Love & Serenity

Chapter 4

Lillian's light brown gaze snapped up to meet his ocean blue ones and he immediately regretted the words he had said.

"It was an accident." She said softly.

"I got that part."

Lillian's gaze fluttered as she pushed down the slight anger that was bubbling up at his accusing tone.

"He came out of nowhere."

"Are you sure it wasn't you who did?"

Lillian opened her mouth to say something but Dave beat her to it.

"Jax, a moment."

Jax's gaze stayed on her for a moment too long before he turned to Dave who asked him to step out for a moment.

At that moment, Lillian closed her eyes and tried to calm herself as she scratched furiously at her thumb which had started to peel.

"What's going on?" Dave asked Jax when they were outside the room as Jax glanced at Lillian before looking at Dave.

"Nothing's going on."

"Try again. You're going off at her for no reason."

"She ran into my dog, Dave."

"You and I both know it was an accident and I know that wouldn't hit a nerve if it was anyone else." Dave who had known him in the five years he'd been in Vermont didn't exactly know the whole story as to why he moved there.

Jax looked back inside at Otto and then at her.

"She's new in town and has had enough surprises for one night. Don't drive her away before she's even had a moment to settle down."

Jax's gaze fell to her hands and noticed what she was doing before he lifted his gaze back up to her face.

He sighed and turned to Dave.

"You're right. I'm just...stressed after today."

"Otto is right there and he'll be better in a few weeks. You don't have to worry about him running off again anytime soon."

Jax nodded and went back into the room assuming his former location. He ran his hand over Otto.

"I'm sorry."

Lillian looked up at him, surprised.

"You must have had a long night and I didn't mean to snap."

Lillian blinked at him surprised at the man who spoke to her wondering if it was the same man who'd spoken to her a while ago.

"I-It's ok." She stuttered. "I'm sorry about your dog."

Her fingers had stopped scratching and her hands fell to her sides. She looked down at Otto.

"So sorry, Otto." She patted Otto and her hand brushed Jax's before she pulled it away.

"You'll have to bring him in once a week for a check-up and if things seem to get worse, I'm a phone call away," Dave told Jax before he stepped outside.

"Excuse me," Lillian said before she left the room, after Dave. "How much do I owe for your services?"

Dave smiled.

"Consider it a welcome gift."

"Are you sure? 'Cause I made you stay longer than you would've."

"I'm sure." He smiled. "Welcome to Burlington."

She gave him a small smile.

"Thank you."

Lillian stepped outside as Dave helped Jax get Otto into his truck before Jax got into the Driver's seat.

"I'm really sorry again," Lillian said as Jax shut the door to his truck.

Jax gave her a curt nod before he drove off. Lillian watched his van drive off before turning to Dave.

"I'm really sorry for keeping you so long."

Dave smiled.

"It's alright."

"Well, have a good night."

"You too."

Lillian turned around and headed back to her car only for her to stop and turn back to him.

"Actually do you know anywhere I can get dinner?"

"Yea. Just head back down that road." He pointed to Park Street. "There's a diner at the end of the road, Mindy's, you can't miss it."

"Thank you." She said then walked to her car and got in.

She drove back where she came from and down Park Street as Dave had instructed which was the way she was headed before the welcome crash. She made a quick stop at Mindy's for dinner, and got a few croissants as well just in case she got hungry later at night while she worked.

She got back into her car and drove down North Avenue. She took a left before Burlington High School and headed past the Little Free Library. Then she drove to the end of the road towards Lone Point Rock.

Lillian stared at the house before her, it was in the middle of nowhere. If not for the paved path towards it, she wouldn't have found it.

Lillian got her things from the back of her car and headed towards the house with her phone's flashlight turned on. It seemed like a scene from a horror movie but she wasn't swayed in the slightest by it because her life had been one heck of a horror reality.

She walked up the steps to the front porch, the creaking of the wooden deck echoing into the night. She stopped in front of the door and then unlocked it using the key Deidre had given her. As per Deidre's instructions, she walked around back and saw the large box as Deidre had said. She opened the box and was quick to jump as the wooden casing clattered before her feet, merely escaping it. She glanced at the fuse box and below was the main switch. She flipped the switch on and the lights came on. She looked down at the casing making a mental note to get it fixed and then she headed back to the front. She pushed the door open, and stepped inside taking her bag along with her.

The lights were turned on, welcoming her into the cozy comfort of the home. However welcoming a house that hadn't been lived in for a while could be. It wasn't anything she had imagined. It was better and that put a smile on her face. She'd never been to a cabin before, only seen a lot in movies and that was it. But this was the coziest place she's ever been in.

The living room on her left had a fireplace on one corner, and a standing shelf on the other which held the t.v. set and book collections among other things. The living room stretched down towards the kitchen, and had a stairs next to it that led up to the bedroom. She kept her bag at the bottom of the stairs as she walked past the living room into the kitchen.

Running her forefinger on the counter, her finger came up dusty. She peeked inside the refrigerator and it was empty.

She let out a breath.

Better empty than rotten.

She was hungry and tired. She couldn't do anything tonight. So, making up her mind to clean the place up the next day, she made her way up the stairs with her bag. Immediately coming up to the open bedroom, attic-like, with widows behind it and a door on the right.

Lillian set her bag aside and opened the windows before she dusted the bed down and used the new linens she found in the cupboard. She went into the bathroom later to get cleaned up and get changed but the water running from the tap wasn't really hygienic. Another thing she made a mental note of.

She'd gotten two bottles of water on her way down because she usually gets very thirsty. She set one aside for drinking and used the other to clean up. Washing her hands and face, she knew it would have to do till she was able to get clean tap water the next day. She changed into her pajamas and went back into the room.

The night air coming through the window was cool as she took out her dinner, which was surprisingly amazing. She sent Deidre a quick text before she went straight into bed, exhausted from the day's travel and looking forward to the next day.

As her head hit the pillow and her eyes shut, she said a short prayer.

Thank you, Lord, for another day, for being with me through the journey here to Burlington, for every single thing from being able to breathe to the food I eat, my health, every single person in my life. Thank you for your love, guidance, and protection, and last but not least, for saving Otto.

I pray for another morning, another day because I know it's not guaranteed. Give me the strength to be able to move on and overcome any obstacle in my path. Lord, I am yours, I am nothing without you, do with me what you will. Teach me to be humble, patient, kind and your servant, Lord.

Amen.

Lillian let out a soft sigh as her breathing grew shallow. All her thoughts faded away into the darkness that consumed her in a deep sleep.