A Fresh Start Read online

  “Have you fixed the locks to your doors and windows?”

  “Yeah, fixed it up yesterday.”

  “Where do you want this?” Justin asked, waving the bag of muffins. “You just got here?”

  She took the bag from him and headed into the kitchen, placing the muffins into the fridge. “Been here a couple of times to view the house, settle the paperwork and all,” she said, returning to the living room.

  She found Justin down on one knee, his eyes studying the floorings.

  “But I just moved in today, was staying at a hotel in Cheyenne.”

  He nodded and stood, brushing off the dust on his jeans. “When is your furniture getting here?”

  “I’ll be getting new ones, when the renovation is done.”

  “Okay,” he said. “You should still get an alarm. If squatters or homeless people came by before, there’s a chance they’ll come back.”

  “Perfect,” she mumbled.

  “But you’ve already repainted the exterior, I’m sure they’ll know someone is living in the house now.”

  She smiled, grateful he was trying to make her feel better.

  “Why don’t you stay with the Seymours’ first? I can get the security system up for you tomorrow.”

  “I thought you’re only here to see what I needed done and then get back to Travis. Don’t you need to ask him first?”

  A drop of water fell from his hair, landing onto the floor.

  “I should get you a towel.” She jogged up the stairs, got a clean towel from her luggage, and headed back down. “Here you go.”

  “I’m sure Travis will want to stay with Amy for a few days, I can get some work started and let him takeover when he’s ready.”

  “Yeah, that’ll be great. But I do need a quotation first, I have a budget.”

  “Sure.” He shrugged. “I’ll take a look around and give you the quotation. Travis won’t mind.”

  “All right. Where should we start? Kitchen? Bathroom?”

  “Security system first, bathroom, then bedroom. That way, you’ll have a proper place to rest and you can start unpacking.”

  “I’ll show you the bathroom,” she said, going back up the stairs. “The security system, we don’t have to get top of the line thing, right?” She still remembered how much she paid for her security system back in New York.

  Money that was well wasted.

  “We’ll get those DIY ones, won’t cost too much.”

  “Great.”

  “Why are you getting new furniture if you’re on a budget? What’s wrong with your current ones?”

  She turned her face away from him as her fingers curled into a loose fist, allowing her thumb to play with the ring on her index finger. “I can’t bring them over.”

  “Why not? You need someone to help you move? I know a guy.”

  “No, it isn’t that.” She sighed and shook her head. “Forget it. They are as good as gone.”

  “Ex-boyfriend? I’ve got a guy for that, too.”

  She grinned and said, “I’ll remember that.” She laughed softly, shaking her head. She used to get frustrated whenever people spoke to her that way. Now, such comments never failed to bring up a fond memory.

  Justin hung the towel over his shoulders and grinned at her lighthearted chuckle. “What’s so funny?” he asked, taking a scan of the two bedrooms as they went past them.

  He blinked when he saw the sole luggage lying open in the bigger bedroom. There were black colored bags of various sizes within the luggage, each placed neatly, with the zips all facing one direction. There wasn’t a single piece of loose clothing tucked in a corner or anything strewn over it.

  Bags within a bag.

  He thought he was neat, but she’d probably beat him hands down.

  But that, to him, wasn’t the strangest part of the picture.

  “Is this all you brought?” He never had a relationship that lasted long enough for him to bring a woman along to a new place where he would work for months, but he knew women usually travel with more than one luggage, especially if they were intending to stay for a while.

  “Yeah,” she said, widening her strides as she moved further down toward another door.

  It didn’t take a genius to figure out she was trying to deter any further questions regarding the subject.

  She truly didn’t like to speak about her past.

  Usually, he would shrug and move on. But with her, it fueled his interest. Any questions regarding her past got her nervous. She seemed bent on keeping it a secret.

  Justin gave her another scan. She looked like the prim and proper sort of woman who never did anything wrong in her life.

  What could’ve made her leave everything behind and come all the way out to Pine?

  “The bathroom.” Paige pushed open the new copper colored wood stained door and stepped aside.

  His eyes widened.

  The pink tiles had faded to a pale light shade. The previous owners had cleaned up the house, but the sink, the bathtub, and the toilet were still coated with a layer of grim. Cracks, both fine and deep black lines, could be seen in the bathtub as well.

  “How do you want to fix the bathroom?”

  “Complete revamp. I want to change the tiles, dark gray for the floors, and I think I’ll repaint the walls white. The sink and all have to be changed.”

  Justin nodded. “I suggest you tile the walls around the bathtub, at least the bottom half. It’ll last longer than paint would with all the water.”

  “That’s fine with me.”

  “White tiles?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “It’ll probably take a week, and it’ll be rather dusty. I’ll remove the tiles and waterproof it before retiling.”

  “It’s all right, I’ll stay in the next room until you’re done.”

  “Why not stay with the Seymours for a few days? I know they won’t mind.”

  She leaned back against the door and asked, “Are you related to them?”

  “No, but they’re like family to me.”

  “I can see that. They have so many photos of you, but the way you addressed them…and you look quite different from them, too.”

