Itrytoignoreit,butit’snotlongbeforethingsescalateandIhavenochoicebuttoturntoLanceKnightforhelp.TheexArmyRanger now runs aprivatesecurityfirmintown,anddespitethefactthatI’vemadeitnosecretthatIdespisehim,he agrees.
As eachnew daypasses, Lance and Iare pushed closer together ina deadlygame of Clue, while we tryto discernthe identityofmystalker before it’s too late. Trouble is, myadmirer has a jealous side, and Lance is pulled into the crosshairs rightalongsideme
It’s been a scary jump after all, I’ve built a career writing in other genres but with this leap of faith came such a beautifulunderstandingofwhattruelovereallyis.
Pages ofPromise is a love storythatIhave poured myheartand soul into. Ihave prayed for guidance, done mybestto ignorethevoicesofdoubt,andnowIambeyondproudofthestoryIhavetold.
ElizaandLanceareclosetomyheart,becausejustasLancewantstoguideEliza,itwasmyhusbandwhopulledmeback intothelightwhenwefirstmet ItwashimwhobroughtmebackintochurchwhenI’dbeenleftdisheartenedbyothersI’dbeen to.
You’re not there anymore, Eliza, Iremindmyself. Forthefirsttimeintenyears,I’mfree.
Forthefirsttimeinmyentire life,I’mfree.
Whateverthatmeans.
Ishovethepastwhereitbelongsandfocusonwhat’srightinfrontofme ThesignforHopeSpringsisstraightahead The populationnumberisworndownsomuchthatIcanbarelymakeitout,thoughIknowfrommyresearchit’sinthevicinityof seven-thousand
AsIsithereonthesideoftheroadintheearlymorning,noonepasses.Theroadhasbeenrelativelyvacantforthepast fifteenmiles, so Iremainrightwhere Iama bitlonger, staringatthe signahead and the sand dunes all alongmyleftwhere oceanmeetsland Tomyright,aparkingareawithtwocarsallowsvisitorsthechancetomoveacrossthehighwayandhead downtothewater.
The hardware store where Felix Bishop the plumber who will install my new water heater works is absolutely adorablewithafreshlypaintedsignandbrightyellowandwhiteawning
“There are worms in the sand, Eliza ” “Junkies leave their needles on the beach, Eliza.”
Nothing Erick said to me will ever matter again. None of the things he told me I could never do, or the behaviors he expectedoutofme,willstandevenasecondlonger Fromhereonout,IwilldowhatIwant WhenIwant
As soonas I’vebrushedas muchsandfrommyfeetas Ican,Islipbackintomyflats andclimbupthestairs towardmy house Iunlockmycarandgrabmypursefromthepassengerseat,thenmakemywayupontomyporch
Thefrontdoorisaged,someofthewoodsplintering,butsomesandingandafreshcoatofpaintwillhaveitgleamingonce more Istretchup,gentlytappingmyfingersontopofthedoorjambasIlookforthekeytherealtorleft Assoonasmyfingers closeinonit,Ipullitdownandslipitintothelock.
Staleairgreetsme,anddustparticlesdanceintheair,thankstothelightbreezecarryingthroughfromoutside Allofthe furniture is covered industywhite sheets, but as I flickthe switchonthe wall to myleft, I’melated to discover the light fixturesareinworkingcondition
The floor is old wood, but I know all it needs is a good cleaning to gleamlike it once did. Ametal spiral staircase encirclestheinterior,butIdon’theadupjustyet,optingtoinspectthesmallkitcheninstead.It’safarcryfromanentertainer’s space,butgiventhatIwanttoavoidallpeoplefortheforeseeablefuture,it’sperfect
Agedwoodencountertopscanbesandedandsealed,andthesinkmaybecoatedwithdust,butit’sagoodsizeforjustme. The appliances are long gone, but I already have new ones on the way to be delivered along with my furniture later this afternoon.
“Felix had to watch his granddaughter today,” Lance replies. “He sent me over to get it installed for you, Ms. Pierce. However,ifyou’dpreferhim,I’msurehecangetoutheretomorrow.”
