Where the Heart May Lead: A Clean Romance (Harlequin LP Heartwarming) Read online

  “Did you see him?” Paige asked her uncle.

  “I never met him, honey. Remember? I wouldn’t know him if he showed up at the front door, aside from Joanie’s description. All I’ve ever seen is that grainy photograph you found of him on the internet a few years back. But if it was him, if he’s made his way north—”

  Paige touched a hand to her mouth. “It might be only a matter of time before he shows up at the back door.” She imagined opening it one day and facing that wild, shaggy brown mane and coal-black eyes, the irises abnormally large and devious. “I should go.”

  “Nonsense. You just got here. Finish your cake.”

  “No, I mean I should go away.”

  “Neither of us is suggesting that, Paige. He’ll never get a peep out of either of us, no matter what he threatens. We certainly didn’t want to scare you, but if it really was him, we thought it wouldn’t hurt if you got out of town for a few days and...”

  “Checked in on Lucy.” Paige finished her aunt’s thoughts as if they were her own.

  Aunt Joan shrugged her shoulders. “Or maybe don’t. You’ll have to listen to your instincts on this one. I was never a mother, outside of loving you, so I don’t have any maternal experience to bestow here. We’ve been discussing the pros and cons all afternoon. Whether you stay or go, we know you take a risk either way.”

  “We’d go with you if we could, Paige. You know I’d be right by your side if only...” Uncle Craig shook his head as he choked back tears. He turned his face toward the front window as sunlight pooled in his eyes. He wasn’t looking outside or at the sun. He was looking ahead to a rapidly approaching end.

  Paige studied his profile. Once so angular and strong, his sunken cheeks resembled those of a skeleton. It wasn’t until she began living under his roof and sleeping on a mattress on his bedroom floor that she had begun to sleep the way normal people probably did—calmly, peacefully. He had offered her his strength at a time when she had been floundering to enter adulthood. And aside from overhearing him whispering to Aunt Joan late one night, expressing deep guilt and regret for not rescuing Paige sooner, he’d never brought up her past. He’d nod and listen intently if she had needed to talk, but he never asked first, never pried. His home, the one he had willingly and wholeheartedly provided, had been a clean and crisp break from her old life. So losing him, a fate foreshadowed every time she saw his face slip further into weariness, would be a new season of life she wasn’t yet ready to acknowledge.

  “I’m not going to leave you,” she said quietly. He turned toward her again, his expression softening.

  “I know you wouldn’t want to, but a few days away won’t hurt anything. My tests were good. I’m strong enough for now. I’m not going anywhere...at least, not yet.”

  “That’s right,” Joan said. “Trust us, Paige. We’ve discussed this for a while now, but today has sped up our timeline a wee bit.”

  Paige nodded. If she slipped away for a few days, she could always rush home if Uncle Craig’s health took a sudden turn.

  “How would I find her, anyway? All I know about her adoptive parents is that they were small business owners. I distinctly remember that, but that isn’t much to go on. I can’t exactly stalk every grade school for a little girl who looks something like me.”

  Joan batted her eyelids. “What if I told you I know which business?”

  “How?”

  “I contacted Bob...”

  “Dr. Hathaway?”

  Joan shrugged. “He’s getting old, and he let it slip.”

  “Really? How?”

  “I kept peppering him with questions until he got flustered and gave up a little golden nugget of information.”

  “Go on. Tell her,” Uncle Craig said. “I know you’re proud of yourself.”

  Joan swatted his arm. “I am proud. It’s plenty to go on.”

  “He always had a thing for you. Cat-eyed Joanie called him up out of the blue—of course he was flustered.”

  Joan swatted his arm again, but this time they both chuckled.

  Paige recalled Aunt Joan’s friend, the doctor who had helped them anonymously put Lucy up for adoption, no questions asked. They had had to list her as abandoned, but that definition was anything from what Paige had done for her. It was a lonely, cold word to describe how much she loved that little baby and wanted to ensure her safety.

