Chapter 1
"We're here," I say as I slowly brings the car to a stop. I throw it in park just in front of the fence. On the other side of the narrow driveway sits a storage container.
Avi looks around in awe, "How come you've never brought me out here? It's absolutely beautiful!"
"Well, if you'll recall," I start, "we were a little preoccupied with saving Tyler the first-time you guys came up here. Then I was paranoid to step foot in the house again after my depressive episode. And this is the first time I've even been back since."
"Fair enough," Avi says as she steps out of the car and stretches. "I don't think I want to sit in a car again. I'm over week long road trips."
"It was only five days, drama queen," I say, rolling my eyes as I get out and walk toward the gate. "And when was the last time you took a huge road trip like this?"
"When Chloe brought me home after rescuing me," Avi says. "We drove from Oregon to Florida while avoiding as many highways as possible. It took almost as long." She shakes her head and chuckles, "I used to hate planes but I have a new found appreciation for them."
"You would have found an appreciation for them earlier if you didn't spend that whole summer watching plane crash documentaries," I say with another eye roll. "Plus, you and I both know driving the car is cheaper than having it shipped. And we saved on a smaller storage unit by packing your car full of stuff." I wink at her as she rolls her eyes as she walks up behind me to the gate.
I slowly open the gate as we walk towards the house. I stop and stare at the still red old wooden house. I let out a sigh as Avi walks up behind me and puts a hand on my shoulder. "You okay?" she asks.
"Honestly? Yeah," I answer. "I was just thinking of the first time Tyler and I came here…and how far I've come since. For once, I'm just reminiscing about this place. I'm not dreading going in…well maybe a little. I'm not looking forward to unpacking everything."
"And then we get to set up my classroom again once I find a job," Avi says with a wink.
"Ugh, don't remind me," I say as I gently shove her. "At least we can recruit Michael and Tyler this time. Eddy would probably even come help when he can."
"Good!" Avi says. "Because between getting all my stuff to the school and unpacking it and hanging everything, I'm going to need all the help I can get."
"Again, don't remind me," I say, shaking my head with a smirk. I let out a sigh before walking up to the door and unlocking it. "Home sweet home," I say with a smile as I hold the door open for Avi. She walks in and I watch her study every detail as I walk in behind her, closing the door. "I know it's a mess," I say. "I've literally not been back since I came down to stay with you and Chloe after…after Tyler found me on the floor in the kitchen. But hey, now I have help finishing the repairs and remodels!" I bump into Avi as she shakes her head at me.
"You might be better off doing it alone," she chuckles.
"Moral support at least?" I ask.
"That I can do," Avi smiles. She rubs her arms as she says, "Why is it still so cold in here?"
"Oh yeah," I say. "We need to go out to the barn and turn on the electricity. I had Sam come over and turn it off some time while I was staying with you guys. No use in me paying for a power bill for a house I wasn't living in."
"Who's Sam?" Avi asks as we walk toward the door.
"He was a good friend of Mary Ann's," I say. "He would come over a lot when we were younger and help her with repairs and such. He is the main reason the house hasn't fallen apart while no one was living in it and he still comes over whenever I ask to help me with things in the house. He's a good guy. Definite drinking problem, but a good guy."
We step back outside as I lead Avi to the barn. She crosses her arms as she says, "Next time we want to move and you decide to do it during the winter, I'm going to kill you."
"Welcome to Alaska, my friend," I laugh as I open up the shed door. I quickly power the fuse box back on and test the light in the shed. "We have power!" I say as I walk back out to Avi shivering in the middle of the yard. I laugh as I walk over and throw an arm around her, "You have some getting used to, don't ya?"
"Never thought I would say it," Avi grumbles. "But I miss the heat. We can have snow elsewhere and it not be below zero."
"But is it worth another multi-day road trip?" I ask.
Avi raises an eyebrow as a voice bellows, "Welcome back, Aly!" I walk closer to the gate to see a plumb man with a thick beard walking up to the house.
"Howdy Sam!" I call back. "I remembered what you taught me about the fuse box! Got the power back up and running in the house!"
"Good!" Sam says. "I was hoping I would beat you here so the heat would be running and the house would be nice and warm for ya when you got here."
"It's perfectly fine, Sam," I say. "We only have one person who might complain about the lack of warmth. Besides, we can use as many hands as we can get getting everything unloaded. Tyler's coming but he texted me from the ferry earlier and said that it was running a little behind."
"I'd be happy to help," Sam says with a smile. He looks Avi up and down and says, "Who's she?"
"She's actually…my cousin," I say with an almost nervous chuckle. "Sam, meet Avi."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Avi says, holding her hand out.
"Pleasure is mine," Sam says, shaking her hand. "But cousin?"
"Long story short," I say, "I ended up finding out Mary Ann had a half sister who I ended up making that trip to Oregon to meet. She had a daughter, Chloe, who was Mary Ann's actual niece, but she was living with Avi and she had practically adopted Avi as her sister so, in an unrelated way, Avi is my cousin."
"Huh," Sam says, staring at Avi as if he's not entirely sure if he caught everything.
"Hey guys!" Tyler's voice rings out as he walks through the gate.
"Long time no see!" Sam says as he reaches out a hand to Tyler. Tyler takes it and shakes it.
"So, what are we doing standing around out here?" Tyler says with his hands resting on his hips. "I thought we were moving or something."
"Hey, we only got here a few minutes ago," Avi says, matching Tyler's stance with a snarky expression.
"Did you at least get the power on?" Tyler says, rolling his eyes.
"We did, thank you very much," I say, matching Avi's snark. I look over at her and give her a wink.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Tyler asks. "Let's get you guys moved in. Are you helping, Sam?" Sam gives a nod as we all walk toward the gate. "Then let us take the heavy stuff in the storage container. Aly, you and Avi take the stuff in from Avi's car."
"I thought not asking Uncle Eddy to come help would mean I wouldn't get bossed around," I mumble to Avi.
"I heard that!" Tyler yells back. I chuckle as we get busy unloading the car. Within a few minutes, Avi and I have the car unloaded and we start moving around things inside and cleaning any garbage left behind from when I was last there.
Finally, the guys bring in the largest box. I look over at them and ask, "Is that it?"
Tyler nods, "Yep, that's everything! You got everything inside now. You just need to unpack."
"On that note," Sam says, "I've got to head back to the shipyard. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything at all."
"Thank you for all your help, Sam," I say. "We've got to head to town and pick up some supplies anyway."
"Alright, see you Goblins!" Sam calls out as he opens the front door. "And nice meeting you, Avi!"
"You too, Sam!" Avi calls back as the door shuts.
"You want to go ahead and head out?" Tyler asks. "What all do you need?"
"Mostly some more cleaning supplies and food," I say. "All the food's kind of gone bad while I was gone for a few years. And I need to call the storage unit company to tell them they can take it now that it's empty." I grab the car keys as I look back at Avi still unpacking boxes. "You coming, Av?" I ask.
"I was serious about not wanting to sit in a car again for a while," Avi chuckles. "You go on ahead, I'll start unpacking."
"Alright," I say, shrugging my shoulders. "See you in a little bit." Tyler waves at Avi as we make our way out the door and to the car.