Sybil handed me a frosty glass of lemonade and sat in the folding chair next to mine, gazing out at our afternoon view, which included a lot of muscular men.“I’m glad we can get away with sitting here like this,” she huffed, wiping sweat from her brow.“I would not want to be working right now.”
“Ha!” I retorted.“You’re just happy I gave you the excuse.”
Nash and Gray, along with many others, were engaged in a classic barn raising. They had a complete log frame secured to pulleys, and teams of workers were in the process of hoisting it upright in the recently cleared patch of land.
Sybil and Nash had selected a plot in the forest just downriver from us, far enough that you couldn’t see it through the trees, but close enough to walk without danger. I was getting a new neighbor, and I couldn’t be more excited.
It was late August, and the heat was at its peak in this part of the Northern Hemisphere. While it wasn’t scorching like the heat in the city, it was still warm. Never again would I envy the searing cement streets of New York in August.
Since freeing ourselves from the Mafia, Gray and I eagerly fled back to the woods. I couldn’t handle the city for too long after the quiet I’d experienced, and now that I knew everyone was safe, all I wanted was to go home. Not long after making it back to my pine marten, my bear, and my forest air, I found out I was pregnant.
I was not surprised.
Sybil was absolutely thrilled with the news and insisted on joining me for the summer. This, of course, sent my brother into a worried frenzy. Nash, ever practical, worked with the local municipality to have the old overgrown forest road from town to Gray’s homestead cleared and filled with gravel. Both brooding males felt it was crucial to make our location more accessible now that the danger of being found had passed. Once we got most of the major construction for the new buildings on the property done and the heavy trucks finished delivering supplies, we’d even pave it.
In addition to the road, Nash was also setting up a helipad. He had recently secured a long-term lease for a helicopter at the local airport. I couldn’t find any fault with these arrangements. While I value my solitude, maintaining some connection to the outside world is crucial. My pregnancy has brought on a wave of new anxieties, and the ability to drive to and from the nearest town, a 40-minute truck ride away, is a welcome convenience. Not to mention the reassurance of knowing I could summon an ambulance and get to a proper hospital if needed.
I found out Gray owned 100 acres out here, which I hadn’t realized was so vast. It seemed like the perfect place for a cabin retreat and inn, next to Algonquin Park. Sybil and I came up with the idea one night while doing puzzles. We envisioned it as an off-the-grid experience, giving guests a chance to try out that lifestyle and see if it appealed to them.
Today was the start of Sybil’s permanent move. My brother would still work in the city, commuting every other week until the retreat was operational. Sybil, however, couldn’t bring herself to leave the forest, cherishing the simplicity and freedom she experienced out here as I had. Both New York townhouses were now listed for sale, and after they sold, Nash planned to purchase a small New York apartment to live in with our father while they continued to manage Beaumont Antiquities & Auction House.
Their home will be the first addition to the property, followed by a series of secluded cabins spread across the land. Each cabin will be positioned to ensure privacy while remaining close enough to foster social interaction and a sense of community.
I was also renovating our bathroom and adding extensions to the back of the cabin. Though Gray’s cabin was snug for our expanding family, I was reluctant to build something entirely new and abandon it. Expanding seemed to align better with our narrative.
Sybil and I also envisioned multiple greenhouses across the property, along with designated spots for van-life travelers who might want to visit and stay for a bit. It all felt very hippy, but I promise quite modernized. Think glamping, but in a fully sustainable atmosphere.
Whenever Sybil and I brainstormed, our ideas would naturally expand and grow more intricate. She was eager to offer both art classes and art therapy, and while I was unsure how she’d manage that with her colorblindness, I knew if anyone could make it work, it would be her. I, on the other hand, was keen on getting goats. Gray remained hesitant, still worried about the wolves, but I was confident that with a well-built barn and strong fencing, it was entirely possible.
My passion for restoration blossomed into a love for antiques, especially local finds. I began with small projects in my shed, dedicating myself to them daily as my energy allowed. However, the little human growing inside me was already demanding much of that energy, and Gray often vied for whatever was left. Pregnancy hadn’t dampened his enthusiasm one bit; in fact, it seemed to make our love life even more vibrant. He was insatiable and completely devoted, and I absolutely adored it.
Sybil let out a hoot, then a hearty,“There you go, boys!”
Nash eyed her with disdain as his face reddened from strain.
Sybil giggled. The only reason she wasn’t also over there pulling on a rope was because I insisted she keep the pregnant lady company.
With a ground-shaking thunk, the first framing piece settled into place. The whole crew cheered and stepped back, hands on hips, looking exhausted and sweaty. While they enjoyed a much-needed break, a second crew began pouring the cement. It was truly fascinating to watch.
Grey shot me a sexy grin from across the field, breathing heavily, his loose-fitting tank top drenched with sweat. I instinctively slid a hand across my still small belly, cradling our growing family. It was just this week that I felt the first flutter of movement, and it was magical. This was really happening.
Sybil eyed me with a grin on her face, looking longingly at my belly.
“Are you going to do this one day?” I asked.
She shrugged and rolled her eyes.“I’ll see how I feel once you squeeze that thing out,” she joked, sipping her lemonade.“I think I’ll let you do all the painful work, and I’ll take over from there.”
Even though she enjoyed being involved in my pregnancy, she remained hesitant about having children herself, due to her past experiences. I believe she feared passing on her anxiety, and I can understand that. While my mother also dealt with anxiety, I had jumped right in headfirst. Gray and I felt ready and capable of providing any support our children might need, so we felt it was worth the effort.
I guffawed.“Are you planning to steal my children?”
She laughed.“Girl, you’re gonna have, like, fifty of them if Gray has his way. You’ll be begging me to babysit.”
“True,” I agreed.
“Let’s just see where life takes us,” she added.“It’s nice feeling free again, and you never know. Maybe someday I won’t fear the idea like I do now.”
I nodded enthusiastically.“Amen to that.” I leaned back in the folding chair, hearing it creak under me.