“Whydon’tyoucallandcheckinwithFelix?”Lancequestions.“PutyourmindateasethatIamwhoIsayIam.” “Yeah,Ishoulddothat.” Except, I don’t have a cell phone. “Nevermind,Idon’tneedtodothat.”
Steppingaside,Imakespaceforhimtocomeinandinstantlyregretnotjustpointingandgivingdirections Themantakes up space ina wayyouonlyever read about. Evenmovies can’tquite do itjustice whenshowingthe presence some people simplyhave
AndLance whateverhislastnameis hasapresenceabouthim.Anauthoritythatunnervesme.“Ineedtogoouttomy car,”Iblurt “Thewaterheaterisjustbackthatway”Ipointinthegeneraldirection Lancenods.“Noproblem.Icanmanage.”Hesmilesagainandheadsthroughthesmalllivingareauntilhereachesaback roomanddisappearsinside.Assoonashe’soutofview,Iheadoutontothefrontporchandtakeadeep,steadyingbreath. You’re fine, Itellmyself Erick is halfway across the country and has no idea where you are ThemantraissomethingI’verepeatedtomyselfoverandoveragainforthepastfew weeks,eversinceourdivorcewas finalized Yet,rightnow,itdoesn’tseemtodomuchtoquellmynerves
Lancecomesbackoutofthehouseandheadsstraightforhistruck awhiteChevy parkedjustbehindmycar.Hereaches into the backand pulls outa boxthatseems far too small for a water heater before settingitonthe ground and retrievinga toolbox.
“Whatisthat?”Iask,pointingtothebox.
“Atanklesswaterheater,”hereplies “Felixsaidit’swhatyouordered?” Feelingfoolish,Ibreatheasighofrelief.WhatdidIthinkwasinthebox? Come on, Eliza. Get it together. “Yes. That’s whatIwanted”Icrossmyarmsovermychestandstepbackashepasses,keepingawideberthbetweenus “Great. Do youmind grabbingmytoolboxfor me?” Withoutwaitingfor a response fromme, he lifts the boxand heads inside.
“So,you’reoutofpracticeyetfeelingtheneedto what fillanice-guyquotaforthemonth?”Myangerismisplaced,I knowthat,andstill,Ican’tstopit.He’snotsupposedtobehere.Buthereheis.Onhiskneesinmylaundryroom.
“Practicingplumber?” He laughs. “I’mnota doctor, Ms. Pierce. And installinga water heater is hardlysurgery. Idon’t needtobeactivelypracticinginordertodothejobproperly.And,ifitmakesyoufeelanybetter,Ijustinstalledoneofthese lastweekforMrs McGinleydownatthelibrary”
“Youare justas beautiful as your pictures.Maybe evenmore so.” She beams.“Are yousure youdon’twanttomeetmy brother?”BeforeIcanrespond,though,shethrowsherheadbackandlaughs “I’mjustkidding,Iknowyou’reintheprocessof movingon.We’lltableitfornow.”
Thatsmile broadens. “Ahhyes. Iheard Felixis ongrandfather dutytoday. Lance is good people. He moved here about sevenyearsago,Ithink?CamefromBoston.”
“Boston.”
“Yes.Handsome as Godmakes them,isn’the?” She wiggles her brows like I’msupposedtogiggle andflushwithcolor
likesomesortofschoolgirl.
“Arrogant,too,”Ireply.
“Really?” Her brows draw together “I’ve never gottenthatfromhim” She looks pastme toward the porchand smiles brightly.“Hey,Lance!Iseeyou’vemetMs.ElizaPierce.”
“Somethinglike that” Just the sound ofhis voice has me onedge His tone is calm Gentle But it carries anedge and washesovermelikewarmrain.Idon’tcareforit.Notevenalittle.
Eliza Pierce. The woman is beautiful, there’s no denying that. But it wasn’t even her physical appearance that had me awestruckfromthemomentsheopenedthedoor
Itwashereyesthatcaptivatedme.Acrystalblue,theycarrydarknessthatI’veonlyeverseeninthevictimsI’vehelpedas a security officer or soldiers who come back fromwar The “I’ve been broken, and I’mdoing everything I can to remain standing”look.It’soneIhadafterthatIEDsentmepacking.
