Chapter 6
Leo awoke with a start, and his eyes popped open. 'What had woken him?' He silently asked him self as he rolled over to look at the clock. 5am the red lights read. He would need to get up soon anyway. Puzzled, he tired to pinpoint what exactly had disturbed his slumber. Sifting through various reasons his brain suddenly latched onto something. What day it was. Swallowing hard, he wanted to just forget today's date, but his mind had other intentions.
It was a year to the day he left San Francisco and left Piper. Instantly a vision of her crossed through his mind's eye. He struggled to push in back to its resting-place. A place in his heart he had locked away. A place that would always belong to Piper, but would forever be kept buried deep inside his heart. Sometimes it was hard to believe it had been so long, almost like another lifetime. Other times it seemed like it was only yesterday. Laying there in the dark he let his mind go and allowed memories to flood through him.
That fateful day would never leave him as long as he lived. Even though he knew it had been the right thing to do, it still was the most difficult. Getting on a bus headed north. He rode until he reached the upper most part of California. Not ready to leave the state completely, he got off in the tiny town of Hydeville. He had to admit he liked the small sleepy burg he picked. He also lucked out as far as employment. After only a day in town he was able to find work at a local bed and breakfast doing handyman work.
Ellen Rogers was the owner of the establishment and she agreed to give him a chance even though he had no references. Not only did she supply him with a job, but also she had saved him emotionally as well. They quickly became friends and after several months they had taken their relationship to the next step and had become lovers. His relationship with Ellen was in no way comparable to that which he had with Piper, however it was a nice comfortable arrangement. Because of Ellen, he was able to move forward and not dwell as much on the past. In fact days would go by without him thinking of Piper or the life he left behind.
Today however, was different. Today he would let himself think of her. Her beautiful image appeared immediately and it was crystal clear as if he had just recently seen her instead of it being a year ago. At first he simply let himself enjoy the image, while he studied every feature. Picturing her laughing, her frowning, and even her crying. Visualize her in full witch mode, freezing and vanquishing demons. Lastly he felt her lips against his and her snuggled deep within his arms. The image dissolved into a picture of her with Dan. He was sure they were married by now. Was she happy? Did she ever think of him as he did her? His throat became clogged with emotion and he knew he had to cease in his wanderings. Giving his head a mental shake, the scenes in his head began to fade and return to the dark recess of his heart. Even after all this time, it still hurt. Feeling movement next to him, he gathered the hurt and shoved it deep down inside.
A voice beside him in bed asked, "Are you okay honey?"
Looking over he put on a fake smile. "Yeah, fine."
Piper sat at the kitchen table a half- empty cup of coffee sat to one side. She was reading over the latest report she had received. It pretty much read like so many others in the past. 'No new progress at this time.' Staring at the words, she felt the familiar feeling of disappointment fill her. Maybe it was time to give up she thought. It had been a year and she still was no closer to locating Leo. When she first began her search she had enlisted the help of Darryl, unofficially that was since it technically was not a missing person's case. After a few months went by without success, Darryl suggested she hire a private investigator. Seven months later and her pocketbook smaller she was still no closer to finding him.
"Hey honey." Prue greeted as she entered the room.
"Hey."
Looking over her sister's shoulder, Prue inquired, "Another report?"
"Yeah, same as all the others." Piper answered back as she folded the piece of paper back up. "I think maybe it's time to give up."
With a serious light in her eyes, Prue sat down across the table. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I mean it's been a year Prue. How much more can I do? He's gone and I think it's time I just accepted it."
Her older sister's heart went out to her. It had been a really rough time for Piper. She still had trouble believing what had happened. Talk about bad timing. If Piper had only made her decision about Leo a day earlier, she would have saved all this heartache. "You know Phoebe and I will support whatever you decide."
A small smile spread across Piper's lips. "I know. You guys have been really great. I'd never have made it through without you. I'm going to give the agency a call this afternoon and tell them to stop looking. Guess it just wasn't meant to be."
