CHAPTER 18

Ella's P. O. V.

I stepped out of the shower that night feeling productive. That day Daniel and I had discovered some interesting connections between the hospital and a few local funeral homes. I hoped this was an important new lead.

Wrapping a towel around my body, I wiped the steamy mirror and brushed my damp hair. I grabbed a robe from behind the bathroom door and put it on.

It was likely Cain's seeing as it was nearly four sizes too big for me. Nonetheless, I tied the rope around my waist tightly and opened the bathroom door.

The sun had set a few hours earlier so the room was dark.

I walked over to the fireplace and lit a match to light a fire. The flame spread quickly and I added a log to the hearth. I watched as the fire grew and I was relieved the feel the heat that it provided.

I felt the need to remind Daniel and whomever else it concerned that it was the dead of winter. The temperature in Cain's home was freezing which was why I lit a fire every night to keep myself warm.

I rubbed my hands up and down my arms and sighed.

"Cold?"

I gasped and turned around quickly. Cain stood less than four feet away and I nearly had a heart attack.

"Stop sneaking up on me!" I said, trying to catch my breath.

I looked at him warily.

"What are you doing in here?" I asked.

He shrugged. "It's my room."

I huffed. "Well, I'Il go find another one."

I walked around him and he reached out and grabbed my arm, stopping me.

"I'll go Ella, I just came to apologize."

I turned and looked at him.

"Apologize for what?"

He took a deep breath. "I was an ass the other night," he said.

"You think?" I asked sarcastically.

"I shouldn't have said that trying to kiss you was a mistake and I apologize for that."

I bit my lip anxiously and backed away.

"You don't have to apologize, you were right," I said.

You're such a liar, I told myself.

Saying that hurt... a lot.

Not only did I not believe the words that came out of my mouth, but I knew I was potentially letting him know that the invitation to kiss me was officially no longer extended.

"I was right?" He asked me, letting go of my arm.

I nodded.

"Y-Yeah," I said nodding.

"I'm only here to find my grandfather."

Cain nodded slowly.

"Well." he said. "That was all I came to say."

With that, he turned and left the room. I pulled my robe together tighter as he left and, as soon as the

bedroom door closed behind him, I sank down into the couch.

Why did I have to say that?

The next morning, I woke up early as I normally did.

I got dressed and went up to Cain's office. However, as I walked up the stairs, I heard someone was already up there.

My heart leapt in my chest at the thought that it might have been Cain.

I walked up the stairs quickly only to be met by a petite woman who looked to be in her late thirties or early forties.

She turned to look at me as I walked in.

"Hi," I said awkwardly.

She smiled brightly. "Do you know where Cain is?"

She asked, placing her hands on her hips. "I've been looking for him all morning."

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, I don't."

She shrugged.

"Oh well, I'll see him eventually."

The woman turned back around and began to open the drawers in his desk.

"Don't mind me," she said, noticing that I was watching her. "I'm just being nosy."

I nodded slowly and walked over to my desk, although I still kept watching her.

"So how do you know Cain?" She asked as she snooped through the top drawer of his desk.

"I'm just here helping him look for a few people," I said.

"What about you?"

She laughed and sat back in the chair.

"Sweetheart, I'm his mother."