“This is it.”
Gen sucked in her breath. The rustic log cabin held a character and warmth that immediately welcomed her home. Surrounded by brush, its wide porch held two rockers, the carved domes etched into the doorway as if a master woodcutter had created it. Large windows flanked both sides, and cobbled stones led out toward a lush garden in the back, then shot off in different directions. One led to a fire pit, the other to a small gazebo. The sounds of birds, grasshoppers, and bees swarmed in the air and took over where the music had played. The air hung musky and thick in the summer afternoon heat, and her nostrils filled with the scent of earth and flowers.
Yes. It would be good here. She’d figure everything out and get her life back in order.
“It’s beautiful,” she said in a hushed tone. “Why doesn’t Sawyer rent it out for the summer?”
“He usually does, but this month he kept it open. The cabin’s set back for privacy but near Fish Creek. Said if I wanted to get out of town and do some fishing, take some downtime, I’d have it available.”
“Who would’ve thought you’d need to hide a crazy runaway bride?”
He didn’t smile. For the first time since their getaway, a worried light gleamed in his eyes. Words hovered on his tongue but she didn’t want to hear it, couldn’t, so she stumbled out of the car before denial could no longer be her best friend. He paused a few beats but finally followed.
Gen stepped into the cabin. Gorgeous light played upon the pine floors and soaring ceilings with thick beams of support. A stone fireplace took up one main wall with a deep red throw rug in front. She walked around, taking note of the elaborate fishing gear, wildlife photos, and the warm, rustic atmosphere. The kitchen was a chef’s dream, all top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, with double sinks and granite counters in a rich chocolate brown. “I never thought Sawyer was a big fisherman,” she commented.
Wolfe snickered. “He’s not. He dragged us out here last year, intent on showing Julietta the benefits of country life. Boasted he’d catch her a ton of fish and cook it up that night. Let’s just say it’s a good thing for pizza delivery.”
Gen laughed. “Ouch. Well, he’s a billionaire who runs a chain of hotels. Can’t be good at everything.”
“Tell him that. He’s been watching those damn fishing shows on the Discovery Channel now, and thinks he’ll redeem himself. Too bad Julietta refuses to come back. She’s definitely a city girl.”
Gen remembered meeting Julietta and Sawyer when they were in town. They lived in Milan, and had welcomed Wolfe into their family when he was nineteen and homeless. The couple represented everything she’d always wanted. They ran the most successful chain of bakeries and hotels in the world, fit perfectly together, and were madly in love. Exactly what she’d hoped to have with David.
She pushed the thought firmly away.
“Bedrooms are upstairs,” Wolfe said. “I’ll run into town and stock up on supplies and get you some clothes.”
“How long are we going to stay?”
He studied her. Odd, he had such a hard face, all severe lines and carved features. His lips always held a bit of a snarl, as if he’d never outgrown that snarky teen boy he’d once been. But there was a wealth of gentleness underneath that always intrigued her. “When do you need to be back at the hospital?”
The reminder of her real life made her jerk. “A full week. We took a week for our honeymoon.” The word made her slightly nauseous.
“Then we have time. We’ll take it day by day. Do you want me to pick up anything specific you need?”
She shook her head. “No, I trust you.”
The words dove deeper and he took a step forward. “Want to come with me?”
Gen forced a smile. “I’m going to rest. It’s been a long day. I’ll see you in a bit.”
He frowned, and she almost laughed at his papa-bear expression. But then he gave a nod and headed back out the door. Her legs trembled with the sudden fear of being alone. Pathetic. She couldn’t remember the last time she had no one surrounding her, or a task to complete, or a deadline to meet. For the past year, the hamster wheel was the only thing that made sense. Even sleep was never for more than a few hours, and always interrupted by dreams of endless lists and tasks. Her mind was no longer her own. Neither was her soul.
She walked down the hallway and into the bathroom. Turned on the light. And stared into the mirror.
The woman who gazed back was hardly recognizable. Brown hair scraped back in a ponytail. Makeup smudged. Shadows etched under her eyes. Full lips, high cheekbones. She’d lost more weight, so the bright orange T-shirt hung a bit loose over her shoulders.
Gen looked harder. Her usual vivid blue eyes were . . . empty. The spark had disappeared, and only a dull light reflected back at her. When had that happened? She’d always been driven but basically happy. Sure, she took on too much responsibility, but the world seemed a big, interesting place and she wanted to fill voids. Maybe egotistical, but surgeons were supposed to have a bit of a God complex. She ached to help, give back, and heal. She craved knowledge and experiences and wonder. But over the past year, all she experienced was crippling fear. The knowledge she wasn’t enough for anyone. Not for the world. Not for David. Not even for herself.
Gen turned away from the mirror.
WOLFE DROVE FAST, INTENT on getting back to the cabin quickly. He struggled with leaving her alone, but realized she needed to process. They’d been on the run most of the day, and he bet she was pretending the whole event never happened. Because when the truth struck home, it was going to get messy.