Wolfe nodded. “Good. Got us some snacks for the road, so dig in when you want.”
Gen peered into the other plastic bag at the contents of a true road trip. Candy bars, Doritos, and a few Slim Jims. “Are those Sno Balls? I didn’t think they made them anymore.”
“Yeah, me neither. I got lucky.”
“Where are we going?”
“Gonna stay at Sawyer’s cabin on the lake for a few days. Just until things die down and you get your head together.”
Panic reared back up and nipped at her nerves. “I have to call my family.”
“Already done. I texted Alexa and Kate. Those were the two you wanted to contact, right?”
She slid her arms around her chest and squeezed, rocking back on her heels. “Yes. What did you tell them?”
“That you were sorry you ran out but you couldn’t marry David. That you needed to get yourself together and would be in touch. That you were okay and not to contact you for a bit.”
“What about the reception? Where are people going to go? What about the press?”
His voice held a rich command that vibrated with intensity. “Alexa and Kate are a power team together. They’ll handle it. Right now, you need to let me take care of things.”
Relief loosened her muscles. Yes. For a little while, Wolfe would take care of things. She’d retreat, make some decisions, and clean up the mess she made. But not now. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Let’s go.”
They got back into the car and drove. The Mercedes gobbled up the miles as they worked their way from Verily, in upstate New York, hit the thruway, and headed north. The music was loud, the wind whipped at her hair, and the scenery whizzed by in a comforting blur. She nibbled at a Hershey’s chocolate bar while Wolfe munched on chips and sipped his soda.
Gen closed her eyes and pretended she was off for a weekend getaway. Over the past year, each time she tried to see Wolfe, David gave her a hard time. The pressure and guilt became too much. Her fiancé reminded her how little time they spent together with their crazy work schedules, and her little forays with Wolfe were causing a break in their relationship.
Gen considered herself a strong woman. Gutsy. Opinionated. Yet when David turned his charm and dedication into getting his point across, it was like the South at Gettysburg all over again. Defeat. So, she’d begun making excuses. She hated lying, but David rewarded her by being extra sweet and considerate, telling her over and over how good they were together if only she tried hard. She forgot how nice it was not to worry about saying something stupid, or not being witty or sexy enough. With Wolfe, there was only a comfortable silence and no need to fill the void with intelligent conversation.
The trees grew thicker and the landscape more rural as they turned off the exit and headed toward Saratoga Springs. They passed through the quaint town with its shops, neat landscaping, and sidewalks, reminding her of Verily, and kept going. Nine Inch Nails boomed from the stereo in direct contradiction to the woody hush as they veered off several side roads. The gravel spun beneath the tires, and wildly colored blooms dragged past the window, sticking out from a variety of brush and trees. Wolfe made a hard right and followed a path up a steep hill, winding in circles higher and higher until he cut the engine.
“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.