about my father. You’ve always been ... cognizant ... of certain things. We’re talking things other people can’t pick up on. I trust your instincts.”
I considered his words. Was he right? Had I always been more aware than others? Before I burned Monica’s eyebrows off at the bonfire I would’ve completely disregarded the statement. Now, though ... .
My life felt more in flux than when I first arrived. I didn’t like it. I was a creature of habit. Routine was my best friend. How was I supposed to get into a routine with all this going on? It seemed impossible.
“Stay there,” Hunter ordered, heading in the direction of the storage building. He clearly hadn’t witnessed my moment of paralyzing self-doubt.
I watched as he moved to the closest side and disappeared from view. I knew he was circling the building, so I waited. It took him longer than it should’ve to reappear on the other side.
“Let me guess,” I said. “Nothing. I really am crazy.”
“I wouldn’t say that.” He was grim as he motioned for me to join him. “Who smokes here?”
I wasn’t expecting the question. “A lot of people smoke,” I replied as I joined him.
“I need a list.”
“I don’t understand.” He led me to the back corner of the building. There, in the spot that would’ve been darkest thanks to the shadows afforded by the encroaching trees, was a well-worn patch of ground. There had to be at least fifty discarded cigarette butts strewn around.
“Who smokes here?” he repeated.
“A lot of people, including Brad and Trina.”
“Do they come out this far to smoke?”
I hesitated.
“Stormy, I don’t suspect your aunt and uncle of trying to kill you,” he said gently. “That’s not what this is about. I want to know if it’s reasonable for someone who works here to come out this far to smoke. It’s a simple question.”
“Most everyone who smokes does it by that door.” I pointed toward the double doors closest to my apartment steps. “There are ashtrays right there.”
“So there’s no reason for anyone to smoke behind the storage building.” He stroked his chin. “Unless someone was watching the inhabitant of that apartment.” He gestured up, drawing my attention to the sliding glass doors that led to my kitchen.
“I’m never that far over,” I reassured him, my heart lodging in my throat. “At night, I usually hang in the living room ... or my bedroom.”
“It doesn’t matter. Someone can still see the lights. You need to install blinds on those windows.”
I nodded dumbly. “I’ll talk to Grandpa.”
“You don’t have to talk to him. Just do it. If he doesn’t like it, tell him to see me. I’ve been wanting to have a talk with him anyway.”
“It’s not that.” I shifted, uncomfortable. “I don’t have the money to buy them right now.”
Realization sparked in his eyes. “Oh. I didn’t know things were that bad.” He looked apologetic. “Well, I’ll go up there and measure. I’ll buy the blinds.”
I immediately started shaking my head. “Absolutely not.”
The sympathy he’d obviously been feeling moments before evaporated, replaced by frustration. “You’re getting blinds. You can pay me back once you’ve put some money away.”
“You’re not buying blinds for me. I’ll just ... put a blanket over the doors or something.”
“No, you’re getting blinds.” He started toward the bags, grabbing all five of them this time before starting up the stairs. “Don’t bother arguing with me.”
“Oh, I’m going to argue with you.” I had to hurry to keep up with him. Even laden down, his longer legs allowed him to take two steps at a time. When he tugged on the door and it easily slid open, he gave me a look of incredulity. “What?” Frustration was positively oozing out of my pores.
“Why is this door unlocked?”
That was a very good question. “Um ... maybe Grandpa unlocked it.” That seemed unlikely. He never even entered the kitchen when he invaded my personal space. He always went straight to the bathroom.
Hunter used his elbow to push the door open the rest of the way and carry in the bags, unceremoniously dropping them on the floor before looking to the windows. “Where is your tape measure?”
“You’re not buying me blinds.”
“Stop arguing with me and get a tape measure.” Hunter’s eyes fired. “I am not leaving until you have blinds and that’s all there is to it.”
“You are so bossy,” I grumbled as I moved toward the living room. I was fairly certain there was a tape measure in the box I’d yet to unpack