Chapter 2
Owen
I check everything is in its place before I head out. It’s a habit to analyze my surroundings. But nothing in this cabin ever changes. There is the single bed. One plate, one bowl, one mug in the kitchen. One towel, one toothbrush in the bathroom. One dog bed by the fire and one dog named Dog by my side. Everything is as it should be.
But outside, the wind is picking up, the grey clouds promise rain. Maybe even snow. We get our fair share of flash storms up here and I learnt how to read the signs when I was a kid running around this mountain.
“Come on Dog. Let’s get some energy out of you before the storm.”
Dog is a Border Collie who has to have his belly rubbed before he goes and finds a stick for me to throw.
It is as we are returning from our walk that I see something move in a nearby tree. The pink jacket indicates it is human. A girl. With a view straight at my cabin. In stealth mode I creep up behind the tree wondering at the best course of action here. It's probably some kid and I should just scare the shit out of them. That's what they probably came here for. To see the scary monster.
"What the fuck are you doing in my tree?"
She jumps and almost falls from the limb she is perched on. When she turns a little I am caught at the wide-eyed look of fear. Eyes the color of turquoise look down at me. I watch as her expression changes from surprise and fear to interest. As I thought, some kid from the town came to check out the local monster. But still, I can't seem to look away or know what to say.
"Why are you here?" It comes out as a low growl. Dog lays down to watch with interest.
"I got lost. I just thought I would climb this tree to see if anyone is home at that cabin over there."
"My cabin."
She turns on the limb of the tree to get a better view of me. "I'm sorry to ask. But you're not a serial killer are you?"
I pause. Killer? Everybody around me dies. Maybe I am a killer. I fix the girl with a dark frown.
"Oh, my God, you paused. You're not meant to pause when someone asks if you're a serial killer."
"I'm not going to stand here and argue with you. Get down out of my tree."
She moves to a different position and drops one leg. Waving it through the air awkwardly. Then another leg.
I wait a good couple of minutes in silence, watching as she moves and shifts until, with a sigh, in a small voice she says, "I think I am stuck."
Standing there and watching her ass wiggle back and forth in front of me had a strange effect on me. It's a good looking ass. And it has been a long, long time since I had any sort of feelings towards a woman. But the sight of her stuck up in a tree also made me feel like laughing. And it has been even longer since I remember wanting to laugh at anything.
I reach up and grab her thigh, pulling her roughly down. I didn't intend for her to land in my arms but she twisted. Her hands on my shoulders to steady herself. And there we were, standing out in the wind and the cold. My hands holding her ass. Her looking down at me with those beautiful eyes. And once again, I don't know what I am meant to do.
"You can let me go now."
Startled, I let go. And drop her on the ground. Watching her get up and dust off the mud off her jeans. I cross my arms over my chest and give her a stern look.
"So you are lost?"
"That's right. I'm new in town and thought I would do a bit of exploring."
"Where is your car parked?"
"I got dropped off."
My frown darkens. She doesn't seem afraid of me. Warry. But not afraid. There is an intelligent look in her eyes and she looks at me with curiosity. Her gaze flicks to my scar and I turn my head slightly away. There is a good reason why I hide away up here. I don't need people staring at me. I don't need their pity and I sure as hell don't want their curiosity.
"How are you going to get back to town?"
"I don't mind walking. If you could just point the right direction?"
Fuck. I don't want this girl here, I don't want to invite her into my space. But I can't leave her to wander about in the woods, not with a storm rolling in. I don't want to spend all day thinking she is out here freezing to death.
"Come with me."
"Excuse me?"
I'm in no mood to stand around in the cold any longer. I go to grab her by her jacket but she swings a fist through the air. I grab her wrist. Glowering down at her. She still doesn't shrink in fear like a normal person would. Instead she has her shoulders back, points her stubborn chin at me and her eyes flare wild and daring.
I drop her wrist and shove my hands in my pockets. It has been so long since I had company I have forgotten how to act. Living out here on my own has turned me into an ogre. But I was once brought up to have manners. Trained to control a situation and remain calm.
"I'm sorry.” I let out a long sigh. “There is a storm coming in. It's cold out here and you can't be wandering about on your own. Would you like to shelter in my cabin till the storm has passed?"