Page 1 of My Silver Lining

one

. . .

Rafe

“I thinkwe could totally make a volcano,” I said, scratching the back of my neck. My nephew, Cutler, was in town for the holidays, and they’d be heading home tomorrow. I’d taken him sledding earlier and wanted to spend a few more hours with him before I returned him to my sister, Emerson, and Nash.

“It’s so cool, Uncle Rafe. We made one in school, and you’ve got to see this,” he said.

Cutler Heart was seven years old and the coolest little dude around. My sister was engaged to his dad, Nash, and they were getting married here in Rosewood River in a few months. She was in the process of adopting Cutler, and our whole family was crazy about this kid.

I searchedDIY volcanoon my iPad, and it looked simple enough. “I’ve got a soda bottle we can empty and use, and I’ve got the dish soap. All we need is vinegar and baking soda.”

“Oh, man, I hope we don’t have to drive to the store. It’s snowing outside,” he said.

“I’m a resourceful guy, Beefcake,” I said with a laugh. Cutler liked to be called by his handle, which was hilarious. Like I said,this kid was a cool cat. “I bet Uncle Easton has that stuff in his pantry in the main house.”

I was temporarily staying in my brother’s guesthouse, as my home was in the midst of a large renovation. He moved in with his girlfriend, Henley, whose house was up the street. Apparently, Henley’s best friend was going to stay in the main house for a few months, and she’d be here at the end of the week.

All I brought with me was clothing, toiletries, and a few things from my home office. I’d be staying in the guesthouse for two to three months, or at least that’s what my contractor had promised.

“I thought Henley’s bestie was living in the big house?” Cutler asked, as he dropped my cowboy hat on his head and checked himself out in the mirror.

“Yeah, she had a bunch of boxes shipped here yesterday, but she won’t be here until the end of the week. I’ve got the key, so let’s go look in the pantry. I bet we’ll find both of these things in there.”

“Good idea. Can I wear your hat?” he asked.

“Of course. You look far too cool to take it off.” I grabbed the key to the main house off my counter, and we made our way across the paved area leading to the back door.

When we stepped inside, there were a few boxes stacked against the wall. “Apparently, she’s got a lot of clothes. I mean, she’s only staying for three months.”

I made my way through the kitchen, with Cutler right behind me.

“Yep. My mama has a lot of clothes, too, Uncle Rafe.”

“She sure does.” I pulled open the pantry door and immediately found a box of baking soda and shook it in front of him. “One down. Now to find the vinegar.”

The sound of something falling from down the hallway had us both straightening.

“What was that?” Cutler whispered.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s just the heater clicking on.” I held up my hand for him to stay put. “Wait right here. Let me go check it out.”

I came around the corner and saw the light from under the door in the bathroom. Did some teenager think he could crash here while no one was living here?

Are you fucking kidding me?

Was someone actually squatting in Easton’s house?

This was Rosewood River. People didn’t squat. Hell, people didn’t break into homes here.

Before I could reach for the handle, the door pulled open, and honey-brown eyes locked with mine, just as a hard fist collided with my throat. The stunning blow had me falling back against the wall as I gasped for air.

What the actual fuck is happening?

“Who the hell are you?” a woman shouted, as I coughed a few times and took her in.

She was standing in a fighter’s stance, as if she were preparing to attack me again.

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