Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
W illow breathed in the fresh air with a grin.
She let her shoulders sink as she shook off the crazy morning. She’d never been one to hate on Mondays, but this morning she’d been feeling it.
After a busy weekend, this morning was more chaotic than usual as they’d fed the guests and ushered them out the door. But breakfast was over, and she’d worked like a speed demon to make sure lunch was all prepped.
Which meant she could snatch a couple of precious hours before kitchen duties called again.
Her smile broadened as she slid a hand over her apron pocket to feel the treasure inside. Would Eric think of her Voldemort playing card as “treasure”? Possibly not. But imagining his reaction when he pulled it out alongside her note had her giggling aloud.
The sound startled some birds from the trees to her left. “Sorry, birds,” she called out.
She laughed when one of the birds let out a loud caw , seemingly in response.
But her laughter stopped short at the sound of twigs snapping nearby. She slowed her pace. This wasn’t the sound of a small animal scurrying.
She heard it again, but before she could even finish the thought that maybe Antony was right and she should carry bear spray…
She snapped around and had to suppress the sharp huff rising up her throat. “Dallas?”
He lifted a hand with a smile. “Hey, sis.”
She scanned the woods as he approached her, trying to ignore the flush of guilt as she looked to see if anyone else was going to pop out from behind a tree. “What are you doing out here?”
His smile faded a bit, and she bit her lip. Had she sounded too snappy?
But seriously. He was clearly following her. Maybe she had the right to be a little snappy?
“I was wondering the same thing about you.” His low voice was a drawl. Sometimes her oldest brother actually sounded like a cowboy who’d come straight out of one of those old Westerns.
There was a niggle of that guilt again, but she refused to dwell on it. Instead, she planted her hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side. “I’m going for a walk. Clearly. You’re the weirdo creeping up on me in the woods.”
He flinched, but he took it in stride. “What? I was bored and wanted to see what my little sis was up to. Is that a crime?”
She shifted from foot to foot as she studied him. Okay, was he lying, or was she paranoid?
It was hard to say.
Guilt was making her overly suspicious lately, and she knew it.
But when he rocked back on his heels and gave her a bright grin, alarm bells went off in the back of her mind all over again.
“So?” He arched his brows. “Where were you headed?”
She instantly slid her hand out of the pocket of her apron, wary that he might discover the Voldemort card. She could only imagine how he’d react if he knew she was traipsing off to leave presents for the enemy.
Her mind raced before she settled on an answer. “The honeymoon suite.”
It was gratifying to see him blink in confusion. He glanced to his left, then his right, clearly doubting her sanity. “Uh…what?”
She pointed farther up the hill, in the opposite direction of No Man’s Land. “The old hunting shed?”
Some of his confusion cleared.
“Guess you haven’t talked to Bailey about her grand plans for this place.” She turned on her heel and headed toward the shed as if that had actually been her plan all along. “If you had, you’d know her next big goal is to turn that old hunting shed into a honeymoon suite.”
“Huh.”
There was a grudging respect in that one little syllable, and Willow shook her head. Dallas and Bailey were funny. They thought they were so different, but they were really very alike.
If they’d just get over themselves and stop trying to compete for their dad’s respect, they might realize they could be the best of friends.
A few twigs snapped beneath her boots, breaking the silence.
But Willow wouldn’t be the one to try and get them to see that. She, Brandon, and Antony had agreed a long time ago that staying out of the battle zone was the best chance of survival when it came to the twins.
“So.” Dallas picked up his pace and was soon walking alongside her. “What are you planning to do up there?”
Willow cast a quick side glance his way.
“Uh, well…I thought I’d get a start on clearing it out.
Last I checked, it had become something of a hoarder’s den for Grandpa and his friends.
Bailey’s been meaning to get to it for weeks, but it keeps getting moved further down the list as more important priorities pop up.
I know it’s frustrating her, because she really wants it done before wedding season kicks in over the summer. ”
Dallas chuckled. “I’ll give you a hand, then.” He turned to her with a wink. “Who knows? Maybe we’ll find a hidden treasure among all the stuff he no doubt hid from Grandma.” He winked and chuckled…
While Willow tripped over her own feet before catching herself.
Hidden treasure?
Those two words rang like clanging gongs within her.
If only he knew.
Her answering laugh sounded strained even to her own ears. “Yeah, maybe.”
As they drew closer and the old wooden shed came into view, Willow found herself echoing all the plans she’d heard Bailey talk about. “And just think how cozy it will be once it’s done, you know? A perfect, idyllic little mountain escape for newlyweds…”
She glanced over at Dallas and was startled to see a grim set to his jaw and an odd look she couldn’t name in his eyes. Was he…upset?
She’d just been talking about happy couples and newlyweds and?—
Willow nearly smacked herself as she stifled a groan. Ugh. She was an insensitive jerk. Of course he was thinking about his ex, Loretta. If they’d gotten married like everyone thought they would, the wedding probably would have been happening right about now.
She closed the distance between them and tackled Dallas with a hug. “I’m sorry.” Her voice was muffled against his jacket.
He patted her back. “Why are you sorry?”
She pulled away to look up at him. “I didn’t mean to bring back memories of Loretta.”