Page 14 of Vanish From Sight

“I hope you know where you’re going,” she said.

“Oh, these were my old stomping grounds. You don’t forget.”

“Has much changed?”

“These homes weren’t here,” he said, pointing to some of the million-dollar waterfront properties nestled in the woodland and set back from the lake.

With the season in fall, the forest had transformed into a breathtaking display of color. The once sea of green had burstinto a riot of red, gold and orange. As they trekked through, their feet rustled the carpet of fallen leaves and pine needles. A crunching sound accompanied every step.

“So have they managed to elect a sheriff yet?” he asked.

“No. Are you kidding? It’s been a couple of months. Things don’t move that fast around here,” Callie replied, stifling a laugh. “The undersheriff, Avery Rivera, is at the helm. She’s the acting sheriff right now. She’s not bad actually. Nice to have a woman calling the shots for once.”

Noah turned to the hilly terrain full of hardwoods and evergreens; maples, oaks and birches were the most dominating species. The maples were ablaze in shades of scarlet and orange, while the oaks shimmered in deep russet and burgundy. Birches offered a striking contrast with smooth white trunks standing out amid the colorful foliage.

Despite the beauty, they remained vigilant, knowing that the wilderness offered its own set of dangers. Slick leaves, cool temperatures, and a real chance of getting lost, plus hypothermia if they did get lost. Noah took out his phone to check if he was getting a signal. One bar. Not great but it would do if push came to shove.

“How are things with your ex?” he asked.

Callie groaned. “Ugh. It took a lot of arm-twisting and the heavy hand of my lawyer but it’s all signed off. Feels nice to start a new chapter. What about you? Are you staying with Ed?”

He chuckled. “Ed? I would never sleep. Him and his fitness regime, and his mad theories. No, I opted for my aunt’s until I find a place.”

“Any luck so far?”

He paused for a second or two. “I have received one tempting offer.”

“Where?”

“Are you familiar with that five-million-dollar home that’sbeen on the market for a year? Over on the north side. The one with red accents.”

She stopped walking and cocked her head.

He turned and she shoved him. “Get out of here!”

“No. I’m serious. Someone’s offered it to me.”

“To do what? Be their pool boy?”

He laughed. “That’s the thing, I don’t know.”

She sidled up beside him. “Well, you’ve got to take it. It’s incredible. You are taking it, right?”

“Haven’t decided yet.”

“But you will?”

“Haven’t decided yet.”

“C’mon, Noah. If anyone offered me that, I would be there faster than a New York minute.”

“That’s what I think they expect.” He stopped and swiped a hand across his forehead, wiping sweat away. The first twenty minutes were easy, but soon their breathing became labored as they climbed uphill over fallen trees and boulders, each step becoming more treacherous than the last. As they moved further into the forest, the underbrush became thick, and their pace slowed. “I mean, who offers a stranger free rent in a home that only a small percentage of society could ever afford without strings attached?”

“Who cares?”

“I do.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Someone with more money than sense,” she muttered. “Or someone trying to buy you off.”