Page 15 of The Darkest Parts of Me

I chuckle lightly. “I don’t mind taking a look.” I follow her through the front door, and the inside is just as welcoming as the exterior.

“So, this is it,” she says, waving her arm over the expanse of the cabin. Despite being empty for years, it still feels snug and inviting, which I know is thanks to the presence of Tova and Maven, like the imprints they left behind have come alive again. “There’s a loft upstairs, a bedroom and bathroom on the main floor,” she says, pointing to each. “And this is the kitchen,” she adds, leading me across the space.

It’s very much like the layout of my cabin, but it has a larger kitchen and is more open overall. Plus the expansive windows let in a wealth of natural light.

“I like it,” I say. She nods, her smile fading as she faces me. For a moment, she seems lost in thought, but before I can consider it further, she clears her throat and grins.

“So, the sink,” Tova continues. “We have a toolbox that should, hopefully, have everything you need.” She motions over to the round, oak table where a worn, metal box sits.

I peek through it for a few seconds. “Yeah, this should work, but I have some tools in my truck if I need them.” She shows me where the problem is, and I take a quick glance underneath. The leak is significant, but I can manage. “It looks like it hasn’t been leaking for too long, so, damage-wise, I think you’re okay. You might want to leave the door open for a few days if you can to let it dry out.”

Tova looks relieved. “Oh, thank goodness.”

“It should be any easy fix,” I say, lying on my back and scooting under the sink for a closer look.

“Great! I’m just going to keep putting things away. Will I be in your way?”

“Not at all.” I scan for the valve to turn off the water source, and I discover the leak is from the sealant coming loose. “It looks like a few things just need to be tightened and resealed,” I say, emerging from the cupboard.

“Oh, perfect!” She looks up at me, pleased. “I knew if Mina and Tasha liked you, you had to be a good one.” That phrase rings in my ears again, causing me to pause.

I clear my throat. “Well, don’t believe everything they tell you about me. I know how they can be.”

She gives me a knowing smile. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” she says.

I wipe my hands on my black pants before heading back outside. “I just need to grab a couple of things from my truck. I’ll be right back.” I always keep a few things handy wherever I go, never knowing what Grant will need help with when I check in on him. Always be prepared—another credit to my extensive years of training that was drilled into me. At this point, it’s all second nature. I grin to myself, thinking about what I would have thought if someone had told me six years ago that I’d be fixing leaky sinks and cars.

Finding the can of sealant easily, I head back inside.

Tova opens a few more boxes, laying items out on the floor as I get to work. “Sorry for the mess, just trying to get things organized,” she says sheepishly.

“No worries. Unpacking is a process.”

She exhales loudly, placing her hands on her hips. “You’ve got that right.”

I give her a reassuring smile, turning back to the leak. The sounds of her unwrapping items and placing them inside the cabinet shelves is the only thing between us for a few minutes. A couple of times, I see her glancing out the window anxiously and wonder what’s on her mind.

“Alright. I think you’re good to go.”

“That was quick! Thank you.”

“No problem.” I stand with a small groan, turning on the faucet to ensure it won’t leak.

Tova places her hands on her hips again, scrunching her lips in thought and tapping her foot. “Would it be too much to ask for you to fix one more thing while you’re here?” she asks apologetically before looking out the window again.

I smile, shrugging my shoulders. “I mean, as long as I’m here, you might as well use me, right?”

Tova is quickly catching on to my sense of humor.

“Exactly! Might as well make use of your time.” She surveys the space, as if looking for something in particular. “We brought a new light with us. This old one isn’t big enough for the room—we always meant to replace it.” She gestures to the small light fixture hanging above the table. “Never got around to it before, but Maven insisted we get a new one. Now that I look at it, though, I fear it may be a bigger job than we can handle.” Weaving through the boxes, she snaps her fingers. “Ah, here it is!” She drags a heavy-looking box across the floor, but I step in to help her carry it to the kitchen table. “What do you think? Can you swap them?” she asks.

I scan the details on the box. “Looks simple enough. I’ll give it a shot.”

Squinting at the directions, I wish my AI had been able to teach me the written language, but that wasn’t part of the mission. I’ve tried my best to learn on my own, but I’m still not an expert. However, based on the design of the light and the images included in the instructions, I feel confident I can figure it out.

“I’ve got a step stool if you need it. You’re tall, but probably not tall enough to reach the ceiling with ease.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, not quite. A stool would be great.”

---