Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 47822 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47822 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 239(@200wpm)___ 191(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
We wound through the crowd, Crush moving with relentless purpose while I kept an eye on River. She bumped my arm more than once, maybe by accident, maybe not, but I didn’t mind. I could have walked that market for hours if it meant she kept glancing at me with that bright, excited smile.
The vendor we were looking for was exactly where Maggie’s instructions had said. As we approached the main entrance, across from the place with the flying fish, I saw a tiny shop crowded with rows of handmade journals and calligraphy pens. The woman behind the counter was old in the way you only see in movies, with her white hair in a bun, gold-rimmed glasses perched low, and eyes so blue you’d think she wore contacts for effect.
Crush nodded a greeting. “Here for the Walsh Family package,” he said, voice pitched low.
The woman’s face didn’t change. “You must be the brothers,” she said, looking us up and down. “And this is River.” She smiled at River, who froze like she’d been caught cheating at cards.
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, flashing her a grin. Usually it was Crush taking point on shit like this, but I found myself relaxed in a way I could never remember being. Especially when River moved closer to me and snagged my arm. It didn’t escape my notice she put herself slightly behind me as if for protection. Maybe her trust gave me what I needed to pull myself out of my shell. All I knew was it felt good to have her close and leaning on me for protection.
The woman bent down, fished out a small envelope from beneath the counter. She smiled at us before addressing Crush. “Tell your grandmother I said hello.”
Crush took the envelope and nodded. “I will, ma’am.” He flashed her a smile before turning and jerking his head for us to leave with him.
“It was nice meeting you,” River called over her shoulder, waving at the older woman.
“You too, dear. Keep your men out of trouble.”
River stopped, but I snagged her hand and tugged her after me. “My men?” She still looked over her shoulder at the other woman. “We’re friends, but we’re not --”
“Of course you’re not, dear.” She gave River a soft, knowing smile. “Not yet.” She waved at River before turning to another customer.
I felt River’s grip tighten on my arm as we walked away from the woman’s stall. The blush creeping up her neck was impossible to miss, and I had to resist the urge to reach out and touch that warm pink skin.
“That was embarrassing,” she muttered, but she didn’t let go of my grip. “She made it sound like…”
“Like what?” I asked, even though I knew exactly what the woman had implied. The old bat had seen right through us, probably pegged our dynamic within thirty seconds of us walking up. Not how I’d have preferred to broach the subject of River being with both of us, but the old woman had put the thought in River’s head. Now, maybe she’d think about it before me and Crush brought it up.
“Nothing,” River muttered, but her voice had gone higher, the way it did when she was flustered. “She doesn’t know us. She was just --”
“Being observant,” Crush cut in, already tearing open the envelope. His tone was matter-of-fact, but I caught the way his eyes flicked to where River’s hand was still wrapped around my forearm.
I should have pulled away. Should have given her space to breathe. Instead, I found myself slowing my pace, so she wouldn’t have to let go. The contact sent little sparks up my arm, and I wondered if she felt it too.
Crush found us a semiprivate spot behind a row of produce stands and handed me the envelope. The paper was thick and expensive, sealed with blue wax stamped in the shape of a bird. I broke it with my thumb and shook out the small sheet of paper folded in half, and a brass key.
River leaned over my shoulder, her hair brushing my jaw. “What’s it say?” she asked, practically bouncing again. Either she was genuinely excited, or the caffeine was still doing a number on her.
“It’s the same cipher she used before.” Crush leaned in so that all three of us were staring at the missive.
I nodded, pulling out my notebook and working my way through the message. “Trail marker seven, Mount Pilchuck. Sunset.” I glanced at Crush and grinned. “Looks like we’re going hiking.” I tucked the note away. “We’ve got just enough time to get there if we leave now.”
“Christ,” Crush muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face. “It’s been a couple decades since we’ve been to that little cabin. You think that’s where she means for us to go?”
I shrugged. “Whether or not she does is irrelevant. If we’re going out into the fuckin’ wilderness, I ain’t campin’ in a fuckin’ tent if there’s a cabin available. No matter how rustic.”