Page 43 of When We Burn

“I know. It was just so fucked up that he never paid for what he did.” And that fact makes me so goddamn angry. How they’re not all screwed up is a testimony to Holden’s determination to love them so much. I notice where we are and then say, “The cabins are just around this bend.”

A row of eight A-frame cabins come into view, and when we circle around to the front of them, we see that this whole side is nothing but windows, letting in the view of the beautiful mountains ahead.

“Oh, Bridger, these are amazing.”

“Come on, I’ll show you one.”

I hop off Copper and then help her off Crackers, and we secure their reins before I take her hand and lead her to the first cabin. I know that the door isn’t locked.

“This is the biggest one and can sleep up to six. The others sleep either two or four.”

She nods, and I open the door, and we step inside. They aren’t furnished yet, but they’re already impressive.

The kitchen and living room are open to each other. There’s a loft above, which sleeps four, and there’s a tiny bedroom that sleeps another two. There’s one bathroom for the whole cabin.

“It’s so much bigger inside than it looks from out there,” she murmurs, walking around. “And thesewindows. Bridger, someone’s going to come in here and never want to leave.”

I chuckle and shove my hands into my pockets, nodding.

“I know. I told Beck he’ll have people offering him a million dollars to buy one.”

“You may joke, but I think you’re right.”

“It’s not really a joke.” I stay back and let her wander through, then up the stairs. She leans over the railing, smiling down at me.

“Hey.” She waves.

“Hey yourself, beautiful girl.”

She laughs and then comes back down the stairs. “Beckett is going to kill it with these. Is he going to offer hunting guides and stuff, too?”

“Yeah, that’s the long-term plan.” I can’t help it. I pull Dani against me, wrap my arms around her shoulders, and plant my lips in her hair, hugging her to me. I need to touch this woman constantly. She’s like a drug, and I’m completely addicted to her.

“You’re so fucking amazing, sweetheart.”

“Gosh, Bridger, you give thebesthugs. I know others have told you that, but it’s so true.”

I like to hug. And not any of that half-assed pat-you-on-the-back bullshit, either. If I care enough about someone to hug them, I want tohugthem.

And I love the way Dani melts into me, her head pressed to my chest in exactly the right spot, her arms wrapped around my torso.

She fits me.

“How are you feeling?” I ask her softly. “Ready to keep going?”

“Yes. I want to see the cows. I’ve always had a soft spot for them.”

“What about the goats?”

She frowns up at me. “You have goats?”

“Yeah, and chickens—” She stiffens at that, and I narrow my eyes at her.

“No chickens, okay?” Her lower lip quivers, but she firms it and raises her chin. “Not today.”

“No chickens. Let’s go see the cows and goats. How do you feel about puppies?”

“Oh, I am fond of puppies.”

---