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Agatha wandered through the hunting cabin, her fingers trailing along the rustic furniture as she took in her surroundings. When she thought of a hunting cabin, she had only envisioned antlers displayed on the walls along with the occasional hunting rifle.
But this cabin was far more tasteful than she’d expected. It had a log cabin kind of feel with natural wood walls and ceiling. The light fixtures were modern with sterling silver hardware. Paintings of landscapes and regal deer hung on the wall.
Of course the couch and easy chair were upholstered in leather; that was a given. Surprisingly, the only sign that this cabin belonged to someone who liked to hunt was a family picture of a man with his young girls in the woods. They each held a small hunting rifle and wore brightly colored vests. The youngest appeared to be about four or five years old when the picture was taken.
Every single face smiled happily.
Agatha picked up the picture and stared at each of their small faces. She couldn’t help the smile that touched her lips. It must have been difficult for Mr. Callahan to raise so many young women. She’d had a hard enough time being a single mother to one boy.
Quickly, she placed the picture back on the shelf and shook off the empathy she’d begun to feel for the man. He’d shown his true colors last night. He was bigoted and controlling. Just because he’d made some changes didn’t mean he was the kind of person she would ever be friends with.
Her eyes lit on the box that he’d placed on the kitchen table. The early morning light seemed to put a spotlight on the cardboard through the slats of the blinds in the window. She stared at it, uncertain if she even wanted to open it. There was nowhere for her to go until her son came after his shift. He’d be able to take her to town to pick up a few things she might need while living here, which meant there was no point in her getting changed out of the pajamas she wore.
Except one thing.
She turned her nose to her shoulder, still smelling the smoke from the night before. That was one thing she knew she’d never be able to get rid of without washing her clothes. Thankfully, this small cabin had a modern laundry room. There was a stacked washer and dryer in what doubled as a broom closet. It had been a pleasant surprise when she’d discovered it this morning.
Exhaling, Agatha moved through the room toward the box. Whatever was in there likely wouldn’t even fit. Her fingers wrapped around the edges of the cardboard and she pried the lid open. There was a stack of jeans on top, what looked like a few blouses beneath that, and some brightly colored clothing at the bottom. She glanced up toward the window, only seeing an expanse of nature.
The one thing she wanted to do today was head out to her home and survey the damage in daylight hours. She would have several phone calls to make to her insurance provider and possible contractors.
Already she’d grown antsy just thinking about what she could be doing right now.
Then she had to contact Shane. He’d understand that her duties would have to be put on hold. There was no worry there. On top of it all, she really wanted to find another place to live. Somehow, knowing that Mr. Callahan was the one who put her here made her want to leave even more.
She turned back to the box and pulled out the top pair of jeans, finding they were a pair of overalls. They looked to be a bit big around the middle, but they were the right length. She could wear the T-shirt she’d slept in and just change out her pants. That would work out nicely.
Then she’d have to figure out a way to get to her home. If not that, she’d have to find her way to the ranch and catch a ride.
Muffled sounds from outside reached her ears and Agatha stiffened. She hugged the overalls to her chest and hurried to the wall where she could peek out the window to see who or what might be creeping outside.
At first, all she saw was an old-fashioned water pump. What she noticed next made her heart beat a little faster. Water droplets were falling from the pump to the ground as if it had been used recently.
Her eyes darted around the immediate area but found nothing besides bushes and trees. Someone was out there. Based on the ride they’d taken, she knew this cabin wasn’t near anything else. Whoever was out there wasn’t supposed to be.
Agatha made quick work of changing out of her pajama pants and into the overalls. She slipped her feet into the sandals she’d managed to grab on her way out of the burning house, then moved through the cabin to other windows in search of who was lurking.
Each time she stopped to check, she was both relieved and worried that she didn’t see anyone.
Her phone was with her, but the battery was so low that she wasn’t sure she’d be able to make a full phone call for help. Pressing her back against the wall, she searched the cabin for anything that might help her, and that was when her gaze landed on an old hunting rifle that leaned against the wall near the fireplace.
Making quick work, she slipped across the room and picked up the weapon. Whoever was out there didn’t know she wasn’t familiar with firearms. But they’d understand the tone of her voice, and they’d leave the moment she showed them she meant business.
Her hand trembled as she unlocked the door and poked her head outside. Inching along the small porch, she searched around the whole house, still finding no sign of anyone or anything. Had it all been in her imagination?
Just as she was about to lower the weapon, the sound of what could only be the snapping of a twig drew her attention.
She held her breath and swung the rifle around to point it in the direction of that sound, only to come face-to-face with none other than Zeke Callahan.
Her heart thrummed, pumping faster and harder than it probably had in her entire life. Her palms were clammy, but she held the weapon steady. Eyes narrowing, she stared at him with accusation. “What are you doing here?”
Mr. Callahan didn’t seem fazed at all. He hadn’t even raised his hands in the air to show he didn’t intend harm.
What was wrong with him?
“You gonna lower that weapon so I can get back to work?” His voice was calm and collected, smooth. His eyes locked onto hers, and she found herself complying with what he’d requested. “Thank you.” He nodded toward the gun. “Did you even check to see if that thing was loaded?”
She stared down at the rifle and her cheeks heated. “I didn’t think I had to.”
