Page 2 of Ink and Ashes
I slow my speed as I make my way down Grove Street, glancing at my GPS to see how far I am from The Scarlet. I drive another kilometre before the signature red tin roof for which the inn is named catches my eye.
I pull into the small lot and park. Glancing out the windshield, I admire the small, Victorian-style home. It has white siding and dark green shutters, with a cobblestone path up to the front steps. The garden out front is well-maintained and blossoming, and I have no doubt that come month’s end, this will be the prettiest lot on the block.
It looks like it was pulled straight out ofSnow White and the Seven Dwarves.
After staring at it for a moment longer, I unbuckle my seatbelt, grab my purse from the seat beside me, and swing open the door to exit the car. I pull my laptop bag and suitcase from the trunk, making my way to the front door. A bell jingles aboveit as I pull it open, and I smile at the sound.
“Hi,” I tell the woman sitting behind the desk as I approach. She looks to be in her mid-sixties, and I figure she’s the owner. I set my purse on the counter beside me as I add, “I’m here to check in.”
“Holland Rhodes?” the woman asks without even looking up from the computer.
“That’s me.”
“Lucky guess.” She chuckles. She does some typing before placing a key on the counter. “Room one, down the hall and to your left.” She types more before finally glancing up at me. “You do know there’s an evacuation alert for this town right now, don’t you?”
My tongue darts out over my lips. “I’m aware. I’m here on business.”
She nods. “I have you booked in for six nights. Is that correct?”
“I may have to extend that, depending on how my project goes.”
“I can’t guarantee we’ll be staying open come week’s end with the unpredictability of the fires, but if we are, we’ll take the business. As you could probably guess, we haven’t been very busy since the fires started.”
I chuckle lightly. “I had a feeling. I’m grateful you’re still open for now, at least.”
Her lips quirk up at the side. “Wifi password is ScarletRed. If you need anything, my name’s Mary. My husband Emmett and I live in the house next door. Breakfast and dinner are included in your stay, should you choose to join us. Breakfast is at eight and dinner’s at six every day. Lunch is up to you.”
I smile as I grab the key and my purse off the counter. “Thank you.”
I catch her smile before turning my back and making my way down the hall to the first room on the left. I unlock the door and head inside, dragging my suitcase behind me.
The room is small, with a queen bed sitting in the middle of it and an ensuite bathroom to my right. Decorated in soft greensand whites, it’s exactly what I’d imagine when asked to picture a bed and breakfast.
I exhale deeply as I pull my things inside. The first thing I do is unzip my suitcase and pull out a fresh outfit before heading to the bathroom, desperately needing to rinse off the feeling of being in a car for days on end. Once I’m clean and in something more comfortable, I climb into bed andgrab my laptop.
Then I get to work learning everything I possibly can about Ember Grove.
CHAPTER 2
Holland
Iwake early the next morning to the sound of birds chirping outside the window—something I’m not used to hearing living in the city. It’s nice to know there’s wildlife out there, despite the flames that have been filling the forests kilometres from here.
Rolling over, I grab my phone off the nightstand to check the time, finding almost a dozen texts and a few missed calls from Gabriel. A whole five days after I left him.
I roll my eyes as I begin to read.
GABRIEL
Come home, Hol, let me explain. I miss you.
Babe, where the hell are you?
I’m starting to get worried. I gave you a few days of space, it’s time to come home.
Answer the fucking phone.
Seriously Hol,where are you???
