Page 51 of Whispers of the Lake

The summer was a whirlwind. My trip to Cali was really good but I’m glad to be home. I’m getting a little tired of traveling so much. I like recording videos, but I think I’m burning out with social media. I might take a break and go somewhere quiet. Have some me time. I just hope my followers stick around and don’t go anywhere else.

The truth is I need to feel wanted—Loved. I want to be held by someone for hours and hours. I could call Lincoln and have him meet me.

Or Victor.

Maybe both.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

I’m not sure when I fell asleep but when I woke up, it took me a moment to remember where I was. The AC rattled to my right. My phone, Eve’s camera, and my laptop were next to me on the bed. The screen of the laptop was dark, revealing my dim reflection. According to my phone, it was 12:17 AM and there was a missed call from Jayson.

I sat up, rubbing my eyes with one hand while giving my laptop’s keyboard a tap. After signing in, my latest document appeared.Right.The article for Robert Cowan. I’d added one measly paragraph to the document. Twyla was going to kill me . . . well, if she was able to beat Herbert to the punch.

Sighing, I climbed out of bed to use the bathroom. My best bet was to listen to Diana and go home. Honestly, I should’ve been home by now but something in my gut told me not to leave. Not until I knew for sure where Eve was.

After rinsing my face with cold water, I called Jayson back.

“Baby?” he answered.

My stomach fluttered hearing him call me that. Flutters were not supposed to be happening between us like this. “Hi, Jayson.”

Music pulsed in the background. “Hold on. Let me get to a quieter place.” The music slowly faded, then I heard a door click shut. “Hey, my Rose,” he crooned in that warm, sultry voice of his.

“Hey.” I bit back a smile.

“Called you about an hour ago. You avoiding me?”

“No.” I laughed. “I was sleeping, actually.”

“Oh, okay. You still at the lake?”

I hesitated. “Sort of.”

“Sort of?”

“I’m close by. I couldn’t stay in that cottage another night.”

“Why not?” he asked, his voice growing serious. “What happened?”

I contemplated telling him everything. The last thing I wanted was to drag another person into this situation, but at the same time I needed to vent to someone who wouldn’t judge me. I needed someone to know what was happening and what I was facing so I wouldn’t drive myself crazy trying to find out where Eve was.

I sat on the edge of the bed and with a quivering voice that eventually shifted into sobs, I told himeverything. Jayson was quiet the entire time as he absorbed the details. When I was done, he finally released a long breath.

“I’m coming to you,” he said.

“What? No, Jayson. You don’t have to do that. I’ll be going home soon anyway.”

“Well, I’ll be coming there to make sure you get home safely. I told you something was off about that town, Rose. I didn’t even feel right leaving you there but didn’t want to protest because I know we aren’t in a place where I can tell you what to do.”

I wish he had. Then maybe I wouldn’t have been so worked up and paranoid.

“Just stay put at the hotel. I’ll have Pete close for me tonight and I’ll call someone in to help him.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Positive. Now send me the hotel address and your room number.”

Nearly three hours later, Jayson was knocking on my door. I opened it quickly and wanted to cry at the sight of a familiar face. I’d only been away from home for a day and some change, but I felt so lost, like I no longer belonged in this world. What next step do you take when your friend is missing and no one in town is willing to help? Who do you reach out to? What can you do? You can’t just let it go. Quitting was a reasonable option, but I was Rosette Gibson. I didn’t quit.

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