Chapter 3
Danika was glad the other women agreed to wake up early and go for a hike.
The cabin had elevation, not too high, but they were high enough it was chilly.
It felt good being outside. She needed to remember to take breaks and get out in nature.
They had the beach, which wasn’t a cool forest, but still, she could go down in the mornings or closer to sunset.
“What is that?” Rowan pointed to their left, and they all turned, seeing an animal dart away.
“A deer?” Asher said.
Amelia hugged her arms around her waist. “It’s so beautiful here.”
Nichole raised her arms and spun around. “I love it here.”
“I’m so glad we did this,” Amelia said.
“You’re the reason. Thank you,” Danika said.
Asher shook her head. “I should be thanking you all. I needed this. It has been rough getting to this place.”
Rowan took her hand, and they walked together. “I think it was their loss. You would have made a great nursing assistant, but they screwed you over, forcing you to choose between taking care of your daughter or working.”
“Yeah. They knew when I could work and when I couldn’t and they hired me to work during the day but then switched me to nights. It sucked.”
Nichole rolled her eyes. “I hate that they did that. But you’re a great realtor. You have closed some great properties in the last two months.”
Amelia laughed. “I know, right? It has been good. I never imagined I would be staying at a cabin like this with my friends.”
“It is gorgeous,” Danika said.
They turned the corner, and they all froze. What was that person doing out here on the path? Was it a man? Short hair, they were tall, and had broad shoulders, but there was something about the person that made Danika think it was a woman.
Elowen loved mornings out here. It was incredibly different from the city. The peace was incredible. She’d just rounded the bend and seen a patch of blackberries. A pie would be amazing. She had a bag in her pocket and began picking blackberries.
She had half a bag picked when she heard people behind her. At first, fear filled her, then she realized it was a group of women and turned around.
They looked surprised, then one of them started laughing. “Sorry. I thought you were a man.”
Elowen smiled. “No offense taken. From the back, I know I look like a guy. Short hair and all. It serves me well out here when I’m alone.”
“You must be the owner of the cabin.”
Elowen nodded. “I am.”
“We love the place. I’m Nichole.”
“I usually go by El. That way, people don’t know I’m a woman out here alone. Name is Elowen.”
“Did you build the cabin? It’s beautiful. I’m Danika.”
“Nice to meet you. And no, I didn’t build it. I bought it a few years ago and did some renovations.”
“Well, what you did in the bathrooms is freaking amazing,” Danika said.
“I’m Asher. The place is wonderful.”
“I’m Amelia. And they are right, it’s perfect.”
“Oh, you’re the one who contacted me. Your men will be here tomorrow, right?”
Amelia nodded. “Yes. We’re looking forward to having them here. Though it’s nice to have these few days together.”
“I bet. Well, if you women need anything at all, my cabin is just up that way. I don’t advertise that bit because I don’t want people knowing I live close and, like I said, alone.”
“I can’t imagine living out here alone. I’m Rowan.”
Elowen smiled at them then shrugged. “I’ve made a name for myself as a badass who will beat the shit out of people who try to assault me. The locals know not to cross me.”
“Well, you’re brave,” Rowan said.
She snorted a laugh. “Or crazy.”
They all laughed. She liked this group of women. They weren’t pretentious, and they were kind.
Before the women walked off, she pointed out the berry bush. “If you all want pie, there are so many blackberries on these bushes they’ll rot before I can use them. Feel free to come out and pick.”
“Thank you,” Danika said.
“How much will we need?” Nichole asked.
Elowen held up her bag. “A bag like this should be enough.”
“Good. Thank you,” Nichole said.
The women headed down the path and she finished picking berries, thinking about how good the pie would taste. She had some work to do this afternoon, but she was looking forward to a long weekend with nothing but baking and reading on her agenda.
Since moving out here, her life had slowed down.
Some days she missed the hustle, but times like this, when she could wake up early and pick berries then make a pie with her haul, made her realize she had everything she wanted…
which was mostly the truth, but having a good man would be nice.
She shoved the thought away and focused on her surroundings and not her lack of a decent lover.