AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 12
Caleb
“If you need anything, just give me a call,” says Clay as he throws our last bags in the trunk of my truck.
Aria is walking out of my house with my mom. She looks a lot better than she did a couple of hours ago. I was worried about her mental health when I first heard her talking about the way she should have been killed as well.
“Thanks, bro. Keep me updated.”
“I will. Now, get out of here. Amber and Liam will follow behind. Mike has already taken off to check out the place.”
“Remember to relax and just enjoy this time together,” says my mom as she hugs me tightly.
I nod. I open the passenger door for Aria, and she climbs in easily. Just over a week ago, she would have struggled to get in my truck on her own. I salute my mom and brother and get into the driver’s seat. I reach over and take Aria’s hand in mine. I try to give her some encouragement that we’re doing the right thing. She’s safe, and I won’t let anything happen to her.
The quicker we get to my parents’ holiday home, the better it will be for us all.
***
The drive out of here to Salt Lake has been a good one. Aria fell asleep about an hour ago. It was good to see her relaxed enough to sleep peacefully. The farther we got away from the compound, the more I saw her settle.
I pull up and see Mike sitting on a chair in the corner of my porch. He holds up his thumb and signals that everything is good to go. I get out of the truck and close the door quietly. Amber and Liam are just getting out of the truck behind me.
“Wow! This is beautiful.” Amber looks out to the lake.
“It’s even prettier at sunrise,” I say. “Mike has everything set up in the back of the house. He’ll update you all accordingly. I just want to make sure security is as tight as can be. No slacking for the duration.”
“Got it, boss,” say Amber and Liam in unison.
I open Aria’s door slowly, careful not to startle her. I really don’t want to wake her up, but if I carry her and she wakes up in strange surroundings, that will set off a panic attack, and I can’t leave her out here.
“Aria.” I stroke her cheek softly, tucking her hair behind her ear.
She stirs, coming to slowly. She straightens up and sees me standing beside her.
“Hey, sleepyhead.” I smile.
“How long was I asleep?”
“About an hour. You looked exhausted. Come on. Let’s get inside and you can lie on the couch while I heat up dinner.”
She nods. I help her step down from my truck since she just woke up. The last thing I want is any accidents when we’ve just got here.
“I forgot how beautiful it is out here. So peaceful.” She closes her eyes and rests her head on my arm. “Can you remember that time we came out here when we were about fourteen? We went out on the fishing boat with Clay and Chris, and Clay deliberately tipped us over. We all had to pull the boat back and swim. You gave Clay a dead arm on the bank when we got back. Your dad separated you both.”
I chuckle. I do remember. I remember a lot of good moments where Aria and my brothers are concerned.
“It was anything but peaceful when we were out here as kids.” I shake my head. “Clay has grown up… slightly.”
“He’s still funny though. Those were the good old days. The days that I still remember.”
“Me too, babe.” I kiss her forehead.
We enter the cabin and I take her jacket from her and hang it up. Mike has a roaring fire set and the cabin feels homely. I haven’t been out here since I was eighteen. It never felt right coming back out here without Aria. It’s the perfect holiday home in the middle of nowhere.
“Let me heat up dinner. I’m awake now.” She pats my arm and heads to the kitchen.
I stand, watching the space she gracefully moves through. Maybe we will get through this terrible time.
A text comes through on my cell.
From Clay – Spencer arrives home on Thursday. He needs to see Aria. I said Chris and I would bring him out to the cabin on Friday for the weekend. There’s enough room, right?”
I forgot all about Aria’s brother.
To Clay – Yeah, we’ll make room. Let me know your ETA and I’ll prepare Aria for it.
Friday is three days away. That gives me three days to make Aria feel more at ease here. I plan on trying to relax, have some fun, and just live for the moment. I’ve kind of forgotten what it feels like to enjoy life.
If anything transpires with the case back home, my brothers know where to find us. I trust that they can run things without me being there. We make a good team, and I can’t imagine not working with them now.
