Page 105 of Stubborn as a Shadow

It wasn’t the worst idea in the world, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to talk about everything yet. It was all so new. I hadn’t had time to decide how I felt about it.

“I was thinking maybe I should go too,” he said quietly.

For some reason, that made it easier. “Yeah… We could maybe both do something like that.”

My phone buzzed on the nightstand where I’d left it.

“It’s been doing that on and off all day.”

“It’s Violet. She’s worried. I should have called her as soon as we had cell service…”

He pressed a kiss to my temple. “I can call her if you don’t want to.”

“No, I do, I just… a lot has happened. I’m not sure what to even tell her.”

“Just start at the beginning,” Nelson said. “You’ll figure it out. If you want some space, I can go down and grab some sandwiches. You’re probably getting hungry.”

As if on cue, my stomach gurgled. He laughed.

“Okay.” I nodded.

I waited until I was alone to dial Violet’s number. She answered on the first ring.

“Morgan?”

“I’m safe,” I said. “We were stuck in a cabin without cell service.”

I could hear her bite back a sob. She sniffled. “Fuck. I’ve been so worried.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to?—”

“Where are you? I looked through that damn hotel from top to bottom. Are you sure you’re safe? Say the code word if you’re really okay. Fuck, if you’ve been taken hostage again...”

“Purple toe lint.”

She exhaled. “Thank fuck.”

“I’m in Willow Lake.”

“Where?”

“At the inn? It’s an old pack house, I think. Across the road from the lake.”

“Okay. Don’t leave. I’m coming.” And then she hung up the phone.

I’d thought she’d have more questions. But maybe she was just saving them until she was here. I hoped there was a place she could stay in Willow Lake. I guess if all else failed, she could sleep on the floor in this room.

Normally I would have offered her the bed, but I couldn’t kick my mate out of his own bed… and I’d never let someone, not even my cousin, sleep in a bed beside Nelson. He was just too cuddly for his own good.

Nelson returned a moment later with a huge plate of sandwiches and an equally massive plate of sweets. It was so wonderful to have fresh food. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be able to eat soup again.

He went to set the plates on the desk but then frowned when he saw all his geocaching supplies still there. He pivoted and set them on the night table instead.

“These look amazing,” I said, grabbing a cupcake first.

If Violet was already here, she’d have scolded me for that.

“Did you talk to your cousin?”