Page 25 of Hidden
Asher:How long will they be up for?
Ellie:Five days, I think
Asher:If you had a different place to stay, would you?
She hesitated. She didn’tthinkhe meant to offer her a room at his house. Even so, her mind couldn’t help but go there. She’d only seen a few rooms in his home, but what she had seen—the mudroom, kitchen, and living room—was charming. More cabin than house, it boasted a wide wraparound porch, exposed beams, wood-paneled walls, wide-planked floors, and a large stone fireplace anchoring the heart of the home. Set in the middle of a meadow, with the forest ringing it on three sides, it looked almost out of a fairy tale. She imagined, in the spring, wildflowers filled the fields.
Ellie:If you think Dr. Garcia can really help me, then yes, I’d think about it
She wanted to stay for more reasons than a good therapist. She liked being close to Sofia and out of LA. She liked the laid-back vibe of Mystery Lake. And yes, she liked Asher. Even after spending several hours with him the night before, she wanted to know him more. Better.
Asher:I might have a place for you. Give me five minutes
She reminded herself that she hadn’t expected him to offer her a room in his home. But even so, her heart deflated a little at his response. Maybe it was better he hadn’t, though. After all, less than twenty-four hours ago, she’d been telling herself—and Sofia—that she wasn’t in a good place for any kind of relationship. Even if Asher Warwick was a tempting package.
She set her phone down on the side table and rolled to her side. As she watched the snow fall, a feeling of contentment stole over her. Something she hadn’t experienced in ages. In that moment of peace, a not wholly unwelcome thought slid into her mind. Did she really need Dr. Garcia’s—or anyone’s—help? Maybe itwasjust fatigue and anxiety. The two traits were as common in her industry as white on paper. She felt fine now. Maybe all she’d really needed was rest, outdoor exercise, and to get away from LA for a few days.
But before that thought could take hold and grow roots, she changed the question. Rather than ask herself if she needed help, she asked herself if shewantedto go back to LA. She’d been toying with the idea since Sofia had mentioned her parents’ visit. But the more she considered it, the more she realized the answer was no.
The thought of packing her stuff (properly this time), driving home, and walking into her house had her heart rate kicking up. And dread settling in her chest like a ton of bricks. Not the kind of dread that she experienced before one of her episodes. But the more common kind. The kind that she experienced when she really didn’t want to do something.
And besides, as much as she’d like it to be true, a few days of feeling good—of feeling clearheaded andnormal—didn’t mean her problems had gone away.
So no, she didn’t want to go back to LA. If she could stay in Mystery Lake and start working with Dr. Garcia, then that’s what she wanted. What she needed.
Shoving thoughts of leaving from her mind, she grabbed her phone and opened an internet browser. She was entering Dr. Garcia’s name into the search engine when a text came in from Asher.
Asher:I have an option for you. Can you meet me at the lodge this morning?
No need to specify which lodge. There was only one in Mystery Lake. And she had an inkling of what Asher had planned.
She glanced at the clock.
Ellie:Would an hour work?
That would give her enough time to jump in the shower and grab some breakfast. The lodge was on the north side of the lake, about twenty minutes from Sofia’s house.
Asher:Perfect. Park in the staff lot and wait in your car. I’ll find you
She appreciated his efforts to keep her location from becoming public knowledge. His sisters had done the same the day before, too. When she’d arrived at their shop, they’d brought her into the back room to try on the gear they’d set aside for her. Her location would come out at some point—she didn’t want to stay sequestered forever and once she visited any public place, she’d be recognized. But for now, it was nice to not have to think about it.
She threw back the covers, shivered at the sudden chill, then gathered a change of clothes. Thirty minutes later, showered, caffeinated, and fed, she climbed into her car. As she let the cab and seats warm up, she texted Sofia, who’d gone grocery shopping, to let her know her plan. As soon as she hit Send, she backed out of the drive and headed north.
The town was barely awake as she passed through. The main street, which looked straight out of a Western movie set—but cleaner, brighter, and a touch more modern—hadn’t opened for the day yet. However, several people milled in front of Bun Times Bakery. The shop, located on a side street, made the best doughnuts in the county. It also made sandwiches so good that more than once, she’d considered making the five-hour drive so she could eat one. And with her experience of eating hundreds of catered on-set lunches, she had a lot of sandwiches to compare them to.
She passed the road that turned left and led to Asher’s house then the road that led east to where Ethan and Kara, Mitch, and Ryan lived. Josh’s house was also on that street. Although with Matt at college and Josh living at Sofia’s, it currently sat empty.
After cruising by the twins’ store, the Outpost, and then the hospital, she turned right onto a smaller state highway. The road headed roughly east, looping around the north end of the lake toward the lodge. She drove slowly, cautious of ice, but also wanting to enjoy the scenery. Speckled with new-fallen snow—again—the trees were draped in thick white blankets. And not to be outshone by the forest, the ground glowed and glittered under the morning sun that peeked from between the clouds.
Rounding a corner, the ski lifts came into view. Lining the mountains on the north side of the road, four of five were running, and each chair carried at least one passenger. She wasn’t much of a skier herself, but she’d heard that Emmett Lodge—named after the first Warwick to settle in the area—was a great place for a weekend getaway. The slopes had a few black diamonds, and even, she recalled, one double black. But most were green and blue, making it easy for families, newer skiers, or just folks who wanted to enjoy the day without pushing themselves too hard.
The bottom of the lifts came into view at the same time as the lodge. And she couldn’t help but smile. The main building reminded her of El Tovar, the iconic lodge seven hundred miles to the south on the rim of the Grand Canyon. A five-story tower anchored the center and three-story wings stretched out on either side. The large, covered portico protected guests arriving during a storm. And a wide porch provided a place to mingle and view the mountains in better weather. With 150 rooms and twenty standalone cabins, it wasn’t a small business. And yet its reputation was one of warmth and a casual sort of excellence.
She passed the main lodge, noting the cleared walkways leading from the building to the various cabins dotted along the hillside. On the other side of the building, a gentle hill led down to the lake. In the summer, its wide sandy beach became the focal point for guests. But this time of year, she could barely distinguish between the snow-covered land and the shores of the snow-dotted lake.
A quarter of a mile past the main lodge, she followed a sign to staff parking and pulled into a spot. Not two minutes later, Asher’s truck stopped beside her, and he gestured for her to join him.
She’d assumed that he planned to take her to one of the cabins surrounding the lodge, so his request caught her off guard. But before she gave it much thought, she pulled on her coat and slipped from her car and into his.
