Chapter 10: The Cabin

The cabin sat on a Kentucky lake at the end of a dirt road, and the owner took cash and asked no questions.

By dark the rain had stopped, and the water outside the window was flat and black.

I set my father's urn on the mantel above the little stone fireplace.

I lit the fire myself.

My hands didn't shake until I stood up.

Ronan came in from the porch with a bag of groceries and his wet jacket over his arm, and he stopped when he saw my face.

"What did Bronco say to you at the door?" he asked.

"You heard?"

"I saw his mouth move. I was too far away."

"He said fourteen months is up this week."

Ronan went completely still.

The jacket slid off his arm onto the floor.

I had never seen him drop anything.

"What does it mean?" I said.

"Roz."

"Rule two. You answer everything I ask."

He looked at the fire.

He looked at the urn.

"I can't tell you," he said. "Not yet."

"You promised."

"I know."

"You said no lies."

"It isn't a lie. It's a thing I'm not ready to say, and I'm asking you for one more day."

I should have pushed.

I knew it, and I felt the anger rise, and I stood in the firelight with my fists shut.

But he stood there too, with his empty hands open at his sides and his grey eyes wide and wretched, and I could see how much it cost him to say no.

I had watched Bronco lie with a smile for fourteen months.

This man was refusing me with his whole face.

"One day," I said.

"One day."

"Then you owe me something else."

"Anything."

"Come here."

He crossed the room in three steps, and I met him halfway.

I put both hands on his chest and felt his heart slamming under my palms.

"I don't want to be gentle tonight," I said. "I don't want anyone to take care of me."

"All right."

"I want to take."

His breath left him.

"Then take," he said.

I pulled his mouth down to mine.

He kissed me hungrily, with his hands fisted at his sides, holding himself back for me.

I wouldn't let him.

I caught his wrists and put his palms on my hips.

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