Page 23 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
“Wow!” Paige bit her lip. “I’m tempted to join you for Christmas at the lodge because you’re going to need alotof help and support to get through this.”
“I would love for you to be there,” Liam told her. “At least I’d be able to keep an eye on you, too, now that I realize that our brother has inadvertently drawn you into this.”
“What do you mean?” Paige frowned.
“Your Professor Stanton isnotwho you think he is,” Liam told her. “Although I do know his degree is real, I have a feeling I know who your Professor Jackson is, too.”
“What are you talking about?” Paige's brows knitted together. “I think you’re beingoverly paranoid. You always had trust issues, and Professor Stanton probably just looks like someone you know.”
“I’m afraid I’m not being paranoid, little sister,” Liam assured her. “Our brother wanted to go with you to Hawaii to speak to Professor Stanton, but I’m sure it wasn’t about financing the telescope.”
“Who do you think Professor Stanton is?” Paige asked him.
Before he could answer, his phone rang. He looked at it and frowned when he saw a number he didn’t know. He answered it.
“Hello?” he barked into the receiver.
“Is that Liam?” a familiar female voice resonated through the receiver, making his heart jolt.
“Barb?” Liam asked. “Yes, it’s me. Is everything alright?”
“I don’t really know,” Barb told him. “Can you talk?”
He glanced at Paige, who was looking at him curiously, having heard him say Barb’s name.
“Can I call you back in ten minutes?” Liam asked. “I’m just in a… dinner at the moment.”
“Oh!” Barb said. “Sorry, of course.” There was a pause. “I actually didn’t even realize how late it was.”
“It’s fine. I told you to call me if you need to,” Liam reminded her, looking at his sister. “Just give me ten minutes.”
“Sure,” Barb said. “Bye.” She hung up.
“So you gave Barb your new number!” Paige pointed out. “But you didn’t think you should call me and give me your number. Do the parents have your new numbers?”
“Yes,” Liam nodded. “Dad has it if he needs us. I did mention that we had to change my number for the campaign.”
“And he believed that?” Paige looked at her brother in disbelief.
“Yeah,” Liam said, nodding, pulling some bills from his wallet and handing Paige his room’s card key. “Here, go up to the room so long. Do you have luggage?”
“Oh, I don’t need your card,” Paige told him. “I already got one from the front desk.”
“It’s so nice to know how much this five-star hotel values my privacy,” Liam stated.
“Oh, they do,” Paige assured him. “But I have ID and a very persuasive bodyguard.”
“You got Priscilla to set it up for you?” Liam guessed.
“Yes.” Paige rolled her eyes at him, figuring out. “Go make your call.” She finished off her wine. “I’ll go to the room.” She yawned.
“Okay.” Liam slipped from the booth and kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll be up soon.”
Liam caught Patrick and Herschel’s attention. “Keep an eye on my sister. I have to go make a private call.”
“You know, big brother,” Paige said as she slid out of the booth behind him, “this new you actually suits you.”
“I think I’ve just got really good at pretending,” Liam told her before leaving the lounge and finding a quiet, secluded spot to call Barb back. She answered on the second ring. “Hi.”
