that are unfinished. I think I’ll always regret it.”
“But . . .” Her dad looked at the docks. The workers there were just fastening the gate.
Paige reached up and kissed her mom’s cheek and then her dad’s. “I’m going to talk to you again soon. But I don’t want to make one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I need to tie up some loose ends before I figure out my future. I love you both so much, and I’m so sorry for everything.”
“We love you too, and you’re forgiven,” her dad said.
A sob welled in her. “Thank you.”
“You better go!” her dad said.
Paige nodded and began weaving through the cars.
No way was her sedan getting off this boat. She grabbed her keys from her bag and tossed them to her dad. “Leave it on the ferry docks on the other side! I’ll catch a ride to pick it up.”
She darted toward the ferry workers and looked at them. “I have to get off of this ferry. Now.”
“Lady, we’re—”
“Please,” she said. “Please. It’s life or death. I work for the PD here.”
She was throwing out everything she could—but her words were true. Jennifer had put them all in a deadly situation. She was a part of this police department. She wanted to be involved in the woman’s capture and arrest.
The two ferry workers glanced at each other.
Paige wasn’t sure if it was too late or not. But she prayed it wasn’t.
Wes leaned back on the couch and glanced at his watch. It had been two hours since he’d sent that message to Jennifer. He knew that he shouldn’t have such high expectations. It was just that he couldn’t see himself waiting like this for hours on end. Definitely not for days. He knew Cassidy had other work to do, as well.
This was beginning to feel like a colossal waste of time. Even worse, he missed Paige.
He kept picturing her leaving. Glaring at him. He remembered hearing her parents’ car pull away, Paige inside.
At moments, all of this felt like a big mistake. Wes felt like he should jump in his truck, drive to the docks, and hope he could catch Paige before she left.
But the reality of Jennifer remained.
Still, what if he never saw Paige again? The thought was almost more than he could handle.
Cassidy stepped into the room. She’d been working in the kitchen, making phone calls and looking at some paperwork she’d brought. A new light had filled her eyes. “Good news. I think we figured out where Jennifer is staying.”
Wes straightened, ready to hear something positive. “Where?”
“There’s an Airbnb at a house down on Sea Oats Drive. We didn’t think to check there—we only checked with the realty companies and the inn. Anyway, someone who fits Jennifer’s description has been staying at one of those private rentals. I’m sending Officer Bradshaw over there now.”
Wes’s heart pounded in his ears. He wouldn’t allow himself to hope that Jennifer would actually be there. That seemed too easy. But maybe—just maybe—they would catch a break here soon. Maybe all of this wouldn’t be happening for nothing.
“So now we just wait?” he said.
“Now we wait.” She nodded toward his phone. “Any responses?”
He glanced at his phone screen and shook his head. “No, nothing. What if Jennifer knows this is a trap?”
Cassidy pressed her lips together and shook her head, making it obvious she wasn’t willing to believe that. “I think Jennifer’s desperate to win you back. The first sign that you’re interested . . . I think she’s going to jump on it.”
Wes hoped that was the case.
He imagined Paige again. Imagined the last time they were here at his place. When he’d almost kissed her—until that brick had been flung through the window.
He wanted nothing more than to beg her to come back here. To tell her how he really felt.
But he couldn’t do that. Not until he knew she was safe.
He prayed this worked.
Just as he muttered another “amen,” he saw a flash of movement down his lane.
He leaned into the window, hoping for a better glance.
But whatever he’d seen was gone. Had the person ducked into the woods surrounding the lane?
Was that person Jennifer?
They would find out soon enough.
“Cassidy,” he called. “I think I saw something.”
Chapter Twenty
Paige knew she looked like a crazy woman, but she didn’t care. She pedaled the bike harder, faster along the highway that cut down the length of the island.
She’d been able to rent a beach cruiser from someone down at the docks—after she’d given them a fifty-dollar deposit and a promise to return it.
Paige knew her actions might seem erratic to some, but she was determined to do this. To follow her gut instead of acting like a robot.
Her legs aching, she turned onto the lane leading to Wes’s house. The sun burned her skin. There was no cloud cover today.
Any other time, she’d enjoy the feeling of the wind in her hair. But right now, she was on a mission. She hadn’t even had time to call Wes. No, she wanted to just show up. Surprise him. Listen to him talk from the heart.
And she hoped he had a really good explanation.
Her tires bumped on the gravel road. Trees surrounded her on either side. When the foliage cleared, Wes’s house would appear, along with four others. Beyond them was the sound.
She hoped he was home.
How would Wes react to seeing her? She had no idea. But she needed closure—or permission—to move forward.
But no more running away. No more unspoken conversations. Life was too short for that.
&nbs
p; The thought of facing her problems brought a surge of freedom.
Not much longer and she’d be at Wes’s place.
She turned with the lane as it bent toward the water.
As she did, something rammed into her head.
Everything went black, and Paige felt herself crashing onto the rocky road below.
What had just happened?
Paige pulled her eyes open. How much time had passed? Where was she?
Everything blurred around her, and her head ached something fierce.
Someone moved near her.
She blinked. Help? Or was it the person who’d done this to her?
It was hard to know. Everything was blurry still.
“Stay away from him.” A woman leered down at Paige as she lay on the ground. “Do you understand?”
A moan escaped from Paige.
Was that Jennifer? She was the only one who made sense. Or was Paige seeing things? Was any of this really happening?
“This is your last warning,” the woman continued. “Next time I won’t be as nice. He’s mine.”
Paige blinked, desperate for a clearer picture to come into view. But her head pounded so hard.
She reached for her temples, desperate to stop the pain.
She was still on the gravel road, she realized. The rocks beneath her dug into her skin. The sun bore down on her. The bike lay at her side.
But the woman . . . where had she gone?
She moved her head for a better look, but she couldn’t see anything.
Had Jennifer left?
Paige didn’t know. But she knew with absolute clarity she needed to get to safety . . . soon.
Because out here, she was a sitting duck. Defenseless. Unable to function.
She staggered to her feet. Now she needed to figure out where she was going. Instead, she collapsed again.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Someone was out there,” Wes repeated, still staring out the window.
Winds of Danger Page 10