Page 12 of Crossroads of Betrayal
The weight of everything she’d ran from for so long crashed down on her like an anvil. “I wish I knew.”
Brooke’s smile was small and a little sad. “Let’s start with the guy. Did you two date before you came here?”
“We were married.” The words came out on a whisper and a tiny bit of the weight pressing her down dissipated.
Holding up a palm, Brooke blinked long and slow. “I think I need to sit down for this conversation.”
Grace couldn’t help but laugh. God, had she really just said those words out loud? No one knew about her hasty marriage to Zeke except her sister, Penelope, and the pastor who’d married them. They’d been so young, so in love, and the threat of being separated after their leave was over made her impossibly impulsive.
A decision she’d regret every single day for the rest of her life. Because if she hadn’t been gone, hadn’t run off with Zeke to celebrate their marriage, she would have been in that refugee camp with Penelope and their three friends who’d been taken by Isis. She might have been able to find them before her friends had been killed and Penelope tortured.
But yet again, she hadn’t been where she was supposed to be. Hadn’t been around to help the people she loved escape a horrible fate. Had let emotions rule her decisions, leading to death and tragedy.
Just like with Tessa.
“Have you eaten?” Brooke asked.
Grace tilted her head to the side, caught off guard by the swift change of topic. “Not since this morning. I managed a protein bar on the hike back to the retreat.”
Brooke frowned. “It’s nearly dinner time. You need to eat more than that.”
The idea of food made Grace cringe. “I’m not really hungry.”
“Doesn’t matter. Put the bow away and let’s head to the lodge. Chet or Mia can whip up whatever you’d like. Or, I’m sure we can convince Wade to bring something from the Chill N’ Grill. It’s Sunday, which means fried chicken. No one can say no to Wade’s fried chicken.”
Being around the guests or workers or anyone else back at the lodge made the space between her shoulder blades itch, but Brooke was right. If Wade, the owner of the Chill N’ Grill and world’s biggest flirt, was willing to bring her favorite meal, she’d never resist. “Give me ten more minutes then I’ll head that way.”
Brooke dipped her chin. “Only if I can join you.”
Grace finally cracked a smile. “You own the place. You can do whatever you want.”
“Then I’ll grab a bow and stand beside you. Because that’s all I want to do. Be here for whatever you need, whenever you need it. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Grace secured another arrow and couldn’t help but feel a little lighter. It was well past time to let someone into her lonely life. Brooke offered her something she hadn’t had in a long time.
A real friend.
* * *
Hunger pangs enticedZeke to finally leave his cabin and head to the lodge. He jumped into the golf cart loaned to him by the retreat and maneuvered around the lake. Gravel crunched under the tires and wind whipped through the open sides. Tiny waves splashed along the shore. The scenery outside his little temporary home tempted him to sit on the porch his whole visit and just try to relax.
He snorted at the ridiculousness of the idea. Relaxation was the last thing to expect over the next five days. Not with Grace so close and the ongoing investigation regarding Tessa’s death. The best thing he could do was take a look at everything the retreat had to offer while he was up at the lodge and bury himself in enough shit to keep his mind busy.
The bend turned and he motored up the slight incline that wrapped around the front of the retreat. He parked the cart in the designated spot and drew in a deep breath. After the long, stressful hike he’d holed up in his cabin for the rest of the day. He’d showered, called his parents to check in, then gave in to exhaustion and took the first nap he’d had in years.
Not like it’d helped calm him. But at least fatigue wasn’t scratching at his eyes.
Now all he wanted was to run into the lodge, grab some dinner, then head back to his cabin and figure out what to do with the rest of his time here.
Taking a second to appreciate the building, he stared up the three-story log lodge that could have been pulled from a movie set. A wide porch wrapped around the building and a huge set of deep red double doors led inside. He itched to explore. Hell, the size of the place was so impressive he could spend all his time trying not to get lost in what lay within.
The door opened, and a man around his own age with close-cropped hair stepped outside. He paused, holding the door open and offered a tight smile.
“Thanks,” Zeke said and jogged up the steps. “Appreciate it.”
“No, problem. I haven’t seen you around. First day here?”
