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“I’ll see if I can find a broom,” Santiago replied. She released her hold on him as he stepped away. Rather than watch him walk, she turned back to the scene in the kitchen. Even if Santiago was able to find something they could use to clean up, they would need help blocking the empty space where the window had once been.
With a sigh, she walked over to the phone and pressed 9 to dial the front desk of the main building. Please, not Brett, she thought silently as she listened to the phone ring. He was one of the last people she wanted to talk to right now, and with her nerves still on edge, she didn’t want him coming over to inspect the damage to the cabin.
“Marriage Institute, this is Carmen speaking,” answered a woman’s voice.
Ainsley identified herself and explained the situation. Carmen tutted sympathetically, and assured Ainsley that someone would arrive momentarily with plywood to cover the broken window and help clean up.
After thanking the woman, Ainsley hung up. Did nothing faze these people? Carmen’s chipper tone hadn’t varied throughout the call. Ainsley imagined that no matter the reason for her call, Carmen’s response would have been the same.
I’m calling because my arm just fell off.
Oh, that’s okay! I’ll send someone over to help you clean up!
She shook her head at the thought, and Santiago drew up short as he returned to the kitchen.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” she said. “Just got off the phone with the main cabin. They’re sending someone to help us.”
“Good, because I couldn’t find a broom.” He held up his empty hands in illustration and moved to stand next to her.
“I’m sure they’ll have everything we need,” Ainsley commented. “And I know they’ll be cheerful about it.”
Santiago chuckled. “I take it you spoke with Brett?”
She shuddered at the mention of the man’s name. “No. Thank God. It was someone else. But she sounded just as perfect.”
Santiago ran his hand down her arm. “Try not to let them get to you. We’ll be out of here soon.”
Ainsley nodded, knowing he was right. “Let’s get started.” She gestured to the mess on the floor. “We can at least pull the branch out of the room.”
“Good call.” They headed for the front door and stepped out onto the porch. As soon as she walked out of the house, Ainsley froze.
Santiago paused on the steps, glancing back with a worried expression. “Hey. What’s wrong?”
She shook her head, searching for the words. The whole thing felt very wrong, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on why...
Then it snapped into place. She pointed up with her index finger. “This porch is covered.”
Santiago glanced at the roof in question and looked back at her. “Yes.” He drew the word out, as though he was waiting for her to realize she was being silly.
“That branch couldn’t have fallen through the kitchen window on its own.” She gestured to the side, where the branch in question still hung from the frame.
Santiago followed her movement, his eyes tracing the lines of the roof and then the window frame. The porch roof extended to cover half of the width of the window, so it was feasible a branch could have fallen from a tree and busted through the unprotected side.
But that wasn’t the case here. The wood had clearly punctured the half of the glass that was shaded by the porch, leaving large shards still attached to the side of the frame that was uncovered.
There was only one way to explain that pattern.
Someone had rammed the branch through the window, wanting it to look like an accident.
Santiago looked back at her, his eyes widening as understanding dawned.
“I think you should go back inside.”
Ainsley bristled at his words. “And leave you out here alone? I don’t think so.”
Santiago shot her an exasperated glare and moved to grab the branch. “How did I know you were going to say that?” he sighed. “Come on then, let’s get this done quickly.”
