my words. Of course, Luca snorts, probably thinking I’ve made a gross understatement, but I ignore him and focus on Lou. “Worth it, though, for the chance to meet you.”
Lou smiles, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes telling the best kind of story. “That kind of flattery’ll get you good news. You all can take my four-wheeler on the way back. Cut down on your time considerably.”
Luca’s eyebrows draw together, and Lou notices. “Old Hank Sulen cut a new trail. You’ll be able to take it all the way back to the dock at the bay where I’m assuming you left the boat.”
I’m a little afraid to get too excited, but my whole body decides to vibrate anyway.
“How long will it take us to get back with the four-wheeler?” I ask hopefully.
“Oh, probably about six hours,” Lou kindly responds, and my whole damn stomach takes flight.
“Only six hours? That sounds like one hell of a good plan, doesn’t it?” I bounce on my good foot and make jazz hands toward Luca. He rolls his eyes and shakes his head, but doesn’t offer up any form of agreement.
Hell’s bells, he better fucking agree.
“I can already tell this is going to be an interesting evening with the two of you.” Lou laughs and gestures for us to come inside. “Why don’t you come on in and take a load off? I’ll cook us up some food.”
We all step inside the cabin, and I instantly move my eyes upward and take in the high ceilings. Damn, this place is big. Surely, if I decide to cut to the simplest solution for this big mess and murder Luca Weaver tonight, there will be a place to hide the body.
Walking down the entry hallway and into the airy space that holds the kitchen, I set my hiking backpack on the floor and sit down at the table.
Luca busies himself with pulling bags of what looks like medicine out of the center compartment of his bag.
“I see you brought lots of goodies for me,” Lou says and Luca grins.
“Just trying to make sure you have enough medicine to last you during the winter months.”
“Well, it’s appreciated, but you worry too much,” Lou mutters on a laugh. “I’d find a way to survive, no matter what.”
Luca sighs. “I hate to tell you, Lou, but you’re getting a little too old to trek through ten feet of snow to get your heart medication.”
“No need to remind me of my old age, Lucky. With the way these hips crack and pop when I get out of bed in the morning, that’s reminder enough.”
“Lucky?” I question, and Luca rolls his eyes.
“Just a stupid nickname he won’t give up on.”
I grin. Personally, I kind of like it.
“You like steak and eggs, Billie?”
“Lou, I can promise you, I will like anything that isn’t beans at this point.”
Luca smirks and reaches out to playfully tug at my ponytail. “You act like you’ve had to eat it for months. It’s only been a few days, princess.”
A few days. Pfft. Feels like one hundred.
“Princess?” Lou questions, glancing back and forth between Luca and me.
It’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Just a stupid nickname he won’t give up on.”
Luca laughs. “Trust me when I say this, it’s the perfect nickname for her.”
“And why’s that?” I ask, pointing my stare at him.
“You are the epitome of a city girl being dropped into the wilderness,” he explains. “Two hours into the journey you asked where the bathroom was. Not long after, you were bitching about cell service. In the middle of the damn forest while wearing a pair of furry boots, mind you.”
“How was I supposed to know there’s no cell service out here?” I toss back. “And I’m no city girl, Lucky. I’m from the mountains of West Virginia, thank you very much. My favorite cowgirl boots are just at the bottom of the dang river.”
“Well, you had me fooled, then. Maybe all that LA air has gone to your head.”
If I’m being honest, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard this.
Daddy always used to say I was a walking contradiction. Harris blood but not a lick of desire for the normal Harris hobbies—fishing, hunting, being in the outdoors.
When I was growing up, they didn’t have to punish me in the usual ways like chores. Daddy would just threaten me with a fishing trip, and I’d smarten right up and start behaving.
But Luca doesn’t need to know he’s hit the nail on the head.