  He nodded slowly.

  Paige continued watching him as if she still had questions to ask, but wasn’t quite sure if she should. After a few moments, she smiled and stepped away from the bathroom.

  “So, you want me to help you move your stuff over to the Seymours?”

  “I think I’ll just stay here. I don’t want to trouble anyone.”

  “Well, new-girl-in-town, they love having people over.”

  Paige opened her mouth to speak, but she jumped and his head snapped to the side when a loud thud echoed from downstairs.

  “Stay here.”

  Her face blanched as she crossed her arms, her fingers clutched tightly around them. “It’s probably just the cabinet.”

  He thought she didn’t believe in ghost, then why was she so frightened? “Yeah, I’m sure. You want to check it out with me?”

  He didn’t know why he offered. He wasn’t the chivalrous kind of guy; he was always more of a mind-his-own-business kind of person.

  “Yes.”

  “Let’s go.”

  He waited for her before moving toward the stairs. He had just taken a few steps down when a bright light flashed outside the window and the lights in the house went out.

  Not much had changed in this town. Blackout was a common occurrence during thunder storms.

  A sudden roar of thunder followed almost instantly and he heard Paige gasp.

  He stretched his hand out and placed it on Paige’s shoulder.

  She screamed at his touch and took a step back.

  Then, he felt her grip on his arm as she fell back.

  Tightening his grip on her shoulder, he took a step closer and wrapped his arm over her waist. He pulled her close, stabling her. “It’s okay, it’s me,” he said. “It’s just me,” he repeated.

  Another
flash of lightning temporarily brought some lights into the house and he looked down at one of her hands clinging onto his shirt. “You all right?”

  She nodded and released his shirt. “Yes. I’m sorry,” she mumbled, smoothing down his shirt. “Sorry.”

  He let go of her shoulder, but kept his arm around her waist. “Let’s go outside for a while. Be careful, we’re on the stairs.” He guided her down the stairs and opened the front door.

  Once outside, he nudged her back against the wall to keep her out of the rain.

  The small sheltered remained as useless as it was and they were quickly getting wet from the rain.

  “What happened to the Paige who wasn’t frightened of ghost?” he teased when he saw the disquiet in her eyes.

  She closed her eyes and shook her head. “It isn’t ghosts that I’m afraid of.”

  His attempt at lightening the mood failed terribly. “Hey,” he said softly and waited for her to look at him. “I was joking. Do you have a torchlight or some candles in the house?”

  “No.”

  “Wait here, I’ve got one in my car.” He pulled the towel from his shoulders and draped it over her shoulders and head.

  Sprinting over to his car, he opened the passenger’s side door, and took the torchlight in his glove compartment before returning to Paige.

  She handed him the towel as he got closer. “I know it’s already wet, but it’s the only towel I have.”

  “You gave me the only towel you have?” He shook his head and flung the towel over her. “Stay here.” I’ll check out what that sound was.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “It’s probably just the cabinets,” he assured.

  He entered the house again and used the torchlight to guide himself into the kitchen. He knew the stories to the house was nonsensical, but his heart couldn’t help thumping away.

  All the ridiculous stories he’d heard began playing through his head, sending his heart rate up another notch.

  When the light from his torch found the piece of cabinet door on the floor, he sighed and grinned. Heading up the stairs to Paige’s room. He took her luggage and went back outside.

  “What are you doing?” she asked when she saw her luggage in his hand.

  “It’s just the cabinet, but you’re staying over at the Seymours tonight.”

  “No, there’s no need. I’m fine.”

  “You want to stumble around your house in the dark?”

  “Can’t you fix that?”

  “I can, but I won’t.”

  Paige brows drew closer. “Why not?”

  He didn’t know why he was bothered about her safety. But he was. He couldn’t leave her alone in the house.

  She might not be fearful of ghosts, but she was definitely afraid of something.

  “Another lightning strike might take out the lights again. What are you going to do then?” He took the umbrella leaning by the wall and closed the door behind him. “Let’s go. Your luggage is getting wet.”

  “Oh, all right.”

  She scooted under the umbrella and they headed back to the Seymours’ house.

  The lights must have gone out in the their house, too. Through the windows, Justin could see the warm lights glowing within.

  As they stepped up to the door, Paige took the umbrella from him. “Were you even sheltering yourself?” she asked, her eyes staring at the water dripping down his hand.

  He brushed the water off, splattering them over the deck. “It’s nothing,” he assured and knocked on the door.

  Mr. Seymour opened the door and smiled at them. “Lights went out?”

  “Yeah. Can she stay here tonight? She doesn’t have any candles and all.”

  Mrs. Seymour peered out from behind her husband. “Of course, we were going to ask her to do that anyway. Come in,” she chimed. “You’re all wet.”

  Justin and Paige entered, and he heard Paige sigh as she rubbed her palms against her arms. “I’ll get some towels.”

  “Victor, get them some towels. I’ll get more candles.” Mrs. Seymour tipped her chin toward the couch. “Sit. Hot tea? Coffee?”

  “I’m fine, thanks,” Paige said.

