Page 165 of Split You Open

Wesley

Iwatch Blair as she throws her axe.

It hits the bullseye straight on. She’s gotten the hang of it since this morning when she started.

Rather than celebrate, she simply reaches down for the next one lying at her feet. Standing beside her is Rhett who’s been chain smoking since I returned from my zone this afternoon. He’s standing just out of her way, but I swear he’s been inching closer the past few minutes—I just can’t prove it.

I wonder if he’s made her stop to take a break at some point today or if he just hung out and watched with the same rigid pose.

It’s odd seeing Rhett being her protector when, not all that long ago, he was her tormentor. Funny almost. But I can’t seem to find it in me to tease him about it given the current state of things.

Ledger sticks close to Blair too, but rather than watch her, his eyes are scanning the woods. He’s no doubt waiting for the arrival of Anchor again. A chill works its way down my spine at the thought of being in his presence again.

It’s followed by a heated tendril of resentment.

For all the skills and training he has—the man seems oblivious to the adoration that radiates from his daughter. I’d watched them talk on the porch through the kitchen window and I swear, the man is made from stone. His expression never seemed to change. The stiff posture in which he carries himself never loosened. It was like watching an officer talk to a soldier—not a father to his daughter.

What I wouldn’t give to go back and give my daughter the love she deserved.

Anchor doesn’t have the same excuse I did. He’s not a drunk or a deadbeat. He seems to simply be oblivious to emotions, or opinions, or the thoughts of others. No wonder he’s a loner.

I flip the ribs on the grill.

Hm… Almost done. I’ll need to grab the BBQ sauce.

As I close the top of the grill, I check the temperature before heading back up to the cabin. When I return to the grill, I place the home-made BBQ sauce down then saunter over to Blair. I stand beside her, waiting until she’s thrown the last axe before placing a hand on her shoulder to stop her from going after them.

“Hey, drink,” I tell her and shove a glass of water in her hands. “Have you eaten today?”

“No.” Rhett answers for her as she takes a sip.

She shoots him a glare. “Neither has Rhett.”

“Well, dinner is almost done. I expect you two to eat. You’re going to wear yourself out.”

Blair rolls her eyes. “Or, I'll keep getting better and better.”

“She has gotten better,” Rhett agrees. “This morning she was still missing the tree.”

“You’ll get sloppy once you get lightheaded from lack of calories and water,” I counter.

I wait until Blair downs her glass of water to take the glass back. I leave the two of them to get her axes out of the tree. By the time I’m done bringing out chips, macaroni salad, baked beans, and homemade coleslaw, the ribs are done.

Blair forgoes axe throwing to quickly set the table.

“Santi, laptop away,” I order. “Family time.”

Santi looks up from where he's furiously typing away at the picnic table. “But I got something!”

We all freeze in surprise.

“What?” Ledger snaps stomping over to him. “What’d you find, Santi?”

Blair helps me carry the food over to the table but we all forget about it as we crowd around Santi’s laptop. I sit down beside him and drag Blair down onto my lap. Needing the contact, I band my arm around her waist and pull her close to my chest. Her hand comes to rest on my forearm. The contact settles me.

Santi points to a whole bunch of random information on his screen. “I found a connection that could help us. Do you see this name right here?”

“Jonathan Stowell?” I ask.