Chapter One – Estelle
Estelle glanced in the rearview mirror. Adara looked so peaceful, her dark eyelashes fluttering against her round cheeks. The little girl’s head had tipped sideways against the booster seat, mouth slightly open. Four years old, and already she’d been through too much.
Estelle had never pictured her life being like this. Responsible for a small child. A child who had won her heart even as it broke. But this was her life now. She looked past Adara in her booster seat and checked the road behind them one more time, making sure it was clear.
We’re not being followed,her dragon told her.
I know,Estelle thought back, but the habit was hard to lose. The past few months had left her with a paranoia she doubted she would ever lose.
With a sigh, she turned her attention to the road ahead and the mountains, those beautiful mountains rising around them. Damn, how she loved mountains with their emerald green forests and mist-filled valleys. Her dragon stirred restlessly within, stretching phantom wings and sending a tremor through Estelle’s body—both of them aching to tear through the air above those jagged amethyst peaks, where nothing could touch them, and the world below fell away.
One day soon,Estelle promised her dragon.But we have different priorities first. We have to get Adara settled and safe.
The “Welcome to Bear Creek” sign appeared around the bend, weathered wood with carved bears climbing its edges. She’d chosen the town with care. Bear Creek was small enough todisappear into, large enough that they wouldn’t stand out as newcomers. Perfect.
But there was something else about Bear Creek. Something she could not put her finger on, could not put into words. A longing. A calling. As if this were where she was meant to be.
Fantasy,her dragon scoffed.There is nowhere we are supposed to be.
Except by Adara’s side,Estelle murmured.
Always,her dragon said, and tucked her head under her wing.
“Adara, honey. We’re almost there.” Estelle kept her voice soft, not wanting to startle the child.
Adara’s eyes fluttered open, that familiar gold-flecked gaze finding Estelle immediately. “Are we home?” she asked, voice small and hopeful.
Home. Such a loaded word. Estelle’s heart ached with that same longing that had drawn her here. She just hoped she’d made the right decision. Estelle had always trusted her head, but choosing Bear Creek had been a decision of the heart.
“Almost. Just a few more minutes.” She turned off the main road and climbed higher into the mountains, glad to be putting the town and its population behind her.
Finally, she turned off the road, and they bumped along a potholed track for a short distance. Then the track opened into a wooded clearing, and there it was. Home.
At least for now.
The cottage blended seamlessly into its surroundings, with its weathered wraparound porch and shingle roof.
Our fresh start,her dragon murmured.
But for how long?How long before she would have to pack up their scant belongings and move on again?
Don’t think about that now,her dragon said.
You’re right.Estelle parked in the driveway and immediately assessed the property. The realtor had promised the place was secluded enough for privacy but close enough to town for convenience.
She seemed to have gotten it exactly right.
There’s another car approaching,her dragon murmured.
Estelle immediately stiffened. But then let out a long breath. It was probably just Sian. They were due to meet here so that the realtor could hand over the keys.
Estelle rolled her shoulders. It had been a long drive, and she couldn’t wait to get out of the car and stretch her legs.
And my wings,her dragon added.
Estelle was not willing to commit to that. Not until she had a good sense of the place.
“Do you want to take a look at our new place?” Estelle asked, turning to look back at Adara.
