Page 36 of Wrecked
I wasn't ready.
It was with a very heavy heart that I walked into the auto shop to collect my Mazda.Would it be rude to leave and only come back tomorrow?The thought hadn't even fully formed before I turned.
"You're here."
Logan's voice stopped me mid-step, and I bit back a curse. Planting a smile on my face, I pivoted to face him. "I am." As subtle as I could, I scanned the area, hoping to catch Brett.
"He already left."
"I'm sorry?" I feigned ignorance. "Who left?"
One of those laughs that came straight from the belly filled the air. "Ah, come on now…"
I huffed out a breath and spread my arms wide, "Fine. I wanted to say goodbye in person."
Logan motioned for me to follow him up the stairs that led to an office. Once he moved behind the desk, he pulled an envelope from the top drawer. My heart stopped beating as he held it out to me. If it was another letter from Brett, I didn't want it.
With a frown, he shook the brown manila, "Your invoice and key fob."
"Right." I snatched the envelope from him and removed its contents. While my eyes scanned over the paper, my brain was somewhere else. I didn't care how long it took, but I wasn't leaving Willow Creek until I got some answers from Brett.
"Can I ask you a favor?" Along with my question, I handed Logan my credit card.
He didn't hide his smile as he reached for the tiny machine on his desk and swiped my card. "'Course."
"I'm absolutely horrible with directions," I admitted. "Will you please draw me a map to the cabin?" Being as secluded as it was, I doubted that the address for Brett's cabin would be listed on any application.
With a nod of his head, he grabbed a pen and a piece of paper and started scribbling. When he was done, he held it out to me but didn't let go. "I'm not a person who meddles," he insisted. "Brett is family, and I look out for family." I blinked and tipped my head. "Now, I don't know exactly how things went down with you two, but I remember how it affected him, how itstillaffects him. You be mindful of that when you go out there."
With my spine straightened, I held his stare until he relinquished his hold on the scrap of paper. "Thank you." With a lot of care, I folded the map in half and slid it into my back pocket.
As if the last few minutes never happened, Logan proceeded to explain all the work that had been done on my car, and after I signed the job card, I was on my way.
Back at the guesthouse, I stared at the clothes laid out on the bed. On one side was, what used to be, my favorite business suit. Dean had always complimented me on how well the navy brought out my eyes. Next to the suit was a pair of faded jeans with a plain white t-shirt.
To most people that would just be two outfits beside each other. To me, it was two very different people sprawled out on the bed, and I had to decide which one was the real me.
Instead of deciding that instant, I made my escape to the bathroom where I took a shower. A shower that lasted so long, the water had turned cold. With my hands planted on my hips, I returned to the bed, my gaze bouncing between the outfits.
I reached for the jeans and t-shirt, and a slow smile spread across my face. Every item I donned brought with it a new sense of freedom and finally being in control. When my bags were packed, I went in search of Mrs. Davis.
I found her sitting in the garden. "May I?"
Happiness twinkled in her eyes as she patted the empty space next to her, "Please." We sat in silence for a couple of minutes, admiring her beautiful garden. A pair of butterflies fluttered past, and my heart pinched.
"Are you heading home, dear?"
I wanted to tell her that I wasn't going home, I was returning to the place where my belongings were. Right then, I didn't know where home was. Instead, I whispered, "Yes."
Mrs. Davis's elderly hand covered mine, "And you're sure you're not leaving anything behind?"
My gaze snapped to hers, and I was certain she saw the question burning in my eyes. She smiled a smile that said I still needed to learn everything she'd already forgotten about life. "I'm afraid there are a lot of things I'm not sure of, Mrs. Davis."
"As long as you leave with no regrets." She gave my hands a quick squeeze and slowly pushed to her feet. "I'm not saying goodbye," she winked at me and then strolled in the direction of the house.
A few minutes later I was behind the wheel of my Mazda, heading down a dirt road wondering if I'd completely lost my mind. I felt relieved when I pulled up in front of the cabin and spotted Brett's parked truck.
Relief soon made way for nerves when I approached the door. I raised my hand to knock but stopped when I heard faint hammering. Curiosity got the better of me, and I set off to inspect where the sound came from.
