The First Paper Cut: An Anniversary to Die For by Camille Cabrera

Author:Camille Cabrera [Cabrera, Camille]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

The smooth road eventually transitioned to loose gravel. Vivienne stopped her futile texting and looked up. She stared at the wooden building in front of her and laughed.

“It will be a tight squeeze.”

Cecilio chuckled as he shifted gears and carefully maneuvered the SUV across the steep drive. The three-story wooden cabin looked more like a ski lodge or private Aspen resort. It wasn’t the kind of place that Vivienne expected to find on a home-renting app.

“Underpromise and overdeliver,” Cecilio eased the car to the side of the property.

A massive detached garage stood about ten feet away from the property. It looked large enough to hold eight to ten cars. Not that Vivienne could properly judge the depth of the garage from her angle. The towering trees hugged the property and hid it from view. A private escape less than half a mile from the main road. The gravel road up to the property was a minor inconvenience.

Vivienne noticed a shiny black pickup parked beneath an impressive tree. The man inside of the car looked tall. A wide-brim cowboy’s hat hid most of his features from view.

“Let’s meet the owner.”

The trio left their bags in the trunk as the grizzled stranger exited his vehicle. Something about his walk struck Vivienne as oddly familiar. She rarely forgot a face but that skill wasn’t very useful when a damn hat concealed the majority of the newcomer from sight.

“I know him.”

Cecilio laughed, “That makes one of us. I only know his email screen name NatureTodd.”

“Wait, you don’t know where we’re staying?”

“Not exactly. Your assistant mentioned him. Lyla said she had a few connections in Northern California. Looking at this cabin, I’d say that she knows her stuff.”

Vivienne rolled her eyes. Of course, Lyla had everything under control. The last few minutes desperately attempting to send a text were a total waste of time.

“Smart and organized. The total dream girl,” Allistair whistled as he tugged down his earphones.

Vivienne zipped up her jacket “Yep. In your dreams.”

“Welcome to Hastings Ranch! Hope the ride up wasn’t too rough.”

The stranger lifted the brim of his hat and Vivienne instantly recognized him. He was Lyla’s brother. A smirk crept along Vivienne’s lips as she looked him over. He was a little scruffier than the last time she’d seen him in L.A. Lyla’s brother fit the part of a mountain man to a T. The photo of the brother-sister duo placed above Lyla’s car dashboard had to be several years old.

Vivienne subtly nodded in approval as she looked between Todd and the cabin. She made a mental note to bump up Lyla’s pay.

Cecilio extended his arm, “No, but it was beautiful.”

“God’s country,” Lyla’s brother drawled. He nodded his head towards the expansive resort-like cabin and suggested, “Let’s head inside.”

The wooden double doors opened and revealed a central foyer. A massive rock-covered fireplace commanded the attention of the room. Vivienne couldn’t take her eyes off the impressive sight.

“It's double-sided.”

“Good eye, Mrs. Vivienne. The opposite side of the fireplace warms the den which doubles as a library.

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