- The water heater is old and takes several minutes to warm up for showers. If you want to take a bath, you’ll have to come up to the Big Cabin.(As it happens, the shower has terrible water pressure anyway and I’m more inclined to take baths these days. Long baths.)
- No heat or AC. I can fix that if you want but, in the meantime, if you are cold, I will build you a fire in the wood-burning stove. Or there is a fireplace and the perfect couch for reading up at the Big Cabin.(I often forget to start the fire.)
- You can have guests if you want, anytime you want.(Dad is already planning his trip.)
- I installed new internet so you have your own router and password.(I never thought I’d see the day.)
- Amenities include stove, refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave, washer/dryer. I will provide you with whatever else you need. Just ask and it’s yours.(The power is going to my head. What if I just want you?)
- The last tenant left major shoes to fill. I hope you like long conversations about everything and anything, but somehow notnothingand late-night work sessions listening to my “sad college kid rock.”(I have missed it all so much.)
- Be as loud as you need to be, take as long as you need to when working. When you come back to earth, I will be waiting for you.(Whenever I leave, I will always come back to my home. And I can be very, very loud.)
- There are no locked doors. Big and Little Cabin are both yours. You can lock doors if you need a break from me.(But unlocked doors mean surprise visits in the bath …)
- If you take a walk, take me with you. Or at least proper supplies.(You get lost one time …)
- This is wild land. There are wild animals and unpredictable weather. I will protect you and take care of you.(I know you will.)
- Ripley will still come and go as she likes. I have no control over that.(As she should.)
- You are welcome at Big Cabin anytime. (Oh, be careful what you offer.)
- You can book Little Cabin for as long or as short as you need. You will always have a home with me.(Hmm, I’m thinking indefinitely.)
- If ever anything changes, I will let you know. If we need to talk, I will talk. If you need time, I will wait. If you need clear rulesand lists, we will make them. I promise to stay with you while you work through what you are feeling.(Thank you. I am working on embracing my emotions, but I will be clear when I need time. I will help you talk about whatever is on your mind and make sure you don’t get stuck in any feelings too long. Tell me what you are thinking, and I will listen. Rules be damned, just talk to me. Okay, actually, even typing that made me nervous. I’m not there yet; I still need lists and clear boundaries, and that might never change.)
- You should know you are the only applicant for this rental. I will not be accepting any others at this time, but you can take as long as you need to decide.(You should know that I am already here.)
I love you. See you soon,
Claire
Chapter 34
Levi
I rereadthe last line of the email that I just received from Claire. And then read it all again.
You should know that I’m already here.
I scrubbed at my eyes as the growing realization hit me. I sat up in bed, only in boxers. When I left her last night, I drove throughout the night and slept most of the day. It hadn’t even been twelve hours since I left her. And she was here?
I reread the email again.
As fast as I could, I pulled on pants and a jacket, tripping over a confused and cranky Ripley. She barked but followed me as I made my way to the front door, sensing the growing excitement in my clumsy rushing.
I bolted out of the house and flailed down the hill. Parked infront of Little Cabin was Claire, standing out in front of a rental truck. She wore the same clothes she had on last night and leaned against the truck, arms crossed, a soft smile on her face and tired but happy eyes. The sun was just coming over the trees behind her, glowing like a beacon in front of Little Cabin.
I skidded to a stop in front of her. “Claire.” I said her name like a sigh.
“Hi,” she said, gifting me with her dimples.
“You’re here.”
“I am.”
It took everything in my power not to reach for her last night, not to hold her and beg her to come back with me. But it had to be her choice. She deserved to feel in control and choose the life she wanted. Only in my deepest, most secret wishes did I think she’d come straight here.
