Page 82 of The Hermit on the Hill

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Sam

"Explain to me again why you can't come here?" I asked.

Yes, I was being a dick, but I'd avoided going into town for three weeks now, and I was leaving in two days. I didn't want to deal with fuckwit townies and I didn't want to risk running into Jenna, because I'd probably do something idiotic and make a complete fool of myself begging her to give me another chance.

I missed her.

Damn, but I missed her. I woke up in the middle of the night in a panic sometimes because she wasn't in bed next to me, only to remember she'll never be in bed next to me again.

A few weeks living with the woman, and I've forgotten how to live without her.

"If I'm going to be managing your properties while you're on the other side of the country, I need you to look at this stuff in person so you'll know what I'm talking about," Marcus said over the phone.

"It's just pipes, right? Hire a plumber."

"I could do that, but he won't know what the pipes looked like before this last renter. I need to know if they did something to them before I bring in anyone who could report this to the city."

I sighed. "So take a picture, Marcus. I won't be able to go to the site when I'm in Wyoming. You're going to have to figure out how to handle this on your own."

"I can't take a picture that will make any kind of sense. Quit being a recluse and get your ass down here. You've been avoiding me for two weeks."

"I've talked to you every fucking day."

"And every time I stop by to see you in person, have a beer or lunch or some shit best friends do, you're off wandering around the woods."

"We still haven't caught Catrick."

I didn't want to leave with a walking rabies risk wandering around. And the rat had vanished. Honestly, I was more worried about that demon rat than I was about Catrick. I'd had to get a second and third cage to catch new bait, and that bait had all disappeared as well.

Not to mention my grandmother's ghost was banging every door and cabinet and throwing things around all day long. I couldn't get out of this place fast enough.

"Didn't deny you're avoiding me," he said.

"Fine. I'll be there in twenty."

I hung up and went upstairs to find something to wear. I couldn't remember the last time I'd showered, but I wasn't going to bother for Marcus. It would teach him for not leaving me in peace when I wanted him to. I found a mostly clean t-shirt and pulled it on. My jeans had grease on them and were full of holes, but I was just going to look at pipes.

I found Fluffy in the baby's room, his big ears drooping. He'd been a grouch since Jenna left.

"C'mon, buddy. I gotta head out for a bit, so you've got to hang out in the bathroom."

Fluffy didn't even look at me. He hated it when I put him in the master bathroom, but with the way Nana had been opening and closing doors lately, I wanted Fluffy behind two doors in case the bobcat got into the house.

I should have brought a damn apple up with me. Fluffy would go anywhere for an apple.

I knelt next to him and petted his furry head. "I miss her, too, buddy, but it's for the best. She'll be happier without me, and you're going to love Wyoming. That pesky bobcat won't follow us there." I didn't mention that Wyoming had mountain lions, wolves, and coyotes. Fluffy didn't need to hear that. "And no Nana to slam doors on us."

A crash rang out downstairs. It sounded like glass had broken.

"Or break our stuff."

Another crash came from downstairs, this one a heavy thud. Thankfully, I'd already packed everything that was important to me. The rest I was leaving for Jenna and our son. She'd appreciate the pictures of Nana and her books and artifacts. Jenna would make sure our son would appreciate them, too.

As for the treasure… well, no one could have everything.

I nudged Fluffy's backside, and he hopped forward. When I left the room, he followed, but I had to pick him up and carry him to get him into the master bathroom.

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