Page 36 of Double Exposure

Chapter Eleven

Jade Choi

Helen Weston’s low slung ranch house exudes warmth even through the dark of a winter’s night. Every pane of glass is lit a yellow-ish orange. The smells of roast chicken wafts outside the door as we slam the doors to Carter’s Jeep. Homey. Not something I’m used to. Our house reminded me of a museum.

Carter points to a similar house right next door—“That’s Brocks place,” he says and then points to lights across the meadow. Stars shine overhead as he explains how Ryan and Jace live in a converted stable and his own place is out there to the right, behind a clutch of trees. I see the edge of a roof illuminated in the dark.

“A regular Kennedy compound.”

The smile is in his voice. “We get that a lot.”

As we approach the house, it’s pitch dark, except for the faded swirl of the Milky Way. With snow crunching underfoot, Carter leads me through the white night holding my hand the whole way—but not in a you’re-too-fragile-to-hike-up-a-mountain way. It feels more like camaraderie.

It feels good. Not weird.

As we approach, the smell of roast chicken and wood smoke grows stronger in the cold air. When Carter opens the door, he steers me through with his hand at the small of my back again. A cheer goes up and an older, attractive woman crosses the room and gives him a hug.

Ross closes the door.

The moment I step into the cabin, I know something is different—even though I’ve never been here before. Back at the hotel, when Carter pulled me to my feet, I felt we were a team. It was fleeting—this feeling—but thrilling.

The place is homey on the inside too, with heavy quilts thrown over a large, worn sofa, a woodstove centered on one wall, and an open concept kitchen and dining room, and living room. The scent of food wafts from an immense table.

“Finally,” Helen says. Then she turns to me

“And you must be Jade. I’m Helen Weston.”

Carter smiles. “She’s responsible for five of the people here,” he adds.

“So, you can complain to her,” says Ross and moves to add wood to the wood stove.

Helen laughs.

I get a hug from her, long enough to smell her perfume, and feel her arms around me. Very different from my family where, no one likes to touch.

But something is definitely different—I can feel it. I glance around the room quickly trying to place people I haven’t met yet. Riley sits on the floor petting a German Shepard who looks not quite full grown. She waves and Brock leans down to tell her something.

A sandy-haired Weston introduces himself as Jace. A few minutes later a young woman, probably barely eighteen, wanders down the hall, sees me and pets the dog who has risen to greet her as well.

“This is Savi—Savannah,” says Codie.

Codie’s a more delicate version of her brothers. There’s no mistaking the Weston gene pool. Then Brock Weston rises from one of several overstuffed chairs and extends his hand.

“We didn’t get a chance to formally meet. Thanks for keeping my brothers on their toes,” he says.

Ryan, setting down a large plate of sliced chicken, gives me a nod from the table.

“Boots,” says Helen pleasantly, pointing to the teetering pile of footwear behind me.

As I start to toe mine off, Ryan sets down what looks like two heaping bowls of mashed potatoes. My stomach rumbles. I’ve eaten a lot of dehydrated food in my life. This is not that.

Dinner is delicious, with a large green salad and the garlicky roast chicken and creamy mashed potatoes. Nothing feels synthetic. Corralling Jace in conversation between my second and third helpings of potatoes, I discover his secret ingredient: truffle oil.

Carter rubs my knee under the table. His mom is the life of the dinner table conversation: funny, witty, demure, daring. Then I find out near dessert, which is warm blueberry pie and ice-cream, that she’s an archeologist.

An archeologist. Someone else who travels months out of the year.

I make a mental note to speak with her—if I can get my courage up. But not now, not without knowing what Carter is really thinking—if he’s really interested in me. I end up in the kitchen with Jace and Codie doing dishes, and keeping the cooks out. I like to earn my keep.