The phone ringing interrupted the conversation. Rising to her feet, Piper answered it. "Hello? Yes? Oh, hi. What?" There was a long pause while Prue's curiosity began to peak. "Oh my God. Are you kidding? Yes, yes as soon as possible would be good. Thank you, thank you so much." Piper hung up the phone; a dazed expression filled her face.
Prue's curiosity turned to concern. "Piper, are you all right?"
Casting her eyes to her sister, she nodded slowly. "That was the private detective. He thinks he found Leo."
It was the last thing Prue was expecting. "Are you serious? That's great sweetie!"
"He's coming over right now with pictures to make sure it's really Leo. Oh God Prue, I think this is real."
Coming over, Prue wrapped her arms around her middle sister. "I know, but let's not get too worked up until we know for sure. Want me to wait with you?"
"Please." Piper replied while she held tight to her hopes.
Fifteen minutes later Alex Soto, Private Investigator arrived. The sisters led him into the conservatory.
"I sure hope I'm bringing good news Miss Halliwell. I took these from my car, so they are a bit fuzzy and from a distance."
Piper had been holding her breath as he produced a large manila envelope. Reaching for Prue's hand, she clutched tight while he lay the photos out on the table. 'It was him! It was Leo!' her mind screamed. The investigator had been right, the pictures where not very clear, but there was no mistaking who it was. They had found him. Picking one of them up, she smiled at the familiar plaid flannel shirt he wore and tool belt slung low on his denim- clad hips. He looked so good to her starved eyes. Another photo had him repairing a door to a quiet looking house.
Since her sister was too absorbed with the photographs, Prue took over. "So where is he?"
Taking out a notebook, he flipped through some pages. "Let's see, he's up in Northern California in the small town of Hydeville. He's currently working for an Ellen Rogers, owner of a bed and breakfast. He's been there about a year." Tearing the piece of paper out, he handed it to Prue. "Here's the address and everything I could find out."
"We appreciate all your hard work Mr. Soto. Still can't believe you found him. We were about to give up hope."
"I know, I was pretty discouraged myself. Hope this helps you out."
Prue sent him a huge smile. "Oh, I've no doubt it will. I'll see you to the door."
Two days later found Prue and Piper on their way to Hydeville. Phoebe had desperately wanted to join them, but it was finals week and she couldn't miss them. Piper had remained quiet through most of the drive. Too busy going over in her head what she wanted to say when she saw him. There were various scenarios to choose from, she just needed the right one. Her mind still couldn't believe she would be seeing Leo soon. The thought brought a warm feeling to every part of her body.
Ellen Rogers was a petite woman of twenty- nine. She had short auburn hair, hazel eyes, a bright smile and a soft heart. She had owned the bed and breakfast for the past six years and it had always seemed enough for her. That all changed when Leo Wyatt walked into her life a year ago. He had answered her add for a handyman position and after that first meeting she knew she wanted more. Immediately she had fallen for the soft- spoken man with his gentle eyes and wonderful smile. Knowing his attractiveness was not just something on the outside, but on the inside as well.
In the beginning she sensed he was recovering from something painful. After a few months developing a friendship, he had confessed about the woman he had left behind and the reason he had. Her heart ached at the pain still evident in his green eyes when he spoke of it. All through that time she was secretly hoping he would move on and maybe form some small affection for her. As time went by he started to heal and their friendship became more. She loved him with all she had, but was under no illusion that although he cared for her; he would never love her as he did the woman he had left behind. Ever practical, Ellen would take what she could get. It was enough for her.
Standing by the front window, she looked out across the well- landscaped yard. Life for her was pretty darn good at the moment. Then she felt warm arms encircle her from behind and soft lips pressing against the back of her neck. Shutting her eyes, she leaned back basking in the joy of his embrace.
"Whatcha thinking about?" Leo asked, as he placed his chin on her shoulder.
"Just how lucky I am."
"We both are." He countered, turning her so she faced him and gave her a gentle kiss. "I need to go put more stain on the last door and then it's ready to go up."
"Great, how about we go out for dinner tonight?"
"Sounds good. I should be done in an hour or so." Giving her one more quick kiss, he left to finish his project.