Chapter 3
Cora
I've made a lot of crazy decisions in my life but this might be the craziest. Of course I wasn't just out here walking around. I had come looking for him. And I have a car parked nearby, but he doesn't need to know that. From the first moment I looked down from the tree into his handsome face, I want to know everything about this guy. He is huge, sexy in a strong, overbearing, burly, sort of way. And he has the eyes of a devil, like they are lit by the fires of hell.
I was so distracted by his eyes it took a moment to even notice the thin line of a scar running from through his eyebrow and down over his cheekbone. It certainly adds to his gruff, dangerous appearance. But I don't feel scared to be with him.
From everything I have heard about this man he is a good guy. Donates piles of money to the town. Sure, he keeps to himself and rarely comes to town, doesn't talk to anyone, or have any friends. But nobody mentioned any people going missing. He grew up in town, and people know him. And sure, people can change. But I had watched him with his dog and serial killers just don't have that sort of affection for an animal.
So I'm not afraid to be alone with him. But I'm not stupid either. I've been around my share of bad guys to know I have to keep my guard up. Even the good guys can cross the line sometimes. So when he grabbed at me, taking a swing at him was just a reflex action. I don't let anybody mess with me.
The cabin is not what I expected. Okay, I was expecting a Bruce Wayne manor and a Batman cave of operations. There are no signs here that the man has the sort of money he donates to the town. That he has enough funds to give a family in town a whole new house.
It's a rustic, small, cabin. One room includes a fireplace with one armchair, a single bed in the corner, a small kitchen and then a door which I'm hoping is a bathroom. There is no clutter. No personal items to give me a clue into his personality. No family pictures on the mantle. Just a few books in a large bookshelf. A dog bed set up to the side of the fire, filled with fluffy cushions and letters spelling out Dog on the side.
"Is your dog's name Dog, or is there also a cat here somewhere that thinks that bed belongs to him?"
“The dog's name is Dog. He showed up one day and decided to stay." He shrugs. "Didn't seem right to give him a real name when I didn't know how long he would be around."
“My name is Cora. I work in the library in town.” I say it with a smile though I am a bit miffed he didn’t think to ask my name. Actually he looks at me with surprise and is silent for a good minute before he answers.
“Owen.”
I watch him as he bends to put more wood on the fire. I am fascinated by the way he moves, his long hair, broad shoulders. He gives Dog a little pat on the head. The man obviously has a great deal of affection for his pet. He acts all surly and unpleasant but I have a feeling there is a lot more to him than this act he puts on.
As Owen goes to stand up he suddenly moans in pain and grabs at his thigh. Limping to the armchair he collapses into it. Pain is etched on his features.
"What is it? What happened?" I ask with concern.
"It's nothing. I'm fine."
His hand rubs along the length of his outer thigh as he holds that leg straight out in front of him. He looks stiff and uncomfortable. His eyes tightly shut.
I drop down at his feet. My hands going to his thigh to try and ease the pain. He jumps under my touch.
"What are you doing? Get off me. I'm fine."
I sit back on my heels looking up into his face. He glares back at me.
"If you are in pain I might be able to help."
"I don't need any bloody help." He grabs a cane resting against the chair as I scramble out of his way. I see the wince as he gets up out of the chair.
"Storm is coming in and I have to go check the wood supply." At the door he turns and looks at me. "We're stuck here till the weather clears. We'll make a deal. I won't touch you and you don't touch me."
And with that he slams out the door.
My hands on my hips, I stick out my tongue. It's a childish move and Owen doesn't even see it as he has already gone. But it makes me feel better. I look around the place. I'm not an idle person. In fact, I have trouble staying still. And this place could do with a good clean. So with Owen out of the way I set to searching out supplies and getting to work.