“What’s this?” Isaiah asked, picking up a brochure from the cluttered breakfast table. “You thinking about getting your competition coaching certification?”
“Nah, it’s part of the random junk mail I get sent every month,” Silas said, snatching the brochure from his brother before he could see the margin notes and highlights.
“You could do it, you know? Your portfolio is impressive,” Isaiah said. “And it would get you out of Cedar.”
“Sounds like you’re trying to chase me out of town,” Silas said.
“No, of course not, but I know you’re not the biggest fan of change, so I’m just reminding you that you don’t have to be chained here because it’s where you currently happen to be.”
His brother’s words nagged at something tucked away in his soul, but Silas ignored it to wryly reply, “Your faith in this washed-up athlete is beautiful, truly.”
“It’smypurpose on this earth,” his brother said with too much sincerity.
“Also, screw you. I got a lot going on,” Silas said as he motioned around them at the kitchen in mid-renovation.
This whole home was a reno project that he was slowly working through. This summer, he planned to tackle a shelf installation in the living room and finish the bathroom and the yard.
“I like the paint choice on the cabinets. Hate the hardware,” his brother said to which Silas rolled his eyes. “Okay, where did you say that bottle opener was? We’re going to cheers to good luck instead.”
* * *
“I can’t believe you got the stain out,” Linda said as she inspected the motel lobby carpet Raven had scrubbed and vacuumed.
“I’m telling you, hydrogen peroxide with some dish soap is key,” Raven said.
She’d been up for two hours, cleaning the reception office, setting up the continental breakfast area, and helping Linda with her daily crossword. It was part of the agreement Raven had entered into with Linda for a discounted price on a room with a kitchenette for the summer.
The older lady had been wary of the deal at first, but once she’d discovered Raven was the mystery benefactor of Mountaintop the town had been speculating about for months, she’d changed her tune. Whether it was because she wanted to help a future neighbor or be close to a source of gossip, Raven wasn’t sure.
Her commute to work was picturesque, and she got to the cabin before anyone else. For a few minutes, she was able to listen to the birds and set an intention. When Silas arrived, pulling up next to her car, it was without the smile he’d easily given her yesterday.
“You’re early,” he said as he hauled a duffle bag from the back seat of his truck.
Mere observation or admonishment?
“First days are for good impressions,” she said, aware the heels and skirt she wore made her look unserious.
When they entered the cabin, she silently trailed behind him, noting every task he completed on her phone. From the order he turned on the lights to where he placed his personal belongings.
“What are you doing?” he asked, stopping in the middle of drawing the blinds on the windows.
“Taking notes,” she replied.
“Why? Of what?”
“I told you I wanted to know how things are run around here, so I’m observing.”
He opened his mouth but then closed it before returning to the chore at hand.
Eventually, the two of them entered the break room, where Silas pulled a mug out from a cupboard and said, “You can stop surveilling me now. I’m only making coffee.”
Raven put her phone away, knowing she was about to experience the most gnawing silence of her life. And as they stood on opposite sides of the kitchen, him thumbing through the mail as his coffee brewed and her pretending like the laminate countertops deserved closer assessment, she wondered if her entire tenure at Mountaintop would be like this.
“What if I doubled my offer?” he asked as she began to adapt to the idea of never hearing a human voice again.
“I’m sorry?” she asked.
“What if I doubled my offer for the place?”
