Page 31 of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six

He seemed about to say something else.

But when she turned her head up to him, he kissed her instead, slow, loving. If she sometimes missed the ease of their early couple-hood, she knew there was something deeper between them now. Their love, their friendship had grown. And now there was Gigi, the little life their love had made, connecting them always. No matter what.

Then Cricket was calling again, and Mako’s voice was booming. Her brother had obviously returned, as well.

“Hey, you lovebirds. Come on down.”

Then she did what she always did, had always been able to do. She pushed it all away. Whatever it was that was bothering Bruce about Red World, her own worries, fears and doubts. All that was for another time. For now, they were here and they’d enjoy this moment, get whatever pleasure they could. Face whatever came next when they’d returned home.

Hand in hand, they headed downstairs.

10

Hannah

And then she was in the embrace of her childhood friend who still smelled of lemons and very faintly of marijuana. Cricket was slumber parties, and manicures, martini night, and days at the beach. She was the person who knew everything—everything—about Hannah. And vice versa.

“You lookso beautiful,” Cricket said.

Which was a lie; Hannah knew she looked as tired and worn down as any toddler mom, but she loved her friend for her unfailing kindness.

Cricket looked rested, gorgeous as ever with her flawless skin, and shining hair—as if she’d justcomefrom a vacation, a shower, a spa treatment. She wore a slim denim shirt dress that clung to her curves. “You’re the gorgeous one,” she said. “Always have been.”

They’d become friends when Cricket and Mako were dating, back in high school. Cricket had ditched Mako—or had he ditched her, who could remember?—but kept Hannah. Now, as adults, they were all friends.

Cricket pulled her in again, and whispered, “I think I’m in love.”

Her friend’s smile was beaming, and Hannah looked around for Cricket’s new beau. But then Mako was hugging Hannah.

“This is going to be such an awesome weekend. I’m so glad you guys are here. I thought you might bail. I know you didn’t want to leave Gigi.”

She reflexively reached for her phone at the mention of her daughter’s name. But remembered it was still in the car. She’d have to go out for it.

“There’s Wi-Fi, right?”

“Of course,” he said. “I mean, it’s a little wonky. But of course.”

She didn’t have time to ask him whatwonkymeant, because Cricket was dragging her around the cabin-slash-ridiculous-mansion, gawking at the expansive great room with double-height vaulted ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows, fresh flowers in towering vases. Outside, the sun was setting, painting the sky orange, purple, pink. The view of acres and acres of trees, the blue shadows of distant mountains, watercolor sky was stunning.

And yep thatwasa bear head mounted over the mantel. Why did people think that was okay, to kill something and stick its head on your wall? The glassy eyes seemed to stare at her, accusing. The review she’d read online came back to her.My wife felt like she was being watched.

There was a tall, slim dark-haired man standing outside by the sliding glass doors, watching another man at the grill who Hannah assumed was the hired chef by his white coat andtoque blanche. When had the chef arrived? She didn’t think they’d been up there for long.

The slim man spoke, but the chef seemed not to be listening, his face still and pale, lit by the flames from the grill. Finally, the other man nodded and headed inside. The chef watched him walk away, an expression on his face that Hannah couldn’t read. She found herself staring a moment, until the chef met her eyes, gave her a quick nod. Hannah looked away, embarrassed to be caught looking at him, though she couldn’t say why.

“Hannah,” said Cricket with a flourish of her hand. “This is Joshua. Honey, this my forever best friend, Hannah.”

When Joshua offered her a warm smile, Hannah felt something drop in her stomach. Without meaning to, she backed up a step. He was—so familiar. Those heavily lashed dark eyes, the high cheekbones, the stiffness of his carriage.

“Wait,” she said. “Have we met?”

He looked around, shaking his head, offering a confused smile.

“No,” he said. “I don’t think so.”

Whatever Cricket saw on Hannah’s face made her beaming smile fade a little.

“Do you guys know each other?”

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