Paradise Peak (New Americana 5)

Travis returned to the truck, grabbed his bag, and retrieved a pen and clean sheet of paper. Legs trembling, he walked to the front of the truck, placed the paper on the hood, and held it down with one hand as the breeze lifted the edges. He pressed the pen to the paper and wrote in sure, clean strokes.

Dear Margaret,

When you read this, I will have already told you the truth....

CHAPTER 10

“This is it.” Hannah stopped in the middle of the cabin’s living room and set the two bags she carried on the floor. “There are two bedrooms with double beds and one bathroom with a large tub I think Zeke will like. A small kitchen, and”—Hannah lifted her arms and gestured toward the space around her—“a large living room.”

Outside, boards creaked along the front porch floor, and then Liz stepped slowly across the threshold and entered the cabin. She looked around the room, her brown eyes lifeless, her expression blank.

Hannah bit her lip and glanced at the sparse furniture. The sofa, its tan upholstery faded, was worn but comfortable. There were two side tables, one at each end of the sofa, with a small lamp on both surfaces. A frayed, forest-green rug covered most of the scuffed hardwood floor and a basket of evenly-sized logs sat next to a stone fireplace on the opposite wall.

“Travis stacked a cord of seasoned firewood out back for you,” Hannah said. “I know the fireplace looks a bit the worse for wear, but it functions like a charm.” When Liz didn’t answer, Hannah crossed to the large window in front of the sofa. “I don’t think you’ll need it during the day though.” She unlocked the window, tugged it open, then stepped back as the curtains billowed out on a fresh breeze. “It’s almost sixty-five degrees out there today.” She smiled. “I think spring will be here soon.”

Liz stared out the window, her brown hair limp around her shoulders and her arms hanging by her sides. The long-sleeved shirt and jeans she wore draped heavily about her thin frame, the hems of her jeans pooling around her ankles.

Body trembling, Hannah turned away and looked out the window, too.

The sun, bright and warm, lit up a clear blue sky above the jagged tops of burned trees and the scorched earth marring the horizon. Though the heart of Paradise Peak Ranch had emerged from the wildfire relatively unscathed, the outskirts of the property had been engulfed in flames, the proof of which remained.

Two days ago, after returning to the ranch, Hannah and Travis had tended to the horses while Red and Margaret cleaned rooms in the lodge. The next day, they’d spent the better part of the day washing towels and bed linens, making beds, restocking bathrooms, and cleaning the cabins that were in good enough shape for guests. They’d attended Ben’s funeral yesterday afternoon and, afterward, Margaret had invited Gloria and the rest of the group to come settle at the ranch. Gloria, overjoyed, had accepted, and she, Vernon, Liz, Zeke, and Blondie had all arrived this morning.

Hannah stared at the dark mountains in the distance, their once colorful contours now gray and dreary. She hated that this was Liz’s view, but it was the best cabin on the ranch and Hannah couldn’t bring herself to stuff Liz, Zeke, and Blondie in one room at the lodge. They needed a new, fresh space to call their own, with plenty of room to stretch, to scream . . . to do anything, so long as Liz managed to pull herself out of the emotionless daze she’d remained in since Ben’s death a week ago. And yesterday hadn’t helped—Ben’s funeral may have served as closure for others, but for Liz, it had been another painful reminder that she’d never see, touch, or speak to the man she loved again. The man with whom she’d believed she would share the rest of her life.

Hannah ducked her head and wiped her eyes, then glanced over her shoulder at Liz. She hadn’t moved an inch, and her pale cheeks looked sunken, which was understandable, considering she hadn’t eaten a bite since Ben’s death.

“I told Margaret that you and Zeke both liked peanut butter, and she made you this huge peanut butter pie.” Hannah issued a strained laugh. “Travis and I ate two slices of the one she made for us last night, and I swear I could’ve eaten a third if I’d set my mind to it.” She motioned toward the kitchen. “You want me to grab you a slice? It won’t take me but a sec—”

Liz left the room, her tennis shoes shuffling across the hardwood floor to one of the bedrooms. A moment later, bedsprings squeaked.

Hannah rubbed her forehead, the small ache behind her eyes intensifying.

Heavy footsteps sounded on the porch steps, and lighter ones pattered close behind. The front door creaked open a bit further and Travis walked in, Zeke by his side.

“Any luck?” Travis asked.

Hannah shook her head, then knelt and held out her arms. “Can I have a hug from my favorite boy?”

Zeke smiled—a very small one, but a smile nonetheless—and walked into her arms. Hannah hugged him close and kissed his forehead, breathing in the soft scent of baby shampoo.

“Where Mama?” Zeke asked, fear lacing his young voice.

Hannah sat back on her haunches and cupped his cheeks, her heart aching at the wet warmth that met her palms. “She’s resting, baby.”

His chin wobbled, and he looked up at her, his brown eyes wide with confusion. “But I want her.”

Hannah blinked back tears. “I know,” she said softly. “But your mama doesn’t feel too well right now, and—”

“But I want her.” Zeke’s expression crumpled, and a sob burst from his small mouth. “I want Mama.”

Hannah choked back a sob of her own and looked up at Travis helplessly.

“Hey, buddy.” Travis squatted beside Zeke and held out his hand, palm upward. “I saw Blondie outside. She found a stick she likes, and she’s been carrying it around since she got here. I bet she’s waiting for someone to come out there and throw it around for her. What do you say we go out and play with her for a while?”

Zeke’s sobs slowed and he rose to his tiptoes, straining to look out the window. He lowered himself back to his feet, glanced at Travis’s big palm, then stared up at Travis’s face. “Giant . . . go me?”

Travis smiled and nudged his hand closer. “Yeah. I’ll go with you.”