The Salvation Knights MC Jinx's Mistake (by KJ) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Cozy Cabin

Deidra’s P.O.V.

+25 Points

I arrived at the cabin much later than I thought I would. There was a snowstorm when I landed in Colorado and everything was backed up. As much as I wasn’t used to the cold, I kind of loved the snow. Just for this vacation though. I’d never give up the Tennessee warmth.

I

By the time my Uber got to me, I was supposed to be checked–in over an hour ago. The lady that works the office also owns the cabin rental place, and she was very kind and understanding about it all. She even had her husband take me and my things to the cabin in this truck, which I guess they don’t do for everyone. I felt unbelievably blessed, because I would have been walking through the knee–deep snow if not for them. No way my Uber driver would even have attempted it.

The cabins were all lined with warm glowing lights. Not the colorful kind that I like, but the classic Christmas kind. There were green wreaths on every door with a big red bow. It was subtly decorated and I kind of loved it. It was different from the clusterfu.ck of random decorations and colorful lights back home. Not that I didn’t love both. This just felt… mature and cozy. Just like I always remembered with my parents. Of course, this place has new owners now.

Dale, the husband who drove me to my cabin, told me not to worry too much. They get a lot of snow in the area, but the roads would be cleared by morning. He also promised that the driveway to my cabin would be cleared first thing as well. I told him not to rush, I didn’t really have any plans anyway. I did want to go to town at some point, but I wasn’t in a rush.

Thankfully, Dale had also come inside to make sure the furnace was running, and he started a small fire in the fireplace. The cabin was toasty warm already, and had a very cozy feeling to it by the time Dale left. I took off my coat, hat, gloves, and boots before exploring the small cabin. And

it was small.

The cabin I had booked with Theo in mind was a bit bigger. It was a single bedroom, but it was the couples‘ hideaway cabin, specifically for couples. There had been a hot tub on the back porch, a huge tub with jets, a large master bedroom, and a romantic fireplace. Ironically, this place was nearly exactly the same, but a smaller version. There was still a hot tub on the small back porch that was hidden with the trees surrounding the back half of the cabin, but the bedroom and bathroom were a lot smaller. At least there was still a tub. One of the things on my list during this vacay is a nice, long, hot soak.

As soon as you walk in, you’re pretty much in the living room. Everything is dark, hard–wood matching the log theme outside the cabin. It was dark and cozy. The living room was perfect for

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just me. There was a couch that didn’t look all that comfortable and a single chair. The fireplace

wasn’t as intricate and romantic as the other cabin, but it was cute.

There was a gray and white fur rug in front of the fireplace too. Thankfully, no head attached to it. I

ran my fingers through it, feeling how soft it was. I’d absolutely love to curl up on this and read a

book.

The kitchen was off to the side, the whole room one big open area. It was small, but plenty of

space for just me. It even came stocked with pots, pans, and plates, but no silverware at all. There

were some Christmas decorations throughout the cabin too. Little touches. Like two stockings

hanging on the fireplace, the decorated tree in the corner of the living room, the center–piece on

the table off to the side in the kitchen. It was cute and just what I needed.

But there was a small ache deep in my chest. Not necessarily over the fact that I was supposed to

spend this trip with Theo either. I mean, that’s part of it. The more I think about him, the more I

realize that we weren’t a good match, but it still stings. Honestly, I think I’m more upset than I’ll

admit about being alone. All my Christmases were spent with my parents, mostly here. After that, I

spent every year with Deb, sometimes Sophie. For the last four years, I’ve spent it with Theo and

his family. This will be the first time I’ll be alone.

I needed this, but the timing is just kind of sh.itty. Couldn’t they have imploded my life two weeks

ago instead? I could have taken this trip before the holidays and then been back home.

Sighing heavily, I continued my tour of the cabin. There was a small hall with three doors; one at

the end, one on the right, and one on the left. The left was the bathroom, where I thanked the

heavens for the bathtub. It might not be a huge one with jets, but it’ll do the job.

To the right was the bedroom. There was a queen–sized bed on a simple wooden frame. The

comforter was red and black plaid. There was a big rug that took up most of the floor, a bedside

table with an alarm clock, and a tall dresser. I walked to the only window in the room. One of the

good things about this cabin is that it’s pretty secluded. They all are, but this one sits further back,

tucked away from the rest. However, I can see a much larger cabin just a few yards away. It’s huge,

much bigger than this one. I bet it makes this cabin look like a shed.

Shaking my head, I went to the last door in the hall. As expected, it was a small closet filled with

extra towels, toiletries, and blankets. Then I grabbed my suitcase and unpacked. The snow has let

up some now. It went from a raging blizzard to a light snowfall.

After I was settled in, I changed into a pair of sweatpants and a sweater that hung off my shoulder.

Then I called Deb to let her know I made it safely. She wanted to know all the details about my little

cabin. She sounded so happy that I couldn’t help but smile.

