I’ve been inside for the past week.

“Want to go for a walk?” Corey extends his hand.

Corey’s offered to take me to his brother’s place, to meet his sister-in-law and get me some clothes. But the threat of Ash has kept me from leaving the house.

Corey makes me feel safe, but fear has kept me on edge.

I don’t know what I would have done without him. He’s always with me, surrounding me with that calming manner that helps soothe my soul.

“Where?”

“Out the back door.”

I stare at him. “But that’s—”

“We’ll stay away from the spot where I found you. I have something to show you.”

I take his hand, using the leverage to pull myself to my feet.

For a moment, my feet won’t move, but I nod and go to the back door to get my boots.

“Here you are.” Corey dangles my socks in front of me.

“I didn’t even notice they were missing.”

He laughs. “I washed them the night I washed your dress. You left them on the bathroom floor.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Cinderella. Get your shoes on.”

I grin as he pulls his own boots on and opens the back door.

The sunshine hits me before I step out into it. It’s so warm on my skin, and I close my eyes and bathe in it for a moment. “This is nice.”

“Told you.” He laughs. “I bet it’s good to get some fresh air.”

“It is. Thank you.”

Corey shakes his head. “No need. You just needed a little push. Now, come with me.”

I follow him through his back yard—not that it’s really a yard. There’s a cleared spot behind his house before it goes straight into bush. Trees and ferns are everywhere, and it looks tamed in parts, unkempt in others.

Right before we hit the bush, I pause. There’s a small pile of stones with a wooden cross on it, not dissimilar to the graveyard we have in the community.

“What’s this?”

Corey frowns. “I used to have a dog.”

“What happened?” I place my hand on his arm.

“He came hunting with me. And one day some, useless arsewipe in the wrong place mistook him for a pig.”

My mouth falls open. “Oh, Corey.”

“I brought him home to bury. I haven’t had a dog since. I can’t risk it.”

I nod. “I can understand that.”

He pauses for a moment and looks at the small cross in the ground. The pain is written all over his face. The death of his dog hurt him very deeply.

“What was his name?”

“Brutus.” He gives me a wry smile. “I thought it was appropriate for a hunting dog.”

I nod. “Very.” Slipping my hand in his, I give it a squeeze.

“His grave needs cleaning up. The weeds go nuts when it rains.”

“I’ll help take care of it.” I rest my head on his shoulder. “It’s the least I can do. Do you have any other animals?”

He shakes his head. “There’s never been any point. I’m here most of the time, but sometimes I go away for days. My family might pitch in and help, but I’d rather not rely on them. They have enough of their own crap to deal with.”

“I could do it.” I smile.

I close my eyes when Corey kisses me on the top of my head. “So, you’re sticking around for a while.”

“If you’ll let me.”

He squeezes my hand, mimicking my action. “I’ll let you.”

I look up at him. “Well, I do have all those books to read.”

A contented smile spreads across his face. “I guess you do. And you know I can always find more.”

I place my hand on my heart. “Why, Corey Campbell, anyone would think you wanted to keep me here.”

He chuckles. “Maybe I do.”

We walk for about ten minutes before he points into the distance. “This is what I want to show you.”

I hear the water before I see it. There’s a creek running through his property. Either side is lined by ferns, but there are gaps where you can reach the water.

“Just be careful down here. It’s slippery after the rain.” He holds out his hand, and I reach for him.

My feet slide out from underneath me. Pain shoots up my leg as I hit the ground.

“Constance,” he cries out.

In an instant, he’s beside me. “Are you okay?”

Taking a deep breath, I nod. “I think I twisted my ankle, but it’s my pride that hurts the most.” I widen my eyes as he bends, scooping me into his arms. “I’m covered in mud.”

“I don’t care. We need to get you back home and get that ankle seen to.”

He cradles me in his arms, and I laugh into his neck as we move closer to the house.

“What’s so funny?”

“I’m outside for, what? Ten minutes? And here you are carrying me back inside again.”

