memorized the dark, rustic furniture, the crude walls that looked like someone had built the place with his bare hands. The fur rug, the quilted blanket on the bed. The hearth in the living area and the little kitchen. I stood in front of the large window that overlooked the breathtaking valley. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, trying to detach myself from everything around me. This story was ending. I had to accept that.
For a short while, I’d imagined this was the type of place I could be happy. I’d had the crazy idea that living here with Viktor could make me happy. But I had no idea who Viktor really was. A man alone in the mountains with that many guns? He had to be bad news with a capital B.
I left the cabin. Viktor wasn’t around when I looked between the trees, and I was glad. I didn’t know how to say goodbye to him. He didn’t deserve that from me. Even though a part of me wanted to try and salvage some of the goodness we’d shared.
I started walking through the trees, taking the route he’d led me through when we had gone to Snowmass to buy clothes. I had a rough idea which way to go. I would be able to find my way.
As I walked, I tried to figure out how the hell I hadn’t seen this coming. Looking back, there had been so many red flags, I should have known something was up. But the feeling I’d had when I was around him had thrown me off. Despite his domineering presence and how intimidating he could be because of size, I’d felt safe with him.
But it was over now. I would go to Snowmass, call a cab, and go home. This entire dream – or nightmare – would be over.
I forced myself to think about other things because when I thought about Viktor and the week we’d spent together, I just wanted to cry. And I was not going to cry about that man. So I thought about what needed to be done when I got home. I would have to go into the office one more time to wrap things up. Ryan would want to know what had happened to the company truck, but he could take it up with insurance. He would want me to show him where everything was so that when he replaced me, he could look like he knew what he was talking about.
The truth was, I wasn’t ready to head back to reality. I felt like I’d been wrapped up in a bubble, living a life that was incredibly surreal and perfect. The snap back to reality was jarring.
Finally, after what felt like almost too long, I saw Snowmass between the trees. A wave of relief washed over me that I hadn’t gotten lost in the mountains. I headed to the bakery, pushing open the door as soon as I reached it. The bell that jingled was welcoming, and the smell of freshly baked bread wrapped around me like a warm blanket. Kathy smiled at me from across the counter.
“It’s good to see you again!” she exclaimed. “What can I help you with? I have rolls fresh from the oven.”
I shook my head. “Actually, I was wondering if I could use your phone? I lost mine.”
Kathy’s eyebrows knit together briefly before her smile warmed her expression again. “Where’s your boyfriend?”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I said tightly.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Kathy sympathized. “I thought the two of you were together…” She dropped her voice to a whisper and leaned closer. “Is he the reason you don’t have anything with you?” She glanced at the clothes bundled up under my arm.
“I…” I had no idea how to answer that question. I didn’t want anybody to think Viktor had harmed me or anything. I sighed. “It’s a long story.”
Kathy nodded. “I understand.”
I didn’t think she understood at all.
“You can use my phone. Here.” She offered me her cell phone, taken from a handbag next to the cash register.
“I’ll just call a cab. I won’t be long.”
“Whatever you want, sweetie,” Kathy said, her sympathetic smile a little syrupy.
Whatever you want. Viktor had said those exact words to me when we’d been here. I’d been all worked up and hot for him because of it, letting my mind roam to Viktor without his clothes on. So much had changed since then.
I used her internet to look up a cab company’s contact