Chapter 22
Thario didn't want to act like a fool, but seeing Calla made him feel like one. He noticed the smile on her lips and how her face lit up when she saw him.
Frog greeted her, circling around her like he was happy she was there. After another circle, Frog came over to Thario, like he was telling him that Calla was there.
It was easy to laugh at Frog’s antics. He walked over to Calla and wondered if a hug would be too forward.
“Hey, it’s good to see you,” Thario said.
She giggled, and her smile grew even wider. "It's good to see you. How is your head?"
“It’s okay. I’ve been careful not to spend too much time looking at screens. I felt better after some sleep and decided to drive over.”
“I’m glad you did. It’s good seeing you.”
He wanted to hug her, but he decided not to push his luck. She didn’t need him acting like a fool, at least not yet.
“Have you been inside the big cabin?” she asked.
Thario nodded. “Yes. When Elowen had a guy stalking her, I stayed here. So yes, I’ve been in the big cabin. It’s beautiful.”
“Wait, she was stalked?”
"Yeah. A guy got it in his head that he wanted Elowen, and she wanted him. It was all this huge fantasy he made up. He's locked up in prison now. He murdered someone else, so they got him on that. He won't get out any time soon."
“Wow. I had no idea.”
“She’s a strong woman.”
“She didn’t tell me about that. She said she’d been locked in juvenile detention, but not about the stalker.”
"Elowen may not have wanted to make you worry. This place is safe, and with Griz out here, no one is going to come around and cause problems."
She nodded. “I do feel safe out here. I guess bad people can be anywhere.”
"Yeah, but generally it's safe. There are fewer people in this area, so if new people show up, the people in the community spread the word that someone new is in town.
I can tell you if anyone asks where you're staying, Griz will get a call.
The community likes him and Elowen a lot.
They spend money here and send people who stay at the cabin into town for meals. "
“Hey, you two, we’re going to make burgers. You good with that?” Griz called out.
“Sure,” Thario said.
Calla nodded, "Sounds good." Griz went in, and they were alone again. "I love burgers and fries. I don't think I had one when Brent was holding me. Honestly, he didn't let me eat much."
“I’ll remember that. Come on in, and let’s help them get the food on the table.”
Thario liked having Calla beside him. When they got to the porch, she glanced up and met his gaze. The look in her eyes made his stomach tighten. He hoped she was interested in him because he certainly wanted to spend more time with her and get to know her better.
Calla hoped Thario didn't think she was too dorky. She was younger than he was, but that didn't curb her attraction to him. He was good-looking, and more than that, he had kind eyes.
When they stepped onto the porch, she thought for a moment he might kiss her. He didn’t. Which was okay, because both Griz and Elowen were inside the kitchen and could easily see them outside.
Frog bumped into her hand, demanding pets when she stopped for Thario to open the door.
“Hey, Frog, what do you want?”
Thario chuckled. “He wants your attention. He probably misses you.”
“I missed the two of you.”
She wasn't sure why she'd said that out loud where everyone could hear her say the words. Thankfully, neither Elowen nor Griz said anything about what she'd said.
Elowen was cutting potatoes, which made Calla's mouth water. Then again, most food made her mouth water because she was finally allowed to eat without Brent watching her every move.
"What can I help you with?" she asked as she moved into the kitchen.
Elowen glanced around, then angled her chin at the refrigerator. "I already washed the lettuce, but I wanted to cut some strawberries for the salad. I think that would be refreshing."
“Sure. I can wash and cut the strawberries.”
“Thank you. That would really help.”
Working in the kitchen to get food ready for everyone felt so different from cooking for Brent.
Griz came in from the grill and joked with Elowen.
Thario was in and out, grabbing a beer for Griz and water for himself.
Elowen hummed when they were alone, and both dogs were there, seeming to worship them.
Calla finished cutting the strawberries and added them to the salad. “Do you want anything else in the salad?”
Elowen’s lips screwed up to the side. “Um, I have some cherry tomatoes and cheese.”
“Sure, I can add that.”
With the salad prepared in the refrigerator, she poured herself a glass of tea, which was a treat. She leaned against the cabinet, taking in everything.
“It’s funny, I cooked so many meals for Brent, but this feels different. It feels good.”
Elowen turned to her and smiled. “I’m glad it feels good. Being with friends is fun. I’m glad you’re here.”