  “He isn’t supposed to give you any information, Aunt Joan. It was a closed adoption.”

  “He doesn’t realize he did. Little Lakeside Sports...there’s only one and it’s in a Michigan town called Roseley.”

  “Roseley.” Paige let the word hang in the air for a moment, imagining the place where Lucy had been living all these years. It was beautiful. “A sports shop?”

  “I can place you in the right town and the right shop. You’ll have to do some digging when you get there.”

  “Oh, my goodness. Am I really doing this?” Paige whispered. “I shouldn’t take time off from work—”

  “Nonsense. You’re self-employed, you just finished your latest project and you can work from anywhere as long as you have your laptop.”

  “I know, but leaving you two—”

  “We’ll be okay,” Uncle Craig said. “I have your aunt to scold me whenever I get out of line.”

  “You’re never out of line,” Joan said with an affectionate smile.

  “Then you know you’re doing a good job.” Craig smirked and cut himself another piece of cake. “Pack a bag and leave tonight. Take it from me—life’s too short.”

  “Yes,” Joan said, touching Paige’s hand. “And when you find her, we wouldn’t mind if you snapped her photograph. I’d love to see what she looks like now. And if she’s...she’s...”

  “Safe?” Paige said.

  Joan nodded. “And happy.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  PAIGE HAD PACKED quickly and driven through the night. The dark highways heading north brought her plenty of time to think and, unfortunately, fret. She still wasn’t sure that driving to Roseley was the best plan, but every time the worry in her stomach began to churn too much, Paige tried to imagine what the little girl looked like now. Would she be the spitting image of her and the women in her family? Would she see her own reflection when she peered into the ten-year-old face?

  Having arrived in town eventually, she’d had several hours of decent sleep at the motel and felt refreshed enough to start exploring.

  By the time the sun had breached the rooftops of the tiny shops stacked along Main Street like painted wooden blocks, Paige had wheeled her bicycle up the sidewalk to the front of the sports shop and locked it to the rack. She was in town to find Lucy, not joyride on her Schwinn, but she’d decided to bring it along in case she needed a solid reason for hanging around the sports shop. Who knew how long it would take to get information out of the staff.

  The storefront faced the road but backed up against Little Lake Roseley. Paige had learned after perusing the website that Little Lakeside Sports was the place to rent or buy water skis, bikes, fishing poles and tackle and a wide array of merchandise for the outdoorswoman.

  Paige also couldn’t help but notice a floating plane docked on the calm morning water just kitty-corner to the shop. She could only assume, as she headed into the store, that it belonged to the store owners. She imagined Lucy riding in a floating plane with her adoptive parents. If that was the most dangerous thing she encountered in her childhood, Paige considered it a blessing.

  Inside, Paige’s eyes darted around for signs of life. The place smelled like new sneakers, she thought as she ran her hand over a carousel of men’s T-shirts and pretended to check the price tags.

  “May I help you?”

  Paige jumped at the question, unaware anyone had been hovering nearby. Crouched down in a nearby aisle, a woman a few years older than Paige stood up and smiled.
She was striking, as tan and brunette as she was tall and lean, with long, silky hair that fell loosely down her back, and big chestnut-brown eyes. What a beauty, Paige thought, as she admired the woman’s perfect cheekbones and flawless complexion.

  “I just rolled into town and wanted to check out your shop.”

  Beauty smiled. “Wonderful. We’re happy to have you. Is there anything I can help you find?”

  Paige floundered for one of her premeditated answers—the ones she had rehearsed on the six-hour car ride here.

  “I just bought a new bike—”

  “The Schwinn Signature Cruiser? I saw you stash it out front. How do you like it so far?”

  “I haven’t had much chance to ride it, but I’m glad to see there are a lot of cyclists around here.”

  “You and me both,” Beauty said, leaning over the carousel to catch a better glimpse of Paige’s bicycle. “It was a town initiative a few years back. The city approved funding to put in more bike lanes, off-road paths and bike racks. They started a bike share system too. Any neon orange bicycle is available to ride within the town limits. Just leave it at a designated bike rack when you’re finished.”

