Lost and Found – By Tori Mitchell #5
Isaac bobbed his head, ducking into the next room. "My kitchen is through here," he called. "I'm pretty sure I have coffee. And a coffee pot." He chuckled, finally finding humor in the situation. "At least, I hope so."
Alex shook her head and laughed with Isaac. "If it's okay with Gabby, I'd love to stay and have a cup of coffee."
"By all means," the officer said, gesturing toward the kitchen as she reached for her radio. "I'm calling in my location. Text me if you need anything."
Gabby closed the door behind her, leaving Alex and Isaac alone. Alex's heart pounded painfully. They'd been mostly silent this morning, unsure of what today would bring—suspended between yesterday’s midday kiss and an unknown future.
Was this cup of coffee Isaac's way of saying goodbye?
To her relief, Isaac seemed comfortable in his own kitchen. He didn't hesitate as he found coffee grounds and mugs in the cupboard, quickly brewing drinks for them.
He peered into the fridge and wrinkled his nose. "We both like creamer, but I'm not sure how old this stuff is." Isaac pulled out a bottle and sniffed it, then walked it straight to the trash. "I should go shopping today."
Alex nodded, happy that Isaac was settling in. This was for the best, she reminded herself. It was time to leave. "I'm going home after this cup of coffee," she announced. "You don't need me now. I’ll let you get back to your old life."
But to her surprise, Isaac shook his head and looked at her with wild eyes. "I don't know where the grocery store is. That's my car out front, but I don't remember which key starts it." He closed his eyes, tightening his fists with frustration. "How can I jump into a life that I don't remember?"
Alex sighed, making herself comfortable in the kitchen chair. She'd give almost any reason to leave, but Isaac was right. She couldn't leave him like this. Until he got his memory back, or found people who knew him, she'd need to set aside her feelings and help him.
"John"
Isaac hid a sigh of relief. Alex was staying. Together, they could figure this out. They made a good team.
He'd find out who he was, and keep Alex in his life. Somehow.
Isaac held his cup of coffee, taking a second look at the fridge.
It wasn't the inside of the appliance that interested him now—he'd noticed that photos covered the surface.
In each picture, smiling children and bookshelves surrounded him.
"I think... I think I work in a library.
The school library." He scrunched his eyes closed, colorful books and bean bag chairs filling his memories.
Children's voices echoed off walls, like ghosts whispering from the past.
Alex rushed to his side and slipped an arm through his. "That's wonderful!" She cleared her throat, dropping her arm as she took a step backward. "I mean, it's great that you work in a library. But I'm happier you're remembering things. That's a good sign."
Isaac frowned as he looked down at Alex, already missing the warmth of her touch. She was distancing herself, and he couldn’t stop it. "I can't remember much more," he admitted, wishing Alex was still in his arms. "I'm only getting bits and pieces."
"The doctor says that's how it works," she reminded him, busying herself at the kitchen sink.
Alex dumped the rest of her coffee down the drain and grabbed a dishrag, quickly washing her mug.
"Look, this is awkward. I don't know if I'm helping your memories or hurting them. You need some time to wander around your house. Alone. We can look up your boss’s name at the school, and you can connect with him.
" Alex sighed and looked up at him, a sad smile filling her face.
"I'm not part of your past. I can't help you remember your life. "
I want you in my future, though , Isaac thought. His heart beat faster as he watched Alex slip further out of reach.
He understood what Alex was saying—they couldn't be together until he found his memories. It wasn't right. And “Isaac”–-a name he still couldn’t associate with himself—must have people missing him.
They both looked up as someone knocked on the door.
"Maybe it's Officer Wells," Isaac said, hopeful that the police officer was here to announce there was a mistake.
This house didn't feel like his home. He wanted to be back in Sunset Cove.
To walk the aisles of Alex's library, help her reshelve books and work with patrons.
Isaac strode toward the door, eager to welcome the officer back into his home. But it wasn't Gabby Wells who was knocking.
A pretty young woman stood at the door. She had a wide smile on her face, like she was eager to see Isaac back in Fairview Falls.
