To Vanessa’s surprise, her father had taken the situation in stride.He’d applauded Paul’s actions and condemned Bennett’s.After being released from the hospital, he’d followed doctor’s orders to rest.He hadn’t insisted on leading the investigation or joining the search for Mendez.He’d seemed content to stand on the sidelines.
Jackson hadn’t been as sanguine as her father.He’d appointed himself Vanessa’s bodyguard and insisted on accompanying her whenever she left the house.He spent a lot of time looking out the windows, scanning for threats.
Vanessa had read the transcript of Paul’s statement.She wasn’t worried about retaliation by Aiden Mendez, who’d taunted Paul in a way that was sort of twisted, and sort of sweet.
If you don’t commit to making her happy, I’ll come for you.
Despite his promise, Paul had done nothing to make Vanessa happy.He’d left town with his brother and disappeared into the ether.He hadn’t called or written.She assumed he was in a secure location, unable to communicate with the outside world.
Bennett’s funeral had taken place in Sedona, where Bennett’s parents lived.Jackson had accompanied Vanessa and Emily to the service, so they’d appeared as a united front.Vanessa hadn’t told Emily the full story of Bennett’s passing.The little girl thought her father had expired in a tragic boating accident.Penelope, who’d died from a broken heart, had been placed in the coffin alongside him.Emily had insisted on it.That evening, Emily had cried her eyes out—for the lost doll.Vanessa couldn’t rescue Penelope this time, so she’d purchased a replacement.Libby, a dark-haired vixen, was even more of a troublemaker than Penelope.She was plastic, indestructible, and enjoyed long bubble baths.
Life moved on.
Emily had recovered quickly from her grief.She’d asked about Paul more than she mentioned Bennett.Vanessa had passed her PT exams and accepted an offer to start at a local clinic in the fall.Her father had returned to work and claimed he felt stronger than ever.Jackson had brooded almost as much as Vanessa.
There were no “consequences” to her final encounter with Paul.She’d considered calling Kyle to relay the message, but decided against it.What could she say?Hey, it’s the bunny from Lost Lake, please tell your brother I got my period?The topic was too personal to discuss with a near-stranger.She also didn’t feel obligated to put Paul’s mind at ease.He’d upended her entire life and walked away.
Summer drifted into fall without any word from Paul.It was almost as if their love affair had been a fever dream, brought on by heightened danger and a rollercoaster of emotions.She replayed their final conversation over and over again.She’d told Paul she wouldn’t wait for him.Maybe he’d taken those words to heart.
She’d come to Lost Lake to start over, so she committed herself to that task.She had a lot of feelings to process.She’d been prepared to mourn the end of her marriage, not the death of her husband.Even so, it was Paul she missed.She’d fallen in love with a man who’d ghosted her, and she didn’t know how to move on.
Two months after Bennett’s death, she decided to leave her father’s house.She couldn’t live in a protective cocoon any longer.She needed her own space.She found a small apartment in a quiet neighborhood near the clinic.Her new job came with a signing bonus, which she used to pay the first and last month’s rent.On moving day, her father stayed home with Emily while Jackson helped Vanessa with the heavy lifting.He loaded all of her belongings in his truck, and insisted on carrying most of it himself.After he brought the last box inside her apartment, he watched her unpack with his brow furrowed.
“Dad’s neighborhood is safer,” Jackson said.
Vanessa dumped silverware into a drawer with a satisfying crash.“Is that what you’re worried about?The neighborhood?”
“You know it’s not.”
She left the kitchen and tossed an empty box aside.“I can’t live with you and Dad forever.I need to stand on my own two feet.”
He followed her into the living room.“Have you heard from Paul?”
Vanessa whirled to face him.Jackson hadn’t brought up Paul since the day at the lake.“No.Have you?”
Jackson sat down on a love seat her father had donated.It was navy blue, and far from new, but a perfect size for the small living room.He rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together.He seemed to be wrestling with some inner conflict.She opened another box and waited for him to speak.
“Mendez got arrested,” he said.
“Which one?”
“The father.They brought him in on conspiracy charges and there’s a lot of evidence.He’s going to do serious time.”
“What about the son?”
“No word on him.”
“This is good news, right?This is good for Paul.”
Jackson nodded.“I thought you’d like to know.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, studying him.Her brother didn’t approve of Paul.He hadn’t said it outright, but Vanessa could read between the lines.His opinion mattered to her.“Are you giving your blessing now?”
He raised his palms.“I’m giving you information.Do with it what you will.”
“What are you not telling me?”
Jackson hesitated for a couple of seconds.Then he said, “I warned him to stay away from you.”
