Page 6 of The Last Trip

I just wish he’d say something. Something to reassure me that we’re still going to be okay, that we’re in this together, and he’s not going to lose focus on our family to explore this new, unexpected one.

If I ask for that, though, I worry he’d give it to me unauthentically to place a bandage over the wound. I’ll always question whether he actually means it unless he brings it up himself.

“It’s really nice. Just like the pictures.” I lean my head against his shoulder—a truce.

“Perfect.” I feel his lips press against the top of my head before he releases me, crossing the room slowly to take it all in. He runs a hand over the top of the couch before his hands go into his pockets, and he moves to stand in front of the window. With a deep sigh, he glances back at me. “At least we have a good view for the next few days, hmm?”

Before I can answer, I hear a sound coming from one of the bedrooms. My stomach tenses as he looks back at me, eyes full of concern.

“What was that?”

“I don’t know.” The baby kicks, seeming to sense the panic currently coursing through my veins.Is someone else in the house?

Cautiously, with a look of warning that tells me to stay still, Calvin moves toward one of the doors to his left. “Is someonethere?” he calls, his voice steady but an octave higher than usual. He reaches the door and holds out a hand for the doorknob, turning it slowly. Once it’s turned, he shoves the door open and peers inside.

He looks back at me, and I realize I’ve been holding my breath. “Anything?”

He shakes his head, then his eyes lock on something over my shoulder, and I spin around just as the sound comes again, this time from behind me.

Through the glass window of the door, I spot an older couple smiling at me. My heart skitters at the same time I realize what’s happening. The sound earlier didn’t come from the bedroom, it came from the driveway. Someone shut a car door.This coupleshut their car door.

“Oh.” I’m still standing frozen staring at the couple when Calvin zips past me. They look to be in their sixties or seventies. She’s thin with long, wild silver hair and bright blue eyes. Her face is gaunt, with papery skin. Next to her, he feels hardened, his face a deep tan, with long, gray hair pulled back in a ponytail. Underneath his brown canvas coat, he’s wearing a button snap shirt.

Cal pulls open the door, but not enough that they could enter. “Can I help you?”

We’re supposed to be alone up here on this mountain. Why would they be here? Who are they in the first place? Why are they bothering us?

The woman smiles, her dry lips parting to reveal gray teeth. From inside the house, I realize she looks vaguely familiar. Do I know her from somewhere? Perhaps I saw her photo on the listing for this place, but I don’t think so. “Well, hello there. We were hoping to get here before you arrived and drop this off.” She gestures toward the man next to her, toward something I can’t see in his hands. “Better late than never, I suppose.”

“Oh, wow.” Cal releases the door and leans forward, and I hear something crinkling—like Christmas wrapping—as I step forward. As he steps back, I spot the oversized gift basket in his arms. His eyes flick to meet mine, then return to the couple. “What is this?”

“It’s just a little something to welcome you. Some local jams and candies, a bottle of wine.” Her eyes land on me with a chuckle, and I’m still studying her, trying to decide why I know her face. “Though I can see that won’t be of much use to you.”

“This is very kind of you,” Cal says, still awkwardly holding the basket in his arms. “You’re the owners, I’m assuming?”

“I’m Norma, and this is my husband, George.” Her eyes travel over us slowly, clearly waiting for us to introduce ourselves.

“Um, right.” Cal steps back and places the basket on the table, before turning toward me. “I’m Calvin, and this is my lovely fiancée, Sadie.”

“Fiancée, hmm?” The woman’s eyes bounce to my stomach with obvious judgment. “When’s the wedding?”

I’m not totally convinced this isn’t all a nightmare, that I haven’t fallen asleep in the car on the way here. Why won’t they just leave? Why do they both keep staring at me so intently? Every hair on my neck stands at attention, and I can feel their gazes crawling across my skin like spiders.

“Uh, well, we’re still deciding.” He crosses the kitchen and puts an arm around me, sensing my discomfort. “But we just arrived, and we’re getting all settled in, so thank you for letting us stay in your beautiful home and, if you don’t mind…”

“Oh. Of course,” the woman says, though she makes no effort to leave or even to spare a glance toward the door. “Where did you say y’all are from, anyway? Was it a long drive?”

“Nashville,” Cal says, his voice as pleasant as ever, as if they aren’t completely disregarding our request that they leave. Thisplace was supposed to support self-check-in. There’s no reason for them to be here in the first place. “So not too far at all.”

“Oh, we love Nashville.” She grins at her husband, who nods sternly. “Don’t we, George?”

“Used to, anyway.” His response is gruff.

“Well, that’s true, I suppose. The city isn’t what it used to be. We actually have a home just outside of there, but with a few cabins here, we stay on the mountain more often lately.” The woman’s smile goes stiff. “Now, are you sure there isn’t anything we can get you? Have you checked to make sure there are enough blankets in the closets? This place can get a bit drafty.”

“Yep.” Cal claps his hands together. “There were plenty of blankets. Thanks.”

“And the fridge? What about food? You know, I just had the best idea. What if you two came to our place for dinner? I’m sure you won’t want to cook after the drive here, and we’re happy to have you, aren’t we, George? We just never get guests anymore. It wouldn’t be any trouble at all.”

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