Page 2 of Knox's Fate

"Ruby," he said sternly, "I need you to work an extra shift tomorrow night. One of the other cooks called in sick."

Ruby hesitated for a moment, weighing his request against her own need to have some time to think things through, but she feared thinking would make her hesitate and not take the leap of faith the opportunity her inheritance from her aunt offered.

“You know, Lyle, I don’t think so.”

“What?” he asked incredulously. “What did you say?”

“I said, I don’t think so." Without anything further, Ruby took the keys to the diner from her ring and placed them on Lyle’s desk. “I quit.”

Ruby turned on her heel, and with each step she took, she felt an elation that hadn’t been present in her life for a long time. She had finally broken free of everything that had held her down for so long.

Lyle rushed from behind his desk, and from the sounds of it, tripped over his own feet and face planted on the floor. Ruby didn’t so much as look over her shoulder to check. She couldn’t bring herself to turn back for even one last look at the life she was walking away from, and besides…there was something eminently satisfying about imagining him lying there. The further she walked, the better she felt.

She didn’t look back, and for the first time in as long as she could remember, Ruby Edwards felt free.

CHAPTER 2

RUBY

Ruby gazed out the window of her car as she wound her way along the narrow road, her eyes tracing the contours of the Colorado Rockies rising sharply above her. The landscape around Silver Falls was breathtaking, almost surreal in its beauty. There, at the heart of it all, lay the town itself—quaint, isolated, and nestled at the base of the mountains, as if protected by their towering presence.

Its namesake waterfall cascaded down from a craggy ledge high above, its icy water crashing into the river that bordered the town. Even from this distance, she could feel the power of the falls, the mist rising like a phantom from the churning waters and giving the whole scene a dreamlike quality. The river wound past the town, its banks lined with wildflowers and dense clusters of trees, a dark green contrast to the golden meadows that rolled out toward the foothills.

Ruby drove slowly into town, feeling as though she’d entered another world. The town’s main street was lined with charming, old-fashioned buildings—a cozy bookstore, a small hardware store, a five-and-dime, a coffee shop, and an antique store, among other small-town staples. As Ruby made her way through town, she caught a few curious glances from the locals, whoseemed aware she was an outsider. The town’s beauty was undeniable, but beneath its allure, she sensed a layer of secrets woven into the mist and shadows. She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of this place and bracing herself for whatever awaited her.

The tires of Ruby's Jeep crunched against the gravel as she navigated the final bend that revealed her inheritance, a three-story lodge standing proud yet forlorn amidst the towering pines of Silver Falls surrounded by mountains. A frisson of unease traveled up her spine as she parked at the edge of the wild, overgrown driveway. With a deep breath to steady her nerves, her heart beating like the wings of a caged bird eager for release, she stepped out.

Her boots crunched on the gravel as her eyes roamed over the dilapidated facade of Aunt Lorraine's home.What have I gotten myself into?The memories from her childhood visits had been dashed when the lawyer had handed her current photos of the place. She remembered it as a wonderful, magical place—the sight of it in disrepair had been disheartening.

Standing in front of it now, she could envision what it might be. Despite the peeling paint and windows shuttered with secrets, Ruby's mind painted it anew, teeming with life and laughter as a bed and breakfast. Silver Falls was remote, but she could easily see turning the place into a destination for the outdoorsy set, as well as for corporate or writers’ retreats.

"Looks like you and I have some work to do," Ruby murmured to the house with a small smile. As if responding to her determination, a breeze seemed to whisper throughthe trees, carrying with it the scent of evergreens and untold possibilities.

With her resolve bolstered, she approached the wraparound porch, her footsteps echoing on the old wood with a sense of homecoming. Without warning, her right foot plunged through a rotten board, eliciting a sharp gasp from her lips. "Okay, add 'fix porch' to the list," she said wryly, extricating herself with a grace that belied her surprise.

