Chapter 16
Torin
The lodge emerges from the darkness, little more than a deeper shadow among the pines. Every downstairs window is dark.
I ease the truck to a stop outside the porch and kill the engine. Then I reach for the door. The muscles across my back protest as I climb down from the cab. There’s a burn in my ribs that takes my breath away.
I make my way to the porch, keeping my steps as quiet as I can. The last thing I need is Hannah waking up and coming out here before I’ve had a chance to clean myself up.
I try the door. It’s locked.
I smile despite the ache in my face. That’ll be Hannah.
I slip my key into the lock and let myself inside, easing the door closed behind me.
The lodge is quiet, and the smell hits me almost immediately. Roast meat. Garlic. Rosemary. My stomach growls. I follow it to the kitchen.
A plastic container sits in the middle of the table. I open it. It’s full of venison, roast potatoes and carrots. Not Orson’s handiwork, clearly.
I grab a fork from the drawer and dig in. It’s still a little warm, and delicious.
I picture Hannah here in the kitchen, chopping vegetables, opening cupboards like she’s been doing it for years.
I take another bite, smiling. I could get used to this.
A couple of minutes later, I scrape up the last of the gravy with a roast potato and carry the empty container to the sink.
Then I look down at myself.
Shower.
I leave my boots in the hallway and head for the bathroom. Getting my T-shirt off is harder than it should be. Blood has dried the fabric to a couple of the deeper scratches, and peeling it away makes me suck air through my teeth.
Hannah is going to freak out when she sees me tomorrow.
I turn on the shower and step under the spray.
“Jesus.”
The hot water finds every scrape at once. I brace a hand against the tiles, then wash the dirt and blood from my skin as quickly as I can.
By the time I get out, I’m exhausted.
I dry off, pull on a clean pair of boxers and shove my filthy clothes into the washing machine.
I start the cycle and head for bed.
When I reach Hannah’s door, I pause. She’s sleeping on the other side. At least, I hope she is. Safe.
I rest my hand against the door for a moment, the cool wood beneath my palm the only thing separating us.
My ribs hurt. My shoulder hurts. There’s a bite in my thigh that’ll probably have me limping tomorrow.
I’d do it all again. Every fucking bit of it.
My bear calms inside me.
I start to turn away.
“Torin?”
I stop. Her voice is barely louder than a whisper.
I clear my throat. “Yeah.”
“You’re back.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m glad.”
I smile.
“I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“No.” A sleepy laugh comes through the door. “I’ve been awake for ages.”
I close my eyes. She was waiting for me.
“You should’ve gone to sleep.”
“I tried. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“...Okay.”
She doesn’t believe me.
“Goodnight, Torin.”
“Night, Hannah.”
I wait until I hear the mattress shift, then make myself walk the last few steps to my room.
Lying down is harder than expected, but eventually I find a position that doesn’t make my ribs complain too much.
There were moments tonight when I wasn’t sure I’d make it back. But every time, I thought about Hannah. About getting home to her.
And now I’m here. She was waiting for me. I close my eyes, smiling. She’s right down the hall.
That’s all I need.