Page 7 of Dark Things
As we descend the stairs, the afternoon light shines through the tall windows in the back of the house, and the living room is cast in a sparkling glow. A small blonde woman is perched on a sofa that overlooks the yard, her head bowed as she looks at her phone.
“Cat,” Haunt says, love in his voice.
She snaps her head up and turns around, a beautiful smile splitting her face. Squealing, she jumps over the sofa and launches herself at Haunt as soon as we make it to the last step. I hover in the background, the pit of my stomach opening up just a little while I see their sibling love. Something I’ll never have again.
“I can’t believe you’re really here. Fuck, I thought he’d never let you come. I’m so happy you’re doing senior year with me.”
She’s beaming at him, like any sister would, because Haunt is truly the best of us. He’s everything that anyone would want in a brother, partner, boyfriend, or friend. He’s the person you call in an emergency and the guy you want in your corner when you’re burying a body—trust me, I know.
“Catherine, this is Reb. Reb, meet the twin, finally.”
He pushes me farther in front and then I’m caught in the same gaze that has held me together for the last three years. You wouldn’t immediately think they’re twins, with her strawberry blonde hair and a nose just a touch more pointed. Where Haunt is all cut glass and sharp edges, this girl is a tiny pixie with soft features. But the eyes—that’s where I can see it. They both give their souls away with one look. I give Haunt a side-eye, but it only makes his grin grow wider.
“Hey, so glad to finally meet you,” I say, holding my hand out.
She bats it away and pulls me into her, squeezing me to the point of not breathing. My shock must bewritten all over my face, because I hear a quiet chuckle coming from the left of me.
“I’m so happy you’re here. I cannot tell you how I’ve been hounding my brother to bring you. I hated that you were both studying abroad. I wanted so badly to come and visit, but Dad wouldn’t let me.”
She finally lets me go, and I rock back on my heels a bit. “Yeah, being back in the States is a little weird,” I lie. We never left, but Cat doesn’t know even a fraction of what we’ve been doing these last three years.
“What time is Dad coming?” Haunt asks, walking us into the kitchen.
Something smells amazing, and that’s when I see another person who is going to be in our orbit for the time that we’ll be here. An older gentleman with salt and pepper hair and a frilly apron is stirring something on the stove when the three of us make it through into the country kitchen. It’s all hardwoods and white, but it feels cozy, like people would want to sit around and cook together.
“He’ll be here in about thirty. Hey, Marc. Whatcha making?” Cat asks, bouncing over to the stove.
Marc looks over, his face lighting up when he sees her. “Miss Catherine and Master Haunt. I’m so glad to see you both. And you must be Miss Reb. Pleasure to meet you. And to answer, it's a simple chili. I thought your first day of classes could use a little comfort food.”
“Oh, I love your chili. Guys, you’re in for a treat. Do I have time to take them out to the barn beforedinner?” she asks, a sweet-as-pie look that I’m sure gets her anything and everything she wants.
“Of course. I’m still waiting on the cornbread in the oven. I’ll ring the bell when it’s ready and your father has arrived.”
“Bell?” I ask, glancing around to see if anyone else is stumped.
“This farmhouse has been around a long time and some of the original features were kept. The dinner bell on the back deck was one of them. It’s simple, but still gets the job done,” Marc says, his smile warm. I can’t help but return it.
“Reb isn’t used to country life, are you, love? She’s a city girl.” Haunt chuckles.
“Oh shut it. Cat, let’s go see the barn. I haven’t been out there yet.”
I take her hand in mine and guide us out the back door. Let the country boys laugh at this city girl all on their own.
From my bedroom window, the back of the property was amazing, but on the ground, in the middle of it, it’s awe-inspiring. The air smells fresh with damp grass and the sharp scent of pine mixed in. The setting sun casts a glow around the massive barn, located a short walk away. At first glance it looks like another house, but when you get closer, the noises and smells tell you what’s really beyond these doors.
I inhale my first proper breath since we landed in the middle of upstate New York. The familiar feeling ofcalm comes down over my shoulders, and I take a second to appreciate it, holding it close for the next time I’ll need it.
The only time I ever feel like I’m home is around horses and in Haunt’s arms. It used to be when I was with Colt and the guys, but that was all a lie, just like everything before my sixteenth birthday.
“You’re gonna love it. It’s all state of the art,” Cat says, opening up the door and leading me into the massive space. “Starlight is going to be so excited to have more horses in the pasture. She’s been so lonely since my other companion horse, Birdie, passed. All she’s got right now is Savi, our donkey. But I know she’ll just love Midnight Blue and Rex when they get here.”
“And Peanut—he’s my trail horse. Rex and Peanut have a special bond already so they can’t be separated too long. Has the barn manager set everything up with the feeding schedules and all?”
“I’m sure they’ve got it under control. Brett is one of the best managers I’ve ever dealt with. He’s on top of everything and runs it all like a well-oiled machine.”
She leads me down a small hallway, and then we’re in the stables. Six stalls on each side in neat cubes. The cement floor shines from the low hung lights and the shiny black doors of each of the stalls have a placard with names on them. A whinny comes from the left as we walk down and a familiar white and palomino nose sticks its head out into the hall.
“Peanut Butter Pants!” I say, moving down to get to my boy. His head bobs up and down as I reach out, and his warm breath ghosts my hands. I give him a good rub on his cheek and rest my head on his nose for a second, breathing him in.