His laughter sends shivers through me. Being in his arms is so intimate, and I hate the thought that in a few moments, he won’t be carrying me.

Corey’s boots leave muddy footprints across the polished wooden kitchen floor.

“I just mopped that floor this morning.” I sigh.

“Tough. I’ll sort it out later.” He lowers me gently onto the couch.

“Corey, the couch.”

“The couch can be wiped clean. Your foot needs to be elevated.” He unlaces my boots and pulls them from my feet.

“Wait here, and I’ll get something cold from the freezer to ice it.”

“I’m not exactly going anywhere.” I grump because it hurts, but when Corey returns, he’s got a smile on his face.

“No, and you won’t be for a while.” He lays a tea towel over my ankle and places a bag of frozen peas on it.

“I’ll get you a drink. Want me to turn the TV on?”

The back of the long, checked shirt I’m wearing and my legs are still wet from the mud, and he just doesn’t care. I guess he’s right. It’ll all wash out. It’s not comfortable, but the ache of my ankle overrides my discomfort. “Uhh, sure.”

“I’ll make some coffee. Want anything else?”

I run my gaze from his feet up to his face. His expression is so open and caring. It’s confusing. Maybe because the only people who ever cared for me in this way were my parents.

Shaking my head, I look back down. “Thank you.”

“I should have known better than to go down there after it’d been raining.” He sighs. “And you’re not familiar with the area.”

“No. I should have been more careful. You did warn me.”

For a moment, he just stands there. There’s sorrow in his eyes, and I just want to laugh and tell him it’ll be okay. But I also don’t want to make him feel worse than he clearly already is. “Corey?”

He smiles. “I’ll go and get that coffee.”

I lie back and sigh. For just a little while, the sun and fresh air were so good to feel and breathe again. It just reinforces how much I love living on this mountain. Even if I’m not home anymore.

I wonder how Mum and Dad are doing.

That thought pains me. Ash will know I’m gone.

“Are you okay?” Corey asks, placing a cup on the coffee table.

I shrug. “Just thinking about home.”

He sits on one of the chairs. “I hope you’re not thinking about going back.”

“No. Not at all. But there are people still in there who I love. It worries me.”

He nods. “I’m sure it does. The police will get to the bottom of it. Sure, sometimes I think they couldn’t find their arse with both hands, but I’m sure the detectives are better than that.”

I laugh. “That’s a terrible expression.”

“In my opinion, Ash Harris should be a distant memory by now. But then, what would I know?”

“I think you know a lot about a lot of things.”

His gaze catches mine when I look up, and I blush at the intensity of it. There are times when I catch him looking at me when he thinks I’m not aware of it. But then, I do the same to him.

Those awkward silences don’t last long. But we seem to be circling each other, as if waiting for something to happen.

“You know a lot, considering your limited exposure to the world.” He stretches out. “And you won’t get more exposure if you’re stuck inside with your ankle for a couple of days. Don’t you dare think about vacuuming or tidying or any of that other stuff you’ve been doing either.”

“Yes, boss.”

He grins. “Maybe that’s the way you should respond to everything.”

I laugh, picking up a cushion and throwing it at his head.

“You cult girls. So violent.”

“Oh, shut up.” I laugh again.

He stands and makes his way to the couch. I shuffle over so he can sit next to me. “I just want you to know if I tease you, I’m not trying to be mean. I prefer you smiling and laughing to being grumpy at me.”

“I know. I’m so glad I’m here.”

“You are?”

“I can’t imagine that I’d have so much fun anywhere else. Where else can I injure myself the first time I step out the door?” I grin at him. It’s nice. I feel so relaxed and safe here. Even outside the house.

He looks down at my ankle. “I don’t know if I’d call that fun.”

“You know what I mean. I have a seemingly unlimited supply of books. That’s pretty much all I need. Oh, and then there’s the television.”

Corey shakes his head. “You’ll never leave the house again, then.”

“Probably not.”

