To Renna Rose Lancaster, Aadam Callahan was her first taste of magic-the boy who made her world feel livelier, brighter, like anything was possible. Together they crafted a bond that felt unbreakable-a universe where dreams were shared under starlit...
"How could I not love the eyes that see me in all of my forms as beautiful."
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The gravel crunched beneath the tires of the jeep as it came to a halt in front of the cabin, the last echoes of our journey fading into the dense silence of the forest.
I killed the engine, and for a moment, the only sound was the soft rustling of the trees, their leaves whispering secrets to each other.
This place, always felt like stepping into another world, a retreat hidden deep within the woods, away from the chaos of everyday life.
Isla was the first to hop out, her energy infectious. She stretched, her arms reaching for the sky, a grin spreading across her face. “I can’t believe it’s been nearly a year since we were last here,” she said, her voice carrying a note of disbelief.
Freya followed her, nodding in agreement as she took in the familiar surroundings. “Yeah, so many good memories here. It feels like just yesterday.”
I smiled at their exchange, but my attention was drawn to Rose as she stepped out of the jeep. She paused, her eyes wide as she took in the cabin nestled amongst the towering pines.
There was a mix of excitement and something else, nervousness, maybe written across her face.
I could tell this was a new experience for her, and it both thrilled and unsettled her.“This cabin is really deep in the forest,” she said, her voice soft and a little unsure. “Do we have anything to worry about?”
Before I could respond, Cameron jumped in, his voice dripping with mock seriousness as he made his way around the jeep.
“Yeah Renna.Just the forest gnomes. They have a thing for stealing socks.””
I shot him a look, but I couldn’t help the grin that tugged at my lips. “No need to worry, sweetheart,” I said, sliding an arm around her shoulders. “The only real threat here is Cameron accidentally burning the cabin down.”
Rose let out a soft laugh, her tension easing, and I felt that familiar warmth spread through my chest.
Cameron was grinning, clearly proud of himself for getting a laugh out of her. We started unloading the luggage from the jeep, and as I hefted a bag over my shoulder, I glanced back at Rose.
She was holding her phone now, a smile playing on her lips as it rang. I watched as she brought it to her ear, her voice immediately softening. “Hi, Daddy. Yeah, we just got here, like, right before you called.”
I chuckled quietly, guessing at the conversation. Ryan, her father, was a good man, but he was also the kind of father who’d have me strung up in a tree if I so much as looked at Rose, the wrong way.
The thought made me grin. I respected the hell out of him for it, though. I’d be just as protective if I were in his shoes.
I could almost hear Ryan’s response, his voice firm and full of fatherly concern. Rose laughed softly, nodding.
