Chapter 2 #2
"What?" He spread his hands innocently. "It's true. Sort of."
"What aren't you telling me?" Jules looked back and forth between her best friend and Adam, who was suddenly very interested in his phone.
"Nothing!" Faye said too quickly. "It's just—the cabin is perfect. Safe, warm, everything works. It even has a generator. And with the storm not stopping anytime soon, we need to get you somewhere now."
Jules wanted to argue, to demand they tell her whose cabin it was, but water was still dripping from the ceiling and her childhood home was destroyed and a blizzard was blowing in and she was so tired.
"I need to pack. And Fred—"
"I'll get Fred," Faye said immediately. "Adam, can you start loading her car—wait, no, her car's at the garage."
"We'll take my truck," Adam said. "The roads are pretty bad anyway."
They worked as a team, Faye helping her pack a few changes of dry clothes and what she needed out of the bathroom, and Adam carrying her suitcases out to his truck when they were done.
Jules grabbed her laptop and work files, her mother's jewelry box, and carefully secured Fred in his traveling box.
Then she put her long winter coat over her wet pajamas, took off her wet socks, and slid her feet into her dry winter boots.
Faye hugged her again. "Come on. Let's get you to this cabin before the storm gets worse. We can come back for more stuff later."
As they loaded a few last things into Adam's truck, Jules sent a quick text to Lex.
"I'm sorry. Can't make 9am appointment. Emergency at house. Will explain later."
She didn't watch to make sure it went through. When she didn't show, he'd figure it out.
"That house has been in my family since 1952," Jules said quietly as Adam pulled away. "My grandparents bought it after my grandfather came back from Korea."
"It's going to be beautiful when it's fixed," Faye said from the middle seat, squeezing Jules's hand. "Adam knows all the best contractors. Right, babe?"
"Already thinking about who to call," Adam confirmed. He glanced at Jules in a way that made her suspicious again. "My friend who owns the cabin might know some people too. He's got connections."
"Shouldn't you call them and make sure it's okay that you're bringing me there? Can't I just stay with you guys?"
"They won't mind," Adam assured her.
"And we really don't have a lot of room in the RV…" Faye trailed off when Jules gave her a disbelieving look. It was just her and a succulent. How much room did they need?
They turned onto a narrow mountain road Jules had never noticed despite living here her whole life.
"I drive past here every day," she said. "How have I never seen this road?"
Adam and Faye exchanged another look.
"It's private property," Adam said. "The owner likes his privacy."
The trees opened up and Jules's jaw dropped. The cabin was massive, with dark logs gleaming through the storm, lots of windows, and a huge stone chimney stretching toward the sky.
"This is... incredible," Jules breathed. "Okay, seriously, whose cabin is this? No one in Snow Ridge has this kind of money except—" She stopped, her mind racing. "Oh my God. Is this the mayor's place? Because I cannot stay at Mayor Henderson's—"
"It's not the mayor's," Faye said quickly.
Adam parked, leaving the motor running as he grabbed her suitcases. "Come on. Let's get you inside before we all freeze."
The door wasn't locked, which seemed odd. Inside was even more impressive, with high ceilings, a massive stone fireplace, and furniture that looked hand-carved and expensive. Everything smelled like pine and leather, and it made her pulse quicken inexplicably.
"Guest room's down that hall," Adam said, setting her bags down. "Kitchen's fully stocked. Firewood's on the porch."
"We need to go," Faye said suddenly, grabbing Adam's arm. "The storm's getting worse."
"Wait, you're leaving?" Jules felt a flutter of panic. "But—"
"You'll be fine!" Faye hugged her tightly. "Rocky's home alone and we haven't given him his breakfast yet. Everything you need is here. Just... make yourself at home and I'll call you later."
"Faye—"
But they were already heading for the door, Adam practically dragging Faye along, who kept looking back with a guilty expression.
"We'll come up and check on you tomorrow!" Faye called. "If we can get through!"
And then they were gone, leaving Jules alone in the mysterious cabin.
She stood there shivering in her wet pajamas and heavy winter coat, Fred's box in her arms and her mind in a daze, looking around at the definitely lived-in space.
There were coffee mugs in the dish drainer.
A wool blanket thrown carelessly over the couch.
Books scattered on the side table, mostly repair manuals and botanical guides…
Botanical guides.
Her heart started pounding as she noticed other things. The pine scent that seemed embedded in everything. The way the furniture was arranged, functional but solitary, like someone who lived alone and liked it that way. A jacket hung by the door that looked entirely too familiar.
"No," she whispered. "No way."