Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
dani
Twelve Years Later
I rested my head on the cold window, my stomach churning at the sight of the steep cliffs.
The bus was driving dangerously close to the edge, and I kept my hands clasped together until my knuckles were white.
The tire hit a pothole, and I bit my lip when the bus bounced.
I hated heights, and driving through these mountains had my heart pounding.
In one year, it would all be worth it.
A soft hand landed on my arm, and I jerked back, lifting my head in alarm.
Being so close to people was going to take some getting used to.
But a stranger touching me? That was something I would never adjust to.
The guy sitting next to me gave me a small smile, his hazel eyes warm and inviting as he met my gaze.
I swallowed thickly, pulling my arm from his touch.
“This bus driver knows these roads like the back of his hand,” he tried comforting me. “I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, not liking how easily he picked up on my fear. “I’m not used to mountains.”
He took that as an opening to start a conversation. “Where are you from?”
“The East Coast,” I responded curtly.
“I’m from Florida.” He chuckled softly. “This cold weather is going to kill me.”
I studied him out of the corner of my eye, my guard staying up.
His wavy hair was sandy brown, matching the light stubble he had on his jaw.
He shifted slightly, messing with the tie around his neck, making me believe he wasn’t used to wearing suits.
I guessed he was around my age, maybe a couple years older.
He caught me watching, and flashed me a lopsided smile, revealing teeth so white that they had to be bleached.
“I’m Miles,” he introduced himself, offering his hand.
“Dani,” I clipped out, looking back out the window.
“Not much of a talker, are you?”
I wasn’t, but I didn’t feel like explaining that to him. “I’m just tired. I’ve been traveling for over twenty hours.”
“It feels surreal, huh?” He shook his head. “Where will you be working?”
The bus driver’s voice came over the speaker, freeing me from answering, and I slumped in the seat. I was sure I’d see Miles again, but for now I was happy keeping to myself until I had a chance to get my thoughts under control. He was right about one thing; it did feel surreal that I was here.
“Welcome to Winterlake,” the bored voice announced. “In a few minutes, we’ll be stopping, and you will get your housing assignments.”
Winterlake, Colorado. Where I’d be living for the next year.
It was a tiny town, and finding information about it was next to impossible.
We were told that about five hundred people lived here, and there was only one road leading in and out of the mountain town.
In the winter, it became like a prison. The snow would get so bad that leaving wasn’t possible by vehicle.
The thought of being trapped here made my chest constrict.
But I would deal with it. I needed this.
Peering through the window, I relaxed slightly when I saw solid ground again.
The town was in a valley surrounded by steep cliffs.
Trees lined the road, and my interest piqued when buildings came into view.
A row of condos came first, all made of dark brown bricks with two stories.
We passed a small park that had a few grills and picnic tables.
The bus turned down another street that was full of small businesses.
We slowed down, and once the bus stopped, I gripped the top of the seat in front of me and rose to my feet.
Miles was still sitting, and he glanced at me in amusement.
“In a hurry?” he asked, taking his time to stand.
“We’ve been on this bus for six hours,” I said. “I’m ready to get off.”
My impatience flared when he took his time grabbing his bag from under the seat.
I couldn’t move until he did, and I needed to stretch my legs.
The bus doors flew open and there was quiet chatter as everyone lined up to get off.
I peeked around at everyone, seeing looks ranging from excitement to nervousness.
There were about fifty people in all, and I wondered why they all agreed to this.
For the same reason I did? Or something different?
Once it was my turn, I bounded down the steps, breathing in the fresh, crisp air.
Much different from the city air I was used to.
I folded my arms, my thin sweater not a match for this chilly September weather.
Goosebumps rose on my skin, and I stepped forward to grab my suitcase when the bus driver opened the compartments under the bus.
“Need help?” Miles asked from behind me as I lugged my suitcase out of the way so others could grab their things.
I gave him a half smile. “I’m good. Thanks.”
He seemed nice. A regular friendly guy. But I looked at every person as a threat until I did my research. People couldn’t be trusted. They lied. Which was why I chose the profession I had nearly a decade ago.
“Go into that building,” the driver said loudly enough for everyone to hear. “They’ll get you situated.”
Not wasting a moment, I spun on my heels and headed toward the doors in front of me. There were a few steps, and my muscles strained as I dragged my heavy suitcase up. The sign above the entrance told me that this was town hall.
I welcomed the warmth as I got inside, and I studied the few tables that were set up around the room.
There were signs taped to the front of each of them, and I strode to the one marked with the first letter of my last name.
The woman sitting behind the table gave me a welcoming smile as she handed me packet.
“Name?” she asked cheerfully.
“Dani Henderson,” I replied quietly, not wanting to broadcast my name to everyone else who was in here.
She flipped through some paperwork before stopping and lifting out an envelope.
“Here you are. This has the address of where you’ll be staying, and your debit card.
Everyone coming in today will be sharing a place with one other person, but you’ll get your own bedroom.
Your employer expects you at work tomorrow at eight o’clock in the morning. ”
My lips parted slightly when she dismissed me with a small wave of her hand. “That’s it?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Were you expecting a tour?”
“No,” I said, keeping my voice controlled. “But I don’t even know where my house is.”
