I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and got dressed, spritzing a touch of my favorite toasted vanilla perfume. All the while, Wickham continued to snore lightly in his bed. So, I quietly opened the door and slipped out for a little walk. We’d have to discuss our situation later.
With the high elevation the air was bitterly cold and scented by the remnants of evening fires. Taking a walk entailed stomping through snowdrifts even on the walkways, so it was good I’d brought my boots. We’d traveled farther north than I’d realized. Brilliant shades of blue broke through the clouds, giving us a break between the storms.
Along with our cabin, the resort offered a large lounge and dining hall in the main lodge. The building was enormous and made of logs, like the cabins. Inside,families wrangled their children, people read or worked on laptops, and couples enjoyed a leisurely breakfast near a fireplace. I saw why Wickham wanted to visit the place again, and I tried to imagine him as one of the kids running about the lounge with his siblings—if he even had siblings. There was a lot about him I didn’t know.
Wickham found me at the little café—the only café—at the lodge. I’d just ordered eggs and toast.
“May I join you?” He slipped off his sunglasses, revealing his fiery brown eyes. The hotel-brand shower gel scented his skin, and his hair was still damp—definitely a sight I could get used to.
“Of course.” I handed him the menu I’d saved in case he showed up.
The server immediately returned to take his order. Rare steak, even for breakfast.
After the server left, Wickham patted my hand. “How areyou holding up?”
The idea hadn’t really crossed my mind. Of course, I knewwhatI was doing, buthowwas another question entirely. “I don’t know. I suppose I’m conflicted. This place is so serene and perfect. It would be easy to pretend we’re here to enjoy ourselves. But I also feel guilty, like I should be doing something. It’s not like we’re going to be able to solve the case from a ski resort.”
Wickham drank from his steaming mug. “For now, we might as well relax a bit. The note said to stay out of things, and this is about as out of things as it gets. As long as your family is safe, we just need to wait a little while. There’s nothing wrong with making the situation.”
“They’re fine for now. I texted my mom so she wouldn’t call the FBI or anything. Lizzy’s a bit worked up over us ditching town, but she’ll be fine. I doubt Dad will even notice I’m missing. Most importantly, there haven’t been any more random attacks.” I sipped my orange juice.
“It could definitely be worse.” Wickham’s shoulders relaxed, and he looked around the bustling café. With the cheery gingham curtains, checkerboard floor, cinnamon-scented air, and sunlight streaming through the window next to our table, it seemed like nothing in the world could go wrong. This place didn’t have the magicalenchantments of home. No mop cleaned the floor on its own, and the coffee mugs didn’t refill themselves. But it was every bit as comfortable as the bakery.
“Last night could have been much worse. Did anyone else in the band end up leaving town?” I asked.
“Hopefully. I texted everyone and suggested they leave. The only responses I’ve gotten are things like ‘good idea’ or ‘why didn’t I think of that’ but nothing concrete.”
Between bites, I questioned Wickham. “I realized I don’t know all that much about you. Do you have siblings? What were you like as a kid?”
“No siblings, but Darcy was kind of like a brother.”
“Right. I sometimes forget. You grew up in some huge estate, didn’t you?” I tried to imagine the place. It sounded like a palace.
“I lived alongside the rich with no money of my own, which is a strange place to be. It generally left me feeling displaced. My parents would probably say I was a pain. I tried to be good, but I had more energy than I knew what to do with. Never mind Dennis, I was Wickham the Menace.” He smiled and shook his head, eyes searching the distance.
Wickham’s mannerismswere entertaining to observe. Sometimes it seemed like he had to try to put on his rebel-without-a-cause persona. “I bet you were secretly a really good kid.”
He smiled mischievously. “I meant well. But the world’s not structured for a confused poor kid living in a mansion with too much time on his hands.”
Why finding out he was a bit pesky made me like him more, I’m not sure. Maybe I found him relatable. “I get it. I have the perfect family. But perfect can be hard for people who need more—you know—excitement. Adventure. I was known for being a little energetic myself.”
“That’s why we get along so well. Our energies match.” Wickham’s eyes brightened as he spoke, like he was looking right into me and was amazed by what he found.
Our auras did go fairly well together, in my opinion. “For a while, I thought you were interested in my sister Lizzy.”
“She and I are too different. I get the sense that she’s the kind of girl who would kick youin the knee if you did something wrong.”
“What makes you think I won’t? I find that to be an admirable trait on her part.” I grinned and tipped my chin in his direction.
Wickham’s rock star smile made an entrance. “Well, you probably would too. But that would certainly be more fun.”
I laughed. “You’ve got us all figured out, don’t you?”
“I mean...” Wickham’s eyes said something I couldn’t interpret.
“Kicking guys in the knees.” I mused.
“If they deserve it.”
