Page 10 of Playful Summer

I hug her back and hold back my tears. She went through so much and I wasn’t there. And now she’s here for me. I’m a lucky girl.

“I agree with Pax, you need to move into the house with us. I don’t want you to be alone either.”

“After we close up, we can get your things,” Paxton says.

“We’ll all help.” Rhett nods.

It’s almost closing time and we’ve cleaned up my table. I ended up selling fifteen books. And I’m shocked. I never thought I could sell that many with a signing that was such short notice.

I’ve been sitting with Paxton in the lumber section when we see Officer Taylor come in.

“Hey, so today was a little crazy.” He laughs. “Was Marc like this when you got the restraining order?”

“No. I was worried because he kept following me. But he was never violent or this delusional. Today was really scary. Like he really thought it was no big deal.”

“He did think it was fake. At least that’s what he kept saying to us. We told him that he needed to leave Wintervale. That if he chose to stay and we catch him anywhere near you, we will arrest him again. And the next time he’ll be sent to Great Falls for his trial.”

“Do you think he’ll listen?” I ask.

“I think so, he did look a little worried when we kept saying he would go to jail. One of the other officers made sure he left town. And we’ve told all the hotels in the area to let us know if he checks back in.”

“Thank you so much. I really appreciate all your help.”

“This is what we’re here for. If you see him or he contacts you, let us know right away.”

“I will,” I say as he says good night to all of us.

“Okay, why don’t we close up? It’s slower tonight anyway, and I want to get your stuff out of the rental,” Paxton says.

“Will your brothers mind?” I ask.

“Nope. We were just coming to say we’re ready to close. Emma and Emiko are at home with the kids, so we’ll help you. Plus we need to pick the guys up at the airport in thirty minutes. Then we’ll have even more help,” Lukas says to us.

“Thank you. I really appreciate all of you.” I sniffle.

As Paxton holds me, Rhett and Lukas hug us both.

“One of the biggest lessons our parents taught us is that family is the most important part of our lives. No matter what any of us needs, we’re there. Good and bad. And you’re part of our family now,” Lukas tells me.

I miss my family back in Maine, but being with Paxton and his family helps so much. It takes us fifteen minutes to lock up. They each check a different section of the store before we all meet at the main doors to lock them.

“I think Rhett and I should head to the airport. You and Piper go to the house and get her stuff packed. We’ll meet you there,” Lukas says to us.

“Make sure you check the house and if anyone is there, call us,” Rhett says.

“I will. Maybe we should ask Jared if he could meet us there?” Paxton asks.

“That’s a good idea.” Lukas nods.

Rhett calls Jared and asks if he could meet us at the house. Just in case Marc hasn’t left town.

“He’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Please don’t take any chances,” Rhett says to Paxton.

They give us a hug and we all get in our cars.

“I’m sorry that I’ve caused these problems,” I say to Paxton.

“Baby, this isn’t your fault. You did everything right, some people are just crazy. You just happened to find one of them.”

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