Page 17 of Crossroads

The knock on the door didn’t surprise me. Those who cared about me had waited a week to invade. A week in which I had secluded myself in this relatively small cabin and had truly only spoken to one person. Yes, I had used the phone and video chatted often, but Bodhi had been the only person near me at all. Which was probably an issue and would be the excuse I would use for any certain dreams. However, I was feeling better, and I knew it was nearly time for me to leave. To start on my big road trip, like I had promised myself.

When I opened the door and Teagan stood there, her hair pulled back from her face, the worry in her expression barely concealed, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Hey there.”

Her gaze narrowed as she studied my face, my arms, and my bare legs, before giving me a tight nod. The bruises had nearly faded, and there would still be a few of them to the naked eye, but I wasn’t going to stress too much about it.

“I thought I would kidnap you today. In the good kidnapping sense.” Teagan paused, putting her hands on her hips. “Damn it. I don’t think I can tease with those kinds of play threats anymore. Especially not with what happened to…” Her voice trailed off, and I knew she was remembering what had happened to her niece and Felicity.

“In this sense, it’s really okay.” I gave her a small smile. “I think it’s time for me to leave the cabin. I’ve walked around the property and breathed in fresh air, but I haven’t left. Hiding can only take me so far.”

Teagan moved forward, arms outstretched, and the hesitancy in her movements trapped something deep within me. I was an emotionally exuberant and physically loving person. I enjoyed hugs, kisses on the cheeks, and cuddling. I hadn’t had much of that in far too long. My friends and those who knew me were aware that I loved being touched and enjoyed saying hello physically. Yet I had nearly flinched when she had opened her arms. And that was not great. So fuck Jeremiah. He didn’t deserve my stress.

I immediately wrapped my arms around her and sighed into her shoulder. She hugged me tightly.

“Sorry I didn’t come by in the past week. Your guard dog has sharp teeth.”

I laughed as I pulled away, shaking my head. “We know he would’ve let you on the property if you truly wanted to. You were giving me space. And for that I’m grateful.”

Teagan’s gaze traveled across my face once again. “And Bodhi was good? He didn’t scare you or anything?”

“Scaring me is a relative term. But it’s okay. He’s a really nice guy.”

Teagan blinked. “Bodhi? My brother? The guy who grunts in single-word phrases when I try to get him to do anything for the business?”

My lips twitched. “That’s the one. Can I get you something to drink? Something to eat?” Even though Bodhi was the one who paid for everything and chose not to take any money, so I kept hiding it in his workshop. The damn man was sneaky.

“First, I said I was going to kidnap you, and that means I’m taking you to lunch with the girls. In town. Is that okay?”

I nodded, my hands fisting ever so slightly. Teagan caught the movement but didn’t say anything. “That should be good. Honestly, a treat. And Bodhi mentioned that the town actually cares about privacy sometimes.”

“‘Bodhi mentioned it?’ As if he’s talking to you about things… I have so many questions.” She held up both hands. “No, I’ll wait until lunch. We’re going to end up most likely at the diner, and Felicity is just checking out the space. It should be good enough for us to have a corner area, and you can hide in the shadows. Not in a creepy way.”

“Totally creepy, but I’m okay with that.” I paused. “And yes, your brother talks. Not in full sentences all the time, but he’s nice. I promise.”

“That’s just weird.” Teagan gave me a look, and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about that. I truly hoped she didn’t think there was anything happening between me and her brother. Because there wasn’t. Not a single thing. Maybe a dream or two, perhaps a parting of lips whenever he was near, but that had to be some form of Beauty and the Beast protector reaction. Totally. Not that I was Belle and he was the Beast. Although with that beard…

I let my thoughts trail off on that because it was a known fact that the Beast was hotter than Adam. My therapist even agreed.

“I was going to ask if he really let you in his workshop. He doesn’t let anybody in there. I mean, I go to the front area so I can pick up pieces that are small enough for me to carry, or work on some of the layouts for the website, but that’s it.”

Teagan ran the Ashford Creek Gift Shop. She was the manager without the full title, but with what I knew that she did with the place, she did more than the owner did by far. She also had worked on the organization of bookkeeping for Callum’s brewery before Felicity had taken over in her accounting capacity. My friend also helped with the business end of Bodhi’s art. The bearded man I tried my hardest not to think about not only made furniture, but he was a beautiful woodwork artist and carpenter. People came from all over the country to buy some of his pieces. I had been eyeing a dining room table set that had been on his Instagram and—an account I knew Teagan herself had to run—but then I had remembered I didn’t exactly have a large home to come back to. A tiny apartment where I stored my things didn’t count as a home.

I would change that. I had to. It was time to find my home. Hence why I was doing this road trip. That I hadn’t begun.

“I just went into the front office area. I know he has an office in his house, too, but I haven’t been in there. I’ve been letting him have his privacy since I know I’m intruding.”

“The fact that he’s letting you stay here at all is making me all warm and gooey inside. Not that I’m matchmaking. I swear to God I’m not.”

Teagan held up both hands even as my heart did that clutching thing. I did not like that.

“It’s more that he’s letting somebody stay on the property. None of us does. He has all this space, and he keeps it for himself. When Briar comes down, she stays with Callum, or now in a place that she and Gabriel rent. Speaking of, I think they’re going to buy a place up here, even though she had promised she would never move back. But circumstances have changed…”

Namely, their father was dead. The person who had pushed everybody away to begin with. The Ashfords were coming home, and I liked that idea. Because they had each other for their concept of home.

“And I’ve talked your ear off, so it’s time for me to do so again with the girls at the diner. As long as you’re okay with it.”

“Let me just grab my bag. I know you said it’s a diner, but do I need to put on makeup or a nicer outfit?” I asked.