“There’s a map in the envelope.” She was already waving the next person forward. “This town is small enough that you can walk anywhere. Unless you think walking twenty minutes will kill you?”
I pursed my lips. “I can handle it, thanks.”
Nerves invaded me as I went back outside, and I halted once I got to the bottom of the steps.
The sun was high in the sky even though there was no warmth coming from it.
Ripping open the envelope, I took the map out first. It seemed I’d be staying in the condos I first saw when we drove in. It was maybe a ten-minute walk.
“Hey, Dani.”
Miles stopped next to me with an envelope identical to mine in his hands. “A bunch of us are going out for dinner and drinks tonight. I wanted to extend an invite.”
“Uh, thanks. Maybe,” I answered, mulling over the offer. I wanted to sleep, but it would be smart to get to know the town and people before I start my job.
“There’s a bar called Last Call.” He pointed down the street. “That’s where we’re meeting. Probably around seven so we all have time to relax first.”
Letting my face morph into a false, friendly version of myself, I nodded. “I’ll be there.”
I spotted a small coffee shop across the street and my mouth watered at the prospect of hot coffee.
Without a second thought, I hauled my suitcase with me, crossing the street while realizing I hadn’t seen a single car since we’d gotten here.
I frowned, scanning the area, and seeing only three cars parallel parked near the curb.
They weren’t joking about this town being small.
With a shake of my head, I kept walking, pulling open the door to the coffee shop.
It didn’t have a special name, and the only word on the small sign was Café.
The space was small with just enough room for the counter with about seven feet in front of it, in front of the large window was a narrow raised counter with bar stools.
A single barista sat behind the register, and she glanced up at me, excitement bubbling in her eyes.
Her short blonde hair was curly and bounced around as she stood up.
“Hi,” she welcomed me. “You must be one of the new interns.”
I looked at my suitcase and then back at her. “I guess I should have dropped this off first.”
She laughed. “Everyone knows everyone here. New faces are rare. What can I get you?”
I ordered a large black coffee, and dug through my purse, finding a couple crumpled bills at the bottom. My gut twisted, and I reminded myself I’d have to be watchful of my spending until I started getting paid from this new job.
I stared through the large window as she poured my coffee, watching the other newcomers wander around, taking in their new home.
A few were already heading toward the condos, while others were checking out the stores.
The girl handed me the coffee, and I mumbled a thanks before stepping back out into the cold.
Following the map, I made my way toward the condos, thankful the sidewalks were in good shape or rolling my suitcase would have been much more difficult.
I memorized my new address, staring at the numbers on each condo as I passed them until finally finding mine.
Instead of a key, the doors had locks on them with four-digit codes.
Checking the paperwork for a second time to make sure I had it right, I punched in the numbers and the light on the lock turned green.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open, wondering if my new roommate was already here.
Straight ahead was a set of stairs leading to the second floor.
To my left was the living room that opened into the kitchen in the back of the house.
The floor was a dark hardwood, and there was a gray rug stretched over it in front of the couch and a TV that was mounted on the wall.
The white leather couch and three barstools near the kitchen island were the only options of places to sit.
There was no dining table, and the kitchen was small, but updated.
The appliances were all stainless steel, and the white counters looked like real granite.
Leaving my suitcase near the door, I strolled through the kitchen, seeing another door that opened into a small laundry room and half bath.
The artwork on the walls were all generic, like what would be put up for an open house.
I went back to the front and grabbed my suitcase to lug it up the stairs.
Getting to the top, I halted, taking in the large space.
There was a spacious nook where a wooden desk sat with a leather office chair.
On top of the desk was a closed laptop and a corded house phone.
I stared at it in surprise, trying to remember the last time I’d seen one of those.
Everyone just used cell phones these days.
There were three doors, two of which were open.
One was a large bathroom with double sinks and a huge walk-in shower with a waterfall showerhead.
The other room was a bedroom, in the same style as downstairs.
There was a queen-size bed in the middle of the room, pushed up between two windows.
A small, cushioned chair sat in the corner, and on the other side of the room was a dresser and a closet that was more than large enough to hold the clothes I’d brought.
I didn’t have my own bathroom, and I grumbled under my breath at having to share one with a stranger.
I hesitated in front of the closed door before knocking softly.
Maybe my roommate was already here. When there was only silence, I tried opening the door to find it was locked.
Maybe whoever was here didn’t feel like socializing either.
That would work perfectly for me. I trudged into the other bedroom and closed the door behind me.
A mirror hung on the wall next to the dresser, and I stared at my reflection, realizing I looked as exhausted as I felt.
My straight, dark brown hair that fell a few inches past my shoulders needed to be washed.
All that traveling had me feeling slimy and gross.
My brown eyes were dull, my spark absent like it had been since I was eighteen.
The small scar I had on my chin was barely visible, and I ran my fingers over the slightly raised skin, glad that my hair covered the scars on the back of my neck.
Even if I was going to be here for a year, I had no intention of telling anyone about my past. I fell onto the bed, staring at the white ceiling, watching the fan slowly spin in circles.
“Home sweet home,” I muttered before closing my eyes and falling into a light sleep.