Page 30 of Waiting For A Girl Like You
Mumbling to herself, she kept her head down as she walked the slick sidewalk. There were a few cars out on the road. Parkland Grounds sat directly off Main Street in Hollingsdale. It was a beautiful sight, and people would often make a special trip out to see how it looked lit up at night.
But right around the corner from Parkland Grounds was a smaller manor home, built not long after the main home came into existence. The property was always passed down to the firstborn Fairweather son, generation after generation, as he prepared to take over the business.
Yet, in this latest generation, the firstborn son didn’t take over, and no longer lived here.
Only his wife remained.
The porch light was on, with gnats and moths flittering around in a fevered dance. Up the steps and spread around the enormous front yard, a kaleidoscope of colorful blooms greeted her, along with small whimsical touches the occupant had set up as she attempted to make it her own now that there was no Fairweather to suppress her.
Helen Fairweather would absolutely die if she saw it today.
Standing at the front door, Josie stared at the doorbell, wondering if she should knock instead. She chose to ring it and held her breath, aiming her finger at the button, the entire thing happening in slow motion until she connected with it. The chiming toll could be heard all the way outside, a tinkling ring to signal the start of a moment that would stay with them for a lifetime.
Hewas the one to come to the door.
Aiden.
Josie hadn’t formally met him yet, only spying him once or twice through a pair of binoculars she and Miranda kept on the balcony. Whenever they caught a glimpse of the pair together, they would whisper how handsome he was and say things likegood for Viv,orI hope Viv is having the time of her life. God knew she deserved a handsome, caring man after putting up with Charlie’s crap for all these years. They had heard from Ben that Viv met him at a fundraiser and that he was involved with something medical.
Wearing nothing but sweatpants, Aiden stared at her in confusion. “Can I help you?”
He was even more gorgeous in person, with dark hair and light eyes. Usually, she wouldn’t mind being greeted by a chiseled chest and pretty face, but it didn’t even register tonight.
“I’m Josie.”
An eyebrow went up. He obviously recognized the name.
“Is something wrong?”
The trembling that started on the way over deepened, striking her very bones to where she thought he surely must be able to hear them rattling. “Yes.”
“What’s happening?” Vivian’s panicked voice approached, and she was out the door and standing in front of her before Josie could figure out what to say. “Is it Miranda? Is she okay?”
“Miranda’s okay.”
Josie swayed on her feet. What did she say to this woman? How much did she know?
“I need help.”
Vivian cradled Josie’s face, and it was then she realized she really was sweating. A whoosh of cold air came from the open front door, swirling around them in the sticky July heat. “Josie, everything is going to be okay. Is Samuel hurt? Are you?”
How could Charlie have ever strayed from this woman? She was stunning on all levels. Beautiful, for sure, but Viv was a decent human. She had kept their secret. They never told her outright, but she had to have known and never openly judged or said a bad word about it, as far as Josie knew.
“Is it Samuel?” Vivian tried again. “Josie, you’re scaring me.”
A light Texas drawl clung to her words, the sweet, hypnotic sound drawing Josie out of her stupor. “Can I come in?” She cringed over having the audacity to invite herself into someone’s home in the middle of the night. “We need to talk, but I don’t have much time.”
“Oh, of course!” Viv acted as if it were all her fault for not inviting her inside in the first place. “Forgive me.”
Aiden and Viv ushered her into the house, but Josie couldn’t go far, standing frozen in the doorway of the dark manor. The floors were black and white checkerboard, while the rest of the home’s décor was new, with all the latest styles and perfectly set to Viv's standards. The womanhad impeccable taste and used it to make everything beautiful, including herself.
“Let’s talk in the living room.” Draped in a silky blue nightgown, the matching robe flowed around Vivian as she walked. “Aiden, can you turn on a lamp or something?”
“No,” Josie whispered, not wanting any lights on. She didn’t think she would be able to handle their shocked faces. “I can’t stay. I can’t leave Miranda alone with them.”
Even in the dark, she could feel Aiden’s eyes assessing her state. “I think you need to sit down.”
“I’m fine.” Giving Vivian her attention, Josie decided to deliver the first blow. “Simone Howard’s husband was shot tonight. He’s dead.”
