Page 57 of Cabin Fever

I had to accept it was true whether I wanted it or not. The intruder asked about the money. That guy called Carter by his last name. He knew about his past.

When Carter told me the name of the hospital he was born, it took all my energy to hide my shock.

"I still think it's a coincidence."

I couldn't look at my sister. I knew what I was saying was ridiculous, but I didn't want her to tell anyone. It hurt too much to bring that power-hungry world up here and if Bea told anyone, they'd descend like my mom on a famous celebrity or former president at one of her parties.

"It's still just a theory, so don't say anything, okay?"

She nodded, and I hoped she understood how devastating this could be for Carter.










EIGHTEEN

Carter

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU're doing?" Olivia yelled from behind me.

My back straightened, and I dropped the rake. I turned to find Olivia there with surprise bordering on anger etched across her face.

"I didn't hear you come in the barn. What time is it?"

I figured Olivia would be out most of the day with her sister, and the sun hadn't even started to set yet.

She faced me with a scowl on her face. "It's about three. You didn't answer my question, Carter. Why are you trying to clean out the barn? Your arm's still healing."

Turning my back to her, I picked up the rake and got back to work. "I’m just adding some hay for the bedding. I wanted you to enjoy your time with your sister, not have to worry about the farm. One day won't hurt me."

I winced and gritted my teeth as a wave of pain shot up my arm in defiance to my words. With a quickness I hadn't expected, the cleaning implement was ripped from my hand.

"Hey, I was using that."

"Not anymore. Get back inside. I'll add the hay and make sure they have water. If you're bored, you can walk Kitty." Olivia picked up where I left off with the rake.

I scratched at my beard. No one walked Kitty. The dog had never had a leash on in her life. My father made sure I trained her at an early age. A leash on a dog out here would do more harm than good.

"I took her on a long walk an hour ago. She's fine. Why don't I help you at least? I'm the farmer, remember?"