Page 12 of Can't Fight the Moonlight

"I wasn't trying to get in," the man said. "I thought you might have checked out earlier than you thought, and I wanted to find out if the room was empty, or if someone else could have arrived in your stead."

"Like who? That doesn't make sense. I want him arrested. I don't feel safe," the woman said. "I had to call 911, Lizzie. I went to the front desk, but Shay wasn't there."

The police officer looked at Lizzie. "You want to weigh in, Lizzie?"

Justin didn't know why he was surprised the cop knew Lizzie, since so far, she seemed to know everyone they came into contact with.

"Yes, this is all a big misunderstanding, Brodie," Lizzie replied. Then she turned to the woman. "Patty, I'm sorry no one was at the desk. There should have been someone there to help you. But this man is not a threat. His name is Noah Bennett. He's not stalking you. He's a guest. And I know him very well."

"Then why is he always outside my room? He's creepy."

"It's supposed to be my room," Noah put in. "You were going to check out today."

"Well, I had a change of plans," Patty said, her gaze swinging from Noah to Lizzie. "You told me it was okay for me to stay another night."

"I did," Lizzie agreed. "And I told you, Noah, that the room would be yours tomorrow."

"I always have that room this week, Lizzie," Noah said. "You know how important it is to me to be in that room for the eclipse."

"And you will be. You can move in tomorrow and the eclipse isn't until Friday. You were the one who first booked your stay starting tomorrow," she reminded him.

"Because I got the date wrong."

"Yes, but I told you that you could move rooms tomorrow when Mrs. Lawrence checks out. You shouldn't be bothering her."

"I saw her leave and I thought maybe she'd gone." He paused, cocking his head to the right as his gaze grew reflective. "I smelled her perfume, Lizzie. It was so strong. I thought she'd come back. I guess she didn't. It must have been my imagination."

Justin frowned at the old man's words. He didn't seem to be talking about Patty anymore.

"Alice has not come back. I'm sorry, Noah," Lizzie said gently. Turning to Brodie and Patty, she added, "Noah lost someone close to him. The last time they saw each other was here at the inn during a lunar eclipse ten years ago. They stayed in your room, Patty. He's hoping she might show up this week."

"I come every year at the same time," Noah put in. "I always stay in that room. I have to be there when Alice returns. She said she would come back. And I told her I would be waiting." There was a desperate note in the old man's voice now. "I've been waiting a long time."

"I know you have," Lizzie said, giving Noah a compassionate look. "And I'm sorry about the mix-up with your room. But if Alice comes back, we'll make sure she finds you." Lizzie's gaze moved to Patty. "I'm very sorry for the worry, Patty. To make it up to you, I'll comp your stay. Will that be all right?"

"Well, yes, that would work," Patty said slowly, as she gazed at the sad-looking Noah. "What happened with your friend? Why did she disappear?"

"We were in love, but she had to leave. She had obligations. We promised we would meet again in our room at this beautiful inn the same week in April. I still believe that will happen," Noah answered. "Perhaps it is a false hope, but I hold on, because our love was so strong, so powerful, and so filled with meaning. Without it, I am empty."

Justin thought Noah was crazy, but Patty seemed completely captivated by the man's moving words, her defensive and aggressive posture softening with each word.

"I am sorry for scaring you," Noah continued. "I didn't realize you would be fearful of me. Sometimes I feel like I'm barely alive, that my existence is almost invisible. I had forgotten what it was like for someone to really see me, to have any kind of reaction to me. I hope you can forgive me."

"Maybe we can all have some tea and cookies and talk this out," Lizzie suggested.

"That would be nice. I would like to hear more about your Alice," Patty said. "I lost my husband eight years ago. I understand what heartbreak feels like. And while I know he is not coming back, I'm not unfamiliar with the desire that he could."

"I would love to tell you my story," Noah replied eagerly. "Thank you for being so kind."

Lizzie turned to the police officer. "Brodie, can you take the cuffs off?"

"I can do that," the officer said, releasing Noah's hands. "I'm assuming no one wants to press charges?"

"I don't," Patty said.

"Thank you," Noah said, rubbing his wrists.

"Let's go inside and get some tea," Patty suggested.

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