Page 2 of Long Hard Road

“My neighbor’s aunt is renting out her dad’s cabin. He had to go into assisted living last spring and she decided to fancy up the place and rent it out. I haven’t seen all the new updates they’ve made, but it’s a beautiful piece of land.” Amelia added a giant cinnamon roll to a plate and placed that next to the coffee. She rang up my order and I paid, leaving a generous tip in the jar next to the register.

“Enjoy your time in Crestwood,” Amelia said. “Maybe I will see you around.”

“Maybe.” I forced a smile. If things went according to plan, I would see as few people as possible. I hadn’t come to Crestwood to mingle with the locals. I’d come to hide away in a remote area while my life went to shit.

When I turned to find a seat, I noticed a table with three teenage girls who were looking at something on their phones. I heard the light strum of a guitar playing a familiar song.

“Shit,” I mouthed to myself, keeping my head down and letting my hair shield most of my face. It didn’t just prevent them from clearly seeing my face, it also prevented me from seeing that a man at the table closest to me had just pushed back his chair and stood. I barely avoided sloshing my coffee all over him, but I did manage to splash it on my hand. “Ow. Fuck.”

A large hand closed around my arm. “Sorry, miss. Are you alright?”

I looked up and nearly dropped my coffee along with my jaw. The man in front of me was staring at me with concern while I was staring at him in awe. He was gorgeous. Dark hair cropped close on the sides and a little longer on top. It had a perfect wave to it that was just begging for me to slide my fingers through it. He had equally enticing eyes, the color of a gray sky just before a storm.

“Um, yes.” I somehow composed myself enough to string together two sounds that passed for a confirmation. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”

That was a laughable excuse considering this man was a few inches over six feet with broad shoulders that tapered to a narrow waist. Missing a man that large, and that beautiful, was impossible.

“No worries. I’m a bit of a wallflower. I tend to blend in with my surroundings.” His smile was crooked, lifting higher on the right side. “Pretty much the opposite of you.”

I just kept staring at him.

“You’re sure you’re okay?” His grip on my arm tightened.

“I’m good.” I laughed awkwardly. “It’s just been a long few days.”

“Been there.” He gestured to the table he’d just vacated. “It’s all yours. Some food and caffeine will help clear the brain fog.”

“That’s the hope.” I flinched when he stepped closer to pull out a chair. “Oh. Thanks.”

“You’ve got your hands full.” He winked at me and stepped back. “Enjoy. This place has the best cinnamon rolls in the state and the coffee is damn good, too.”

I nodded and put down the plate and mug before sliding into the seat he’d pulled out. When I looked up to ask his name, he was already walking away. He chatted with Amelia quickly and she handed him some napkins. Then he returned to my table and handed them to me. “For the spill.” Then he smiled his crooked smile and walked away.

In the haze of lusting after him, I had forgotten about the coffee that had splashed and burned my hand. Of course I had been a clumsy dork in front of the hottest man I’d ever seen. Not to mention practically mute. It was probably for the best since the attention of a hot man was the last thing I needed right now.

The cinnamon roll was amazing and the coffee was delicious. I hung out at the table until it was time for me to meet the woman who was renting out the cabin. Kaylie had sent me the information a couple of days ago and I finally got around to reading her message. She had included detailed directions for finding the cabin, plus the contact information for the landlord.

I followed the road to the end of Main Street and then turned right. I passed a bar that looked like it had seen better days and a gas station. Beyond that was a field with three cabins spaced equally apart. I turned down the dirt road leading to the first cabin and breathed a sigh of relief that my new temporary home appeared to be in good condition.

A woman with a sleek, dark bob and prim sheath dress stood on the porch. She raised a hand to greet me with a wave as I exited my car.

“You found it! I was hoping the directions I sent would remove any possible confusion.” The woman stuck out her hand. “I’m Maggie. These three cabins are all under my control. This will be yours for the next month. The next one is my brother’s, but it’s being rented by a local for now and I live in the third cabin. If you need anything, just pop on over or give me a call. Nate will also gladly help you out if I’m not around. He’s very handy and not too bad to look at either.” Maggie laughed and waved me forward. “Come on. I’ll give you the quick tour and you can get settled before dark.”

Maggie was efficient with her tour. She showed me inside and explained how to work the locks. Then she took me to the kitchen and pointed out where to find the coffeemaker and toaster. Extra blankets and towels were in the linen closet. The cabin was small and cozy, with a wood-burning fireplace.

“There’s more firewood by the back door and Nate will get you more if you need it. Just ask. His family owns the largest ranch around and they always have plenty of firewood. He’ll also handle your trash. Just leave it on the back deck before Monday mornings.” Maggie was like a cyclone, ripping through the cabin as she listed off everything I needed to know.

I was so used to other people handling everything for me that I paid extra close attention to everything she said. Maybe I should’ve taken notes.

“Just call or text if you need anything,” Maggie said after showing herself to the door. “Welcome to Crestwood, Madison. Enjoy your stay.”

It was a nice thing to say, but I wasn’t in Crestwood for enjoyment. I was just trying to survive the next month.

2

MADISON

Acabin in the middle of nowhere had seemed like a great idea when my only focus had been survival. But now I was forced to deal with the consequence of that hasty decision.

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