Chapter Seven
PENNY
The soft glow of the morning sun filters through the windows. Yawning, I stretch my arms over my head. My neck is stiff from sleeping in an awkward position, and I tilt it from side to side to smooth out the kinks. The recliner was less than comfortable. I’d tossed and turned most of the night trying to avoid the springs poking into my butt. When I rise from the chair, my body protests like I’m a ninety-year-old woman.
I dread spending another night in that torture chair, but what other choice do I have? Sharing Lucas’ bed is not an option—not that he’d have me—and there’s no way I’m going back to that disgusting room at the bar. Maybe he’ll be kind enough to swap tonight. Yeah, right. I have a better chance of being a backup dancer for Beyoncé.
Lucas’ bed is empty, and he isn’t in the cabin. A noise draws me out onto the porch where I find him sitting on the top step putting water, supplies, and a camera into a backpack.
“Are you going somewhere?”
Lucas turns his head over his shoulder, gives me a quick glance, then continues packing. “I’m going on a hike.”
“That sounds fun. Give me a second to change and I’ll come with you.”
Standing, he flings the bag onto his back and slides his arms through the straps. “You’re not coming.” Without looking my way, he treks toward a footpath among the trees.
“Are you seriously going to leave me here on my own?” I call out to him. Anything can be lurking around the forest. Man or beast. I cross my arms over my chest and shiver. Scanning the area, I search for any predators.
“Yep,” he yells.
“What am I supposed to do?”
“Go find the hot spring with Mitch for all I care.” Then he disappears among the green foliage.
That’s not a bad idea. I’d love to go exploring. Working in the city doesn’t give me much of a chance to enjoy the great outdoors. But even if I had a way of contacting Mitch, he’s not the one I want to go hiking with. My mind drifts to Lucas and I immediately shake the image away. Nor do I want to go anywhere with Lucas. What was I thinking asking if I can tag along? The more time we spend apart, the better.
Back inside the cabin, I open my luggage to change. I pluck through the clothes I packed for my honeymoon. The only outfits I have are suitable for the beach and fancy restaurants. Nothing appropriate for trekking through the woods. So I choose floral shorts with an oversized, white linen shirt. I tie the shirt into a knot at my waist and slip my feet into sandals.
Unable to put off using the outhouse any longer, I head outside. I find it nestled among shrubs, and I hesitate for a second before tentatively opening the door. I search for a light switch, but there isn’t one. The only light is coming from theopen door. Once I see that it’s free from any creatures, I quickly do my business—with the door open, there’s no way I’m closing it with no light—and head back inside.
I get my first proper look at the small space. Lined along one wall is a stone fireplace blackened with use. An old log is used as a mantel with a set of antlers hanging above. The wooden floors are scuffed from what looks like frequent use, and the limited furniture is mismatched. A small, dark blue kitchen with a pale timber counter and stove fill out a corner. The place is dusty, a little grimy, but cozy.
With Lucas gone, I sink onto the bed and look around. What am I supposed to do now? He said he’s gone hiking. That could take hours…or days! No, he only had a backpack. He had no camping equipment. He’ll be back today.
My gaze drifts to the window, and I spot his car. Maybe I can go into town, and then I can make calls. Claudia and my mother must be worried sick about me. Getting to my feet, I search the cabin for the keys. When I come up empty, I check his car in case he left them in there. It’s locked. I drop my hands on my hips and blow out a breath. Why would he take them? Did he think I’d leave him here? I giggle. He’d deserve it.
Looking around the cabin, I contemplate going for a walk. But I don’t know the area or have the right gear. Knowing my luck lately, I’d probably get lost, or worse, eaten by a bear.
Patches of tiny, white and purple wildflowers spreading along the forest floor catch my eye. I pick a bunch and bring them into the cabin. The space could do with a pop of color. I search for something to put them in. I’d be shocked if I found a vase. But I find the next best thing—mason jars. I fill three up with water, arrange the flowers, and place them around the room.
Next, I find cleaning supplies under the sink and get to work sprucing up the cabin. I feel like Snow White waiting for the forest creatures to help me for when the seven dwarfs arrive.Unfortunately, the only one coming home will be Grumpy. When I singWhistle While You WorkI know I must have something seriously wrong with me. Yet I feel the best I have in two days.
With everything going on, I haven’t had the chance to unpack what’s happened in my life. Darren cheated. Publicly. Humiliated me the worst way possible right before our wedding. I scrub the counter with vigorous strokes. When he told me he loved me, was it all a joke to him? I pause in my scrubbing and stand straight. Whenwasthe last time he told me he loved me orIto him? It wasn’t a word we threw around daily for the heck of it, but we did say it often enough…didn’t we?
Once the sink and kitchen counter are clean, I tackle the stove. It needs a bit more elbow grease than the counter. As I work, I try to remember the last time Darren and I did the simple things like snuggle on the couch while watching a movie. Kiss until we were breathless. Make love for hours. Quick pecks when leaving the house every morning was the most affection we’ve shared in months. Were we always so cold? Even if our relationship wasn’t filled with hearts and flowers, shouldn’t I at least feel heartbroken? Maybe I’m still numb with shock. I’m sure once it wears off it will all hit me.
I spend the rest of the day cleaning and scrubbing floors. For such a small space it’s taken me hours. I wish I had fabric and sewing equipment to whip up curtains. Not much I can do about the cracked fabric on the recliner. It needs to be tossed out. I don’t think Lucas would appreciate that, so I find another blanket in the closet, fold it into a padded square, and place it over the offending springs. Hopefully that will help me sleep better.
Exhaustion hits, and because Lucas isn’t here, I lay on his bed, curl into a ball, and I drift off to sleep. When I wake and glance out of the window the sun is dipping behind the trees. Gettingup, I stretch and walk to the door. Still no sign of Lucas. It will be dark soon; shouldn’t he be back by now? Worry niggles. Is he okay?
While I wait for him to return, I pull out ingredients from the fridge to start dinner. Apart from fruit and a few crackers, I haven’t eaten much all day, and my stomach is grumbling with hunger. Lucas stocked up on steak and vegetables, and I use it to make a meal.
I prepare carrots, potatoes, and pumpkin in a dish and slide it into the oven. When they’re almost done, I fry the steaks in a wonky pan. Just as I’m plating everything up, heavy footsteps hit the porch. A moment later Lucas walks into the cabin. He nods a greeting and hangs his backpack on a hook by the door.
“You’re back,” I state the obvious and inwardly cringe.
“Yep.”
