"It's something Daniel and I joke about. A year ago, I was content with my life in Seattle. No way would I have considered coming back home if Collin hadn't attacked me. And Daniel would never have come back home if he wasn't struggling with his sobriety." Riley grinned as she shrugged. "God needed to break us down to build us up again, and He needed to put us where we could find the one we were meant to be with."
Did God break me down, so He can build me up again? The way He wants me to be.
For the first time since they parked, Paige took a moment to appreciate the beautiful view that lay before her. Green pastures with grazing cattle, circular hay fields, and a golden sunset took her breath away.
Did God mean for her to find love in Providence? Paige almost burst out laughing. The prospects in this small town were seriously limited.
No, she couldn't trust a man with her heart again. Not for a very long time. Besides, she had other more pressing matters to worry about.
“Do you think I should go back to Seattle?”
"Why wouldn't you go back?" Riley's brows knit together. "You love your job there."
"I do, but it's so far away from family."
"I know what you mean. When I first came back last year, the last thing I wanted was my mom and my brothers nosing around in my life, but they were all there for me when I needed them most." Only a hint of dark shadows flitted through Riley's eyes at the mention of needing her family.
Paige was glad her friend had been able to work through the trauma of being drugged and abducted last spring. "Exactly. I didn't realize how much I missed my family until I came home."
Riley rested a hand on the steering wheel as she watched the sun set. "It's funny how when we were young, we couldn't wait to get out of this small town. But after living in the city for years, we realized it's not so bad."
"Oh, it's still bad." Paige laughed. "With it's quirky citizens, gossip mill, and slow pace, but I've decided I don't mind those things so much anymore."
"Are you thinking about moving back then?" Riley's face turned hopeful.
"Other than my job, it doesn't feel like there's anything left for me in Seattle." Paige ticked items off on her fingers. "First you left, then Jen got engaged, and Shaylee accepted that job on the east coast. Come August, I’ll need to find new roommates.” That prospect made it even harder to want to return to Seattle. "Besides, if I go back to Seattle, I risk running into Phillip—at the gym or the grocery store."
Riley grimaced. "That's reason enough alone not to go back, if you ask me."
"So, you think I should stay here?" Hope flickered in Paige’s chest.
"Will you be able to find a job?" Riley pointed a finger at Paige. "I know you. You won't be content sitting around doing nothing."
No, I won't.
Being laid up over the last few months had taught her that.
"I doubt they'd have an opening in the elementary here in Providence, but maybe I could find one in the Tri-Cities area."
"I think you should go for it!" Riley slapped her palm on the console. “I mean, what have you got to lose?"
"Nothing, I suppose. Principal Stevens has been hounding me, wanting to know if I plan to return next year."
"Then you'd better stop dragging your feet and see if there are options for you here."
Paige’s phone dinged with a text notification, distracting her from thoughts of finding a new job. She pulled it from her pocket. An unfamiliar number showed on the screen, and below it the words:This is Gabe Rivera.
Surprised to be getting a text from her therapist, she tapped the screen to read the full message.
Gabe:Just checking in to see how you're doing after today's PT session. Hope I wasn't too hard on you.
Warm brown eyes surrounded by long, thick lashes and a charming smile filled Paige's mind followed by her strange dream this afternoon.
"What is it, Paige?" Concern filled Riley's voice.
Paige's head jerked up. "Oh, it’s just my physical therapist."
"Your physical therapist is texting you?”
