Page 14 of You Were Invited
"That’s it. Thank you.” She told him that she’d seen his display from down the street. “It seemed like a really great idea.”
“I aim to please.”
She glanced back over at his truck. “You chop all that yourself?”
"Oh yes. Whacked ‘em all myself."
Her eyes widened. "Really? Seems dangerous."
"It is if you stand where the tree is falling."
She cracked a smile. "Har-har. I s’pose it's in your best interest not to get squashed like the Wicked Witch, huh?"
He shrugged and laughed. "I didn't go to the Prometheus School of Running Away from Things, if that's what you mean. That way they can’t grab me with their branches."
Just then, a minivan pulled off the road. The driver rolled down his window.
“You got some nice sticks there. Mind if I do?” he said.
The woodsman adjusted his cap. “Sure thing.”
Unexpectedly, Annie felt a twinge of disappointment that their conversation was over. Despite the awkwardness,their banter felt… refreshing.
“I’m Julian, by the way.” The woodsman stuck out his hand.
Surprised, Annie took it and he shook hers gently. “Nice to, er… meet you.”
“Sorry for nearly bowling you over earlier. I was runnin’ late.”
She smiled. “It was nothing at all, really. Thank you for the wood, Julian.”
He held her gaze for a moment. He looked like he was about to ask her something, but when the family man interrupted with a question, Julian excused himself with a polite smile.
“Gotta make a living.”
“Definitely… Have a good rest of your day.”I need to get to the cabin anyway.It was another twenty minutes away up a winding rough byway, and she was exhausted.
As she drove off, she caught Julian’s eye. Gave him a little wave.
To her surprise again, he waved back, a half-smile on his face.
He was nice. Heck, how many guys have I ever met who were even half as polite? Someone's mom raised him right.
Her spirits lifted, Annie drove to the end of the street and headed into the mountains.
five
Oh no…
When she’d stopped in Libby on the drive to Northgold, Annie had stuffed her phone in her purse. It wasn’t until she walked into the cabin that she realized Chris had blown it up with texts, missed calls, and voicemails. Dread jarred her from the fog of her exhaustion. Her jaw tightened.
where are u? Why’d you leave in the middle of the night?? (sent at 9:23 am)
A stream of more texts followed:
Please text me so I know ur alive babe! (sent at 10:45 am)
U didnt pick up. Need to talk. (sent at 11:32 am)