  “I’ve heard of that happening in big cities. Nice to see it filtered down to places like Roseley.”

  “Right?” Beauty laughed. “I only had to push the proposal for years.”

  “It was your baby?” Paige said before catching herself. With Lucy so fresh on her mind, even the word baby sounded like a blaring alarm to her ears. “I mean, your project, to get it off the ground?”

  “Staying active is important to me. I went to school to be a nutritionist and somehow ended up buying a sports shop.”

  Paige nodded, trying to slap on a smile that she knew was no better than an eager wince.

  “Is this your shop?”

  Beauty nodded proudly and placed her fists on her hips in a leader’s stance.

  “For the past eleven years.”

  Paige scrambled for another one of her conversation starters. She had to turn the talk to children—to Lucy.

  “That’s a lot of hard work. Your family must be really proud of you.”

  “Thanks for saying so,” she said, tilting her head in appreciation. “It was difficult when my daughter was younger, but it gets easier, you know?”

  “I can imagine.” Paige swallowed hard, finding her throat had suddenly gone bone-dry. “How—how old is your daughter now?”

  A warm voice called out from halfway across the store.

  “Mara, line one!”

  “I’m sorry, but I need to grab that. Look around and let me know if you need anything. Nice to meet you,” she called over her shoulder as a silky curtain of hair sashayed behind her. Paige watched, her mind racing with a dozen follow-up questions.

  “I need to know if you have my Lucy,” she whispered to herself.

  Without any better idea of what to do, Paige casually made her way through the store, occasionally lifting her gaze to study Mara. The woman got around. One moment she was working the cash register, then she was jogging to the back room, then she was stocking merchandise up front, then she was answering the phones. There was another woman working too, a middle-aged female with bifocals, but Mara was always quick to jump in as soon as something was needed.

  After finally selecting a key lanyard, one in the same cobalt blue as her bicycle, Paige slowly made her way to the front cash register, hesitating for a few moments until the other employee had drifted to the back room. She needed another opportunity to speak to Mara, and luckily Mara was eager to dart to the cash register to help her.

  “Is this all for you today?” Mara asked, ringing up the lanyard and placing it in a small paper bag.

  “No plastic bags, huh?” Paige said, for lack of a better question.

  “Not for the last three years. If only some of the other stores would catch on.”

  Paige nodded, peeling several dollars off a wad in her pocket. “It looks like you could use some help around here. Any chance you’re hiring seasonal workers?”

  Mara rolled her eyes. “Is it that obvious?” She handed Paige her change. “My manager was supposed to stay on for the summer but found out last minute she was selected for an internship program out of state. Can you believe it? I barely got a two-week notice out of her.”

  “Could you use some help? I need a little work while I’m in town.”

  “Nah, I have a replacement starting tomorrow.”

  Paige snapped her fingers. “So close.”

  “But if you have retail experience,” Mara said, fumbling for an application and pen, “you could fill out an application in case my new guy falls through.”

  “I’ve never worked in retail. Of all things, I’m a copywriter.”

  Mara’s head snapped up. “A real copywriter?”

  A smirk slowly spread across Paige’s lips. “Is it that impressive? Most people give me a pitiful look. They assume I survive on beans and stale bread.”

  Mara chuckled and waved her hand apologetically. “It’s just so funny that you said that. My husband and I were talking the other day about how he needs to drum up more traffic for his business. One of his ideas was to hire a copywriter.” She gathered her long hair over her shoulder. “And here you are.”

  “Here I am,” Paige said softly as her mind drifted off at Mara’s words. “What kind of business does your husband do? Is he an entrepreneur like you?”

  “For anyone who doesn’t want to drive into the city every day, starting up your own place has its perks. You know what... I think I need to call him and strike while the iron is hot. That is, have you two talk immediately while the idea is still fresh in his brain. It’ll take him six months to get around to hiring someone. Do you have a portfolio or anything you could show him if I set up a meeting?”

