Lost and Found – By Tori Mitchell #4
Alex removed her hand, banishing any thoughts of a book-loving stranger who could sweep her off her feet. This wasn't a romance novel. This was real life. John needed a friend, not a librarian whose head was stuck in a fairytale.
"Everyone's welcome at the library," she said softly. Alex had no right to claim this man. But that couldn't stop her from leaning forward and brushing a soft kiss against his forehead. "Of all the places in town, I'm glad you found me."
John stared at Alex, looking stunned. He hesitated for a moment, then reached out to sweep the hair away from Alex's face. He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I still don't know who I am, but I'm glad you're in my life."
Then John stood up, jogging toward the waves and motioning for Alex to join him. "The water's warm today!" he called. "Let's swim."
Alex grinned, watching John wade into waist-deep water. She still wasn't sure why he was here—in Sunset Cove, and in her life. Had she been placed in his life for a reason?
She looked skyward for a moment, saying a silent prayer that John would get his memories back soon. And that once John found the missing pieces of his life, it wouldn't break her heart.
Alex ran into the waves, determined to enjoy this beautiful day. But as they swam out into the bay, watching the fish flint under their feet, another thought rose up like the tide.
John seemed like a smart, hard-working guy. How could he disappear from his old life? He must have parents, or siblings, or a boss looking for him. Maybe he had a girlfriend who would report him missing soon.
They finished their swim and returned to the beach chairs to dry off.
Alex forced herself to relax, pushing aside her worries about John's identity. They'd take this one step at a time. John had kissed her again this afternoon, out beyond the waves, sea salt coating their lips as they treaded water.
But their peaceful afternoon couldn't last forever. Alex was contemplating the night's plans—making dinner, or grabbing a pizza on the drive home—when her phone rang. A glance told her it was the local police.
Alex held her breath as she answered the call. Would today's update push her and John closer together, or rip them apart?
"Officer Wells here," a cheerful voice announced. "It's Gabby. I've got news. Do you have a minute?"
Alex glanced at John. He'd fallen asleep in the chair, a small smile on his face. She stood up and walked toward the sand dunes, hoping to let him rest. "I've got time. What did you find?"
"We know who John Doe is," Gabby said. "State police found an abandoned car about five miles from here, hidden behind an old farmhouse. There was a man's wallet and driver's license inside. I'm texting you a picture now."
Alex's heart pounded as she held up the phone, willing the text to come through quickly. She stared at the image as it downloaded. It was John's face, but the ID said his name was Isaac Whitner.
He lived in Fairview Falls. A few miles from Sunset Cove.
Her mind filled with conflicting emotions. She was happy for John—Isaac—but their little bubble of summer bliss was about to end. It was time for Isaac to return to his life.
Would it mean leaving Alex behind? Her stomach twisted at the thought.
"Based on the state of his clothing, and his money missing from his wallet, we think he was carjacked," Gabby continued.
"Carjacked!" Alex exclaimed, glancing back at Isaac's long frame. "Who would attack someone his size?"
Gabby sighed. "Look, I'm telling you this off the record. I'm guessing there was a weapon involved. They might have hit him over the head, causing him to black out. You saw his reaction to my gun. Even a traumatized brain will remember what it fears the most."
Alex held back tears as she remembered the day they'd met.
He'd jumped behind the library's couch when Gabby drew her gun.
What if his carjackers hadn't just beat him—what if they'd shot him instead?
She took a steadying breath, refusing to believe that Isaac might have died before he even entered her life.
Considering the worst would get them nowhere.
She looked back at Isaac, who was still napping under the hot sun. "What do we do now?"
"Now we take him home," Gabby said. "I'm running a background check on Isaac. We'll try to find family members, or a boss. Perhaps a few neighbors?"
Alex sighed. Gabby was right. If you cared about someone, you had to set them free. If this relationship was meant to happen, Isaac would come back to her.
Alex could only pray that good things waited for Isaac—and that no one ended with a broken heart. Namely, her.
"John"
Isaac stood outside the house listed on his license and frowned. "Are you sure I live here?"
Officer Wells held out the keys they'd recovered from his abandoned car. "This is your most current address. We found a mortgage in your name. And I checked, these keys open that door." She gave him a small smile, pressing them into his hand. "Let’s step inside and see if you remember anything."
