CEO's Hidden Wife: The Memories We Keep

8 A New Town

Haley's POV

"Come on, Haleybug, keep up," my husband chuckled as I was struggling to match his pace. "Alice and Blake are already at the cabin"

"Will you slow down, Nate?" I said, panting hard. "My lungs aren't working."

Nate stopped walking and turned around to look at me. He had a small smile on his face and it was annoying. I still loved it though. I loved everything about him.

"It's your fault, Bug," he said, chuckling again. "You wanted to stay behind to watch the sunset."

I came to a halt and placed my hands on my hips, attempting to inhale deeply, but found it challenging to do so. I felt an intense burning sensation in my lungs.

"You know how much I love sunsets," I managed to mumble between my short, almost painful breaths.

I was really out of shape, but that wasn't surprising. I was in my first year of residency. I barely had time to sleep and eat, let alone work out.

"I do, my love," Nate chuckled as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "I will take you to see the sunset in every country on this planet."

I looked up at him and rolled my eyes playfully.

"Really?" I asked, grinning up at him. "Every country on this planet?"

Nate kissed the tip of my nose, making me shiver. I would never get enough of his lips on my body.

"Yes, Bug," he said, smiling softly. "We have our entire life to see each and every sunset on this planet and I will make sure that we do."

A sharp pain spread across my chest and my stomach.

We would never watch a sunset together again.

I clenched my jaw and gulped down the lump in my throat. I blinked away the tears. I promised myself that I wouldn't cry anymore.

But that seemed so hard now that I was sitting in my car alone with my thoughts and memories. Nate was a part of me. He was a part of my life, my body, and my soul. Memories of him were embedded in my heart. No matter how hard I tried, I would never forget him. It would never stop hurting.

I forced myself to focus on the road ahead of me. I glanced at the watch on my wrist. I would arrive in about half an hour.

I took a deep breath and released it slowly.

The drive from Seattle to Lynden wasn't a long one, but I was exhausted after everything that happened. I couldn't wait to reach the town, check into a hotel, and go to bed. I felt like I could sleep for days.

I decided to check into the first hotel I passed by. I would drive around the town tomorrow and check it out. I was hoping to find a long-term accommodation. Staying in a hotel would eat up my savings quite fast. I was also hoping to find a job soon. I did have some money saved up, but it wouldn't last long. My job search criteria were not specific. I was willing to take any opportunity that presented itself. I just wanted to work and keep busy. I knew that if I spent all day in my hotel room, I would constantly think about Nate and this whole moving-on thing would be so much harder.

I was planning on continuing my residency in Seattle, but I needed some time to heal. I would find a job in a hospital after a while. I wanted to become a surgeon. I loved my job and I loved working with people. I wouldn't just give that up. I just needed a little time.

The time flew by and before I knew it, I was driving into town. Lynden was a small and charming town and it had everything I needed. The picturesque surroundings left me awestruck and captivated as I drove through the lush, green landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. I couldn't wait to go on hikes and explore the beautiful nature that surrounded me.

A row of small yellow houses caught my eye. It was a motel called Windmill Inn. I took a right turn and parked in one of the empty spaces. There was only one other car parked in the parking lot so I didn't have trouble finding a place to park.

I took a deep breath before exiting my car. I still felt like I was dreaming. I still couldn't believe that I left him. I still couldn't believe that I was on the other end of the state, trying to start a new life.

I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and locked my car. It was a rental and I needed to return it in a month. That would give me enough time to buy myself a car.

I walked into the reception area and looked around. The place wasn't modern, but it was very charming and welcoming.

"Hello," I heard a polite voice. "Welcome to the Windmill Inn. How can I help you?"

I turned around and saw a man maybe a few years older than me. He had a small smile on his face and I found it relaxing. He looked very approachable and kind.

"Hello," I said with a small smile. "I would like to check in, please."

"Sure," the man smiled and looked at the laptop on his desk. "Cash or credit card?"

"Cash, please," I said as I approached the counter.

The man nodded and glanced up at me. He still had a small smile on his face and I was thankful to him. It made me less nervous.

"Are you here on a holiday?" he asked politely.

"No," I answered, giving him a small smile. "I am moving here."

His smile grew. "It is very nice to hear that, Miss..."

"Clark," I said, smiling back at him. "But, please, call me Haley."

Clark was my first foster parents' last name. It was a surname no one knew. I lived with the Clark family for the first five years of my life. Although I didn't remember much about them, I do recall how kind they were to me. However, I was given up by them, and my second foster family, the Riveras, changed my last name after taking me in. At the time Nate met me, I was residing in a group home and still had the last name of my second foster family.

"It is very nice to meet you, Haley," the man said kindly. "My name is Ryan and I am honored to welcome you to the Windmill Inn."

"Thank you, Ryan," I said. "I am happy to be here."

He stood up and walked around the counter.

"Let me show you to your room," he said as he opened the door for me. "Do you have a suitcase? Do you need help carrying it?"

"It's okay," I said as I walked through the open door. "It's not heavy."

After Ryan closed the door, he gave me a slight nod and patiently waited for me to get my suitcase from the car.

I followed him to one of the small yellow houses. He pulled out a key from his pocket and unlocked the door.

The room was cozy, with its tasteful decor and warm lighting. It featured a small kitchen equipped with a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a stovetop. The adjacent bathroom had a small shower, a sink, and a toilet.

I smiled as I looked around. This was all I needed. This would be a perfect start to my new life.

"You look excited," Ryan chuckled, making me look back at him. "That's the first time I saw someone being excited by our humble rooms."

He was leaning on the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest.

I smiled at him as I put my bag on the bed.

"I like it here," I said. "It has everything I need."

Ryan smiled at me. "I will let you get settled. Please let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you, Ryan," I said politely.

"I am happy to help," he said as he handed me the key to my room.

I took it from him and watched as he left my room and closed the door. He never stopped smiling and I was glad. His politeness made this a little bit easier.

I looked around the room again and took a deep breath. My heart and soul felt shattered, but I knew that it would get better. I would get better. I would find a job. I would enjoy the outdoors. I would start a new life and I would be okay. I would be happy again.

Nate would always be a part of me and I would never forget him or the love we shared. But I had to let him go. I had to move on. I had to start over.

I opened my suitcase and grabbed my pajama. I wanted to take a shower and sleep. I would go to town and search for a job first thing tomorrow morning.