“I’d like you to move next door and continue the remodel, if possible.I realize it’s inconvenient to stay in a gutted cabin, or drive back and forth from a motel.I’m willing to pay for your expenses.”
Paul didn’t care about the money.He cared about the loss of a vetted hideout and the hassle of relocating.Wilson didn’t know why Paul had left Houston, of course.Kyle had made the rental arrangements without giving any details.Paul glanced out the front window, uncertain of his next step.
“Why don’t you limit your hours to four a day?”Wilson suggested.“You said you wanted to work at your own pace.Delays are inevitable at this point.”
Paul agreed to the plan.They settled on a reasonable price for his expenses, and discussed flooring options, before Wilson hung up.Then Paul rose to his feet and paced around the cabin.What an ironic turn of events.He was being forced to do exactly what Vanessa had suggested from the start.He was going to have to sleep in the middle of a construction site with no appliances and no amenities.
His shoulder muscle twitched at the thought.
He used his phone to search for available hotel rooms.It was just as Vanessa had reported.Nothing in a sixty-mile radius.
Well, fuck.
Paul wished he’d been informed about this change earlier today.He could have bought some camping supplies in Lost Lake.Grumbling under his breath, he called his brother again.Kyle didn’t pick up, so he left a terse message.Then he strode into the bedroom and stripped off his work clothes.He might as well shower while he still had access to a functional bathroom.After he finished, he packed all of his belongings into one bag, shoved his hat on his head, and walked out of the cabin.
As he tossed the duffel in the front seat of his truck, he considered his next step.He could leave the keys under the mat or try to deliver them in person.Maybe Vanessa hadn’t left the campground yet.
He drove the short distance to the campground and spotted her car.Paul felt something ease inside his chest at the sight.He’d thought he’d never see her again, and here she was.He was relieved, though he shouldn’t have been.He knew better than to form an attachment to a divorced woman with a small child.He was supposed to be in isolation.She’d barged into his life and created nonstop chaos.Even so, he wanted her around.She was like a loose thread inside him, one he couldn’t leave hanging.
He parked at the campsite across from her SUV, which was empty, and exited his vehicle.Vanessa didn’t seem to notice his approach.She was wearing the lightweight summer dress from the night before, and she appeared to be searching for something.Emily was twirling in circles around the picnic table, oblivious.While he watched, Vanessa knelt down to peer underneath it.She was unaware of his presence, unaware that the short hem of her dress lifted and fluttered in the breeze.
Paul paused in the shade at the edge of her campsite.He shoved his hands into his pockets, but he didn’t look away.He appreciated the view for as long as it lasted.Which wasn’t long enough by half.
Emily spotted him first.“Mr.Paul is here!”
Vanessa rose to her feet and dusted off her knees.Her dress had a stretchy top, with ties at each shoulder, and a flowy skirt.Although she wasn’t tall, her legs looked long and silky.Her gaze cut to his, and he gave a respectful nod.
“We’re looking for Penelope,” Emily explained.
“I think you lost her,” Vanessa said.
“Maybe she fell into the lake and drownded.”
Vanessa sighed heavily.“We don’t have time for this.If you don’t find her in the next five minutes, we’re leaving without her.”
The little girl stamped her foot.“She ran away because you’re mean.”
Vanessa crossed her arms over her chest.“Oh really?”
“You’re mean to Grandpa, and you were mean to Dad.You sent him to live far away, and Penelope hates you!”
It dawned on Paul that they were talking about Emily’s doll.The one she’d claimed had been bitten by a snake yesterday.To his surprise, Vanessa sat down at the picnic table and covered her face with her hands.Her shoulders trembled with emotion.Paul was struck by a powerful urge to comfort her, which felt very strange.He stood rooted to the spot, uncertain if he should give them a moment of privacy.
Emily went to pat her mother’s back.“It’s okay, Mommy.Don’t cry.”
Vanessa wiped the tears from her cheeks.Her dark hair was gathered in a knot at the nape of her neck.She was one of those women who looked even more beautiful when she cried.Her eyes were luminous, soul-wrenching.
Paul couldn’t just stand there.He strode forward to search the perimeter of the campsite.“Where did you last see her?”
“I don’t know,” Emily said, joining him.“I think she got kidnapped.”
Paul nodded sagely.“Must have been the lemon pirates.”
Her face scrunched up.“The lemon pirates?”
“They steal lemons at every opportunity.From trees, from kitchens, even from the refrigerator.No lemons are safe.”
“Penelope was eating lemons last night.”
