Page 38 of A Wolfe in the Woods

“And that’s just one galaxy,” he said, shaking his head. “There are billions more. Trillions, even. As far as we know.”

I sat quietly for a moment, trying to grasp a number that large. An untold number of worlds. It was mind-boggling.

“I like that about you,” I commented softly.

Jonathan glanced over, brow lifting.

“Most people who throw around stats make it boring,” I said with a small smile. “You make it feel…I don’t know…inspiring.”

I looked back up at the stars.

Jonathan was quiet for a long moment before he said, “Not everyone thinks that when I talk this way.”

“Well, I can tell you’re really fascinated by this.” I gestured before me, at the brightness of the stars.

The corner of his mouth lifted. “I’ve lugged that telescope up here more times than I could count. It was one of my favorite things to do. I’d spend the whole night under these stars.”

I smiled, taking in a deep breath. I felt a twinge of pain, but…for the first time, I allowed myself to remember. “I did the same with my grandmother. Well, we didn’t have a view likethis. But we’d lie out in her garden during the summer sometimes. She’d make fruit tarts and I’d count the fireflies. One year, I remember there was a big meteor shower. Everyone was talking about it—it was all over the news. And I’d never seen anything like it. We stayed out in the garden for hours until it was over.”

“I remember that night,” he said softly. “Fifteen years ago, yeah? I was up here. Right here.”

I shot him a look, and I felt a strange blooming sensation seep through my chest. “How come I never saw you in Everwick growing up? You’re not that much older than me. The town was small back then.”

His gaze slid away. “My father…he liked his privacy. We kept to ourselves.”

“Hmm” was my only hint of reply. I recognized when someone didn’t want to talk about something, and I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. “Well, anyway, that’s a nice thought, then, isn’t it? That we were watching the meteor shower at the same time. That I was just down there,” I said, gesturing toward the town. “And you were here all along.”

His blue eyes caught mine, and I found that that gaze had the annoying habit of stealing my breath. “Yeah, life is funny like that” was all he said in reply.

We fell into another brief silence, and I had to look away in fear he’d catch me blushing again. I cleared my throat, looking out toward the sea. One of the most familiar sights to me in all of Everwick.

A few moments later, he broke the silence by saying, “Sorry, by the way, for all of the construction around the Hollow. I know it’s no five-star resort, but I’m trying really hard to make this place special.”

I looked around…the open sky, the cliffs, the sea, the lighthouse light sweeping in the distance.

“Are you kidding me?” I asked, smiling. “Who needs five stars when you’ve got five million? This place is magical, Jonathan. I hope you know that. I really think it will be special once you’re finished.”

I caught the flicker of pride in his face. He shifted beside me, gaze steady on the horizon. “We call this place Cryer’s Point,” he told me. “It got that name because wolves would gather here at night and call out at the moon.”

I looked around, suddenly more aware of the wide, open air and how the forest curved around the bluff like a quiet audience. “Do they still?”

He shrugged. “Sometimes. Depends on the season.”

“Do people come up this far to Juniper Woods? Hikers or backpackers? It’s private land though, isn’t it?”

“It is. Sometimes we’ll get hikers or teenagers being stupid, but most folks from Everwick stay away. It’s too wild for them.”

I glanced sideways. I couldn’t help but smile. “But not for you.”

“I grew up here,” he defended, tossing me an amused look. “Knew these trees before I even knew people. The cabins, the lake, the mine…all of it. This land’s been in my family a long time. I’m just…trying to make it into something worth staying for.”

I studied his face as he spoke. There was weariness there, like he’d been carrying something heavy for a long time. But I didn’t spy defeat.

“Sounds like a nice childhood,” I said softly. “To be surrounded by all this nature.”

He barked a quiet laugh. “Oh, no. I hated this place. Did everything I could to get away. I told my old man I didn’t want it, would never inherit it. Told him to donate it. Let the state have it. Burn it for all I cared.” He paused. “It felt like if I took it…it would takeme.”

My brow furrowed. I heard something that I recognized in his voice. The same thing that had driven me from this place. The fear of getting trapped. Like your life would be decided for you. “And yet…you came back.”