He nodded. “Hi, Claire.”
I stared like he might vanish.
My throat tightened.
“Andrew?” I said.
He smiled wider.
“Yeah,” he said. “It’s me.”
I stared like he might vanish.
Then I pointed at the envelope.
I opened the door wider.
“What is that?” I asked.
He shifted it.
“A long story,” he said.
Snow blew in behind him.
I opened the door wider.
“Get inside,” I snapped.
My hands were shaking.
He blinked. “Okay.”
“Now,” I said.
He stepped in.
I locked the door.
My hands were shaking.
He stood like he didn’t want to touch anything.
He sat at my table.
“Coat,” I said.
He took it off.
“Shoes,” I said.
He kicked them off.
I walked to the kitchen.
“Sit,” I called.
“How did you find me?”
He sat at my table.
I filled the kettle.
He watched me.
Quiet. Careful.
I turned and stared him down.
“How did you find me?” I asked.
“What’s in that envelope?”
He opened his mouth.
I raised a finger.
“Why are you here?” I asked. “And what’s in that envelope?”
He blinked fast.
“Tea first?” he said.
I froze.
He looked down at his hands.
That phrase.
Tea first.
My heart did a weird flip.
I swallowed.
“Tea,” I said. “Then talk.”
“I know,” he replied.
“Andrew, stop protecting them.”
He looked down at his hands.
“I found out later,” he said, “the story was cleaned up.”
“Cleaned up how?” I pressed.
He hesitated.
I snapped, “Andrew, stop protecting them.”
His eyes glistened.
He slid the envelope onto the table.
He nodded once.
“Okay,” he said. “Okay.”
He slid the envelope onto the table.
“You’re going to be mad,” he warned.
“I’m already mad,” I said.
He gave a tight smile. “Fair.”
“I’m here because I need you.”
I grabbed the envelope.
He put his hand on it.
“Wait,” he said.
I glared. “What now?”
He met my eyes.
“I’m not here for a thank-you,” he said. “I’m here because I need you.”
I opened it. Paper slid out.
My heart thumped.
“For what?” I asked.
“To tell the truth.”
Then he let go.
I opened it.
Paper slid out.
“What is this?”
Thick stack.
Tabs. Stamps.
A letter on top.
I read the first lines.
Then my hands went cold.
I looked up.
My mouth opened, then closed.
“What is this?” I demanded.
Andrew’s voice was quiet.
“A deed,” he said.
I stared.
“To what?” I asked.
He swallowed. “Land. Near the mountain base.”
He didn’t argue.
My mouth opened, then closed.
I shoved the papers back.
“No,” I said. “Absolutely not.”
“Claire—”
“No,” I repeated. “You cannot do this.”
He didn’t argue.
“You spent a fortune.”
He just said, “Read the rest.”
I read. Faster.
Cabin site. Trust. Maintenance.
My head spun.
“You spent a fortune,” I snapped.
“I did okay,” he said.
“This isn’t just a gift.”
“What do you do?” I demanded.
“Risk management,” he said.
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