Page 16 of Campfires & Canines
"She is fine. I walked her to your cabin." I pause, knowing he won't like this. "But she did fall into the water."
He scrubs his face with his hands. "Seriously?"
"I think she was startled to see me. Don’t worry, I pulled her out and she was uninjured. But on the walk back, she scraped her ankle. It bled a little. I don't think it's serious."
"Understood." His tone is dismissive. But apparently, I don't use my best judgment when it comes to her, so I keep talking.
"Sir, I wanted to treat her injury, but she seemed more embarrassed than in pain. But I can check on her, or maybe fetch Sable?" I offer.
"No, it's okay. She can handle herself. I'll check on her before dinner." He nods, his small sign of approval unraveling my tension. I turn to leave. "Slate?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Thank you for keeping an eye on her. Go ahead and focus on her for the remainder of her visit. I have a feeling she'll continue to take risks." He smiles, clearly fond of his niece.
"Yes, sir."
I don't miss how Hawthorne raises an eyebrow at me. He's noticed my fixation. Great.
During dinner, my eyes are on Hazel. She sits between Marigold and Crickett. It's taco night, cooked by the twins and their mother, my Aunt Clove. At least that keeps Onyx away from Hazel during dinner.
The girls chatter away about books, hiking, cooking, recent movies... Marigold invites Hazel to our campfire night. After cleaning up, I trail after them. Cedar and Onyx skip out of the kitchen to join us.
Cedar and Onyx's family home sits southwest of us, closer to the training ring. It makes it easy for Fisher to manage everyone's training like his father did before him. Unfortunately, the family legacy might end with him. Cedar isn't interested in the role and Onyx can't get his head out of his ass long enough to take anything seriously.
It's a two-story cabin with a balcony extending over the patio. String lights drape from the railing to nearby trees, casting a soft glow. It lights up Hazel’s profile as we walk, a golden line along her perfect nose and full lips. Along each wave of her hair.
I keep sneaking glances. She’s utterly perfect.
We sink onto the split log benches that curve around the stone fire pit.
Marigold crumples up recycled paper to stuff under the kindling while Cedar stacks more firewood nearby. Flicking his lighter out, he starts the fire. It jumps from page to page, growing and licking at the kindling until it catches the wood alight.
Hazel surveys the cabin. "Your home is gorgeous."
"I'd love to give you a tour and show you my room," Onyx flirts. My fists clench.
Hazel laughs at him. "Your mom is a baker, right?"
"Yeah, she made dinner tonight," Cedar supplies as he steps back from the campfire now crackling happily. He sits beside me, leaving Onyx on his own.
"We helped," Onyx adds.
"Marigold, where is your family's cabin?" Hazel inquires, bumping her shoulder into Marigold's.
Marigold waves her hand towards the meadow. "Oh, my dad's house is a ways past the diner, you just walk straight. My brothers still live there. But I moved in with my grandma last year so Indigo could have his own room."
"Oh, that's sweet," Hazel praises.
"Her house is behind the garden. She likes to have access to all the herbs Cedar grows." Marigold admires Cedar and Hazel tracks her gaze. A small smirk crosses her mouth for a second.
Hazel is sharp, and Marigold isn't as subtle as she thinks. Too bad Cedar is oblivious.
"Sounds lovely to be right by the garden."
"Yeah, it's great. And I still see my brothers constantly. Indie is apprenticing with my grandma. And I've still got Cobalt in class since he's only eleven."
Onyx rests his forearms on his knees. "Hazel, do you have any siblings?"
