Page 23 of Cabin Fever

My hands shook when I heard and felt nothing coming from the vehicle. What if this didn't work? How much longer would I be stuck here? I ran from my wedding, but that didn't mean I never wanted to see my family again. I missed Bea.

I sent prayers to every god that existed in every religion both past and present. I wasn't choosy.

The sweet sound of an engine rumbling to life after that dreadful second of nothing had me believing in the power of prayer and spark plugs.

Carter hollered, and I glanced over to witness his happy dance. I don't think he realized I could see him. At least, until he looked up to discover me staring at him with a goofy grin on my face.

"Nice moves, Fitzwilliam."

As if someone flipped a switch, Carter stiffened, and Mr. Grumpington took over his body once again. "Go get your stuff. Your stay is officially over."

I totally agreed. While I couldn't say Carter was a gracious host, he fed me, clothed me, and showed me how to bathe so I did appreciate all he had done. But I was beyond ready to go home.

The mental list of things I would do once I got back to DC had changed. It started a week ago with taking a hot shower in my multi-spray shower, eating Sarah's fabulous horseradish crab cakes until I was stuffed, and spending the entire day at the Hot Lava Spa on Twentieth Street. But the more time I spent here, I added things I'd never done before this week to the list, like learn more about sheep, take a cooking class, and the latest, learn auto maintenance.

Perhaps I was a little too eager as I made my way into the cabin because when I slammed the door behind me, the roof caved in. There was snow and leaves everywhere, especially up in the loft.

When Carter pushed open the door with wide eyes, I held up my hands.

"I'm sorry."

EIGHT

Carter

"ICAN PAY FOR THAT," Olivia said as she winced and looked at the hole in the roof.

My heart was still beating wildly in my chest. I had heard a crack in the tree that was next to the house just before Olivia went inside. I tried to call out to her, but it was too late. Once she stepped inside, a large branch fell over due to the heavy weight of the snow and landed on the roof.

The same fear I felt when I found my father unconscious in the barn two years ago came racing back as I ran toward the house. Did anything fall on Olivia? Was she hurt or worse, dead?

When I opened the door and found her standing there with the same expression Kitty had when she discovered the beef jerky I bought, the fear drained from my veins and I felt nothing but relief.

Before I realized what I was doing, I ran up to her and held her in my arms.

"Uh, Carter, I don't want to ruin the moment, but you're hugging me for putting a hole in your roof. Did the car fumes get to you?"

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