Chapter 14: Chapter 14

ANNABELLE

I’d decided to take a nap while Killian and Blake went for a walk and woke up alone in the cabin. My mind reeled over the events of yesterday as I lay there staring at the fire.

~How could Blake think that I would do that? That I was capable of using someone like that? I know some reporters are known for doing crazy things if the reward is high enough, but I’ve never been that person.~

After lounging for a few more minutes, I got up and made the bed. I took a moment to freshen up and tidy the cabin before I filled the kettle with water. I turned at the creak of the door, smiling as I pulled down cups for tea.

“Have a nice nap, missy?” Killian asked in his normal cheery voice, entering the cabin with Blake trailing behind him. “Hope we didn’t worry you. Blakey boy was starting to get cabin fever, so I figured I’d get him out for some yard time.”

“Hey,” Blake mumbled, looking away and not meeting my gaze.

My smile slipped. I hated this tension between us.

“Hi,” I replied. “Did you guys have a nice walk?”

“We sure did! Have you seen the waterfall yet? We should stop there before we leave tomorrow. I think you’d really like the view. Don’t you agree, Blake?” Killian asked, blatantly trying to start some conversation between us.

Blake hummed with a nod as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other.

“All right, I’m starving,” Killian stated, smacking his hands together. “What have we got for lunch?”

“I was actually making tea, and then I’ll make some ham and cheese sandwiches,” I said, glancing at Blake.

He stared at me like he was trying to decipher something from my face before he looked away.

“Thank you,” Blake responded, surprising me a bit.

A flutter of joy rippled through my chest. I hummed to myself as I got started on making the sandwiches, not missing the way Killian kept glancing between Blake and me.

We moved the table near the bed to serve lunch. Killian and Blake took the chairs as I settled on the edge of the mattress. We ate in silence.

“I know I said that you two could decide what we did after lunch, but what do you guys think about a game of UNO?” Killian suggested. “I think that it would be a nice way to spend the afternoon.”

Blake gave Killian a look, like he knew exactly what his friend was up to.

“I’d play a few games,” he said, eyeing Killian suspiciously.

“What do you say, missy? Want to play?” Killian asked, pulling out the deck.

I groaned but nodded. I was terrible at UNO.

***

“Why do you always reverse when it’s my turn?” I complained, glaring at Blake, who was pretending not to notice.

“Don’t hate the player. Hate the game,” he replied, causing me to sulk more.

Killian was laughing so hard he could barely breathe.

“And you, Killian, always making me draw two cards,” I grumbled.

Killian just laughed harder, and Blake’s smile grew wider as they both looked at my growing pile. When another draw card landed on the table, I threw up my hands.

“I give up. This game hates me,” I declared, flopping back on the bed in defeat.

“Giving up doesn’t suit you,” Blake said softly.

“Neither does losing all the time,” I muttered in frustration.

“Oh, Blakey boy,” Killian teased. “Take pity on her.”

He pouted playfully at Blake, who rolled his eyes and pulled his chair over toward me.

“Okay, how about you and I team up?” Blake suggested.

“Isn’t this a solo game?” I asked. “That would be cheating.”

“We’ll ignore that just this once,” Killian said with a wink.

I flashed my cards at Blake, who cringed.

“Horrible deck, isn’t it?” I asked.

“Nothing we can’t work with. It’s all a matter of perspective,” he said with a grin, rearranging some of the cards in my hand. “All right, let’s play.”

***

After several rounds, it was clear that Blake was a pro at this game. With his help, I managed to come in second place, while Killian came in last.

I cheered, wrapping my arms around Blake in celebration.

“Blake, we did it! I snagged second place,” I exclaimed, my heart brimming with joy.

Blake laughed, his hands resting on my waist. I pulled back slightly, still in his arms, and we stared at each other for a moment. A feeling bloomed in my chest as his gaze warmed, eyes drifting down to my lips before meeting mine again.

Killian cleared his throat, and we sprang apart, both blushing as we glanced his way. A knowing smile was on his face as he gathered up the game.

“How about we switch to crazy eights?” he suggested, pulling out another deck of cards. “No one beats me at crazy eights.”

Blake tried to suppress his laughter as he leaned closer to me. “He’s not taking the loss well, is he?” he whispered.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have accepted your help,” I confessed, biting my lip to keep from giggling.

“Don’t sweat it. Besides, it was his idea.”

Killian started to deal the cards, that crafty grin still on his face. Blake and I picked up our hands, and I noticed that Blake didn’t move his chair back.

“All right, kids. Let’s see how you cheat your way out of this one,” Killian joked.

***

Time seemed to fly by as we played round after round, each experiencing victory and defeat in equal measure. Before we knew it, night had fallen.

I helped Killian set up his air mattress as Blake made dinner. My mind was a million miles away as we ate. The thought of leaving tomorrow cast a heavy shadow over my heart.

Finally, Killian yawned, stretching his arms over his head as he stood. “I’m beat. Good night, kids. Better get some sleep, missy. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

“Good night, Killian,” Blake and I echoed as the old man settled himself down on the mattress.

I tended to the fire before joining Blake by the bed. Soon, the sound of Killian’s snores filled the room.

“He was really tired, wasn’t he?” I murmured as I climbed in and pulled the covers over me.

“Sounds like it,” Blake chuckled. “It’s been such a fun day though. I can’t remember the last time I laughed that much.”

He slid in next to me, his warmth immediately enveloping me. Silence stretched between us, punctuated by Killian’s sleepy snores.

“Listen, Blake. About what that reporter said…,” I mumbled, my throat tight with emotion.

Before I knew it, I was pulled into Blake’s arms, letting out a surprised squeal.

“Shh, let’s get some sleep. We can talk about that later,” Blake whispered, pulling me closer.

His hug said it all. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye either, but neither of us wanted to spoil the mood of the day by talking about what my departure meant.

“Good night, Blake,” I mumbled, my voice muffled as I snuggled into his chest.

“Good night, Annabelle,” he replied, resting his chin on top of my head.