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The older woman’s frown deepens. She’s silent for a moment before musing out loud. “You two have the most complex shared aura I have ever seen. I sense an intense love, but lots of resentment, too.” My ex and I trade a wary look. “I would advise you two not to let this little spat of yours fester.”
When the room grows quiet, I finally reply. “Yes, ma’am.”
She still doesn’t seem satisfied with my response. She carries along. “I won’t sugarcoat it. There is currently a dark, heavy cloud over your relationship. But not to worry, I foresee that everything will smooth out beautifully in the end.”
I almost laugh out loud.Yeah, right. If only it were that simple.
“It’s been a long day,” Alana cuts in. “And we have to get back on the road as soon as it is cleared. Dinner was amazing, Rainbow. Thank you.”
Our hostess nods slowly and rises from her seat. “You’re welcome, dear.”
We help clear up our mess, carrying our bowls to the kitchen. Jimmy offers to escort us down to the hunting cabin, and Rainbow sends us off with some homemade cookies and a thermos of hot tea.
It’s now completely dark aside from the stars, and while the rain is still coming down, it’s not quite as heavy now. Jimmy uses an old kerosine lantern to guide the three of us through the damp and slippery brush that makes up the overgrown path.
I’m carrying both my bag and Alana’s. Yet still, I manage to catch her arm every time she starts to slip.
Through a small clearing in the trees, I can finally see the dark silhouette of a cabin ahead. It’s definitely not as nice as Jimmy and Rainbow’s cabin up on the hill. This is more on the small and decrepit side. Like a place where you’d expect bearded outlaws to hide when they’re on the run and trying to stay off the grid.
“This old place used to serve as a hunting cabin, so it’s not much to look at,” Jimmy explains over his shoulder, raising his voice to be heard above the sound of the rain hitting the leaves overhead. “But it will keep you warm and dry for the night. I had a generator hooked up a few years back. It won’t put out much power, but you should be able to turn on a light or power up the cook stove if you need.”
“Sounds great, Jimmy. We appreciate your hospitality,” I say.
Then I immediately want to take back my words when he swings open the door to the rickety structure.
My stomach drops.
It’s basically a one-room cabin, and I can see it all from where we’re standing near the front door.
The place has one small bed. Not even a bedroom. Hell, not even a couch. Just one bed that would barely fit one full-grown adult.
There’s a pile of chopped logs stacked in the corner and two armchairs in front of the fireplace that have seen better days.Or better centuries.
On the far side wall, there are some dusty old cabinets and a small counter with a sink and one of those old electric burners, so you can cook right on the counter.Jimmy points out the bathroom in the corner, and I’m almost afraid to see what’s hiding beyond that door.
The old man roams around the cabin. After searching through an old-fashioned chest, he drops a big stack of folded blankets onto one of the chairs for us, confirming what I suspected. The only heat source is the fire I’ll need to light.
Then, Jimmy rummages around in a low cabinet by the fireplace that creaks loudly. He pulls out a bottle of bourbon and grins adoringly at it. He hands it my way. “This is my good bottle that I keep hidden from the missus. But I think you may need it more than I do.”
I glance around at my surroundings again. “Thank you, Jimmy.”
He casts one final suspicious glance between my ex-wife and me. “Y’all have a good night now.” With a tip of his hat, he grabs his lantern and disappears back down the path, leaving me and Alana still standing in the middle of the tiny room.
My face probably mirrors the horror on hers as she stares at me. Wide eyes. Raised brows. Hiked shoulders.
She’s shaken. Clearly.
Yeah, you and me both, babe.
Shit. This is going to be a long night.
11
ALANA
My maid of honor dress and Davis’s tuxedo hang in garment bags hitched to the same nail in the wall. Right beside a proudly hung moose head.
I perch nervously on the edge of the small, squeaky bed. I nibble on one of the weird-tasting cookies Rainbow gave us, watching as Davis works on building us a fire. Discreetly, I pinch myself. Because thiscan’tbe real.