Deb is much like my parents were. She has no other family, which made it a bit easier to come live

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with me when my parents died. She was my mom’s best friend, but she knew my dad first. They had been in the same foster home for a few years before Dad turned 18 and dipped out. They kept

in touch though. Dad said they were family, like brother and sister. Deb never married or had kids.

She once told me that my parents begged her to move down to Tennessee several times, but she

always said no because she didn’t want to seem like a burden.

Funny how that turned out, I guess.

Once I was off the phone with Deb, I grabbed a book I had brought with me and got comfortable

on the couch. I debated seeing if there was an Uber that would take me to the store now that the

storm had died down, or maybe Doordash would bring me something. I decided against it though. It was already late and snow was still falling. Getting drunk off wine–coolers could wait until

tomorrow.

After a while, I got lost in my book. Time seemed to fly by, or at least, it felt that way. I had read

about half the book when I finally decided to take a break.

It felt weird not having anything to do. Usually, Garden Sip kept me busy. Or Deb, or Sophie, or

Theo. I was always doing something, and when I wasn’t, I was with other people. As much as I say

I’m a loner, I don’t think I’ve ever actually been alone. Just… always only had a select few people

around me.

When I was a kid it was different. I was always surrounded by people; students, teachers, my

parents. I didn’t talk to many people and stuck to myself, but was I ever really alone?

The most alone I ever felt was the day my parents died. Being told awkwardly by the principal and

a police officer that my parents had died kind of put into perspective for me how truly alone I was

about to be. It took a few minutes to process the news after they told me, but as soon as I had…

my brain immediately started spiraling.

How alone was I if these two strangers had to give me the news? What happens to me now? Will I

end up in foster care like Dad was? Will I have to move somewhere else? Can I convince someone

to let me take care of myself? How do I do that? Do I have to plan the funeral?

I didn’t even know what to do or how to ask any of the questions running through my head. All I

managed to ask was if I could go back to class. I think my body was on autopilot. Before they

could reply to me, I was on my feet and out the door. No one followed me. I walked at a normal

pace, looking like nothing was wrong at all. But I didn’t go back to class. I just kept walking until I

was outside in the school’s green house.

Our teacher that was in charge of the garden club had given me her key that day because she had

things to do after school and trusted me to make sure the club didn’t ruin the place. I let myself in

and… started working. I let everything go, refusing to think about anything as I dug around in the

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dirt. I wasn’t sure how much time had past, but I had touched nearly every single plant in there. I realized it was dark, and wondered if anyone was worried about me. But then I remembered that there was no one left to worry about me.

The memories kept playing in my head as I made my way to the bedroom and got into bed. That day was possibly the worst day of my life. But there was something that happened in the green house that I never told anyone about, not even Deb or Sophie. Actually, I pretended like it had never happened in the first place.

I was taking my gloves off after realizing that it was dark out, and I had spent hours in the green house. Just when I sat them down, the door burst open. I expected to see an adult, maybe the

principal of that officer. Hell, maybe Sohpie had tracked me down, but it was none of them. In fact,

it was the last person I had ever expected to see.

Jinx was standing in the doorway, eyes wide and chest heaving. He looked frantic and angry. For a

very intense moment, we just stared at each other. Somehow, I knew he had been looking for me. I

just knew it. I don’t know how, and I don’t know why he would be in the first place, but… it just felt

right. The relief I saw in his eyes as they looked over me told me I was right. And that meant more

to me than I could ever express, because when I felt my loneliest, when I felt like no one was left to

remember me, when I felt invisible to the world… for some reason, Jinx saw me. He remembered

1. me. He looked for me. He worried about me.

We didn’t need words. Jinx saw my bottom lip tremble and closed the space between us in three

long strides. My knees buckled as the first sob left my throat. Jinx was there in time to wrap me in

his arms before I fell. And I sobbed. I’m not even sure how long it lasted either. All I knew was that I was breaking and, for some reason, he was there to anchor me. I’d never cried so much or so hard in my life. And Jinx just held me, not saying anything, not stopping me. Just holding my pieces

while I fell apart in his arms.

At some point, my body must have given out. I never remembered falling asleep, but the next thing I knew, I was waking up in my room. Deb was there; she had come immediately after being given the news that her best friends had died in an accident, and that she was my godmother. Everything

else is history.

As I drifted off to sleep in my cozy little cabin, all I could think about was how I never thanked Jinx for what he did for me that day. After everything with Waylen, you’d think I would have. He was mature enough to thank me for his son. Shouldn’t I do the same for what he did for me that day?

I made a mental note to stop by the clubhouse when I got home to finally properly thank Jinx for all those years ago. Maybe we could put the past behind us. Maybe we could be friends. And maybe Deb’s idea appealed to me the more I thought about it.

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Chapter 14 Cozy Cabin

Not that I would ever admit that out loud.

Kj

Hey guys! I’m going to try to upload two chapters on Thursdays now too! No promises that it’ll be permeate, but I will try my best!

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