Page 83 of The Haunting of Lockton

Paxton smiled down at the table. When our food arrived, he took the top bun off his burger and removed the pickles before setting them on the side of my basket. He could’ve ordered his burger without them. Why…

Then, it hit me. He’d told me he didn’t like pickles, and I had said I’d eat his. How silly to be so giddy over something that small, but I couldn’t help it. Just like how I couldn’t help the wild fluttering in my chest when his bourbon-colored eyes lifted to mine.

How many more times would he look at me like that?

Don’t think about it right now.

As we ate, Paxton and Julian talked about Lockton and tossed around theories about who Roy’s lover might’ve been. Several names had popped up during their research, and the mystery dude could’ve been any one of them.

After lunch, I paid the bill, and the three of us exited the diner. The day was warmer than it had been as of late, and I appreciated the slight reprieve from the cold. I wasn’t ready for winter.

Winter brought on too many bad memories.

The downtown area wasn’t too busy, so foot traffic was low as we moved down the sidewalk at a leisurely pace. Thanksgiving was less than two weeks away, but everywhere was already decked out in Christmas.

“Poor turkey,” I said, glancing at storefront windows with decorated trees and depictions of Santa. “Little guy gives his life so people can stuff their faces, and everyone focuses more on the big guy in the suit.”

“I like it,” Julian said with a soft smile.

He always had. Despite not really having a close-knit family, my brother loved the holidays, especially Christmas. Thedecorations, the lights, and the music. I remembered what he’d said on the drive to Ivy Grove, that he wanted to try to have a real Thanksgiving this year.

I’d do all I could to make it happen for him.

We reached the courtyard smack-dab in the center of downtown and stopped. A massive tree stood centered within it, fully decorated with red, blue, and green ornaments. Vibrantly colored trees surrounded it, some of which had already lost their leaves. Benches were placed throughout, and a fountain added a soothing trickle of water.

“Are you two investigating again tonight?” Paxton asked.

Julian nodded. “After researching today, I’m set on trying to contact Roy. He showed himself to us once. Hopefully he does so again.”

“Will you come with us?” I asked.

“I can’t,” Paxton answered. “I’m giving a tour of Bellview tonight and won’t be home until late. But let me know how it goes.”

“Will do.” Any reason to talk to him was one I’d jump at. A huge change for me to be so crazy about someone, but I wasn’t letting myself think too much on it. Or how much it would hurt when it ended.

“I get off at four tomorrow. You two can come back over for dinner if you want, and we can go over more evidence.” The huge old-timey clock in the courtyard chimed on the hour, and Paxton tipped his head up to look at it. “I should get going, or I’ll be late for work.”

“I’ll text you tonight,” I said.

When his gaze locked onto mine, the sun hit the brown irises to perfection. Within the pools of bourbon, I saw something tender. It was a tenderness I felt in my own chest. “I look forward to it.”

He then turned and left the courtyard. I stared after him, conflicting emotions stirring inside me.

Julian put his hands in his jacket pockets. “I’m going to miss this place when we leave.”

“Yeah. Me too.” But not nearly as much as I’d miss the auburn-haired tour guide I couldn’t get out of my head. “We plan on staying here for a while longer, right? I mean, even when we’re done investigating, we’ll need to review footage and edit episodes for the show.”

My brother regarded me. “This seems as good a place as any to take a small break afterward too. I think we both need some time off.”

I tried not to let my eagerness show and focused on the big Christmas tree. “Yeah, for sure. But we can talk more about it later. Gotta uncover more of Lockton’s secrets first.”

“Hey, Sky?”

I looked at him.

“I…” Julian shook his head. “Never mind. How about some ice cream? I didn’t get a milkshake at the diner and regret it now.”

“Don’t need to ask me twice. Lead the way.”