Page 216 of Shifting Hearts 1
Florence giggled, even sounded like her mother. Abby and Sarah must be gone.
They were both so beautiful with their red hair and bubbly personalities, even though Abbigail was deaf. Must be gone, changed with the past, like my Siskia and Hunter. My frozen heart still cringed every time I thought about them passed my mind.
“Let’s go,” Florence said, and we followed her down the winding stone path.
She was just like her mother, bold, outgoing, and impossible to ignore.
The walkway to the cottage was lined with snow-dusted hedges. Bare branches arched overhead like skeletal fingers, catching glints of frost in the setting sun. Each step crunched under our boots, the cold crisp and sharp, nipping at our faces. A cardinal flew past, its red feathers a striking contrast against the white world.
“There is a meet and greet tonight at six. Irene’s orders.”
My stomach fluttered again. Just hearing the woman’s name who vowed a long time ago, in another life that she would always be my mother, would do that to you. I had no idea whether I could do this anymore.
Florence took us to the cottage that stood at the far end, its wooden exterior a soft gray-blue, with shutters the color of pine and a peaked roof capped in snow. A small covered porch held a bench swing and a welcome mat half-buried in powder.
Inside, the warmth wrapped around us instantly. A fire crackled in a large stone hearth, its glow bathing the room in amber hues. The scent of cedar-wood and old books filled the air.
The interior was cozy and elegant, soft rugs underfoot, thick curtains framing frosted windows, and a small kitchen tucked to one side. Two bedrooms branched off a central living space, and the furnishings were simple but beautiful. Woven blankets, hand-carved end tables, and a worn leather armchair facing the fire gave the space life and memory.
Paul dropped his bag with a sigh. “Okay. I can get used to this.”
Emily laughed as I looked around. Everything about this place was warm, inviting, safe.
And yet, I felt anything but.
“I’ll let you settle in. Welcome, guys. It’s nice meeting you.” Florence gave us a warm smile as she reached for the door. “The fridge is stocked, not thatyouneed it. And tonight, some of us are going hunting. If you’re interested, you’re welcome to join.”
“Thanks, love,” Em said, pulling her cousin in for another hug.
“I’ll call you if Ryan shows up.”
“You better. I haven’t seen him in ages.”
“None of us have.” Florence’s voice dropped, laced with something distant and heavy.
Em had told me how Jace kept sending Ryan off on errands, what kind of errands, she never said. And I never pressed. Just like I never told her about my own past. We both had secrets. Some too heavy to share.
Once Florence left, the silence lingered for a second too long. I couldn’t shake the resemblance. She lookedsomuch like Annie. It was uncanny, painful even.
I claimed the first room. It was small, cozy, too elegant for a guesthouse cottage. Still, it was warm, with a plush bed, soft lighting, and curtains that was way too thick and matched everything in this room.
I let out a quiet chuckle. He was still a snob. All of them were. But they weremysnobs once.
I missed this. The comfort. The warmth. The feeling of being protected, surrounded. Safe.
I missedthem.
I shouldn’t have come.
The door burst open and Jesse barreled in like a hurricane, laughing before diving onto the bed and dragging me down with him.
“Jesse!” I squealed, startled, as his laugh echoed through the room. He was the closest I’d ever be to Jason again.
“I can’t believe you’re really here!”
“Yeah, well… I still don’t know what your uncle’s going to say.”
“C’mon. He’s going to love you.”