Isaac's heart stuttered. Was this woman part of his past? He couldn't dump an old girlfriend to be with Alex. Even if he didn't remember the person in front of him, the guilt would eat him alive. He couldn't destroy someone else's life because he'd forgotten his own.
But he couldn’t live without Alex, either.
"Isaac!" she said, reaching out to smack him on the shoulder. "Did you have a nice vacation? Your mail and newspapers are at my house. Just let me know before you leave next time, okay? The kids were worried about you."
Isaac's eyes widened at the mention of children. Was he a father? "Of course," he said, his brow furrowing as he tried to ask the right questions. "I'm sorry. I'm..." Isaac took a deep breath, realizing there was no way to say this gracefully. "Who are you?"
The woman laughed, her eyes sparkling merrily. "You weren't answering my texts. Now this? You're a funny guy."
Alex rushed forward, holding out her hand. "Do you know Isaac?"
She tilted her head to the side. "Of course I do.
We've been neighbors for five years. He was my sons' favorite teacher.
They love living next door to him. My name's Jesenia," she said, reaching out to shake Alex's hand as her face stretched in a wide grin.
"My husband thinks he keeps the kids in line. I'm not so sure about that."
Isaac let out a sigh of relief. Jesenia wasn't his girlfriend. He still could make things work with Alex.
All Isaac needed was the rest of his memories, and to convince Alex that last week hadn't been a fling.
Alex
Alex shook hands with Jesenia, relieved that she wasn't here to stake a claim on Isaac.
Not that Alex had any claim on him, either.
Was it hot in here? Alex felt the sudden need to get out of this small space.
"I was about to take Isaac to the store.
He needs a new cell phone and some groceries.
Then I've got to get home." She forced a smile on her face as she turned to Isaac.
"I'll give you my number in case you need anything, but it's time to get back to your own life. You've got people to help you here."
Jesenia's eyes widened as she looked between them. "Is something wrong, Isaac? I thought this was your new girlfriend."
Alex choked back a laugh—not because the situation was funny, but because both women had come to the same faulty conclusion. She glanced at Isaac. It wasn't her place to tell his story.
"I was in an accident," Isaac said, rubbing a hand over his hair. "I couldn't remember where I lived, or who I was. We’re figuring things out, though."
Jesenia closed her eyes, then stepped forward to wrap both Isaac and Alex in a hug.
She pulled back, keeping a hand on each of their arms. "That's horrible!
Isaac, we'll do whatever we can to help you.
I'm disappointed, though." Jesenia chuckled and smiled at Alex.
"I really did hope you were together. Isaac's been single for a long time. "
Alex felt her hopes rise for a moment, then sighed. Isaac had a life in Fairview Falls. She would help him get settled, then give him the space he needed to move forward. She had no right to insert herself into a stranger's life—even if walking away would break her heart.
A quick web search and a chat with Jesenia helped her narrow down the best place to replace Isaac's phone. It didn't take long to drive to the store for a temporary number and fresh food. It took even less time to situate him at home with his new phone and friendly neighbor.
Then she stood on the sidewalk, staring up at the townhouse. It seemed like the type of place Isaac would live—and not too different from Sunset Cove. She nodded toward the house and smiled. "You're not lost anymore. Call me if you need anything, okay?" Alex reached out and squeezed Isaac's hand.
He held her hand, lifting it up to brush a kiss on her knuckles.
"I'll ask my neighbor for help filling in the blanks.
" He gestured toward the dented black sedan the police had recovered and returned to his house.
"Now that I have my car back, I can take it from here.
But even though I can't remember some things, I'll never forget what you've done. "
Alex fought back tears as she gave Isaac a shaky smile. "You'll figure out your past. I'm just a random stranger you found along the way."
She held her breath as Isaac leaned in and brushed away her tears, leaving a gentle kiss on her cheek. Then Isaac turned away and walked back into his house—and out of her life.
Alex
Alex wandered the shelves of the Sunset Cove Memorial Library, carefully rehoming each book on her cart.
