Page 120 of Starting Over

“Declan.” The mayor stepped into my office and closed the door.

“Hey, Allie.”

“How bad is it?” I stared at her, waiting for an answer to the question I didn’t need to ask. “Martha told me when she called to postpone lunch.”

I released a heavy breath and ran my hand through my hair.

“Technically, her death is likely from a stampede. But the fact that she was naked and outside in the middle of December is concerning.”

“Do you think it was one of the Powells?”

“No. If it had been one of them, they would have just buried her. They have thousands of acres to choose from.”

Allie nodded her agreement. “So, what’s the next step?”

“Identifying who she is. Pray she isn’t local. Then, we find the fucker she was running from and who is responsible for her being out in the cold, naked.” I shrugged, falling into my chair. “We need to keep this quiet. At least until we know more.”

“I agree. Go home, get some rest. You’ve had a shitty couple of weeks.”

“That’s the fucking truth.”

Standing from her seat, Allie smiled and asked, “How are things with Maureen?”

With my own cocky grin, I replied without looking at her, “They’re good.”

“I like her for you, Dec. I’m happy for you. Don’t fuck it up.” She laughed as she walked out of my office.

I had no plans to fuck it up, but things didn’t always go the way I wanted them to.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Maureen

I woke up alone.

The single greatest night of my life, with the boy I had dreamed about my whole life, and I woke up alone.

I sat up, and Tucker scooted up from the foot of the bed to snuggle against me. That was when I heard the crinkle of the paper.

Looking over at the empty space where Declan slept last night, I found a note.

Good morning, gorgeous,

Last night was everything. Unfortunately, I have to go to work today. You were too pretty to wake up, so please forgive me for not kissing you.

I’m having lunch with Allie today at The Diner, if you want to stop by. Or come by the station. A full day is too long to suffer through without seeing your face and kissing those lips.

Love, Dec

P.S. I fed Tucker and took him outside

I couldn’t stop the smile as I read the note, or the butterflies I felt when I thought about last night. I hadn’t come hereexpecting to find someone. Certainly hadn’t expected to find Declan O’Rourke.

But I had to believe that Duane sent me here, knowing Declan was here, for a reason. I had come here for a chance to start over. A chance at a new life. Everything was new here.

New home.

New friends.

---