Chapter 11: Chapter 11

ANNABELLE

^ONE WEEK LATER^

“Blake, please. Just stay put until Killian gets here,” I pleaded, trying to keep the stubborn man from getting out of bed.

“I’m sick of lying here. I’m fine, and I’m sure Killian will agree,” he grumbled, finally giving in and collapsing onto his pillow.

I sighed, trying to keep my patience. “I know you’re tired of being stuck in bed, but we need to be sure you’re okay. Your ankle looks much better and your stitches seem to be healing well, but I’m not taking any chances. Stay in bed till the doctor gets here,” I ordered.

Blake didn’t respond, crossing his arms and sulking. I rolled my eyes.

Killian had called earlier, saying he’d be up today to check on the patient. I wasn’t about to risk Blake injuring himself again before I had to return home. My time off from work was almost over, and I found myself worrying and dreading the moment I would have to leave him on his own.

The snow had finally stopped, but the clouds were still hanging around, threatening to unleash another storm at any moment. The thought of being stuck here for longer though didn’t frighten me like I thought it would.

I realized that I didn’t want to leave Blake. Actually, I had been trying to think of a way to convince him to come with me. I knew he had his reason for hiding up here, not that he’d shared the whole truth with me yet, but he couldn’t stay up here forever.

It was dangerous for him to be on his own, so isolated from everyone. But still, I hesitated to ask. I knew I couldn’t force him to come with me if he didn’t want to, and I didn’t want to offend him by suggesting he couldn’t manage on his own.

“Annabelle,” Blake’s voice said, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yes?” I responded.

“I think someone’s at the door.”

“Oh, sorry. I must have zoned out.”

“You’ve been doing that a lot lately. Are you okay?” Blake asked.

“I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind.”

I opened the door to find a weary-looking Killian, bundled up against the cold and slouching slightly.

“Hey there, missy,” he greeted me in a tired tone.

“Hi, Killian. I was starting to think you’d forgotten about us,” I said, stepping aside to let him in. “You look worn-out. Sit down.”

Killian waved me away, pulling off his coat and warming himself by the fire for a moment.

“I’m okay. Sorry I’m late. The hospital’s been crazy,” Killian apologized. “All right. Let’s see how you’re doing, Blake. See if we can get missy here back to civilization.”

“It’s okay. I don’t mind. I still have four days before I have to go back to work,” I added, letting slip the words that could potentially cause tension between Blake and me. “I thought you were only part-time now, Killian.”

Killian paused, looking over Blake’s ankle. Blake fidgeted on the bed, anxious to be up and about.

“I am, but they’ve been really understaffed because of the storm. I try to help out as much as I can. Thank god the weather’s clearing,” Killian said, moving on to Blake’s thigh. “When are you planning on leaving, missy? I assume it’ll be soon.”

“I guess it depends on how Blake’s doing,” I said, fiddling with my fingers to avoid Blake’s gaze.

“You’re too kind, missy,” Killian said, giving me a warm smile. “Blake, you’re healing nicely. In fact, I’m going to remove your stitches today.”

Killian readied his equipment as Blake sat there quietly, which worried me.

“Blake, are you okay?” I asked hesitantly.

“I’m fine. Just thinking,” he said. “Killian, can I start walking again?”

“I don’t see why not,” Killian shrugged. “Just take it easy and watch your step. Now, this shouldn’t hurt too much,” he added as he sat down to take out the stitches.

He was done quickly, and I was grateful that there was no blood.

“Make sure to keep that clean to prevent infection,” Killian instructed Blake as he put away his gear. “But other than that, a clean bill of health. Missy here can probably head home tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Killian,” Blake said woefully, staring at the ceiling.

Killian looked back and forth between us, a questioning look in his eyes.

“I need some fresh air,” I said suddenly, pulling on a coat and stepping outside.

The crisp air was sharp as it filled my lungs but did nothing to calm my mind. My thoughts went back to this past week.

From that playful proposal, which felt more serious than I think either of us expected, to waking up next to him every morning and falling asleep beside him every night, it had all become so normal to me over the short span of time we’d been together. I didn’t know how I was going to leave it behind.

I sighed. The thought of not waking up to his arm wrapped around me felt wrong and lonely.

“What’s on your mind, missy?” Killian asked, startling me.

“Nothing important,” I said quickly, turning to him, who despite his exhaustion, still had a spark in his eyes. “You look tired.”

“It’s been a long week,” he chuckled. “Now, don’t change the subject. What’s bothering you? I have a feeling it’s related to lover boy in there.”

“I have to leave soon, Killian. My life is down that mountain, and I need to return to it. But I’m worried about Blake.” I paused, emotion clear in my voice. “He’s up here all alone, and with his recovery still ongoing and you only up here every so often, who’s going to look after him?”

Killian put a hand on my shoulder but let me continue.

“We haven’t known each other long, but I’ve grown to care for him. I’m not ready to say goodbye,” I confessed. “I know he’s hiding from something, but this isn’t healthy for him.”

I paused, fighting back tears. “I want to ask him to come home with me, even if it’s just for a little while, but I’m not sure how to talk to him about it. I don’t think he’ll like the idea, but I want him to say yes. I’m worried about him.”

“I see. All you can do is try, right?” Killian suggested, causing me to raise an eyebrow. “Listen, I may not be able to get Blake down the mountain, but you might. The right person saying the right thing can make a big difference.”

“Killian, what if I’m not the right person? I don’t think I mean that much to Blake for my words to carry any more weight than yours,” I argued, throwing my hands up in frustration.

“Have you noticed how he looks so heartbroken every time you talk about leaving?” Killian countered, his gaze knowing. “’Cause I have. You mean a lot more to him than you think you do, missy.”

“Maybe it’s because I’m the only person he’s talked to besides you since he came up here,” I retorted, watching as Killian shook his head, frowning at my response.

“Love is really wasted on the young,” Killian muttered, turning on his heel and walking back into the cabin.

I stared out over the snow-covered ground, watching my breath puff out in small white clouds as I tried to wrap my head around what Killian had said.

~Love? Did Blake see me as more than a friend? Did I? If Blake was interested in me like that, why hadn’t he said anything? Why didn’t he ask me to stay?~

Shaking my head, I let out a frustrated sigh and turned to head back inside but quickly stopped as my eyes caught sight of something moving in the woods. I stared, trying to figure out what it was.

~An animal? There had been a few deer wandering by, and I knew there were bears on the mountain. Wait, is whatever it is wearing a coat?~

Squinting, I tried to get a better look. Whoever it was definitely had on a long black coat.

There was a quick flash. Were they taking pictures? But why would they take pictures of the cabin, unless…

I pursed my lips, quickly heading inside and pulling the curtains on the windows.