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“I wish Cain did things like that. Ever since he took Eric in, he’s become a homebody. He needs a life.”
“I doubt he’d want to go.”
“I don’t know. Maybe he would if you asked him.”
Blinking, I asked, “Do you really think so?”
“It’s always hard to predict what he’ll do, but I do know that he acts differently around you. And he needs to get to know the people of the town. It’s something he’s avoided ever since he came here.”
“He’ll probably say no since the plan is for the town to see him and Eric together.”
“Between you and me—” She leaned in close, as if she were about to tell me a secret. “I think the town needs to see him as he is. He’s just as good without Eric as he is with him.”
“You’re right. He is.”
“So, I think you should work your magic on him,” she said with a wink. “And then let me know how it goes.”
I returned to the farmhouse feeling better than when I’d left. I was sporting a fresh haircut, and it felt lighter on my shoulders compared to the long locks that had gone down my back.
When I walked in, Cain was helping Eric with his homework.
Cain did a double take when he saw me. I was sure he wasn’t going to mention the shorter hair, but Eric wasn’t like that.
“Your hair looks pretty!” he yelled.
“Thank you,” I replied. “I needed to do some self-care.”
“One time Cain made me a face mask to relax.”
I looked at Cain, who was going red in the face. “That’s so cute.”
“It helped,” he grumbled.
“And you already have very nice bath salts. You’re a spa guy, aren’t you?”
“He is!” Eric said. “And we have the biggest tub!”
It was true. The bath Cain had drawn for me after I’d spent a whole day in the fields was one of the best ones I’d ever had.
“Is there a reason you’re torturing me today?” Cain asked.
“Of course. It’s a special occasion.”
“And what’s that?”
“It’s a day that ends in y.”
His eyes narrowed, and I was pretty sure that if it were possible, smoke would be coming out of his ears.
Eric, as usual, thought it was hilarious.
Cain rolled his eyes and went back to the kitchen. I was tempted to follow him and ask about the bar, but figured that was a question for after Eric went to bed.
I kept myself busy by scrolling through forums on Wren’s show until late into the evening. Once I didn’t hear the ambient sound of Eric’s voice, I went to find Cain.
Usually, he was in the living room or kitchen, but this time, he was nowhere to be seen. I eventually went to the door of his room, a place I usually avoided, and knocked.
“Cain?” I whispered.