A Fresh Start Read Online Free PDF

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    He didn’t know why he was bothered about her safety. But he was. He couldn’t leave her alone in the house.
    She might not be fearful of ghosts, but she was definitely afraid of something.  
    “Another lightning strike might take out the lights again. What are you going to do then?” He took the umbrella leaning by the wall and closed the door behind him. “Let’s go. Your luggage is getting wet.”
    “Oh, all right.”
    She scooted under the umbrella and they headed back to the Seymours’ house.  
    The lights must have gone out in the their house, too. Through the windows, Justin could see the warm lights glowing within.
    As they stepped up to the door, Paige took the umbrella from him. “Were you even sheltering yourself?” she asked, her eyes staring at the water dripping down his hand.
    He brushed the water off, splattering them over the deck. “It’s nothing,” he assured and knocked on the door.
    Mr. Seymour opened the door and smiled at them. “Lights went out?”
    “Yeah. Can she stay here tonight? She doesn’t have any candles and all.”
    Mrs. Seymour peered out from behind her husband. “Of course, we were going to ask her to do that anyway. Come in,” she chimed. “You’re all wet.”
    Justin and Paige entered, and he heard Paige sigh as she rubbed her palms against her arms. “I’ll get some towels.”
    “Victor, get them some towels. I’ll get more candles.” Mrs. Seymour tipped her chin toward the couch. “Sit. Hot tea? Coffee?”
    “I’m fine, thanks,” Paige said.
    Justin set Paige’s luggage by the door and headed into the kitchen with Mrs. Seymour. “Am I still allowed to take whatever I want?” he asked, already opening the cabinet where the hot chocolate used to be.
    Mrs. Seymour laughed softly. “We don’t have any hot chocolate.”
    He wasn’t expecting there to be any, but all her tea and coffee used to be kept there as well. And they still were “Coffee is fine. You want anything?”
    “I just made myself a cup of tea before the lights went out. I’m sure the water is still hot.”
    Taking out a packet of coffee and a sachet of tea, he placed them into two separate cups.
    “I thought Paige says she doesn’t want anything.”
    “I think she just doesn’t want to trouble you.”
    “You got to know her so well from the less than thirty minutes you spent at her house?” Mrs. Seymour arched a brow. “She’s a pretty girl.”
    Justin shook his head. “Do you know what’s her story?”
    “So you are interested?”
    He took the kettle from the stove and poured the still hot water into the cups. “You should’ve seen her when the lights went out.”
    “She’s a little jumpy. Victor says she got a shock when he called out to her this morning.” Mrs. Seymour gathered five candles in her hands. “I don’t know why, though. Like Victor said, she doesn’t like to talk about her past.”
    He nodded, and Mrs. Seymour turned to leave the kitchen. He took his coffee and the cup of tea, then returned to the living room.
    Paige had a dry towel over her shoulders, but she was still rubbing her palms together.
    “Here, I’m not sure if you take coffee. I hope tea is fine.” He set the cup down on the coffee table.
    Her brows rose. “Thanks.”
    She handed him the towel next to her, picked up the cup, and cradled it in her hands.
    “Do me a favor.”
    “What?”
    “Ask for whatever you need, don’t be shy with them.”
    Paige stared at him for a moment, then smiled. “I will.”
    A corner of his lips snaked up, reflecting hers. Settling a seat away from her, he took a sip of his coffee while observing Paige. “Are you okay?”
    “Yeah.” She nodded. “I’m so sorry about just now.”
    “What were you so afraid of?”
    She set her cup down, twirling the ring on her index finger. He stared at the silver band with a small pink flower in the midst of a circle of white crystals. It wasn’t the kind of expensive and sophisticated designs that many