Page 7 of Cut to the Heart of It
Goddammit. Why did I come out here to the middle of nowhere? I should have listened to Mom. I made sure the door was locked and ran to the kitchen area. Knives were hanging on a magnetic strip on the backsplash, and I furiously tried to choose one, serrated or butcher knife?
My hand hovered in front of them as my eyes darted back and forth when the killer started slamming on the back door.
Shit.
I grabbed the serrated knife…he wouldn’t take me without a damn good fight. I said a little prayer and took a deep breath.
“You should know I called the cops.” I yelled through a shaky voice. “Even if you kill me, you’ll be caught!”
A muffled voice answered as I hid in the corner of the kitchen, knees bent and ready to pounce. “No, I wouldn’t. They’d never make it out here before I was gone.” Bile rose in my throat. “Plus, I’m not here to kill you, but I’d be interested to know who you are because the reservation showed one tenant.”
Reservation?
“What reservation? Who are you?”
“Owner of Heart’s Rentals. I don’t carry any special ID, but I have my driver’s license if it means anything to you. I also have a key, but I didn’t want to scare you.”
I crept across the kitchen and poked my head slowly around the fridge to glance out the glass block window on the top of the door.
My fear quickly turned to aggravation and my lips thinned as I walked in front of the door, still wielding a knife.
Chapter 6
Johnny
Holy shit.
The woman that haunted my dreams all night was standing on the other side of the door…holding a knife. And she didn’t look pleased to see me, but I couldn’t help the smirk on my face.
“You own this cabin?” she asked through the door. Just as sassy as last night with one hand on her hip, the other waving the knife around.
“I do. I would ask ya to open the door but you’re brandishing a deadly weapon, so maybe it’s safer out here.”
She rolled her eyes and unlocked the door then walked away but was back in just seconds. “May I ask what it is you need? I paid for the cabin already and I haven’t broken any rules.”
“No broken rules, but I tried to email CJ twice.”
“I didn’t get any emails. But what do you need?”
“You’re CJ?”Well so much for it being a man. “You need to head home. They’re gonna start blocking off the roads soon because they’re predicting some flooding. And that’s even worse up here on the side of the mountain.”
She rolled her eyes again and waved me inside but walked away, arms crossed over her chest. I closed the door behind me, and she turned, those green eyes fiery.
“Look, I appreciate the concern, really,” her voice was high, but her face showed she was forcing the cheerful tone, “but I had to take time off work and already paid to be here. Unless there’s a mandatory evacuation, Iwillbe staying. So, if there’s nothing else—” she waved her hand to the front door.
I stepped closer and she stepped back but ran into the chair. Trying to reason with her, I continued. “Listen, I’m sorry about yesterday, truly, but you need to get going. I can refund you for the next two nights. But this ismyplace and I’m asking you to head out.”
She chuckled, crossing her arms again. “I’m fairly certain there’s some sort of law against kicking me out.” She sure was cute when she was mad. She held her chin up high and her brows shot up. She was clearly trying to look in charge, but her lip trembled just enough for me to notice.
“Ma’am, it isnotsafe to stay. If something happens it could be days before anyone could get to you.”
“Well, I have supplies and I work from home so, as long as the Wi-Fi works, I’ll be fine. I assume you have a generator here?”
“Well, yes, I—”
“Great, I can handle it then and I have a phone. If I find myself in an emergency, I will call 911. Now, I have a deadline and don’t want you to get stuck so again, thank you for your concern.” She walked to me and grabbed my arm to guide me outside. “I really appreciate it. The cabin is lovely by the way. Have a safe drive.”
She opened the door, but I turned again, hands on my hips. “Ma’am, CJ, listen to me—” then my phone rang. I pulled it from my pocket. Danny. I’d call him back. “CJ I—” Danny again. “Shit, this is my son, give me just a minute.” I stood in the doorway and took the call.