  “If you could point me toward a store to make prints and copies, I can pull it together quickly. I have it all online, along with a list of my regular clients, but I know there’s nothing like holding a physical copy in your hand.”

  “That would be amazing. Leave me your cell phone number, and I’ll arrange a time.”

  Paige nodded before fishing a business card out of her purse. “I’m going to take a ride through town and maybe along the lake—”

  “Perfect. I’ll call him and set it up. Although I don’t even know your name...” she said, glancing down at the business card. “Paige Cartman. Lovely. I’m Mara Selby.”

  Paige gathered her bag and slipped out of the shop as the other employee called to Mara. She had arrived at the shop looking for information on Lucy and was leaving with a great lead. If she could make a positive impression with Mara’s husband, perhaps that would get her more access to their everyday lives and then access to Lucy—if he and Mara were Lucy’s parents.

  As she unlocked her bicycle and pedaled down the street, she rolled her eyes at herself. She had been so happy to have the opportunity fall in her lap, she had forgotten to get Mara’s husband’s name. No problem, she thought, she’d know it shortly. Although as this was her first, and perhaps only, lead to seeing Lucy, she knew she couldn’t meet him soon enough.

  Paige coasted around town for nearly an hour, though she wasn’t exactly sure what it was she was looking for. She’d discovered a few cozy neighborhoods, including one with a grade school and playground nestled between quiet streets. She had stopped on the sidewalk outside the school as a classroom of children ran outside for recess, but they all looked younger than ten years old.

  Finally, with her stomach growling, Paige pulled into a sandwich shop a couple of blocks from Little Lakeside Sports. She figured if Mara called while she was eating, she wouldn’t be too far away to make that meeting with her husband.

  She checked her cell phone and found a message from Aunt Joan. She texted back that she had found the sports shop and ha
d a hot lead to finding Lucy’s adoptive parents. That was the best way to describe it in a short text, anyway. She knew Aunt Joan could only check her phone in between her rounds as a nurse at the hospital and just wanted a sound bite. She was never much for chatting on the telephone—though Paige had never been away from her for longer than a day before.

  She had no sooner slipped off her bicycle and tucked away her cell than she noticed a man sitting outside the sandwich shop. Sprawled on a wooden bench in the shade of the shop awning, he munched a sandwich and watched her with interest.

  Paige was used to men noticing her. She wasn’t oblivious to the fact that she had a cute figure, shapely legs and a pretty face. Plus, in her experience, men liked her silky blond hair. It had darkened to a dirty blond over the years, but a little bit of a lemon juice rinse in the summertime helped bring out the golden highlights she’d had as a child.

  She wasn’t surprised when the man pushed his sunglasses up on top of his head and offered a polite, noncommittal smile when she passed him. Once she caught a glance at his beautiful brown eyes, she managed a sincere smile of her own.

  “Nice bike,” he said, lowering his sandwich to his lap. Paige paused before pivoting to better see him. The light breeze had caught wisps of his moppy brown hair, lifting it off his ruggedly handsome face. He sported scruffy brown facial hair and an impressive tan. He was casually dressed in long khaki shorts and a black polo shirt with a Tour Guide logo over the breast pocket.

  “Thanks. It’s new.”

  “How does it ride?”

  “Decent enough. Do you ride?”

  He shrugged, taking another bite of sandwich. “Occasionally, when I find the time.”

  “Too bad. I always make the time.”

  His umber-brown eyes crinkled in an amused smile. “Is that so?”

  “I love it. If I don’t make the time, what’s the point?”

  “Of life?”

  Paige joined him in a chuckle. “Yes.”

  He stretched his long legs out in front of him and contemplated her answer for a moment. As he slowly nodded, his eyes falling over her face, Paige found herself admiring his strong, masculine features with each passing second. He looked athletic. Basketball? Soccer? His frame was tall and broad, the gifted genetics of an athlete.