Page 28 of Freeing the Wild
“And just where are you planning on taking this vacation?”he asks with an arrogant tone.My blood boils at the way hedownplays the most demanding eight months of my life and the trauma of last week.
“Kentucky.”
His mouth falls open.
“Kentucky?Kentuckyis the answer?”he asks, incredulous.I lay my head back, too tired to get into it with him.
“I’m tired now, and I want to be alone please.”I dismiss him.
Dax paces to the window and puts his hands on his hips.“Come on, Cassie, don’t fall into this.I get it.It was hard to see that, but life goes on.”
“I didn’tseeit.I was in the middle of it!”I shout, startling even myself as Dax flinches.Neither of us speaks for a moment and then he huffs out a breath.
“Fine.Kentucky it is.At least let me set up some interviews, do some more damage control.”
I know him well enough to know he won’t stop pushing me.
“I want at least a month before you scheduleanything.Put out whatever you want to the public.I’m visiting family.I’m getting some R&R.Do whatever you need to do.But I have no obligations until April and I’m going to keep it that way until I feel ready.I need to work through this in my own way.Andyouneed to respect that.”
He turns to face me.“I respect it.But you’re making a mistake, kid.”
“I make lots of those.”I offer him a weak smile.He rakes a hand through his hair, which barely moves out of place.
Dax gives me nothing more than a grimace before he speaks again.“I’ll be in touch.But don’t get too comfortable in Kentucky.We’ve got a busy summer planned.”
He pats my hand and offers me a quick goodbye before stalking out through the door.The moment it closes behind him, tears spill down my cheeks.I swipe them away, pull out my phone and finally make the call to Ivy and Wade.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Cassie
The gravel crunching under Wade’s heavy truck tires as we drive under the arches of Silver Pines is both soothing and peaceful.It feels as though I can hide here behind these gates and the outside world won’t be able to touch me.
I play with the hem on my big cream sweater because it’s damn cold here, and sitting still isn’t helpful.Not to mention I’m nervous and can’t put my finger on why.
“… and we stocked it up with fresh towels and food.You should be all set.”Ivy’s voice cuts into my trance as I watch the horses in the pasture.Some of them are wearing blankets and there is a scatter of hoofprints in the fine layer of snow.
“Sorry.What cabin am I staying in?”I ask, trying desperately to remember where they all are.It’s only been a few months, but a lot has happened since then.
“Stardust,” Wade pipes up from the front seat.An image of the signs on the road in front of the cabins flashes through my mind.Legend, then Stardust … shit.
“Right beside Haden.He knows the property like the back of his hand, so if you need anything I’m sure he’ll be happy tohelp,” Ivy adds.“Just don’t go riding any unruly horses and you two should get along just fine.”
I slide my sweaty palms over my jeans and blow out a shaky breath.I watch Billi’s brow furrow as she sleeps in her car seat next to me.The drive from the airport allowed me to watch her sweet face as I held her hand and sang her to sleep with the radio.She’s perfection.So peaceful.So untouched by life.
“Sound good?”Ivy asks, looking back at me, cutting into my thoughts.I smile and nod.I can’t be fussy about where I stay, not after they accepted me so eagerly and picked me up from the airport this morning on a day’s notice.
The truth is, I have no idea what I’ll be walking into.I’m both dreading and anticipating seeing Haden again after all these months.I wonder if he even remembers me.I wonder how many women there have been since that night.
Wade pulls up to Stardust.It’s so cute, and perfect for some R&R.Cedar trees line the side of the property and one large oak sits on the front lawn.Its barren branches blow in the breeze, and the wide front porch houses two wicker outdoor chairs.The stain is wearing thin on the old steps that head up to the porch, and the little wooden sign by the road has a thin veil of snow covering the engraved letters.I look next door at Legend, Haden’s cabin.There’s no vehicle there, no sign of life.
Wade hops out of the truck and opens the back door to unbuckle a waking Billi.She sees her dad and, even though she isn’t even fully awake yet, smiles up at him with rosy cheeks.I smooth out my ponytail and tuck the loose wisps of hair behind my ears as I see my mama waving frantically from her front porch.
I barely make it out of the vehicle before she’s down the steps and hugging me.I let her wrap herself around me, squeezing her tight and willing myself to feel safe.
“So glad you’re here, honey,” she whispers into my hair.
“Me too, Mama,” I tell her truthfully.She pulls back.
