Page 34 of When the Woods Go Silent

Something is changing, and even the oldest among us are uncertain.

It is time to read the rings of history, even though they are locked away from us behind lead-glass windows. We will find a way. Ancient power begins to answer our need, seeping from the earth, into our roots and up, up into the tips of branches, which grow longer and sharper.

We will find our way inside. We must read the rings.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

RUBY

It’s been almost two days since Torrence left me on read after suggesting a double date. Loser.

Unfortunately, there’s something about him that my stubborn brain can’t let go of, not to mention the delicious treats he sent us. If I could eat atGoblin Marketevery day, I would, and not only for the chance to see him.

Rose has already written off both guys, but in the privacy of my own mind, I keep making excuses for him. People make mistakes. They get busy. They have insecurities - although I can’t imagine what someone who looks like Torrence could have to be insecure about.

I sigh and stretch in my office chair, arching my back so far that my butt slides off the seat. I need to stay focused on the store and stop fantasizing about a guy who won’t even text me. The days are slipping by so quickly now, as we approach our grand opening. Rose snickers when I slither down onto the worn wooden floor like a wilting flower.

“Break time?” she offers, cracking her neck. We’ve made really good headway on the boxes of unshelved books today, even finding a box tucked away in the office cabinets, full of books that look old enough to be worth some big money to a collector. William was quite a book hoarder, and sometimes Iwonder if he even remembered what he had stashed away in closets.

“Ugh. Definitely break time. My butt’s going flat from sitting here,” I complain, going starfish on the floor of the kitchen-turned-office.

“Just wait. Soon enough, you’ll be whining about your sore feet from running around helping customers all day.”

“I hope so,” I say, unable to keep the rare hint of doubt from my voice. Will this really work? Yeah, our online presence is fantastic, but what if nobody actually comes to the store? Stuff of nightmares.

“Hey, I can practically hear you thinking those negative thoughts. Maybe we should go for a hike or something.”

Even though I’m sprawled flat on the floor, my eyes snap up to hers. “Really?” Rose rarely suggests going on hikes with me, preferring to stay on the sidewalks.

“I mean, nothing too strenuous. But I could use a quick stretch.” She laughs and snaps her laptop closed.

“Race you to change!” I throw myself up and toward the back stairs, giggling as Rose shrieks something about fairness. As if that ever mattered. Of course, I’m going to beat her. She never knows where her stuff is, and she’s on all fours digging in her closet for shoes when I lean against the door frame.

“No flat asses here,” I tease. We both know I’m a little jealous of her pinup girl figure.

“You’re welcome.” Her voice is muffled, but she sits back momentarily, holding up tennis shoes in triumph. “If I wear these, we have to stay on the damn trail,” Rose warns me, lacing them up.

“Fine. I promise. But you really should get some actual hiking boots.”

She sticks out her tongue, but I know it’s in good fun. Maybe I’ll buy her some myself. She can’t say no if it’s a gift, right? Wegrab our water bottles and head out the front door of the shop, setting the alarm behind us.

“It’s so cool to be able to just check out of work whenever we want,” Rose says, breathing in deeply as we cross the empty street to head into the woods.

“I know, right? I mean, of course when the store opens, we’ll be good. But I think we’re going to love this.”

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