Penelope shivered. “This place gives me the creeps. It’s likesome old house in the middle of nowhere where a slasher movie would happen.”
“Aww, come on,” Brady said, “it’s fun.”
“How is this fun?” She pinned her disapproving gaze on Talbot. “I’ll never understand your friends,” she said in her quintessential tone.
“I’d watch out,” Heath said. “You know who always goes first in the horror movies—the blond.”
Penelope swallowed. “I’m not the only blond,” she spluttered. “Mia and Iz are too.”
“Still it’s a one-in-three-chance.” Brady chuckled.
“You two,” Cassie said, “knock it off.” She looked to Penelope. “Don’t let them get to you.”
“They aren’t. This place is. It’s been empty for a while, right?”
“Right.” Jayce gave a nod.
“Vagrants stay in abandoned places.” She rubbed her arms, her brow indenting into a frown. “How do you know that we are the only ones here?”
Eight
“PEN,” IZSAID,moving to her side. “We’re safe.”
Pen’s gaze darted about, pinging from one side of the room to the other. “How do youknow? Have you checked the house?”
“I’ll check the house,” Joel said. “I need to take count of the supplies anyway.”
“I already did that,” Heath said, then shrugged. “For the most part.”
“Did you check the cellar?”Or behind the walls? Although, he wasn’t adding that little tidbit about the lodge now. It’d only freak Penelope out further to know there were passageways built behind the walls. Originally to hide servants from the guests’ view until that became an outdated notion, then they just sat empty until he and his siblings terrorized each other playing hide-and-seek in the maze of tunnels.
“Besides the slasher possibility, I’m freezing.” Penelope rubbed her arms faster.
Valid point. “Any sign of firewood?” Joel asked, scanning the room.
“Not in here,” Heath said, “but we should check the outer buildings. I saw several from the side and back porches.”
“Good idea but go out in pairs. We don’t want anyone by themselves getting turned around or lost.”
“Got it,” Heath said. “Here.” He handed Joel the lantern. “I’ll head out with Devon, and he’s got a working flashlight.”
“Absolutely.” Devon got to his feet.
Brady stood up. “Who’s pairing up with me?”
“I’ll go,” Lyle said, to everyone’s surprise.
Joel expected Lyle to weasel out of looking. The guy didn’t mix with adventure or even the outdoors. He looked like a bug pincushion every Fourth of July cookout. But he followed close on Brady’s heels as they exited the parlor.
“I’ll go—” Jayce started.
“Why don’t you stay here and keep everyone...”Safe. “Good.”
“Roger that.” Jayce took a seat in the chair beside Mia, her leg now sutured up.
“Good job.” Joel shoulder-bumped Cassie with a twinge of a smile.
“Thanks.” She smiled back.
