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“You’re not checking into a hotel,” her father stated. “You’re coming home with me, and I suppose that dog can come too if she stays outside.”
“She’s better inside,” Paige laughed. “Ask Aaron.”
“She’s right, I had her at my place for a week when Paige was in New York and my back yard was never the same,” he admitted.
“Fine, but she stays in your room,” Cord told her.
“No problem there, she’s a better blanket than anything you’ve probably got,” she teased.
“You let that dog sleep in your bed?” Sam asked. “Doesn’t it get a bit crowded?”
“Isn’t that none of your business?” she retorted as she stood up to receive the mile of hugs that she knew were coming.
“Touchy subject there, Sis?” he questioned sending a knowing look to Joel who said nothing.
“Personal subject that you’re not going to be privy to and one I’m certainly not discussing in front of all of these jokers,” she stated. She allowed Aaron to escort her to her father’s car and gave him a chaste kiss. “Are you staying in town or heading back? I can have Caleb take you back if you need to get back to work. I can drive the car tomorrow.”
“I’ll stay. I stopped at the hotel and freshened up before coming here so I already have a room, though I might take you up on the ride if something crops up at work,” he added giving her a hug before heading to his own car.
“Not a very warm reception there considering,” Joel mocked as the others returned to the gathering. “Not nearly as warm as the one as you gave me.”
“You know exactly what that was and what it wasn’t and it’snevergoing to happen again, I can guarantee that.”
“Your mouth says one thing but your eyes Paige…they’re what’s really talking and they’re begging me to take you again. To lean down and kiss you. Oh, don’t bother to deny it baby, as I said, your mouth says what your head says but your eyes…that’s where your heart’s always been. I was prepared to be noble here because you seemedsopassionate about him back in the cave but seeing you together…all bets are off Paige. You don’t love him. Deny it all you like but you don’t and I’d hazard a guess that he’snotthe man who showed you what sex can be. In fact, I’d wager half a mil that the two of you haven’t even…you haven’t, have you?” Joel laughed as his gaze simmered in her direction. “You’ve never slept with him but yet you’re marrying him. Why Paige? What are you running from?”
“Who says I’m running from anything Joel. I’m runningtosomething. Something you’d never understand. So back off or I’ll be forced to tell my father exactly what his number one guy was up to when his daughter was only sixteen.”
“Water under the bridge now Paige…water under the bridge. Don’t think I won’t play dirty to get what I want. You’re right when you say we’re not the same people we used to be. The old Paige would have stayed today and bared her soul, but you have a million secrets inside you and I’m going to pull each and every one of them out. So welcome home Paige. Welcome home, baby.”
“I’mnothome Joel, and I’m not your baby,” she said raising her voice as he walked away.
“I’m not…” she whispered to Maggie as she slid into the passenger seat and waited for her father. Maggie raised her head and barked a sure sign that she didn’t believe her, and she prayed to get out of town before Joel could come through on his threat.
So, she didn’tloveAaron. She liked him, they got along well, though he could be a bit overprotective when it came to some of her favorite pastimes, but she didn’t want another piece of her soul stolen and there was no way Joel could ever find out the truth. He’d be furious and so would her family.
∞∞∞
It was late Thursday morning before Paige was able to convince her father that she was sure about Aaron and now that she had he was willing to let her go home. Something Aaron had already been forced to do as he had a problem pop up at the lab and now, she was prepared to drive the car back up with Maggie as her companion.
The mine was slowly being cleared of debris and her old team had stayed on to help ensure that the new structure was sound before they allowed anyone to proceed further into the mine. Each night her father shut himself in the study with Joel, Sam, Ed, and Harry and they constructed new ideas to get back to work but they didn’t bother asking her opinion and so she remained silent.
Her phone buzzed and she checked the caller id before answering. “Hey, Aaron, everything okay?”
“No, it’s not. Not with the lab and…you’re not going to believe this, but the club had a fire last night. They won’t be able to hold the shower this weekend and from the sound of it our wedding next month.”
“And everywhere else is booked,” she sighed.
“I’m sorry Paige.”
“Why? You didn’t set the fire to get out of this, did you?” she teased knowing he wouldn’t be the one to back out. Every set back at the lab meant more money being lost…money which she could replace.
“Not a chance. Paige, I don’t mean to run but I’ve got to get back in there. If you want to spend a few more days down there, I won’t mind. I’ll probably just catch some sleep here.”
“Alright, thanks for letting me know Aaron. I’ll send you a message about when I’m leaving.”
“Bye Paige,” he said ending the call. She stared down at the phone wanting to throw it and take out her frustration on it. How could the universe be conspiring against her this much?
“Problems in lover’s lane?” Joel stated sneaking up on her.
