The mountain air hissed through the trees as Mara stepped out of her car, her fingers trembling around her keys. The cabin loomed ahead, warm light glowing through the windows. Her heart thudded so hard she felt it in her throat.
Okay… breathe. Just breathe. It’s a date, not a firing squad.
She smoothed her purple top, tugged her ankle pants straight, and whispered, “Please don’t let him be ancient. Or weird. Or… dead.”
The porch creaked under her steps.
One knock.
Two.
A third, louder.
“Hello?” she called.
No answer.
Maybe he’s in the bathroom? Maybe he’s asleep? Maybe he forgot he’s meeting a woman who shaved her legs for the first time in a month
Her hand pushed the door open an inch.
“Anybody home?”
Silence.
She stepped inside anyway. Her pulse skittered.
The place was g
