Following behind, I look around. The cabin isn’t new but it looks sturdy enough, and the way the trees surround it makes it feel as though I’m being hugged. Not that I’ve had many hugs in my life. The ones I have had I remember felt wonderful though.
“I have stew on for dinner. Once we get you settled, we can eat.”
“Oh. I don’t have to cook?”
“No.” The word is growled and I can’t help wondering if I’ve done something wrong.
The last thing I need is for Felix to fire me before I start. I have nowhere else to go. And no way of getting there if I did. Not to mention the lack of funds in my account. Rolling my lipsbetween my teeth, I stay silent and follow him and Neville into the cabin.
Like the outside, the interior isn’t new, and while a lot of it looks old and well used, it looks comfortable—welcoming. Especially the big armchair next to the fireplace.
A smile curls my lips as I imagine sitting there on a cold day, reading or knitting, or just staring into the flames and daydreaming hours away.
Felix takes my groceries to a counter that separates the kitchen from the living space. There’s no dining room, or table for that matter, only two stools tucked under the counter on this side. On the other, the fridge and stove don’t look new but not as old as the cabin, I think.
“It’s not much. But it’s home.”
Felix’s voice has me turning to face him. He’s got his arms folded over his wide chest and the frown on his face isn’t angry. Concerned maybe? I’m not sure. I could read Aunt Bethany’s body language like words on a page, same with Warren, but that skill has never worked with anyone else. Not that I’ve had many people to practice on.
“It’s a lovely home.” Neville nudges my leg and I glance down and smile. “Hey, boy.”
“Nev, leave her alone.”
“He’s okay?—”
“You don’t mind dogs?” Is that relief in his voice?
With a shrug, I bend over and scratch the dog’s head like I did outside; he seems to love it right between his ears. “I’ve never had one, but I’m not scared of them.”
“That’s good.” Slapping his thigh, he says, “Nev, come here. Let’s get the rest of Riley’s things.”
Before I can offer to help, Felix is gone, the dog on his heels, door closed behind them.
Like a row of dominoes, every muscle along my spine loosens, tension flowing down like a waterfall, lowering my shoulders and easing the tightness in my chest on the way. I’m not scared, or worried for my safety, but I have to admit I’m not as tense with Felix’s watchful eyes no longer on me.
Alone, I give the cabin a more thorough inspection.
There are three doors besides the one we came through. The open one near the kitchen is a bathroom, complete with clawfoot tub. The one across the room is a bedroom—you’d have to be blind to miss the big timber-framed bed taking up most of it. The other door is closed.
Another bedroom? The back door?
A pop from the fireplace makes me jump and I laugh, shake my head. I’m not a skittish person. Except I’m in unfamiliar territory, with a man I’ve only just met. Clueless as to what the future holds.
Warren told me he’d found me a job and a place to live.
Except Felix asked if I’d put a profile on something called Get Hitched.
I have no idea what Get Hitched is but I’m smart enough to put two and two together. Get Hitched. As in get married?
Surely not. Warren would not have sold me off as a bride, would he?
With a huff of air, I tip my head back and stare at the ceiling. “Of course he would.”
Noise outside on the porch has me spinning around and heading for the kitchen. I can at least make myself useful and put away the perishable items I purchased. I have no idea how long I’ll be here, but if my suspicions are right, Felix is expecting me to marry him.
What will he do when he finds out he’s been tricked?
Will he make me marry him anyway?
