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“Not any more now that you’re wearing them. You think my brother’s got a sewing kit here, Cinderella? Or do you have mice in that backpack of yours who will do it for you?”
“Don’t be silly. Cinderella would never wear black. For your information, I have several safety pins and a bridal emergency sewing kit. I can make it work.”
I wave a hand. “Fine. Just don’t start singing or anything.”
Her brows jump. “Not a morning person either. Gotchya.” She trots off to the bedroom.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I circle the small living room in broad daylight. The dark wood floors are covered in a sheen of dust and dried moisture spots. Empty boxes I’d prepared and never filled are stacked up against the back wall. The last time I was here I planned to fill them. Quickly. Just toss everything into boxes and drop them off at the nearest shelter.
But these were Elliot’s things. Sweaters we’d given him for Christmas. Jackets we’d passed on to him. Quilts our grandparents made that only Elliot was interested in keeping.
My gut twists painfully as my eyes scan the place.
I need to get out of here.
“Are you good?” I call back to Pepper. “Need me to spot check the place for reptiles before I go?”
Please say no.
A few seconds later, she appears in the short hall between the living room and bedroom. Her hair still tied up above her head. “I’m good. And thank you.” She glances at the couch. “For staying. I’m not sure where I’ll be tonight, but you won’t have to put up with me for long, I promise.”
I don’t take the bait in asking her what she has planned. She’s not my problem. Still, I take the moment to study her features. Noting the bags under her eyes slightly faded. Wondering if it’s the result of a good night’s sleep or just cover up.
“You know—no one lives here. You’re welcome to stay until…whenever.” I raise an arm awkwardly. Until whatever it is you’re running from goes away.
She shrugs and forces a smile as she scans the abandoned cottage. “It’s a new day. Who knows?”
Clearly not you.
With a curt nod, I head to the front door. “I’ll be at the Inn. Do you want me to wait for you?”
“Oh, that’s okay. I’m going to try that shower while the mice work on my skirt and then maybe take a walk through town singing ‘When You Wish Upon a Star.’” She adds a coy smile then spins back to the bedroom.
With a light chuckle I can’t help, I take off. With any luck—Pepper Woods will find her way back out of the town she couldn’t wait to escape.
“You look like shit,” Dad says when I slip behind the bar to tackle the ninety-year-old coffee machine.
The damn thing never liked me. I still don’t understand why Dad kept this old thing around after he bought the place. It’s been here since I was in high school. Big and gold with too many functions than anyone in this town would ever need.
I push the lever upward and hot steam nearly burns my skin off. I curse and jump back. Then try the other direction and the small tube starts crackling, but nothing happens.
“Fuck it.”
I turn and find Dad leaning against the bar with a smirk. “Need some help?”
“Where’s Bethany?”
“Late, but we just opened and no one really starts coming down until after nine.” He shifts my mug under the machine and works his magic until it starts brewing.
“Listen, next time you wanna play hero to some damsel, do me a favor and pick someone a little more appropriate—like Noah. He’s the fucking town lawyer. His job is helping people out of jams.”
He slides my mug across the counter to me. “You were due for a good deed around here, Chase.”
“Yeah, well—I think I’m good for a while. Not only did I have to take her down to the arena with me because it was too late to get across town, but I had to bring her back.
Dad assesses me and nods. “Explains why you look half crippled. Took the couch?”
I glare at him.
