“No, San Fran.”
He nods. “No problem. I’ll make you the point of contact if that’s alright with you, Ayden. It may be easier to get in touch.”
“Will I have access to the cabin right away?” I ask quickly. “If I wanted to move in.”
“You can stay in the home in Boulder, righty. Wildhart is isolated.”
Perfect…
“I’ve got a few more months of leave from work, it may be nice to be… alone.”
When our eyes meet, we have our silent-twin conversation. She knows exactly what I’m thinking without a word. I’ve been cooped up in a big city apartment with my ex and could really use some fresh air.
After she nods, we turn back to Travis, who wears a smile.
“Legally, it’s yours, but unfortunately we don’t have the keys.”
“Yeah, no… I didn’t expect?—”
“You can have a locksmith go out there to get a set done. I’ll provide you the paperwork to give to the company so they know you are lawfully allowed to enter.” He gives me a sympathetic smile, one that holds understanding. “My girlfriend, Genevive, knows the couple across the lake; their cabin is being rebuilt after a house fire. If you find yourself wanting some company, I’ll give you my number and I can talk to her to see if the girl in Sanderson Pine would want to hang out.” A nervous chuckle comes from him as he rubs the back of his neck. “Just don’t drop by unannounced. From what Genevive has said, her boyfriend is extremely overprotective.”
When we first spoke with someone about going over the will, it was with a woman. So seeing him when we popped in was a surprise. I guess it makes sense now—he probably saw the cabin and asked to take it on. What a small world, but one I’m glad to be in. It would be nice to actually know a neighbor.
“Thanks. I’m not sure I’ll actually stay there but just wanted it as an option.”
“No pressure, just offering is all.”
After that, we spend the next hour signing documents and reviewing the details of what the coming months will entail. Alysa asks most of the questions; I just listen and absorb the information.
On our way out, my sister asks, “Does Keoni need to sign the documents for it all to be solidified?”
“Yes. We will continue to attempt to reach out to him. If you by chance get in contact with him, can you have him come up to get them signed?”
The two of us agree, bidding him a farewell, and hit the road. It’s an hour drive back to Maple Falls from Denver, and I’m mentally exhausted.
As we get on the highway, greasy food stuffed between the console, Alysa turns down the music. “That wasn’t so bad. I thought it would’ve been worse. Travis was really kind. I felt safe and heard. He was great.”
I nod and shove a fry into my mouth. “Agreed. Do we go to the cabin now?”
“No key. We can see when a locksmith can get out there.”
That’s right.
As she stumbles around the bag, I reach in and take out her burger. After prepping it, I hand it to her.
“Thanks,” she coos.
“Mhmm.” I pause, putting a french-fry into my mouth before speaking again. “I’ve… not been there, so we could just drive up and see it, if that works for you?”
“Oh, sure! Nothing really else to do. I think being left unattended to my thoughts I may start crying and I really,really, don’t want to.”
I’m unable to stop from chuckling. “I feel that.”
Maybe I’ll see it and decide it isn’t for me. The last time I went camping was when I was twelve, and that didn’t go so well—we were attacked by bees right at the lake’s edge. I don’t mind bugs or the outdoors, but that definitely wasn’t fun.
And the whole point of camping is for it to be enjoyable.
Anyway, I know that’s not the only reason my stomach is twisting into knots at the thought of staying. I’d need to talk with Michael and convince him it’s for the best.
