“See, now you are horrible and mean,” he grinned, kissing her lips and gently biting them.
“Awake. That’s what I am. Just thought I would announce it, you know, for no reason,” Addi interjected, making sure she was loud enough to be heard.
Wyatt laughed. “Well, in that case,” he teased as he swiftly but gently pinned Nev under him.
“So, would you prefer I murder you both now or after breakfast?” Addi inquired, glancing over at Wyatt and Nev.
Nev stared up at Wyatt and mouthed the words, “You are terrible.”
Wyatt laughed. “I know, and you love me for it,” he replied before moving and allowing Nev to sit up.
Addi mumbled to herself and shook her head. As Nev and Wyatt joined her around the cold firepit, she handed them each some jerky and bread. “Nellis’ house is not a bad hike from here. Hopefully, no more than two or three days,” she explained, pointing off in the direction they needed to go.
“Sounds good,” Nev replied.
“I want to take a look at your shoulder before we head out,” Wyatt stated, glancing at Nev.
Nev nodded and agreed, “It is feeling a bit better, but you can check on it.”
“Really? Not even going to fight me on it?” Wyatt asked, sounding pleasantly surprised.
“Nope. You want to play healer so badly, go ahead,” Nev teased, winking at him.
Wyatt shook his head and mouthed the words, “You really are mean.”
Chapter 30
Without incident, the trio had spent the day venturing deeper into the woods. The morning’s rain had remained light for most of the day, but the skies were beginning to grow dark and menacing by late afternoon. Wyatt had noticed Nev lagging farther and farther behind as they walked. He’d also sensed her shoulder’s pain beginning to really bother her again. You just had to prove how stubborn you are and row that damn dinghy, didn’t you? Wyatt thought to himself.
Wyatt quickened his pace and caught up to Addi, who had been taking point. “So, I think we should make camp soon,” he suggested as he peeked back at Nev.
“It is going to storm tonight, Wyatt. We really need to keep moving until we find someplace that will shelter us from it,” Addi replied, glancing up at the darkening and foreboding sky.
“Yeah. Agreed. Just if you see a place. Sooner would be better than later,” Wyatt urged.
Addi slowed her pace and studied her brother. “Why? Are you okay? Is it another headache?” she prodded with concern.
“No. I am fine, big sister. It is actually Nev. I think she needs to take a break,” Wyatt responded, his voice hushed.
“Did she say something?” Addi asked.
Wyatt shook his head and replied, “No. And she likely won’t. Look, you saw her with the dinghy. She is almost as stubborn as me, and she is determined to keep moving forward. But I can tell she needs to rest.”
“Fine. I will try to find the princess a place to spend the night. And here I thought she was just a slow walker,” Addi answered, feeling a little annoyed to be beholden to Nev.
“Thanks, sis,” Wyatt responded. With Addi convinced to find shelter soon, he slowed his pace and rejoined Nev. “Hi, love. Addi thinks we should make camp soon. You know, because of the storm that is coming,” he informed Nev.
“Alright,” Nev replied with a sigh. Her shoulder was throbbing, and fighting Addi on her decision was not something she was interested in doing.
Addi, meanwhile, wasn’t sure how she felt about her brother’s level of devotion to Nev. Wanting to spend time with a girl, she understood. She was even willing to believe him when he said he was in love. After all, what did Wyatt know of actually being in love? However, his intense dedication to Nev made her nervous. She worried her brother would blindly follow Nev anywhere. That idea terrified her. Addi had a growing fear Nev would lead her brother into situations even more dangerous than facing the prowler from their past.
After walking for another hour or so, Addi came upon a narrow-overgrown path. It appeared to lead from a pond in the distance and then wind into the woods. Shelter maybe? Worth a look, she thought. Addi led the group down the path until a small cabin came into view. It was apparent that whoever lived there had been gone for several months. It was also immediately evident that they had left in a hurry and not willingly.
There was laundry still clipped to a clothesline, while other pieces of clothing were haphazardly spread across the front yard. The basket had been deposited by the wind a few feet from the line. With a sense of apprehension, Addi slowly walked up to the cabin’s entrance. “You two stay here. I will check it out,” Addi directed.
Seeing the cabin, brought back some of Nev’s guilt and pain, the very feelings she had successfully pushed away back at their beach camp. It left her feeling heavy and tired. As Wyatt squeezed her hand, she leaned her head on his shoulder, firm in her decision to keep her emotions from overwhelming her. Nev watched as Addi entered the cabin and disappear within.
“Hey. You going to be okay if we stay here tonight?” Wyatt asked gently.
“Sure. At least we won’t get rained on,” Nev replied, glancing at the dark clouds forming above.
Wyatt moved to face her. He had felt her anguish spike as they approached the cabin. Even if it had waned some, Wyatt still found himself worrying about her. Often, he wondered if the wounds Nev carried from her past would ever fully heal or at least stop being so severe. Wyatt also worried if her growing abilities would make things easier or harder for her. He certainly hoped it would be the former.
“Look, I don’t know how much of your father’s skills you inherited. Or what it’s like for you. For me, some places are saturated with unpleasantness. Being
