She stares at me, deadpanning. The silence is growing thicker by the second. Shit, I hate seeing her frown like this. And I hate that it’s affecting me this much. I don’t want to care about the way she feels about me; she just met me, but it’s hard when everything about Coraline is effortlessly magnetic.
There’s no way in hell a woman like her could be interested in a man like me. I need to pull away from her. There’s no future with anyone because I refuse to give up this place I call home.
“I’m heading out.”
I need space and room to breathe.
“But what about breakfast?” she asks and points to the plate of stacked pancakes and bacon.
“I’m not hungry,” I tell her as I place my hat on top of my head and exit the house. Cold wind, snow everywhere, nothing but wilderness tuning out the chilling chaos I’ve managed to keep buried.
CHAPTER 19
CORALINE
I’m snowed in with the Grinch.
I’m sure of it.
I feel defeated. Every time I think we’re getting along, taking two steps forward, we’re going three distant, impatient steps back. I didn’t mean to break his boundaries by going into the basement. I truly wanted to help. After last night, I wanted to do something nice for him.
His place is quite dull for the holidays, so why not lighten it from moody to cheery with decorations, bright colors, and twinkling lights? Sleepy Coldwater seems to go all out when it comes to Christmas.
Why did he seem so triggered?
And why is he going out there right now?
There’s wildlife everywhere out here. I’ve had more close calls in one hour than in my entire life. I’m hesitant to follow him outside because of the wolves, moose, and potential avalanches.
That’s why he stays armed in case anything happens.
What if the asshole that’s after me could still be here, lurking and waiting for another opportunity to kill me?
I know Gavin doesn’t believe me. Maybe he thinks I hit my head too hard and I’m making everything up.
I stand in the middle of the kitchen, tugging on the inside of my cheek with my teeth, going back and forth with myself. I watch the flames swirl in the fireplace, debating if I should head to Merelyn’s when my hair gets pulled back harshly.
Now he’s yanking my hair? How the hell did he get behind me so fast? I thought he went outside toward the back? How did I miss him? And why the hell is he pulling my hair?
I whirl around, getting ready to screech insults at Gavin, maybe even slap him across the face, but my mouth stays open when nothing but air greets me, my hand staying stiff as a rock by my side.
There’s nobody.
My pressed lips fall into a concerned frown. My blood runs cold when I realize I’m alone and that hellish sensation is back.
What the?
I physically felt someone’s fingers in my hair, their edges and shape of their flesh against mine—grazing my scalp right before a thick section of my hair was pulled.
With a pulsing heartbeat, my eyes widen as I search for Gavin, Merelyn, or even Georgia, but no one is here. A sinking sensation of dread and fear washes over me. Goosebumps light up my skin as I blink around the room slowly, investigating every corner for an explanation.
I know I felt someone’s hand on me.
I know I did.
I don’t think I’m alone.
And I don’t think a living person did this.
