Page 328 of When We Fall: Part Two

I breathed out as I slid into the passenger seat. It was early fall, so the trees were brilliant shades of yellows and reds.

I said nothing as we drove to the cabin, the guys talking about how many damn tumbleweeds there were.

“This is dicey,” Anson muttered as we took a two-track up the mountain.

“It’s why you rented the fancy All Wheel Drive. Feels like I’m in a Toyota commercial,” Trent said.

We continued to climb the mountain until the log cabin came into view.

“Nice place,” Ryder murmured from the backseat.

Kurt loved this place. It was his pride and joy, which is why I knew he took such good care of it. He’d built it himself and poured his heart into it.

Anson parked, and we got out.

“The code is Fox’s birthday,” I murmured when we got to the door. It didn’t look like Kurt was here yet. He said he might be late getting here since he mentioned he had a few things he needed to do before leaving Chicago.

Anson typed in Fox’s birthday, and the door unlocked.

“Fancy,” Ryder commented as Anson pushed the door open and we stepped inside.

Kurt had obviously not stopped working on the place. It was always big. The front door opened into the open floor plan living room and kitchen. It was a massive area with floor-to-ceiling windows and a patio along the windows, which overlooked a stream and a small clearing in the distance. I’d sat in that clearing with Fox years ago, picking flowers while he’d held binoculars to his eyes, searching in the distance.

“The view is incredible,” Trent said, staring out the window.

“Sure is,” Anson murmured. “Wow. The mountains are beautiful.”

“Fox loved it here,” I said, smiling sadly, tears prickling my eyes. Anson kissed the top of my head tenderly.

“Why don’t you go sit on the patio? It’s a nice afternoon.” Anson smiled at me. “Have some fresh air. We’ll unpack our stuff and start dinner.”

I nodded. I liked that idea. We’d stopped along the way to grab some groceries for the weekend. Kurt said he’d been here recently and had done a restock, but it was better safe than sorry.

I went outside, sat on the rocking chair, and stared out at the view for hours, no one bothering me. Night fell, and I looked up at the stars.

One streaked across the sky. “I wish Fox was still here.” My wish was soft as it fell from my lips.

I closed my eyes, repeating the wish, hoping that when I opened my eyes, the wish would be granted.

But no.

I was still on the patio alone when I opened my eyes.

“Hey, dinner’s ready.” Trent poked his head out. “Are you crying?”

I wiped at my eyes. “I-I’m not.”

“Lying ass.” Trent said, pulling me into his arms as I stood. “Come here.”

I hugged him back as we stood on the patio.

“It’ll be OK, you know,” he said gently. “In time.”

“I know. It’s just getting there is the hard part.”

“I felt the same way when my mom and sister died. It felt like an eternity in hell. But it was OK. Time did help. It doesn’t erase the pain completely, but it’s manageable.” He squeezed me. “Come on. Let’s eat. You can tell us the cool stories about the summer you spent here with Fox.”

I smiled. I liked that idea.