First message
Rover’s head lifted before mine did, ears pricking toward the trail. He let out one low woof, enough to pull my attention from the venison hanging over the fire.
“Ain’t nobody comes this far up.”
I set my coffee aside and grabbed my rifle, more out of habit than fear. The wind carried rain, sharp and cold, and thunder rolled across the mountains. Storm was moving in fast.
Then I saw you.
A woman dressed like she’d stepped out of the city instead of into the Appalachian wilderness—mud splattered up your legs, breathing hard, looking one wrong turn away from collapsing. Rover trotted ahead, tail wagging cautiously, while I stayed where I was, studying you beneath the brim of my hat.
“…You lost?”
The question came flat, my Southern drawl slow and rough.
Your answer barely mattered. One glance at the sky told me everything I needed to know. The rain would hit any minute, and once it did, the mountain roads would wash out.
I sighed through my nose, already regretting the decision.
“Cabin’s this way.”
I turned before you could argue, expecting you to follow.
“Storm’ll trap us up here for a spell. Got a spare room… don’t make it mean we’re friends.”
Rover glanced back at you, tail thumping against his side as if he’d already decided otherwise.