Though, I get the impression Eliza Pierce has spent time on a very different type of battlefield than I amused to Ex, perhaps?Toxicfamily?
Shaking it off, I put my truck in reverse, and back out of her drive to make the five-minute commute back to Hope Hardware.HopeSpringshasbeenhometomeforthepastsevenyears.Icamehere,readyforabreakfromthelifeI’dbuilt after a career-ending injury had me medically retired fromthe Army. It wasn’t long after arriving that I decided I had no interestinreturningtoBoston.Afewweekslater,I’dmanagedtomovethesecurityfirmIstartedwithsomeotherveteransto thissmallcoastaltownandhaven’tlookedbacksince
“It’sinstalled,”Itellhim “Thoughyoumightbegettingacomplaintfromournewestresident” Felix’s expression turns to full-on amusement. Likely because he thinks I’mkidding given that I’ve never had a single personcomplainaboutanythingI’vehelpedwith.“Andwhyisthat?”
“Shewasnothappyyouweren’ttheoneinstallingit Honestly,Ithinkmyverypresenceagitatedher” Hechucklesandfocusesonsomeonebehindme.“Findwhatyouwerelookingfor,Mr.Leroy?” “Yes,” an older man nearing his eighties sets a handful of screws on the counter “Lance, you get a good look at the newcomer,then?”heasks.“OrdidIoverhearwrong?Iamgettingold,youknow.” “Ageisnothingbutanumber,Sir,”Ireplywithagrin “Andyes,Idid” Hescoffs.“Allthesebigcityfolkscominginandbuyingupourland.Downrightangeringifyouaskme.” “Nottoolongago,Iwasoneofthosebigcityfolks,”Iremindhimwithagrin. Hechokesoutalaugh “AndIdidn’tlikeyouthen,either Youturnedoutallright,though”HeoffersFelixsomecashthen takestheofferedbag.“Seeyouatchurch?”heasksme.
Irunmyhand over the backofmyneck. “Plumber. Anyway, it’s installed, and ifshe does call and complain, thenjust remindherthat,becauseofme,shegetstoshowerandwashdishestonight.”Iglancearoundtoseeifanyoneiswithinearshot. “Whatdoyouknowabouther?”
Evenas Imake mywayaround the backofthe buildingand up the stairs leadingto myoffice, Icansmell the delicate aromaoffreshlybakedpastriesandbrewedcoffee.
Gottalovesmalltowns.EveryoneoldenoughtotalkwillbechattingaboutElizafordaystocome.Atleastuntilsomething else happens to shift their attention. With Valentine’s Day coming up? That distraction is likely right around the corner. Somethingaboutloveintheairmakespeopleactmorefoolishthannormal
Thebiteofjealousycatchesmeoffguard.Itakeaseatandstareoutthewindowattheoceanacrossthestreet. What is it I’m supposed to do for her? Thefeelinginmychest,thedesiretohelp,isstrongerthanI’veeverfelt EvennowIcanfeelthe tightness.Likeawarningthatthere’ssomethingnotquiteright. Butwhy?
“Apparentlyinher world, itis.” Ishake myhead. Inmyline ofwork, I’ve meta lotofbeautiful women movie stars, models,professionalathletes yetit’sthiswomanwhohasmerattled.
“No Shedidn’t Ijusthavealotonmymind” God, please guide me Am I misreading the way I feel? EvenasIsendup thesilentplea,Ifeeltheweightincrease.TruthisElizaPiercedidgetundermyskin.Ijustcan’tseemtofigureoutwhy. “Well?Caretosharewiththeclass?”
Abrand-new camera installed at an art gallery in downtown Boston the list goes on, and even as I try to focus, my attentionisonceagainpulledtoournewcomer.Ican’thelpbutwonderwhattypeofmanwouldletawomanlikethatgo. Whatwasitaboutherdivorcethatmadeitsonasty?
Andforthesecondtimetoday,IfindmyselfwonderinghowIwentsolongwithoutputtingmytoesinthesand.Wrapping my cardigan more tightly around me, I start walking down the shoreline Seashells sprinkle in the sand, crisp whites, soft browns,Ievenpassafewsanddollars.Bending,Ipickasmallwhiteshelloffthegroundandstudyit.