Calla thought about saying something about the guy who’d stalked her, but Griz came in and she decided to wait. Bringing it up may make bad feelings surface, and that was the last thing she wanted.
“The burgers are almost done.”
“Good. The potatoes are close. I think I need to stir them a little more.”
“Sounds great,” Griz said.
Elowen grabbed the buns from the pantry, then opened the refrigerator and pulled out condiments. Calla's heart felt full with happiness. It was such a little thing, but having people around was nice.
Thario opened the patio door. “Griz said it’s done. We’re about to come in.”
“Awesome. Thank you.” Elowen opened the device she was cooking the potatoes in and used a spatula to flip the fries over.
“Those smell good.”
“I love wedge fries. I hope you enjoy them.”
"I know I will. I like fries of any sort. It's one of the things I missed the most. That and chocolate cake. Also, I missed burritos and tacos. There are so many foods I haven't eaten in so long."
“When I make my grocery list, we’ll figure out what foods to make.”
“Oh, you don’t have to. I don’t want you changing what you’d normally buy.”
Elowen moved closer and put a hand on Calla's shoulder. "Listen, you being excited about little things is fun for us, too. We like helping you, and that includes you getting excited about food. You may think that's not a big deal, but we enjoy it."
“Thank you. You’re being very nice.”
Griz and Thario came in with the burgers. They all worked on fixing their own plates, and honestly, it was the best she'd felt in a long time.
They took their food outside to the table in the yard. The weather was perfect, and there were few bugs. Everyone else talked as they ate, discussing everything from the cabin Thario was looking at to Elowen's next woodworking project.
When they were almost done eating, they heard car doors slam close by. Calla jumped and looked around.
“It’s okay. It’s probably the guests down at the cabin,” Elowen said.
“Oh, I forgot.”
“They said they’d be here around six or seven, so I’m sure it’s them.”
They heard someone hollering with excitement. “Yeah, that sounds like the new guest,” Griz said.
“People show up and are excited. It’s a big cabin, so it’s usually at least two, maybe three couples or more.”
Calla could barely hear them, but it was obvious whoever had shown up was very excited. "You know, if I were staying at a place like the cabin, I'd be excited, too."
Griz nodded. "When my friends and I stayed here, I remember how thrilled we were when we arrived. The place was great."
“I think it’s a combination of nature around here, the feeling that you’re alone up here, and how perfect that house is. It’s like a huge trifecta of awesomeness.” Thario picked up his glass and pointed at Elowen. “You were very lucky to find this place.”
"Yeah, I was very lucky. Also, I was lucky that it needed so many repairs. If it had been in great condition, I wouldn't have been able to afford it."
Calla couldn’t get over how independent Elowen was. She liked it, but also wondered if she would ever have that much confidence.
After dinner, Thario finished washing plates and turned to face her. “How about a walk?”
“Do you feel up to it?”
“Yes. We don’t have to go far.”
She nodded. “Sure.”
They left out the back door with Frog and Knuckles following. The dogs ran ahead a little, then turned back to check on their progress.
“I like being out here,” Calla said.
“Same. I hope this cabin I want to buy works out.”
“Any reason you think it won’t?”
"I don't know. Maybe there will be complications, or maybe not. If this place doesn't work, I'm sure I'll find something else. It would be nice, though, because it's close to here."
“Elowen and Griz are good people.”
Thario nodded. “They are.”
They walked a little longer, then stopped to turn around. Thario's phone buzzed, and he pulled it from his pocket, then frowned.
“Everything okay?” Calla asked.
"Um, looks like Brent tried to go back to the house. Neighbors saw him, and he got away. They're still looking for him. The police just want to make sure you aren't in the area."
Fear hit hard. “Shit. He can’t find me up here, can he?”
“It’s very doubtful. He doesn’t know to look here.”
She lifted a hand to her mouth, chewing on her thumbnail. Thario took her hands, holding them in his. His touch was comforting.
“Listen, he’s far away, and he has no idea where you are. You’re okay.”
She stared into his brown eyes, and he was so earnest she couldn't help but believe him.
“Okay. I trust you all. I know if something comes up, or if he shows up, you’ll keep me safe.”
Thario put his arm around her and pulled her close. She lay her head against his chest, breathing in deeply. Being this close felt right. This wasn't the right time, but she felt things for this man. Maybe, after all this crap with Brent was over, he would feel something for her, too.