DANE

This side of the living space was double height, with exposed rafters and raw wood ceilings. No chance of Dane cracking his skull on a low roof.

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To his left, a dining set for six sat in the corner window, and the kitchen took up the rest of the width of the massive room behind it, with a large island in the middle, and wooden stools.

In front of them, the great room was… truly great. A wide square with thick rugs, fat furniture, windows that were almost floor-to-ceiling, but hugged by warm curtains for cold nights, and a staircase lining the opposite wall that lead up to the second level.

There was a pot-belly stove in the middle of the front wall, bookcases full of books, lamps… everything seemed to be made from wood, wool, or leather. To Dane, walking into that space felt like the house had given him a hug.

"Come on!" Lila said, suddenly past her shock and coming alive. She grabbed his hand and led him across the room, the cat scurrying after them, pointing out little details she loved until they made it to the stairs and trotted up together where they stopped again.

The main bedroom was an open, carpeted loft with its own A-frame window that looked directly out into the forest.

The bed—big enough for Dane—was hugged by a couple matching nightstands and drawer sets, all in natural wood. And when he looked to his left, there was a short hallway that obviously led to bathroom, closet, and another room, he thought, that faced the lake.

"Dane, I can't believe this!"

"Neither can I."

"It's like…"

"Peace," he finished for her.

"Yes," she sighed happily, and turned into his arms, holding him around the middle. "It feels like peace. Finally."

Rupert purred his agreement.

*****

They made short work of bringing the bag of clothes in, then as much of the food from the RV as they thought they'd need until the next day. Then, while Dane cooked dinner, secretly tossing the cat little offcuts from the beef, Lila unpacked their clothes and put them away.

Dane had found a box on the counter with his name on it, obviously written by John's hand. Still emotional from all this day had held, he decided to put it aside to look at after dinner.

They ate sitting together at the island, and in virtual silence, both of them looking around the cabin, and watching the light change outside.

"It feels like we're on vacation," Lila said at one point around a mouthful of steak. "Like, we only get to be here a few days."

"I really hope not," Dane said, winking at Rupert, who sat attentive at the base of his stool. "John left me something, too," he said quietly. A part of him was nervous to open it. Afraid it might be a cold dose of reality, when Dane was still feeling like he walked through a dream. One he didn't want to wake up from.

"What is it?" Lila asked, putting a hand to his arm.

"I don't know. Let's find out." He pushed his plate aside and picked up the plain cardboard gift box, sliding the lid from the top.

Inside was an envelope, and a stack of documents.

The envelope contained a letter.

Dear Dane, I mean, David. Welcome home. I'm very relieved that you made it. The deed title to this property is here, along with your insurance and the security system plans—I know you'll be eager to see that—and some other important documents. All under the name of David McDane. You're welcome. I'm his real estate agent. Who knew?

The lake is yours. The official boundary line is over a mile from the house, but there's only three acres fenced. It was owned by a writer who used it as a getaway. There's not even internet out here. You have the cash to get it installed, but remember it has to be wired. Good luck with that.

Your neighbors are the state park, and the observatory lands. There isn't another residential house for over a mile towards town.

I hope you dropped that cellphone somewhere over Idaho. And I hope you enjoyed seeing Bert. He was eager to see you before you left.

Your ring won't work out here, so keep that in mind. I'll know when you entered the wireless prohibited region, and I'll know if you leave. But while you are here, you're utterly alone. I trust that's to your liking.

I will miss seeing you, and working with you. But I am very personally pleased to have played a part in finding this for you and Lila.

Please be kind to each other. And never hesitate to look me up if you find yourself connected somewhere. But also, never hesitate never to contact me again if I'm not needed. Just remember, I will always be willing to help if your peace is ever broken.

I trust this meets with your approval. And Lila's. Which is probably more important.

Your happiness together brings me joy.

John

Lila gasped and tugged the letter from his fingers to read it herself. "He is such a sweetheart!"

But Dane was too overcome to say anything. It was pure luck that Lila was distracted reading the note, then taking Rupert outside. It gave him a couple minutes to get himself together.

His chest kept aching, expanding with a feeling he couldn't describe. But it made him… happy. As he watched Lila through the windows, standing on the porch, talking to the cat, her arms folded, and the evening sun washing her in warm yellow light, he sent up a prayer.

He didn't need anything else. He had everything now.

Just keep this safe. Please. Just keep this safe.

When Lila finally turned back to the house, still chatting to the cat, telling him all about their trip, if Dane wasn't mistaken, Dane cleared his throat and started cleaning up dinner so she wouldn't notice his tears.

He was going to have to get the hang of this happy thing. It threatened to turn him into a pussy.