Chapter 6
Reeve
"I don't know what to do," I whine to Granny.
She peers over the rim of her glasses and sets down her knitting needles beside her on the couch. "You like adventures. Consider Jett and Wilkin a mystery, something to explore and conquer."
I sigh and slump further into the chair.
After Jett stormed off from the pool yesterday, Wilkin excused himself shortly after.
They spent the rest of the day in their rooms. Not wanting to sit through an awkward dinner, I left them their meals by their doors and collected the empty plates afterward.
Ditto for breakfast this morning.
"What does your gut tell you?" she asks.
I lift off the chair with a massive heave and wander over to the window. "Something is definitely up. They have a history. It could be work related, or it could be something else."
"Keep in mind they've gone through something traumatic. It only happened a few days ago. I wouldn't be surprised if they're both in shock."
I nod. We weren't given any details about what happened, which is par for the course, but Granny's right, it's handy to remember they have just been through something pretty major. Though I suspect their issues predate whatever the hell trouble they stumbled upon.
"What do you think I should do?"
"Why don't you take them hiking? Stay out at the cabin for a few days."
There's a small cabin at the edge of our property, a three-hour walk from the house. It backs on to a beautiful forest with some great hiking trails and even a secret waterfall.
"That's not a bad idea. I'll raise it with them. See what they say."
"Being out in nature might do them some good. Let me know if you go ahead with it, and I'll make sure the fridge is stocked and Farrah sends food out to you daily."
"Thanks. I will." I take another look out the window then spin around to face Granny with a frown. "Why haven't you sold Grandpa's helicopter yet?"
She was meant to do it last year. I know she misses him, they were married for two months short of sixty years, but he's been gone for four years. Having his helicopter out in the front yard where she can see it every day can't be good for her.
"I'll do it soon," she says, picking up her knitting and deflecting from the topic like she always does.
"It sounds like you have enough on your plate without sticking your nose into my affairs.
It's almost lunchtime. I'll ask Farrah to send some food to the guesthouse.
You, my boy, have a wee mission to accomplish. "
"This is delicious," Wilkin says, aiming a grateful smile at me over lunch by the pool. "Thank you."
"Wish I could take the credit, but Granny has a chef, Farrah. It's all her."
"Right. I see. Well, please pass on my compliments to her."
"I will. Do you like the food, Jett?"
"Yes, I do. It's great. Thank you."
Well, this isn't awkward at all. On the positive side, they're out of their rooms. Annnnd that's about the extent of the good news.
"I've got an idea I want to run past you both," I say, resting my knife and fork against the edge of the plate. "How do you feel about going on a hike? We can stay at our family cabin, and I can show you some cool, off-the-beaten-track places. There's even a waterfall only a few people know about."
"That sounds wonderful, but I didn't bring any hiking gear," Wilkin, ever the pragmatist, says.
"Same," Jett chips in.
"That's a solvable problem. We can jump online and get gear delivered. The question is, do you want to?"
Wilkin's eyes travel to Jett who glares back at him so harshly, Wilkin actually flinches. He turns to me with a smile I initially took for smugness but am starting to suspect I misread.
"I'd like to," he says.
"Same," Jett adds quietly.
"Great. After lunch, we'll jump online and get you everything you need. Hopefully, it'll arrive tomorrow, and then we can head off the day after that."
If they haven't murdered each other in their sleep by then.