He scans my expression, a fond smile on his face as he rests his hand on my cheek. Just like he did the second night I was here, he runs this thumb along my cheekbone. “That’s fine with me.”

I want to close my eyes and revel in his touch, but it’s too much.

“I need a shower. This dried mud is driving me crazy.”

He leans back as I push myself up into a seated position, then moves out of the way so I can stand.

“Want some help getting in the shower?” he asks. His mouths cracks into a smile as I stare wide-eyed. “I didn’t mean … well, okay, I didn’t think that out before I said it.” He laughs.

I roll my eyes. “I think I’ll be fine.”

“Yell out if you need anything.”

I nod. “What I really need is to get all this mud off me. I’m sure I’ll feel better once I’m clean.”

“I’ll sort out the couch. Make it habitable for when you come back out.”

“Thank you.”

His expression softens. “What for? It’s my fault this happened.”

“No, you’re only looking out for me. You were right to talk me into going outside. I needed the sunshine more than I realised.”

His lips twitch. “So, I’m not doing too bad a job after all?”

“What job?”

“Taking care of you. Thought I blew it this afternoon.”

Laughing, I shake my head. “No, you’re doing a pretty decent job.”

“Room for improvement, then?”

I shrug, and I can’t help the grin on my face. “I can’t think of anything you could do better.”

“Except not take you anywhere that you can fall and twist your ankle.”

Raising my index finger to my lips, I look up at the ceiling as if pondering a response. “I’m pretty sure I could have done that anywhere.”

Corey laughs. “Maybe you’re right. Doesn’t make me feel any less guilty.”

Turning, I limp toward the hallway that leads to the bathroom. “Well, I feel guilty for all the hot water I’m about to use. Let’s call it even.”

I smile when I close the door behind me. While I was joking, it does concern me that I’m staying here for nothing. How will I ever pay Corey back?

I need clothing, and I need a job, or some way to make some money to pay him back.

My ankle screams as I strip off and take a step into the shower.

I’m not doing anything until this is better.

The heat of the shower felt good on my ankle.

When I limp back to the living room, Corey’s been as good as his word. The couch is clean, and scent of chocolate hits me. “That smells amazing.”

“I forgot I had a tin of hot chocolate in the cupboard. After a crappy day, I figured it’d be good.” Corey comes up behind me, grabbing my arm and pulling it around his waist as he helps me back to the couch. Two cups sit steaming on the coffee table.

“I think this and a good sleep and I’ll be alright,” I reply. He lowers me onto the couch and takes the bundle of clothing from my hands. “Oh, I was going to put that in the washing machine.”

“I’ll take care of it.” He smiles. “Sit there and drink your hot chocolate. I’ll help you to bed, or you can sleep on the couch if you like.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll make sure it’s all dry for the morning. And if your ankle’s no better, I’ll take you down to see Doc Paton.”

Tears prick my eyes, and his eyebrows dip as his expression changes to one of concern. “What’s wrong?”

“Why are you being so good to me? I mean, it’s wonderful, Corey, it really is, but this is way beyond …”

He places my things on the table and takes a seat beside me on the couch. Letting out a sigh, he slips his arm around my shoulders. For a moment, I search his eyes and all I see is a sweet, caring man. He doesn’t have an ulterior motive. He’s doing this because it comes naturally to him. “You have nothing. Or, should I say, had nothing. When you came through that fence, you had no plans and nowhere to go. But now, you have me.”

I lick my lips and keep my gaze on his. In such a short time, he’s come to mean so much to me. He’s become my friend.

“I like you, Constance. You keep me on my toes, and I like you being around. I know you’ve been through a lot, and I’ll be damned if you have to go through any more.”

Tears roll down my cheeks, and he catches them on his index finger.

“Thank—”

“Don’t you dare say thank you again. You don’t owe me anything. I’m here for you as long as you need. I promise.”

His breath catches as I wrap my arms around his neck and lay my head on his chest. I’ve never felt so comfortable with anyone else before.

I think I love him.