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It’s perfect and a feeling of pure wholesomeness wafts over me. It’s quickly knocked sideways by two flying children, one gripping each of my legs as they cling on and interrupt the embrace of the man I love.
“Mommy! Mommy! We had the best day with Daddy!”
I look down – two blue-eyed boys staring up at me with big, round eyes so wide with excitement they make me melt. “Did you sweetheart? Did you catch a fish this time?”
The taller of the two boys flashes a grumpy look to Colt. He looks just like his father when he does that.
“I did. But Daddy let it go.”
Colt shrugs lazily. A deep laugh bursts from my chest and we all huddle together in a tight hug, laughing by the stovetop, enveloped together by the ambience of our perfect little home.
My heart pounds in my chest, love and happiness the only feeling flooding my veins.
“Hannah? Hannah?” A far away voice calls to me. “Hannah, come on, it’s time to wake up now.”
My eyes open, the beautiful cabin disappearing before my eyes. The savory smell dissipates, instead it’s replaced by a neutral, stale smell that forces me to jolt upright.
“Colt?” I burst out, my eyes wide. “Colt? Where are you?”
I look around, my head spinning. I’m draped in blankets, soft cushions propping me up in a bed that feels familiar. I’m comfortable, but as I look around, the walls aren’t rustic timber like I had dreamed of. No. Delicate white curtains hang loosely in the light, my bedroom filled with photographs and trinkets that I’ve treasured for so long.
“Hannah,” Xavier’s voice catches my attention. I look to him, seeing two other people in my bedroom as I frown at my brother. “Hannah, you’re ok. You’re safe.”
“Where am I?” I ask, still not sure this isactuallymy house. “How did I get here?”
Xavier pats my back, slowly guiding me so I fall back against the pillows.
“Just relax, Hannah.” Xavier settles on a chair that’s been pulled to one side of my bed. “They’re the nurses who helped you. You’ve been out to it for an hour or so, but we brought you home so they can check you out first.”
“I… I did it.”
Xavier frowns. “Did what, Han?”
“I made it down the mountain. In one piece…” I allow myself to smile but Xavier is just shaking his head, a straight face that looks so agonisingly familiar it hurts.Here we go.
“Hannah, listen-”
I sit up, my stomach tensing. “No, Xavier. Don’t-”
He holds his hands up, the bright green in his eyes softening. “Just relax, Hannah. I’m not going to preach to you… I think I’ve learned my lesson. Running to the hills will do that, you know?”
I hold my stare.
“I’m just glad you’re safe.”
“And I got the report done…”
Xavier’s expression changes. It’s an odd look, one I’ve never seen on him before. “How did you manage that? We went to the address on the file as soon as you didn’t return to the office… There wasn’t a cabin in sight. The file is void now, chalked off the records.”
I hunch forward, my brows pulled together. “What do you mean not the right place? I found the cabin… I’ve completed the report.”
Xavier shakes his head. “Impossible.”
A nurse appears at my side, a stethoscope pinned in her ears, the other end between her fingers. “Sorry to interrupt, I just need to do your hourly.”
She presses the cold metal to my skin, but all I can think about is the fact that someonewaslooking for me. The only reason I wasn’t rescued was because the address on the file was wrong? But how is that possible? How did I find Colt’s cabin if it wasn’t the right place?
“All good, sweetheart,” the nurse smiles. “Please rest. Your brother will excuse you soon, won’t you?”
