Page 32 of Accepting Fate

Picking up my hat, my hand freezes halfway to my head, and I’m rendered speechless. That was the last thing I expected her to say.

She lives in my tiny ass town. The town I have lived in my entire life. How have I not seen her around or drive past the shop?

Probably because I have no idea what her vehicle looks like. Even if I did, staring at cars as they pass by the shop isn’t a hobby of mine. Plus, my mind has been a little preoccupied lately.

I finish putting my hat back on. “Well, aren’t you full of surprises, Angel. Consider this my informal welcome to Cliff Haven. Now, can you tell me where exactly you have been hiding in my tree-filled oasis?”

She tells me her address and I know exactly where it is. Mrs. Wanda owns the place and used to rent it out to tourists in the winter months. My brothers and I used to mow the lawn when we were kids. We all take turns checking in on the place since her husband has cancer. She called a few weeks ago telling me she had a long term rental and that we didn’t have to stop by anymore. I guess Logan is that long time renter. Lucky for me, I now know she lives only five minutes away from me.

I back out of my parking space and start heading in her direction. “Alright, I will see you in a few minutes. I hope you know you have some serious explaining to do.”

She giggles which turns into a cough. “Maybe I will. Maybe I won’t. If you’re nice to me, it will increase your chances.”

There she is. That’s the Logan I’ve been getting to know.

“Logan. I won’t ask why you need a friend tonight, but I will find out why you chose to hide. Andjust becauseisn’t an acceptable answer. Now, do you need me to stay on the phone or do you need to go hide all the bodies before I get there?”

I round a curve and the rain starts gently hitting the windshield. I listen to the peaceful sound as I wait for her to respond.

“Shut up, you asshole. I’m about to take back your invitation–” her words are cut off by a coughing fit. And then, “Leave the big man act at the door or you can’t come in,” she says, followed by more coughing.

Slowing down, I pull off to the side of the road and turn my hazards on. “Do you need me to pick anything up? You sound like shit.”

“Thanks, but no.” Cough“I’m only having a coughing fit because I just brushed my teeth, and the toothpaste is irritating my throat. I’m fine.”

I turn my hazards off and continue down the road. “Alright, Angel.”

“Okay, I’m going to hang up now. Bye, see you soon.” Then the line goes dead.

This is the last thing I expected to happen tonight. I have to admit, after I got off the phone with her earlier, I may have moped around like a lost puppy. The circumstances may be shitty but I’m going to take every opportunity she gives me.

A few minutes later I’m pulling into the long tree lined driveway. It opens up to a small patch of gravel in front of an A-frame cabin home. The curtains are all closed but I can see the lights on from the tops of the glass wall of windows.

I park my truck next to a lifted black Jeep.

Noah is going to have a fucking field day when he sees that.

Turning off the truck, I hop out. I make my way towards the front door and Logan opens the door and leans against the frame.

Her body is backlit by the lights inside. Her hair is in a messy knot on top of her head. She’s wearing gray sweats that say Roll Tide down the leg. My eyes make their way up her body, and her arms fold over her chest. A baggy black t-shirt hangs off her shoulder slightly, giving me a glimpse of her bright pink bra strap.

Walking towards her, she takes a small step closer to me but still under the cover of the awning above. Her beautiful green eyes stare up at me.

Logan wraps her arms tighter around her body, which is shaking like a damn leaf.

When I get closer, I tip my chin towards the door. She’s already sick and cold air isn’t helping. “Inside, Angel. You’re fucking shivering.”

She listens and moves to the side to let me in.

Logan’s home is simple yet inviting. I glance over my shoulder at her and see her locking the door. She reaches up to a hook on the wall where a door stopper hangs and places it under the handle. When she turns to see me staring at her, her arms wrap around her body, and she looks down at the floor.

If this was some random girl, I would be concerned she’s about to murder me. But the sad as fuck look on her face tells me that is not the case here.

I close the distance between us, reach out to touch her, but out of nowhere she flinches and steps back.

Suddenly, it’s like all the air is sucked out of the room.

What the fuck was that?