I hadn’t wanted to voice my fear about rodents or insects—even though it’s probably too cold for most of that—but knowing someone checks this place regularly helps more than I expected.
“Oh,” I add quickly, wanting to be useful, “I can take care of washing the common items too. If there’s a place, I can collect them? Maybe the lunchroom?”
He nods. “Good idea.”
My chest loosens a notch. I did something right.
“Got any bags you want to bring in now?” he asks.
“Oh—no. I’ll do it later,” I say quickly, not wanting him to see how little I actually own.
“Can I park behind the cabin?”
“Sure.”
“Thanks.”
He pauses, then gestures toward the door.
“Alright. Let me show you the lunchroom.”
I grab my too-thin jacket and follow him out, cold air rushing in again—but this time, it doesn’t feel quite as sharp.
This place isn’t pretty.
But it’s safe.
And for now?
That’s enough.
CHAPTER 7
THATCHER
She’s better at this than I expected.
At pretending.
At locking things away behind calm eyes and careful smiles.
I know she’s carrying secrets. I can feel them—tight, guarded, humming just beneath her skin.
And I don’t push.
Not yet.
We don’t know each other well enough for that, but no one comes to Woodhaven without a reason. Not unless they have relatives here.
Anyway, I’ll let her keep them until she’s ready to hand them over.
Because she will.
I’m patient when something matters.
There’s something about her that feels different. Heavy. Significant.
Like she walked into my orbit for a reason.