He turned to Alex, who was waiting on the sidewalk next to him. Alex was usually full of cheer and chatter, but today she stood silently, staring up at his townhouse.
"Will you come with me?" he asked Alex. "I'm a little nervous about what's in there." He gulped, an idea taking hold in his mind. "What if I've got a wife and kids that I can't remember?"
His stomach twisted as he looked down at Alex. She hadn't merely rescued him that morning at the library—she'd given Isaac hope at his lowest point.
Isaac thought back to yesterday's kiss. He wasn't sure about his past, but he could see Alex in his future. She was worth fighting for. Worth fitting into whatever life he had forgotten.
"Isaac Whitner has never been married," Officer Wells said. "You might have a girlfriend, but you don’t have a wife."
Isaac shook his head, closing his eyes as he heard Alex let out a sharp breath.
"I think you’re right. When I try to picture a woman, all I can see is…
” He paused, then opened his eyes to stare at Alex.
"I want you in my life," he declared, praying that she felt the same way.
"I need to tell you that, before we figure out who I am. "
To his surprise, Alex stepped backward and raised her hands. "You can't make promises like that. Gabby's right. You could be committed to someone else."
The officer looked between them and frowned, her forehead furrowing into deep worry lines. "I'll give you two a few minutes alone. Isaac, do you mind if I walk through your house to make sure it's safe?"
Isaac chuckled and tossed the keys back to her. "My name's on the mortgage, but I don't remember this place. Make yourself at home."
Officer Wells entered the house. Isaac was strangely detached from the situation—he didn't recognize this neighborhood, this town, or anything about his past.
He couldn't remember the car parked in front of his house, either. The police had returned his vehicle, but they couldn't restore his memories. All he knew was Alex.
"I'm serious," he said, reaching for Alex's hand. "You're special to me. I don't want you to walk away. We'll make this work."
Alex tugged her hand out of his, shaking her head as she fought back tears. "I'm happy for you. This is what we wanted—for you to find yourself. But please don't make promises."
Isaac gently wrapped his arm around Alex, pressing a light kiss to her forehead. "We'll see. No matter what happens, thank you for saving me."
Alex let out a laugh, brushing away a stray tear as she stepped out of his arms. "We're your friendly public library. We help people find what they need. It's just what we do."
Isaac chuckled, overcome by the absurdity of the situation.
Alex started to giggle, too. They were still laughing when Officer Wells walked out of the townhouse and gestured them forward.
"Everything looks fine. Let's see if the house triggers any memories.
I found a few things that look promising. "
This time Alex reached for Isaac's hand, holding on tightly as they moved toward the house. "Let's find out who you are."
Alex
Alex couldn't stop her grin as they walked inside the house. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled the front room. "I guess you do like books."
Isaac laughed, pulling her forward to run his hands along the spines. "No wonder I felt so at home in your library. I had a secret stash of books waiting for me."
She glanced through the titles, noting Isaac’s eclectic taste in novels. There were plenty of well-read classics here, along with a pile of paperback thrillers and hardcover children's books.
Gabby cleared her throat, causing them both to turn around. "I found this, too. We know where you work now." She held a lanyard with Isaac's name on it. "Fairview Falls Elementary School" was printed at the top.
"You're a teacher!" Alex exclaimed, nodding her head. They might not have all the pieces of Isaac's life yet, but this was real progress. "No wonder you're good with kids. And summer break would explain why no one reported you missing."
The radio on Gabby's jacket crackled to life, announcing a multi-vehicle accident on the outskirts of Sunset Cove.
Alex's eyes widened. She said a quick prayer that no one was hurt. Tourists got confused by the roundabout on the busier side of town—it was one reason she always took the back road.
Gabby looked up and grimaced. "I hate to cut this short, but we've got to go. They're asking for all available officers. Alex, do you want to follow me home?"
She glanced at Isaac, whose panic mirrored her own. It couldn't be time to leave. Isaac had just discovered another piece of his story.
This might be for the best, though. They'd rip off the bandage and let Isaac return to his real life. Alex didn't belong here.
"Unless Isaac wants you to stay," Gabby suggested, glancing between the two of them. "This is his house. I can't force either of you to come back with me."