Page 48 of Escaped
He changed tack effortlessly, grabbing the key and climbing out of the car.Owen’s vehicle wasn’t as large as the one we’d taken from Hawkins, but as promised, Eli had ensured that Hawkins’ car had been abandoned on an isolated track and set on fire.The flames should have ensured there was no trace of us left in or on the car, and I hoped it was the last we’d need to hear about Hawkins, though that felt optimistic.
By the time I’d grabbed the hoodie I’d borrowed from my brother, Eli had opened my door.Stepping out into the crisp air, I was once again reminded of the first time I’d arrived with Chelle.Eager to take on the challenge of the hike and so certain that she was on the brink of an exhilarating new life with James, Chelle’s smile was seared into my recollection.It was strange to find myself in a similar situation as Eli took my hand.
We started the long walk up the ramp in silence, each of us seemingly lost in our thoughts.It seemed like a lifetime ago since we’d been there last, yet I recognized it was only a matter of days.So much had transpired in that time.Life-altering events that would require hours of therapy, yet still, the lodge was just as it had been—untouched and banal.The only bastion of civilization in the encroaching wilderness, it sold maps, waterproofs, and ice creams, amongst other items.
Reaching the huge entrance, the surge of feeling was all too much and, heart racing, I gripped at the wooden door.
“Hey.”Eli’s voice radiated with concern.“Are you all right?”
“Yeah.”I peered past him into the store, making out the first racks of Niantes postcards.“I came here with Chelle before James arrived.I really hope she made it back to this place.”
“Come here.”Opening his arms, he beckoned me forward with one hand.“You need a hug before we do this.”
His suggestion received no protest from me.Walking the short distance to where he was waiting, I buried myself against the clothes Owen had lent him.I should have cared about aggravating his injuries, but in that moment, there was only the strength and wonder of the man.He held me there for an unquantifiable amount of time, when only the sound of the breeze whipping around the store and the constancy of his heartbeat seemed to exist.
“I’m okay.”I mumbled the words into Owen’s sweater.“Really.”
“Want to wait out here while I ask?”
He gestured behind me to the line of benches at the storefront.Looking back to eye them, I realized that the fresh air might actually help to clear my head.
“Okay.”I nodded.“If I have questions, I’ll ask later.”
Kissing my crown, he steered me to the nearest seat.“You wait here and get some color back in your cheeks.I won’t be long.”
“Thanks, sir.”
That was Eli’s power.His ability to not only take charge, but to persuade me it was in my interests to allow him to.As my ass hit the wooden bench, I recognized that it was.Let him do the talking.I didn’t have to deal with things alone, and for that, I was absurdly thankful.
He wandered to the front door before pausing to glance my way.Our gazes met fleetingly—a thousand slivers of sentiment; hurt and shared experience passing between us in a nanosecond—before he walked into the store.
Chapter Nineteen
Home to Roost
Eli
The store was empty as I walked inside, the small, silver bell sounding overhead drawing the assistant from the tiny kitchenette.I was relieved to see Tom striding behind the counter.In his thirties, he was as strong as he was reliable, and we’d always got along well.
“Eli!”His hand rose to welcome me.“I was wondering what happened to you after the storm.No one could get a hold of you.”
“That’s a very long story.”My mind flitted to my phone still sitting in the cabin beyond the store.“Things got a little treacherous up there for a while.”
I motioned with my head toward the peak of the wilderness.“I was with a group of tourists when the shit hit the fan, and that’s what I want to talk to you about.”
“Yeah.I wasn’t here that day, but I heard about it.Aside from clearing the snow, the next few days were all about what had happened.”His somber expression gave few clues as to what he’d heard, so I pressed on.
“Two of my party fell at the falls.”
I paused at my description, realizing the days of taking people there were over.Whatever happened with Erin and any potential reprisals from Hawkins’ men or the authorities, I could never return to that life.
My days in the wilderness were over.
“Two men, right?”
“Yes.”My heart sped up as Tom confirmed the details.“I called the incident in before the storm came, but then I lost signal, had to take refuge, and I never found out what happened to them.”
A knot of trepidation clutched at my stomach as I accepted how much that had bothered me.Tour guide might not have held the same responsibilities as state-sponsored assassin, but I’d enjoyed the job and respected the environment.Being unable to save James and Miles had ripped at what remained of my integrity.
