Page 96 of Pretty Thing

“You don’t like it?”

I glance around.

“It’s just so…remote.”

“I thought you loved the wilderness, trees, and being outside?”

Crap.

“I do.” I shake my head, trying to dislodge my negative thoughts. “I’m sorry. I guess I was expecting something else.”

Felix tilts his head to the side as if inspecting me, then reaches out and runs the back of his knuckles down my cheek.

“You know I’ll never hurt you, right? I will tear this world apart piece by piece to keep you safe, Eden.”

There is so much sincerity shining out of his eyes. How can I possibly question his intentions?

“I know, and I’m sorry. You planned this thoughtful getaway, and I’m ruining it.”

“You could never ruin anything.” He smiles. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

With a nod, I open my door and slowly emerge into the bitter January air. It’s the kind of cold that makes you believe it’s possible for hell to freeze over.

Pine trees stretch up so tall they seem to touch the sky. I imagine there are plenty of wolves in the area, traveling in packs close to the house at night. Their eerie howls send shivers along anyone’s spine.

Felix grabs our bags, and I meet him at the front of the car. He takes my hand and helps me up the steps to the covered porch before pulling out a key and letting us inside. When we step over the threshold, I’m shocked to find it warm, inviting, and a lot more lived in than I expected. A fire is burning in the fireplace, and a dirty coffee cup is on the table.

We stop, and Felix looks around, his brows drawn together. We both turn around at the sound of a vehicle and see a truck parking beside Felix’s car.

“Is the cabin double booked?”

“No,” Felix grumbles. “This is my uncle’s place, but he was supposed to be away ice fishing.”

A man gets out of the truck, opens the back door, and grabs three bags. He looks up at Felix and me standing in the doorway.

“What are you doing here, Felix?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing. I thought you were away. We came up for the weekend.”

His uncle’s eyes flick between us, and then he nods toward the car.

“Well, don’t just stand there. Help me with the groceries and keep the door closed. We don’t need to warm up the countryside on my dime,” he says, his voice gruff.

With a heavy sigh, Felix releases my hand.

“Just get comfortable. I’ll find out what’s going on.”

He walks out the door, and I sit down on the wooden bench to remove my boots. I catch a few words of their conversation. Not enough to know if he’s angry or happy we’re here.

I get my boots off, hang my jacket on the coat rack, and reach the couch just before they come through the door together. If Felix is angry, he doesn’t show it as he kicks off his boots and marches into the kitchen with his arms full of groceries.

Felix’s uncle sets the bags down and closes the door before walking over to me. He has the same blue eyes and jawline as Felix, but instead of the shock-white hair, his is black, with salt-and-pepper on the sides. The beginnings of a beard shadow his face, and the plaid shirt he wears shows off just how muscular he is. It’s like getting a sneak peek into the future Felix.

Felix steps up beside me, and his hand goes to my waist.

“Eden, this is Uncle Jim.”

Jim smiles warmly and holds out his hand.