  Justin set Paige’s luggage by the door and headed into the kitchen with Mrs. Seymour. “Am I still allowed to take whatever I want?” he asked, already opening the cabinet where the hot chocolate used to be.

  Mrs. Seymour laughed softly. “We don’t have any hot chocolate.”

  He wasn’t expecting there to be any, but all her tea and coffee used to be kept there as well. And they still were “Coffee is fine. You want anything?”

  “I just made myself a cup of tea before the lights went out. I’m sure the water is still hot.”

  Taking out a packet of coffee and a sachet of tea, he placed them into two separate cups.

  “I thought Paige says she doesn’t want anything.”

  “I think she just doesn’t want to trouble you.”

  “You got to know her so well from the less than thirty minutes you spent at her house?” Mrs. Seymour arched a brow. “She’s a pretty girl.”

  Justin shook his head. “Do you know what’s her story?”

  “So you are interested?”

  He took the kettle from the stove and poured the still hot water into the cups. “You should’ve seen her when the lights went out.”

  “She’s a little jumpy. Victor says she got a shock when he called out to her this morning.” Mrs. Seymour gathered five candles in her hands. “I don’t know why, though. Like Victor said, she doesn’t like to talk about her past.”

  He nodded, and Mrs. Seymour turned to leave the kitchen. He took his coffee and the cup of tea, then returned to the living room.

  Paige had a dry towel over her shoulders, but she was still rubbing her palms together.

  “Here, I’m not sure if you take coffee. I hope tea is fine.” He set the cup down on the coffee table.

  Her brows rose. “Thanks.”

  She handed him the towel next to her, picked up the cup, and cradled it in her hands.

  “Do me a favor.”

  “What?”

  “Ask for whatever you need, don’t be shy with them.”

  Paige stared at him for a moment, then smiled. “I will.”

  A corner of his lips snaked up, reflecting hers. Settling a seat away from her, he took a sip of his coffee while observing Paige. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” She nodded. “I’m so sorry about just now.”

  “What were you so afraid of?”

  She set her cup down, twirling the ring on her index finger. He stared at the silver band with a small pink flower in the midst of a circle of white crystals. It wasn’t the kind of expensive and sophisticated designs that many women her age tended to go after.

  Then it clicked.

  Gentleness. The ring added to the gentleness of her looks. She wasn’t wearing a dress or anything, but her genuine smile made her appear more demure than anything else could.

  “Justin, bring Paige’s luggage up to the guest room,” Mrs. Seymour ordered.

  He stood and grabbed the luggage. “She should be staying until her bathroom is ready.”

  “Sure.”

  Paige swiveled around and was clearly about to protest when Mrs. Seymour interrupted.

  “You’re staying here until your bathroom is ready.”

  He grinned as Paige pressed her lips into a thin line, then nodded and swiveled back around.

  Chapter Three

  Justin jogged down the streets, the music from his iPod drowning out the sound outside. Still, he could hear the surroundings through the memories playing in his head.

  The morning chill felt the same against his skin. The houses that stood on the streets looked the same. Even the indifferent eyes staring at him through the translucent curtains remained.

  Most noticeably, the loneliness he felt while roaming through the streets in the early mornings still lingered.

  He took in a deep
breath, huffing it out through his mouth as he stared ahead at the pale blue sky with swirls of gray clouds darkening it.

  He never admitted it, never even thought about it. But as he jogged under the blanket of the familiar sky, enveloped in the surroundings that was supposed to be his home town, he realized how heavy his heart was.

  When he left Pine, he thought for sure that this loneliness would disappear along with memories of this place.

  Neither had.

  He shook the thoughts from his head and stretched his legs, expanding the distance covered with each stride as he moved along to the beat in his ears.

  Nothing much had changed in Pine.

  The houses and people looked older, with some of the houses wearing relatively fresh paints. Most of the people were still living in the same house they grew up in, and gossiping was still the town’s favorite pastime.

  He had only gotten back the day before and by lunch, he could tell that news of his return had already spread throughout town.

  Travis had told him that the gossips began when he had his house renovated a couple of years back. Everyone had started guessing when he would return or if he would sell the house.

  Truth be told, when he renovated his house, he didn’t know if he was ever coming back.

  He hated this place. He hated his childhood.

  He still didn’t know what he was doing here.

  He was flipping through the classifieds when he saw the few houses for sale in Cheyenne. And when he was back in Cheyenne, he thought he’d drop by the house he had built but hadn’t even seen for himself.

  Everything fell into place to bring him back here. But since getting back, all he wanted was to leave.

  He couldn’t stand the stares, the pretentious smiles, and the feigned concerns from people he knew didn’t give a damn about him.

  They were only interested in getting some information for gossip.

  His one trip to the diner for lunch had people coming up to him, welcoming him back into town as if they had been friends all their lives. People whom he didn’t care much about, and people who wanted nothing to do with him when he was living here.

  As the music in his ears changed, his legs picked up speed again.

  He turned the corner and grinned as he saw the familiar figure. She had just popped into his head when she appeared several feet ahead of him.