Lost in the Echo

III

I wake from my sleep with a groan, tossing the covers aside and trudging down the stairs to the front of the house following a hard knock to the door. The manor's ancient floorboards creak under my weight, the sound echoing through the hall like a warning. I reach for the doorknob and swing it open to reveal Eden standing on the porch, a tentative smile on her face.

"Morning," Eden says, leaning against the doorframe. "Figured I'd come by and see how you were settling in."

I blink, still half-asleep, my mind trying to catch up. "It's... early."

Eden shrugs, unfazed. "I'm an early riser. Thought maybe we could grab some coffee and catch up? You've got to head into town for more supplies probably, right?"

I hesitate, the idea of a casual coffee feeling strange after the heavy, loaded atmosphere between us yesterday. Still, there is something disarming about her presence that makes it hard to say no.

"Yeah, I do need to go into town." Mackie admits. "Just... give me a minute."

I step back, letting her in as I retreat to throw on a pair of jeans and a flannel with my boots. When I return, Eden is wandering the entryway, her eyes flicking over the dusty furniture and peeling wallpaper.

"This place really does need some work." She says, her fingers trailing over the banister of the grand staircase. "You sure you don't want to burn it down and start over?"

I snort, grabbing my keys from the small table by the door. "Don't tempt me. I wouldn't even rebuild it."

The drive into town is quiet at first, the silence between us punctuated only by the hum of the truck's engine and the occasional crunch of gravel under the tires. Eden wits in the passenger seat, one arm resting on the door, her gaze fixed on the road ahead.

"So." She says eventually, breaking the stillness. "I know it can't be easy. Coming back here. Dealing with the house, with everything."

I shrug, the weight of the past settling heavy on my shoulders. "I didn't have much of a choice. Someone has to deal with it, and it sure isn't going to be anyone else."

Eden doesn't push further, sensing my discomfort. Instead, she shifts the conversation. "Well, if you need help with the house, I mean... I've got some time. I can swing by and help you with the renovations."

I glance over at her, surprised. "You want to help?"

Eden smirks. "Why not? I've got the skills, and it's not like you're going to turn that place around by yourself. Plus, it'll give us more time to catch up."

I'm not sure what to say. I hadn't expected Eden to offer to get involved in the mess that is Kannehill Manor, and part of me isn't sure if it is a good idea. The house feels like something I have to face on my own, a ghost from my past that only I can face. But the idea of tackling it without some kind of help is daunting.

"Yeah." I say after a moment, my voice softer. "Okay. I can use the help."

We arrive in town soon after, and to Cooper's.

Eden wanders the store beside me, pointing out different supplies, paints and helping choose wallpapers as we load up the cart. The silence between us is less heavy now, more comfortable, as though the offer to help has bridged some of the distance that has grown over the years.

"So." She starts as we reach the counter. "How bad is it? The house, I mean."

I hand over my debit card, glancing at Eden from the corner of my eye. "Worse than I expected. My dad didn't exactly keep up with it."

The old man behind the counter, Allen Cooper, chimes in as he bags our items. "Your dad was a strange one, rest his soul. Talked about things in that house that would make your skin crawl."