Page 109 of Hunters and Prey

Chapter 7

The sunset sent an eerie orange and red haze across Haven Cove’s sky. Someone played their guitar around a campfire at the other end of the campgrounds.

Cailyn and Asher sat on a blanket on the soft grass before a fire pit. They ate burgers and fries from Fox’s Diner. They watched as the sun set over the lake’s still waters.

A young girl’s laughter made Cailyn smile as she glanced over her shoulder toward the family sitting around their campfire not too far away. Cailyn and Asher were comfortable with each other. The silence didn’t bother either of them. As children, their families would come out here on some summer weekends, and Cailyn and Asher would run and play in the woods that they looked upon at that moment.

Memories of her first time seeped into her mind, making her blush as she chewed her fries. It had happened in one of the cabins over the summer.

A soft breeze flew through, bringing the smell of pine along with it. She gave him a sidelong glance and he noticed. He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze.

She couldn’t lose him. Whatever Connor had in his mind worried her.

Her attraction to him worried her even more.

She sighed and closed her Styrofoam takeout box. “Thank you for this, Asher.”

His smile was contagious. “Of course, my love. Anything for you.”

She looked off to the forest. Sometimes she was drawn to it. She just wanted to run free like a child, with no worries or cares. It was as if something pulled her to it, and yet she resisted.

“You ever think about leaving Haven Cove?”

Asher took a sip of his root beer and shrugged. “Sure. Sometimes. What about you?”

Cailyn nodded. “I love Haven Cove and all, but I wonder what it would be like to live somewhere else.”

“Like where?”

“Maybe New York or Paris. I don’t know. There are a million places I’d like to see.”

“So, you’re saying you want to leave now?”

Cailyn rubbed her brow. “Maybe.”

Asher set his drink down and reached for her hand.

She didn’t resist when he pulled her onto his lap. She straddled him and looked deep into his eyes. “Would you come with me if I left?”

“In a heartbeat,” he said.

A smile stretched across her lips as she searched the hazel depths of his eyes. She could see herself having kids with him. She could see a life with him—one where she could be her own person, and do what she wanted.

All she knew was that something deep down inside urged her to get away. She’d never felt the warning so strongly before.

Too many secrets were buried in that town—and her father’s secret haunted them all.

Asher brushed her hair from her face to get a good look at her. “I knew you wanted to see the world, but you’re making it sound as if you want to leave tonight.”

Cailyn wanted to tell him everything. Tears stung the back of her eyes. She fought to keep them at bay. She’d never been so afraid in her life.

“If I did, would you come?”

He searched her eyes, worry filling his own. “What’s wrong? Are you about to cry?”

She closed her eyes and leaned over to bury her face in his neck. “No, I just want to know if you will stay by my side. No matter what.”

“Yes, Cailyn. I will. You know that.”

Biting her lip, Cailyn tossed her head back and looked up at the moon.

“There are a few things I want to tell you.” She looked back down at him. “I’ll tell you everything if you come with me.”

“Everything?”

“Yes,” she said, nodding. “Everything.”

Asher pulled her into his chest and hugged her tight. She felt safe in his arms even though she knew he couldn’t protect her.

“Let’s make it happen.”

---