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"You owe me bigtime. Now up and about. I’ll be downstairs waiting."Before she could protest anymore he was gone. Tempted to just turnover and go back to sleep, she stared up at the ceiling and mutteredabout the price of friendship. Okay, fine. He didn’t ask toomuch of her and over the past four months, he’d been her rock.
Sighing deeply, sheswung her legs off the bed and made her way to the bathroom. Herankles were slightly swollen and she had to admit that she’dbeen doing a lot since she got back. She needed a break. Adjustingthe spray, she stepped in and allowed the water to wake her fully.
*****
She was his bestfriend and if Lee screwed this up, there was going to be hell to pay.He’d seen how exhausted she looked and that had cemented it forhim.
"Just get herhere. If I come over she isn’t going to agree to go anywherewith me and I need to sort things out between us.”
So, last night he’dcome up with the brilliant plan to get her to come with him. He feltdespicable, but it was for her own good or so he was remindinghimself. She needed the time away.
Pressing his lipstogether, he got the last of his things together. He’d stop onthe way to get them breakfast. Lee had given him detailedinstructions and he was depending on that and the GPS to get him tothe cabin.
"There’sno cell service so you won’t be able to call."
"Great."Caleb muttered, turning as he heard her coming down the stairs. She’ddonned faded denims and a chunky green and white sweater. Her hairwas in a ponytail and she looked so young and innocent that ittouched his heart. He was hoping this was going to be her happyending.
"Ready?"
"No. I don't seewhy we have to go anywhere in the middle of the night."
"It's earlymorning and you know how unpredictable us writers are. Come along,honey, like a good girl." He grinned as she glared at him.
"I have yourjacket."
"Veryaccommodating of you." She grumbled.
"That's me."
*****
She fell asleep assoon as she was tucked comfortably in the passenger seat. The seatwas adjusted and Caleb had thrown a blanket over her. With hersleeping, there’d be less questions as well as giving him timeto concentrate on the driving.
"It should takeabout three and a half hours." Lee had told him.
Taking a deep breath,he set off glancing at her every now and then to check if she wasstill asleep. Traffic was light at that time of the morning and hehad to admit that cruising on the highway was exhilarating.
*****
Kenji was nervous ashell. Everything was in place. He‘d seen to it and had helpfrom Kane and Jackson. The cabin belonged to Jackson and his brotherJason and they’d loaned it out to several friends for onereason or another.
He’d broughtfood with him for two days and stored them away in the old-fashionedice box. The fire was blazing in the hearth, Jackson had told him howcold it was because of the mountain air. It felt like the middle ofwinter even though it was spring. Inside was warm and cozy.
She was going toresist him but he was prepared for that and had made provisions. Hewas tired of trying to get through to her. This time he was takingmatters into his own hands.
She wasn’tleaving until he got through to her and that's that. Hunkering down,he gave the wood chips several pokes, sending flames and sparksshooting upwards. Rising, he turned in a tight circle to look at theroom. The thickest blanket he’d ever seen was spread over thesoft faded green and white sofa.
Caleb had assured himthat they’d stop for breakfast. He’d stopped on his wayhere to stock up on fresh fruit and loaves of Italian bread. He alsobrought biscuits and a box of tea. He wasn’t sure what brandshe liked, but figured he couldn’t go wrong with chamomile.He’d also bought honey to go along with it.
Dusting his handsoff, he went up the worn stairs to change into jogging clothes.Standing around waiting for her was going to drive him crazy. He hadto do something.
*****
"Breakfast.We’re a few miles away." He handed her the egg sandwich.
"How long was Iout?" She yawned and stretched, taking the sandwich from him.
"Around two anda half hours."
