Page 33 of Carver’s Craving

Not going to look in the rearview mirror. Nope. Not going to gaze at those gorgeous blue eyes.

Now I was certain Styx was Steven, all my perceptions of him changed. I was trying to reconcile the man in my back seat with the reckless guy I’d known back in Toronto. That guy would’ve gone to a hotel with a total stranger and had sex in the dark. Now? I struggled to put those pieces together. The guy who played with my dogs didn’t seem like the risk-taker I now knew him to still be.

Frank’s death had clearly changed him, but maybe not as much as I’d thought.

“I’d love to meet Thelma, Kirk, and Spock.” Styx sounded like he meant it. “But Walter and Poppin are expecting us. We did promise them a walk.”

“Although they’re normally alone all day during the week.” I winced. “But I promised them, and I sort of feel I need to dedicate more time to them today.”

“I understand. It’s here.” Ulysses pointed to a driveway nearly hidden by the tall grass surrounding it. “Offer’s always open. You should come for dinner one night. Both of you. Finn’s off for the next few days, and he does love cooking big dinners. I’ll have him text you.”

I stopped the SUV just in front of the cabin. This one was a bit more rustic than mine—Finn’s grandfather had built it with his own hands. A little fact Finn shared that I’d never forgotten. Not only could I not fathom the amount of work and dedication involved—but I also struggled to understand the continuity of family over multiple generations. My mother was the only family member I ever knew. I’d considered doing the DNA test to find other relatives, but in truth, I didn’t want to be up on some website for anyone to find. If my mother’s family wanted nothing to do with her, then I wanted nothing to do with them.

“Thanks for the lift.” Ulysses patted my knee.

I didn’t startle at the contact—likely because I’d learned to expect it from Finn and so having Ulysses touch me wasn’t a stretch.

“Let me get in the front.” Styx had his seat belt off and was out of the SUV in a flash. To my surprise, he shook hands with Ulysses—who’d just gotten out. Styx said something to Ulysses, they both looked at me, and then they looked at each other again.

And smiled.

Yeah, like that’s not enough to make a guy paranoid about…everything.

Ulysses waved and then sauntered off to his cabin with his milkshake. By the time he was inside, Styx was secured in the passenger seat. He set his shake in the cupholder and eyed it mournfully. “I really want to drink this thing.”

I swung my SUV around and headed down the driveway. “Five minutes and you can have a real straw.”

“Yeah, that was a good call. I mean, I’m all for the environment—”

“But paper straws are tough with milkshakes.” I finished the thought as I turned out of the driveway and headed back the way we’d come. I hadn’t been exaggerating when I pointed out I was much closer to their cabin than Finn was going to be at the animal shelter. And, truly, I liked giving Finn more time with the animals. I executed a left turn onto the main road.

Styx sighed. “I’m so damn confused. How do you not get lost up here?”

I chuckled. “I’ll show you a map. This is the main road through the hills. All the other streets have this as their origin and all are dead ends. My street runs parallel to the one these guys live on.”

“Ah. I see.”

I cut him a quick look before refocusing on the road.

“Okay, I totally don’t see. Yes, please show me a map. I mean, not that it’s going to matter or anything.”

“That’s true. When you’re leaving my house, turn right. Walk until you get to this main street. Turn left. It’s a straight walk into town. Now do you feel a little less lost?” I hit my turn signal, but had to wait for an oncoming car to pass me.

“I think that’s the first vehicle I’ve seen.” Styx ran his hands through his hair.

I executed the left turn and headed down my street. “That’s entirely possible. I can make the drive into town and not spot anyone until I hit civilization. You just—” I squinted. “Get accustomed to the solitude. To the peace. Aside from nature, the only other sound I hear is the train whistles at night.”

“How far away are those? Or are they near?”

“About five klicks. The tracks are along the side of the Fraser River. That’s where the commuter train runs.” I signaled to pull into my driveway—even though not a single person was around to see me.

“This commuter train seems like a big deal.”

“Yeah, it sort of is.” I drove up my driveway and let out a little sigh as my cabin came into view. Somehow things always felt better when I got home. “We’ll grab straws and then head out for a walk.” I cut the engine. “Well, if you want to.”

“Oh, I so want to. Let’s go.” Styx exited the SUV and was halfway up the walkway by the time I was out.

“I thought you were cold.”