Chapter 5 — First Impression

Cassidy closed her eyes and took deep breaths as they passed through the area where the accident occurred. Once the car reached the point she no longer recognized, her body seemed to calm, and she could open her eyes and look at the unfamiliar scenery around her. "Wow, Cass, it's so beautiful up here. According to the GPS, we are about ten minutes away from the cabin. How are you holding up?" Natalie asked as she focused on the road ahead, knowing that would make her friend feel more at ease while she drove. "Better now that we are past that point," Cassidy said in a small voice. Cassidy looked around at the trees and wilderness, remembering how much she had enjoyed the scenery when she was younger. There was a part of her that was disappointed that she never allowed her to experience this beauty with her Pop Pop. Cassidy's chest tightened as she pushed those bitter thoughts to the back of her head. This weekend was about forgiving the past and moving on. It wasn't about the what ifs and the should haves or could haves that fluttered her thoughts. "I think it's this road right here," Natalie pointed as she made a right turn down a smooth, paved path. Cassidy gasped when a large, beautiful cabin came into view. Natalie curved around the drive and parked in front of the house. "WOW, Cass, this place is, it's…" Natalie tried but was at a loss for words. "Absolutely breathtaking," Cassidy finished. They both got out of the car and looked at the place. The cabin was two stories with a beautiful wrap-around porch and a swing that hung in the front overlooking the stunning property. "If we think it's this great on the outside, I can only imagine what it's going to look like on the inside," Natalie said as she made her way up the front steps. She leaned down where the lockbox had been attached and entered the four-digit code to retrieve the key. Cassidy ran her hands over the wooden post as she took each step one at a time and prepared herself for what she would find inside. Natalie opened the large wooden door and entered the house's entryway. To the left was a cozy living room with a fireplace; next to it was an office/study where Pop Pop had his books and pictures that he had taken over the years during his adventures. Pictures of her family were placed and hung amongst the walls as she made her way down the hall and into the kitchen. She noticed a back door and opened it, stepping out onto the rear porch where a large jacuzzi sat above ground. "I'm definitely trying that," Cassidy heard Nat say from behind her. Cassidy smiled softly as she continued to walk silently through the house, taking it all in. She made her way back to the front of the house and noticed a large dining room on the right and a staircase that took her to the upstairs rooms and baths. There were three rooms at the top of the stairs and a little nook that looked like the perfect spot to snuggle up with a book on a cold night while watching the rain or snowfall. She walked into each room that was decorated beautifully and customed to the style of the room. The last one she walked into brought tears to her eyes, for she knew it was the room where her Pop Pop stayed. There was a wedding photo of him and her grandmother that she never had an opportunity to meet. Cassidy was feeling overwhelmed by all of this. She rushed downstairs and out the front door to catch her breath as her emotions crashed through her. "Hey, Cass, it's okay," Natalie told her as she pulled her into her arms and hugged her. "I don't know how to feel about all of this," Cassidy cried into her best friend's shoulder. "I know, it's a lot to take in. But I am here, and we take our time. We don't have to rush through all this." Natalie said in a soothing tone. Cassidy lifted her head and rested her chin on Nat's shoulder. "There's no way I could do this without you. Thank you for being here." Natalie pulled back and smiled, "That's what friends are for. When we met, I told you on that first day of freshman year that you were stuck with me." Cassidy laughed as she pulled herself away and wiped her face. "Hey, I'm going to grab the suitcases and take them inside. Why don't you take a look around out here, and I'll catch up with you in a little bit," Natalie suggested. Cassidy nodded. "I like that idea." She started to walk around the property, and she could hear Pop Pop telling one of his adventurous stories that he had while staying at the cabin. One of Cassidy's favorite stories involved a creek he said that ran on the back side of his property. She wondered if she'd be able to find the creek as she revisited the time Pop Pop told her the story. Cassidy walked the narrow path, hoping it would take her to the spot that Pop Pop had mentioned in his story. She noticed a particular tree that he had called the devil's pitchfork for dramatic effect. Looking at the tree, Cassidy could now understand how the tree got its name. In the distance, she could hear the sound of water rippling over the rocks and started to jog through the leaves to get to the spot faster. Cassidy slowed down once the sparkling stream came into view. Cassidy stepped onto one of the rocks and was captivated by the force of water that pushed its way through the rocks and down the stream. As Cassidy stood there, her scar began to burn again, more intense this time, causing her to double over from the pain. She tried to maintain her balance on the boulder but began to slip. Cassidy flung her arms out to brace herself when she fell against the rocks; she heard a voice yell out to her. "Watch out!" Out of nowhere, a tall man leaped across the creek and caught her in his arms before falling against the rocks. He embraced her in his arms, holding her close as he made his way to solid ground. "That was close. Are you okay?" His husky voice asked as it sent a shiver through her body. His calming embrace sent a soothing feeling throughout her body, and the burning sensation in her leg dissipated. When Cassidy finally opened her eyes to see the man who saved her, she gasped as she stared into those piercing blue eyes. A flutter went through her stomach as she tried to find her voice. "Y-yes, I'm fine. Thank you for saving me." The man smiled at Cassidy, and her heart raced. "I guess I was just in the right place at the right time," he replied.