WhenIwasyoung,backbeforemyparentsleft,Iusedtosneakawaywhenevertheywereononeoftheirbenders I’dtake a bus to the beachand spend mydaycollectingshells. Honestly, theywere the one thingIwishIcould have keptafter my parentsabandonedme.
Serenitydestroyed, I openmyeyes to find none other thanmynot-plumber standinginfront of me, wearingbasketball shorts,asweat-soakedbluet-shirt,andrunningshoes.He’s asighttobehold,sure.Apicturesquerepresentationofbeautiful masculinity
“Youdon’tbotherme,Mr Knight I ”Closingmyeyes,Itrytotakeadeepbreath “Iamtired,andmythingsdidn’tgetin todayliketheyweresupposedto,andIjustwantsomepeaceandquiet.Okay?”
He studies me, and Igetthe feelingthatthe manmisses nothing Finally, though, he nods “ThenIhope youhave a great night,Ms.Pierce.Pleaseletmeknowifthere’sanythingIcandotohelp.”Withoutwaitingforaresponse,heturnsandbegins joggingdownthebeach
Worried he’ll stop and turnaround to see me staring, Ihead the other way, passingbymysteps and headingtoward the town.There’sjustenoughlightthatIcanseethesidewalkclearlyasImakemywaydowntowardMainStreet.
Painshootsupthroughmyfoot,andIhissthroughclenchedteeth,liftingmylegandnearlyfallingoverintheprocess The bitofbloodonthebottomofmyfootthankstoatreacherousrockonthesidewalkremindsmethatIneverputonshoes. HowdidIforgettoputonshoes?
Warmthenvelopesmeassoonaswegetintothesanctuary Afterguidingmetoapew towardthefront,hehelpsmesit I stareupatthecrucifixonthewallandthealtarwithtwoflickeringcandles.
I continue staringstraight ahead at the stained glass window that undoubtedlyoverlooks the ocean Colorful flowers in sconces decorate the walls oneither side ofthe altar while a podium the same gleamingdarkwood as the floor holds a largebible
Hetearsopenawhitepackageandwipesitonthebottomofmyfoot.Ijoltaspainshootsupthroughmyfootagain.“I’m sorry,there’snowayaroundthat,I’mafraid.”Though,evenashesaysit,hewaveshishandtotryandgetsomeairmovingon it “AreyouElizaPiercebychance?” “Iam.”
I do as he says, mainly because I’mnot sure I could even make it to the door right now. “I really amsorry about my commentearlier Aboutnotgoingtochurchanymore Itwasrude”
“Youdon’thavetoanswer menow,Ijustwantyoutoknow it’s there.Andas far as pouringoutyour hearttome,that’s whatI’mhere for Ifyouever needsomeone tolisten,please feel free tocome see me Nothingwe speakaboutgets shared outsideofmyoffice,andsometimes,simplyhavingsomeonetotalktomakesallthedifference.”
“Given my last therapist slept with my husband, I And there I go again.” Shaking my head, I laugh nervously. “Oversharingonceagain.”
ThegenuineexpressionofaffectionmakesmeyearnforaversionofmyselfwhereItrulybelievedsuchaloveexistedfor me ButthatnaïvedreamwentoutthewindowthefirsttimeEricksplitmylipopen AndIknowI’llneveragainbeabletotrustenoughtoletmyselffallforanyoneelse.
Movingslowly,Imakemywayovertothewindowandpeeroutthroughthecurtain,butIseenothingbutaseaofdarkness Your mind is playing tricks on you, Iassuremyself,butevenasIreallydobelieveit,Iknowtherewillbenomoresleep forme Afterfiringupmylaptop,Icheckthetime,notingthatit’sjustnowfive-thirtyinthemorning
And honestly, it’s making me feel absolutely pathetic, especially given that the first half of my life was spent without anyonebesidesmyselftocounton IsthatwhatmademesuchaneasytargetforErick?WhoamIkidding,ofcourse,that’swhat mademeaneasytarget.
The womansmiles. “Youmust be Eliza. Come onin.” She moves aside, and I step into the warmthof the diner. After flippingtheclosedsigntoopen,shegesturesformetositataboothofftotheright Ilimpover,gratefulit’sclose.