She let out a small laugh as she thought about Isaac doing the same thing in his own library. He'd texted her a few times this week. Isaac was piecing his life back together. He'd even sent her a picture of his school library. Being back at work had helped him tremendously.
Who would have thought that the bloodied, scared man who wandered through her doors a few weeks ago was a librarian? But maybe that's why he had found her library in the first place—for both of them, the shelves and stacks of books were a second home.
Alex returned to her desk and checked her phone for messages. Nothing. She was happy that Isaac had found himself, but it hurt to be left behind.
She shook her head. Where had that come from? He didn't leave me behind. Isaac was never part of my life.
For a short while, she'd hoped for more. That was a foolish thought, though. It was time for them both to move forward. All she could do was pray that she'd done enough to help Isaac—and that they both found happiness.
She brushed aside a stray tear as the doorbell chimed, forcing a fake smile for her patrons. It grew into a broad grin when she saw who was in the doorway.
It was Isaac.
Alex blinked away her tears and called out a friendly greeting. "Welcome back! I hope you're here under better circumstances."
Isaac strode forward with confidence, a determined look on his face. "I remember."
"You remember what?" Alex asked, pushing back from her desk. "You remember being here? I hope so." Her heart dropped. What if Isaac was still having memory problems?
But Isaac quickly pushed those worries aside. "I remember everything. My students, my neighbors, my old life. Everything. But more importantly, I remember meeting you." His voice softened as he walked around the desk, reaching out to brush the hair off her face. "I can't get you out of my head."
Alex flushed a deep red as she looked into Isaac's warm eyes. "I'm glad things worked out," she stuttered, suddenly aware of how close they were standing. "But I'm not someone most people remember."
Isaac seemed to recognize her discomfort.
He stood back and grinned sheepishly. "I'm doing this wrong.
Let me introduce myself." He held out his hand.
When their palms touched, he held tight and brushed a thumb across the back of her hand.
"My name is Isaac Whitner. My friends call me Ike.
I'm a school librarian at Fairview Falls Elementary School.
" He gently pumped her arm up and down. "It's nice to meet you. This is a lovely library."
Alex chuckled, returning Isaac's grasp. "It's nice to meet you, Ike. Now we know why you like libraries so much."
He nodded, cradling her hand as he continued.
"I do like libraries, very much. They bring people together.
You can build an entire community around the power of stories.
They're a safe-haven for people who need to escape reality—or in my case, find my way back to reality. That's what brought me here."
He took a deep breath and shook his head. "But I'm doing this all wrong. I came here for a favor."
Alex's eyes widened as she nodded. "Anything," she blurted out, her face reddening again at her forwardness. "I mean, how can I help you?"
Ike chuckled, seeming amused at her reaction.
"I've made a mistake. I was so focused on finding myself that I forgot something.
Someone." He raised her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her fingers before giving her a shy smile.
"Can you forgive me? Now that I know my name, I'd like to start over. May I take you out to dinner tonight?"
Alex bit back a grin and nodded, her heart nearly bursting with joy. "I'd like that. I was about to close the library, if you can wait."
"I'll help," he said, reaching around her to tug out the rolling cart. He put a hand to his chest when he saw it was empty. "I'm hurt. You shelved all the books without me."
Alex laughed, still in disbelief that Ike had come back. "I'll save a few next time. Just call before you stop by."
Together they turned off the library's computers, then shut down the lights. Alex had trouble keeping the smile off her face—it was nice to have company again. She worked so many hours alone, with only the books and her patrons to keep her company.
Maybe it wasn't a coincidence that Ike had wandered into her library. Fate had pushed them together at just the right time.
He reached for her hand as they walked out of the library, pulling her in for a tender kiss under the awning. Alex responded eagerly, her heart nearly bursting with joy.
Alex had a feeling they would never be lonely or lost again.
Tori Mitchell writes clean, contemporary romance with lots of small-town heart and a dash of faith. She is the author of the Sunset Cove series.
Tori lives with her husband and two children in Pennsylvania. When she’s not reading, writing, or checking out books from her local library, you’ll find Tori growing absurd amounts of rhubarb and tomatoes in her garden.