Chapter 24 Leaving the House
We decided to go into town the next morning. We needed groceries and firewood, and Jake had been talking about hot chocolate since yesterday, like it was the only thing keeping him alive. I didn’t mind. I liked being at the cabin, but after the storm and all the time inside, I wanted to get out for a bit.
It took longer than it should have to get ready, but we finally got loaded into the SUV. Josh drove, like always. Drew took the passenger seat. I sat in the middle row with Jake next to me. Mike and Patrick were in the back row.
As soon as Josh pulled out of the driveway, Jake’s hand found mine. He didn’t make a big deal out of it. He just linked our fingers together like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I stared out the window while the trees went by, snow clinging to branches in thick white layers. The sky was bright and clear, like the mountain had decided to behave for once.
It was quiet for a few minutes, the kind of quiet that made my brain start wandering.
We flew home the day after tomorrow.
That thought hit me like a weight in my chest. Not because I didn’t want to go home exactly—Boston was home too—but because the cabin had been simple. No schedules, no separate rooms, no work pulling them away from me. Just all of us together.
Jake squeezed my hand gently. “You okay, Em?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
He waited, and I knew he was going to ask again. “You sure?”
I sighed. “I’m fine. I’m just thinking.”
From the back seat, Mike leaned forward slightly. “She’s doing the stare thing.”
“I’m not doing anything,” I muttered.
Josh glanced at me in the mirror. “You sure, baby girl?”
“Yes,” I said, then added before he could ask again, “I just don’t want to think about leaving yet.”
Drew’s voice stayed calm. “We’ll make the last days count.”
Patrick didn’t say anything, but he reached forward and tapped my shoulder once. A quiet promise.
Jake lifted my hand and pressed a quick kiss to my knuckles. “We’re here right now,” he murmured. “That’s what matters.”
Mike made a gagging noise. “Okay, that was disgustingly sweet.”
Jake didn’t even look at him. “Good.”
The town was small and busier than I expected. Snowbanks lined the sidewalks. People walked around in thick coats, carrying bags and drinks as if it were normal.
As soon as we parked and stepped out, the cold hit my face, and I took a deep breath. It smelled like pine and something sweet nearby.
Josh stepped close enough that his shoulder brushed mine. “You good?”
“Yes,” I promised.
“Okay,” he said, as he believed me.
We first went into a warm little shop that sold sweaters, scarves, and winter gear. The air smelled like wool and cedar.
I wandered toward a rack of scarves without thinking. One was a deep green color that reminded me of the trees around the cabin. I held it up to my neck and looked at my reflection.
Jake stepped up beside me. “That looks really good on you.”
I rolled my eyes. “You say that about everything.”
He shrugged. “Because you look good in everything.”
I checked the price tag, and that familiar hesitation hit me. Do I need it? It’s just a scarf.
Josh’s voice came calmly beside me. “If you want it, get it.”
I opened my mouth to argue, then stopped. I looked at Drew, who had wandered over without me noticing. He didn’t say anything, just gave me that steady look that always made me feel like I was allowed to breathe.
So I nodded. “Okay.”
I bought the scarf.
The bookstore was next.
The second I stepped inside, I relaxed. It smelled like paper and cinnamon, and it was warm without being stuffy. I wandered slowly through the aisles, running my fingers along book spines and letting myself look without rushing.
Drew stayed near me—close enough that I could feel him there, but not crowding. I liked that about him.
I found a small journal with a mountain pressed into the cover. I stared at it longer than necessary, flipping it open to the first blank page.
Drew noticed. “You like it?”
“Yeah,” I admitted. “It’s nice.”
“You should get it,” he said gently.
I hesitated. “Josh already got me one.”
“That one’s for thoughts,” Drew said. “This one can be for memories. Good days.”
My throat tightened, and I hated it. “You’re being sentimental,” I muttered.
Drew’s mouth curved slightly. “I’m being honest.”
I sighed. “Fine.”
I bought the journal.
When we stepped back outside, the cold hit again. I wrapped the scarf around my neck right away, and Jake linked his hand with mine again.
We started walking toward the café down the street. It looked warm inside, and I could already feel my chest tightening a little at the thought of going into a crowded place.
Jake noticed immediately. “You okay?”
“Yes,” I said, even though my voice sounded less sure than I wanted.
Josh leaned in close enough that only I could hear. “We can skip it if you want, baby girl.”
I shook my head. “No. I want to go. I’m okay.”
Drew’s voice stayed calm. “We’ll step out if you need to. No big deal.”
I took a breath and nodded. “Okay. Let’s go.”
Jake squeezed my hand. “That’s my girl.”
I didn’t correct him. I just let myself be pulled forward into the warmth.