The door groaned on its hinges as she unlocked and pushed it open, revealing an immense sitting room bathed in dusty sunlight that seemed to dance around the room, hinting at the beauty beneath the years of neglect. On the opposite side, a massive dining room stretched out, bringing to mind images of hearty breakfasts, grand feasts, and intimate dinners. The staircase to her left promised exploration and secrets nestled in the upper floors, while the hallway beckoned her toward the heart of any home—the kitchen.

"Potential," Ruby declared, her voice bouncing off the high ceilings. She felt the burden of her past beginning to lift slightly, replaced by the budding thrill of what lay ahead. She could do this, she thought, turning around to examine each room on the ground floor. She could make a go of this place and never have to deal with handsy bosses again. Each step she took fueled the ideas that bounced around her brain like a pinball machine. From the time she’d left the diner, she’d seen the lodge taking shape in her head.

Returning to her Jeep, Ruby hauled her belongings inside, her arms laden but her steps light, each trip across the threshold an act of claiming. Here, amid the echoes of the lodge's past and the shadows of the setting sun, Ruby Edwards would carve out a future, one where the walls would learn her hard work and laughter, and the floors would come to know her stride.

As the sun slowly began to sink below the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape, the lodge took on a foreboding presence. Its isolation was now even more pronounced, surrounded by dense forest and with no other signs of life in sight. The creaking of branches and rustling of leaves added to the eerie atmosphere, making it seem like the lodge was alive with secrets and stories waiting to be uncovered. As the sun completed its descent, the structure stood as a solitary shape against the backdrop of the night sky, its windows dark and mysterious.

She shook her head, reminding herself there was something to be said for her companion in solitude. The lodge’s imperfections were merely facets of its character—much like Ruby herself. She and the house were both survivors. Their worst days were behind them, and a new and better future danced in front of them.

The evening had fully draped itself over the lodge like a brooding, velvet cloak, and Ruby, with a steaming cup of tea cradled between her hands, stepped onto the porch to savor the solitude of her new domain. Silver Falls had sunk beneath twilight shadows, and an ethereal fog began to unfurl from the dense woods surrounding her inheritance. She inhaled deeply, feeling the crisp mountain air swirl into her lungs, mingling with the scent of pine and the unknown.

As she sipped the soothing liquid, a movement at the fringes of her vision caught her attention—a tall, hooded figure stood motionless at the edge of her property. Ruby's heart stuttered in her chest; the stranger was merely an outline against the encroaching mist, but his silent vigil spoke volumes. He seemedto be observing her, a specter born from the whispers of the town, and the sharp bite of vulnerability gnawed at her.

"Can I help you?" Her voice cut through the stillness, more confident than she felt. The question hung unanswered in the air, a challenge tossed into the void. As quickly as he appeared, the figure dissolved into the fog, leaving only ambiguity and a deep-seated unease in its wake.

Ruby's spine stiffened, her fiery spirit igniting with indignation. No shadowy onlooker would intimidate her. With a determined swivel, she retreated indoors, her grip on the empty mug white-knuckled. The door closed behind her with a definitive thud, and she locked it securely, sealing away the outside world.

Inside, the lodge creaked and groaned, an audible testament to the years it had weathered. Ruby moved about the kitchen, securing windows and doors with methodical precision. As she locked the door between the kitchen and the rest of the lodge, she noticed the carvings in the top of the door frame. Tracing her fingers over them she remembered asking her aunt about them and being told she would understand some day.

As Ruby passed by a window, the thickening mist outside drew her gaze. It clung to the glass like a living entity, obscuring the view, creating a barrier between her and the lurking secrets of Silver Falls.

Catching sight of a fleeting shadow through the haze, Ruby stilled. Once, twice, her breath was held hostage by the eerie feelings of doubt and fear. It was then that her eyes landed on the shotgun and ammunition tucked away in the corner—remnants of her aunt's life that suddenly felt like a lifeline.

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