put his arm around her and drew her close. She leaned into him, then raised her head and smiled at him. As he stared into her hazel eyes, he knew she had given him a gift. A second chance. He owed her and he needed to make sure that, before he left, he did something for her as well.
* * *
“You don’t mind?” Paige asked.
The parade had been spectacular, as always. Animals and antique cars, although her favorite part was the kids on bikes. She loved watching them ride past—so excited to be a part of the day.
“I’m honored you’ve asked me to accompany you,” Alistair told her.
“It won’t take long.”
“I have nowhere else I’d rather be.”
The words, along with his yummy accent, made her insides get all twisty. “You’re too kind.”
“I’m not, but I’m glad you think I am.”
He took her hand as they crossed the street. They each held a bouquet of colorful tulips in the other hand. Once they reached the park, they walked around to the far side and the small cemetery by the church.
Alistair offered her the flowers he carried and waited by the gate as she went inside. Sophia’s grave, marked by a small, modest headstone, stood at the edge of a beautiful garden. She’d picked the space and the marker herself. Because she took care of Paige, even after she was gone.
Paige placed the flowers on the grass, then knelt down. As always, she felt the loving presence of the woman who had raised her. But this time, there was a difference. An urging, as if a message were being communicated.
Paige wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but, after a while, strong hands settled on her shoulders. Alistair drew her to her feet and then wiped the tears from her eyes.
“I can’t go,” she whispered, her mouth trembling. “I promised her I would follow my dreams. That I would travel. I stayed because she was old and I wanted to be here for her and now that she’s gone, I can’t leave.”
She pressed her hands together. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. She wouldn’t want this. She wouldn’t want me living such a small life. We had dreams together and I swore I would make them happen.”
“You will.”
“You don’t know that. I haven’t yet.”
“You’re afraid.”
She nodded slowly, knowing he’d found the truth on his first try. “As I said, Aunt Sophia would be very disappointed in me.”
He lightly kissed her forehead. “You couldn’t be more wrong.”
Alistair led her back through town. Paige let herself be taken to the house where she’d grown up. He settled her in the backyard, and brought her a glass of iced tea, then sat next to her and held her hand.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I’m supposed to be taking care of you.”
“I’m all better now.”
She smiled. “It’s a casserole miracle.”
He leaned toward her. “Paige, you’ll get there. Losing someone you love is difficult. You’ve been through a lot. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
She nodded, knowing he was right and it would do her well to listen. She was about to tell him that when his cell phone rang.
He pulled it out of his pocket and took the call.
“Woodbury.” He paused, then smiled. “Hello, Simon. Yes, the doctor was here.” His smile faded and his gaze settled on her. “Ah, of course. You’re right. It’s been too long already.”
There was more, but Paige wasn’t listening. Simon wanted Alistair to move in with him and Montana. It made sense. They were the people he’d come to see in the first place. It wasn’t as if he were going to live with her forever. Still, she’d thought…hoped…they would have more time together.
When he hung up, she forced herself to smile. “Simon finally believes it’s OK for you to be around Montana?”
He nodded. “I have been pronounced measles-free. He suggested I return to his place. I have imposed on your hospitality long enough.”
“You’ve been a good guest.”
“Speaking in my sleep while recovering from a fever?”
“It was refreshing to play nurse. Plus, I got that mac and cheese. That made everything worth it.”
She spoke lightly, not wanting him to know how much she was going to miss him. Alistair was the first man she’d been attracted to in a very long time. The first man she’d imagined she might be able to fall in love with. When he talked about all the places he’d been, he made her dreams seem possible.
She stood. “You’d better get to your packing.”
He rose and looked at her. “Paige,” he began, then shook his head. “I haven’t the words to thank you.”
“No words are necessary.”
A kiss would be nice, she thought. Not that he was offering. But she wouldn’t say no if he did.
Alistair nodded and headed for the house. Paige watched him go. Rather than wasting her time on what might be, she needed to remember what was. All this time she’d been worrying about disappointing her aunt Sophia. Perhaps it was time to start thinking about how she’d also disappointed herself. Alistair had reminded her of what was important to her. Now it was her turn to act on that information and to make some changes.
Paige spent the afternoon catching up on her laundry and sorting through the food left in her refrigerator. She’d sent most of the casseroles with Alistair when Simon had come to pick him up. She looked through what was left and froze most of it. With luck, she wouldn’t have to cook for a couple of weeks. Around four, she headed for the fire station, ready to catch up on any paperwork that had accumulated since she’d been busy with her houseguest. While someone else filled in to answer the phone, she was the one who took care of writing letters and making sure all the bills were forwarded to the municipal accounting office.
She was done by seven and started the short walk back to her place.
The evening was clear and cooling off rapidly. The Spring Festival would continue the next day, so the vendors had left their booths in the center of town. A band played in the square and Paige listened to the music as she walked.
She was both restless and confused. Confused because she usually loved her life and suddenly nothing felt right. It was as if her skin no longer fit. She breathed in the scent of flowers and cut grass and knew that most of her problem came from Alistair being gone. In a few short days, she’d grown used to having him around. She looked forward to their conversations and spending time with him. Without him, she didn’t know what to do with herself.
“Ridiculous,” she murmured aloud. All she had to do was remember what she’d done with herself two weeks ago. How hard could that be?
She rounded the corner of her street and started toward her house. As she walked closer, something moved on the porch. A man stood, as if he’d been waiting.
Her heart fluttered, her breathing quickened and it was all she could do to keep from flying the last few feet.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, aware that she sounded breathless.
“Montana tires easily,” Alistair told her. “Simon and I have caught up and I thought I would leave the two of them alone for a few hours.” He paused and stared into her eyes. “Plus, I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed