“I can take care of this, Ethan. No one isgoing to find us up here; I’m not sureIcan find us uphere,” he added with a grin. Ethan remained straight faced beforefinally breaking into a small smile. “It won’t take long to geteveryone situated or moved around, by then we should know moreabout what is going on with her from Brian and his friends.”
“We can make a couple of trips and leave youwith the Jeep,” Emma said.
“I can move faster than a vehicle throughthese mountains if it becomes necessary. Take them both, it will beone less temptation for Paige,” Ian replied.
“You’ll need clothes and supplies before wego,” David said.
“We will,” Ian agreed. “I think you shouldtake Mandy and Jill back tonight, and then head home. I’m sureMandy has school tomorrow.”
“I can stay for another day,” Mandyoffered.
Ian rested his hand on her arm and squeezedit reassuringly. Jill and Mandy may have started out as Emma’sfriends, but he considered them more like family now, and he knewhe wasn’t the only one. David, Mike, Jack, and Doug spent a lot oftime with them too, as they all liked to go out together in SanFrancisco.
“I know, and I thank you,” he told her. “Butyou should get back. We don’t need you failing out because ofthis.”
“Like that would happen!” Jill snorted. Sheswung her arm around Mandy’s shoulders and pulled her close.“There’s far too much brain power in her little noggin forthat.”
Mandy rolled her eyes, but she leanedagainst Jill’s side. “Ok, but if you need me for anything more,call.”
“I will,” Ian promised. He turned towardEthan, Emma and Stefan. “If you wouldn’t mind sticking around to dosome shopping for us tomorrow, before you leave?”
“Of course,” Emma replied.
Ian looked up at the stars beginning topierce the shadowy veil of night. He had no idea what he was goingto do with Paige while they were stuck up here. He knew what he’dlike to do to her, but he probably had a better shot of walking onthe moon than he did of getting into bed with her.
He turned back toward the cabin; he couldhear her faint breaths and sometimes a small snore coming from thebedroom. “The couch is comfortable,” Stefan said.
Mike chuckled and flicked his cigaretteaway. “I was beginning to think you and Brian shared thebedroom.”
Stefan shot him a look as he folded his armsover his chest. “We didn’t build the place.”
“But you did buy it,” David replied.
“Actually we inherited it from a vampire wekilled. It was secluded and peaceful, so we kept it.”
“Oh,” David said.
That about summed it up, Ian thoughtas he had nothing else to say to this revelation either. Sometimeshe forgot how shady Stefan’s past had been.
“We should go,” Mike said and climbed to hisfeet. “Call us and we’ll be here as fast as we can.”
Mike slapped him on the back and climbeddown the steps to David’s car. David shook his hand before joggingover to the driver’s side of the car. They each held their doorsopen for Jill and Mandy to climb into the back. They all gave awave as they pulled out of the driveway and headed down the dirtroad. Ian watched until the red taillights faded from view beforeturning back toward the cabin. It would be another night withlittle sleep, but he intended to stay by Paige’s side.
***
The cool air blew against Paige’s skin whenshe stepped out of the cabin and onto the porch. Her gaze traveledover the mountains towering behind the small cabin in the center ofthe clearing. Their peaks were still white with snow as theytouched the clouds drifting through the sky. The trees lining theclearing were at least fifty feet tall, the tops of them blew inthe breeze cutting through them. The soft clacking of theirbranches filled the air as they swayed. A couple of squirrelsbounded through some tall pines before vanishing from view.
Inhaling deeply, she savored the crispmountain air as she tried to place what mountain range they werein. Maybe the Cascade Mountains, she guessed, but she didn’t knowmuch about any of the mountain ranges on the Pacific side of thecountry.
“Where are we?” she inquired.
Ian shifted beside her. The motion causedhis arm to brush against hers. The brief touch of his flesh againhers made heat seep through her body. Rubbing her arm, she hastilystepped away from him. He didn’t notice as his gaze never swungtoward her. “Far from civilization,” he replied.
She glanced at the parked Jeep she assumedthey’d arrived in, and then down the endless drive. Far fromcivilization was right, or at least that’s what they were trying tomake her believe. For all she knew there could be a home only acouple of miles away or just at the end of that drive.
“Are you sure you’re going to be ok uphere?” Stefan inquired as he walked across the clearing towardthem.
“We’ll be fine. Get back to Issy before shekicks my ass, she needs you with her right now,” Ian replied.
