Chapter 29: A Dark and Twisted Path

Loriann watched her granddaughter sleeping, her red hair spread wildly across her pillow. She had been sleeping better lately. She was usually up late and then up again early, out for a run. Now she was falling asleep soon after returning from the café and only rousing once her alarm sounded.
She could smell the hunter’s scent all over her. She wanted to confront her, but she didn’t want to push her away like she did her daughter. Loriann closed the door and walked down the steps to the living room. She hadn’t been able to sleep in her own bed since her husband passed.
Willow would be up soon. It was Thursday morning. Loriann wondered if she would be leaving to see that hunter again. She didn’t think Willow knew that she was aware of where Willow went every weekend and she wouldn’t confront her…yet. It was only a matter of time before she had to act, before either the council or the Red Hoods.
The creaking of the pipes alerted her to Willow being awake. She went into the kitchen and prepared breakfast. Willow came down shortly after a small smile on her face as she gazed at her phone. Loriann’s heart ached for her granddaughter. She wanted her to be happy. How she wanted that look to always be on her face. She couldn’t break her heart just yet.
“Here, you’re getting too skinny,” she said and shoved the plate piled with eggs, bacon, and biscuits towards her. Willow gave her a look but began eating anyways.
“Working this weekend?” she asked as she sipped her tea, looking over at Willow. Willow paused for a moment, her eyes shuttered.
“No, Caitlin is taking over. She wanted to switch to weekends since she has her daughter during the week,” Willow wouldn’t make eye contact with her grandmother. She wasn’t technically lying.
“So, you’ll just be hanging around here then?” Loriann asked, wanting Willow to just confess. She wouldn’t push her. Willow shook her head and shoveled more eggs into her mouth.
“I’m probably going to the cabin again. It’s been nice. Getting away from town,” she quickly finished the rest of her food, drawing back into herself.
“Thank you, I’ll wash up,” Willow said and stood. Her grandmother pushed her hands away.
“I need something to keep me busy. I’m not heading to the art center until this afternoon and I finished my book last night,” she plunged the plate into the soapy water. “Willow?” she called over her shoulder.
Willow looked up from her phone, the ghost of a smile still stretched across her face. “Yeah?”
“I’m glad you found…the cabin. Your grandfather always intended for it to be yours. I’m glad it makes you happy,” she replied. Willow’s face flushed red. She was a terrible liar.
“Thanks, I am happy.” Loriann felt the tears prick her eyes and turned around before they could fall.
“Have a good weekend, dear.” She felt a small kiss on her cheek.
“I love you, grandma,” Willow said and swept out of the house, her own eyes wet.
####
Willow had begun to really enjoy the drive to Missoula. She had never owned her own vehicle but after Garin left, she figured it was time. After the first few weekends seeing the strain it had on him driving back and forth to pick her up, she went shopping.
With the success of her café and barely any bills, Willow had saved up quite a nest egg in the past eight years. She was able to pay for her car in cash. It was a Subaru Forester and she loved it. It got decent gas mileage for the long trip and would do well once winter hit, which was any day now.
As she crested over the hill and saw the buildings of Missoula, her heart sped. She was beginning to love this town, nestled in the mountains. It had started to feel like another home.
Thankfully, Garin had his own townhouse here and no roommates. She had already felt awkward the first few weekends here, sneaking in as if she were his mistress. Now she navigated the streets as familiar to her as her own.
His house was a charming craftsman tucked between two identical homes, with alternating colors. She enjoyed this place, even with his sparse masculine decorations. Grabbing her bag, she walked up the short path and knocked on the door. He opened it a second later, wearing a simple white tee shirt and grey sweats. Her heart lurched as it did every time, she saw him. He gave her his slow smile and kissed her.
“I told you, you didn’t have to knock,” he said and took her bag from her.
“I can’t just barge in here,” she retorted kicking off her boots.
“Yes, you can,” he called back, walking her bag upstairs.
“No, I can’t,” she called back, mockingly and settled herself at the counter in his kitchen.
“You’re so stubborn,” he said walking into the kitchen and gave her a look.
“I know,” she grinned at him and he passed her a beer, pulling off the top.
“I ordered Indian, is that okay?” he said, leaning against the counter, tipping back his beer. She felt a rush of warmth at how easy this was. Everything with Lyall was always forced and uncomfortable. This was…just right. They had only been dating a few weeks and yet it felt like they had always been together. It just worked.
“That’s great,” she replied, picking at the label on her bottle.
“What’s wrong?” he asked and pulled her hand away from the peeling label.
“I think my grandmother knows,” she finally said, not meeting his eyes. She had been wondering if her grandmother believed her lies about the cabin for the past two weeks. She noticed that she had been staring at her wistfully, but she hadn’t said anything yet.
“Has she said anything?” he asked. She shook her head.
“I hate lying to her and especially with what happened with my mom,” she trailed off, feeling miserable.
“What happened to your mom?” he asked, curious. She had never really mentioned her mother before.
She looked up at him, her eyes were sad and haunted.
“She was killed by the Red Hoods,” she replied solemnly.