Page 70 of You Were Invited
He could start over somewhere new. Somewhere no one knew the Lincoln name and the stain his father had left on it. Somewhere he could just be Julian the woodsman.
You’d never see Annie again. Not even a glimpse of her at the neighbor’s cabin.
But was that all just a fantasy? Truly? On one hand, if he stayed, Annie would still be Annie– uninterested, unreachable. He could see her every day again and it wouldn’t matter one ounce. On the other, he’d just be running from his problems, like he had with the drinking.
Clarity washed over him and he ran a hand through his hair. These last few weeks, he’d been putting his life on hold, waiting for a text that never came. Sure, he’d been trying to work, but he’d only been going through the motions. The realization hit with the force of a falling tree.
At the head of his driveway, he pulled over to the side. He pulled out his phone and scrolled to his contacts list. He hadn’t had the heart to even archive their chat, but with a sigh he hit the delete contact button before deleting their last conversation. The phone screen stared up at him before he tossed the phone onto the passenger seat.
Running away. No. He couldn’t. This was his home. His mountain. His trees. Cabin. His business that he’d built with his own two hands– hands that had once shaken with withdrawal and doubt. The trees had watched him break, grow, and rebuild.
Julian put his truck in drive and continued up his driveway with newfound determination. As he pulled up to his cabin, he noticed the pile of uncut wood waiting along the side of the house. Just sitting while he wallowed. That week, a few customers at No Wait Diner had asked if he had any dry firewood available, but he’d been fresh out.
What if I made a go at really growing my business? Outside of just the firewood and tree removal?
He hopped out of his truck, container of leftovers forgotten on the seat. His mind raced as he strode toward the woodpile.Why limit himself? He had skills most people in Northgold didn’t. He’d never offered his renovation services to the public. A few people had complimented him on the work he’d done for Ellie, and he was happy with the stairs he’d finally repaired for Rich.
Custom furniture. Shelving. Decks. Maybe even– what were they called? She-sheds? He could definitely manage something for the locals’ snowmobiles.
Julian loped inside and grabbed his new work gloves from the hook by the door and slipped them on, ignoring the twinge in his healing hand. He could diversify, create something that dwarfed his father’s crime.
He picked up his ax and started hacking at the middle of a long trunk.
Yes, when everyone heard the name Lincoln, they’d think of beautiful rustic furniture and sturdy entertainment spaces.
Clive Lincoln would be but nothing more than a pathetic footnote.
twenty-six
Peter took Molly and Annie out to dinner. Back at the house, Annie helped them with a few chores. When they came back together, they picked a show to watch together on the bed. Annie’s laptop was open in front of her as she answered late afternoon emails.
The show cut to commercials. Annie paid little attention until she heard the name of the restaurant being promoted. She glanced up at the TV. Ellie stood in front of the camera in a white t-shirt, black apron, and jeans. She was indoors in front of the lunch counter.
“It’s our birthday, and you’re all invited to the party Saturday night! Whether you’re new or old, we welcome you to our eightieth year celebration!”
A date flashed along the bottom of the screen. Annie wasn’t sure when the commercial had first aired, but thespecial nightwas tomorrow.
The commercial cut to the front of the restaurant. A crowd of people stood behind Ellie.
“I’m ready to cook for a full house!”
Annie’s eyes surveyed the faces in the crowd.
One waiter stood grinning just behind Ellie, his long hair electric green. The old man from the convenience store stood off to the side in a very grandpa-like pose. Annie guessed he wasthere against his will. There were a dozen other faces she didn’t recognize until—
Her breath caught in her throat.
Julian.
A flush bolted up her neck.
He disappeared two seconds later when the scene changed to a still photo of No Wait.
“Saturday night. Party starts five p.m.,”Ellie crowed again.“See you there!”
Bedtime came shortly after, but Annie tossed and turned, tangling her blankets around her legs. The air of loneliness in her room was suffocating. In keeping to her word that she wouldn’t lead him on, she now found herself stuck in honey.
She peeked at the clock. Nearly three in the morning. Sleep had evaded her for five damn—
