Fated, A Timeless Series Novella (A Timeless Series Companion Novel) (7 page)

She sat beside him, smiling
,
and
after a brief conversation
handed her sandwich over. Without another word she crossed the street again, but this time she entered a small bookstore.

I hurried across the street and pe
ered through the display window
. Just what was she up to now? She
hovered by the shelves,
pick
ing
out
a couple of
books
,
then took
them to th
e counter. I tried to catch the
titles, but she flipped them over
before I got a chance to look
.

I
stepped away from the window and
rubbed my eyes.
I was st
r
uck by her quiet
nature.
She
had no
problem stopping to help someone, but
really did seem to prefer to keep to herself
. I wondered if it was because
her parents had move
d
so much.
I’d been used to it, as I’d know
n
I was Timeless as soon
as I could walk, but for her, who
didn’t know anything about her
heritage, it must’ve been torment
.
Forming attachments w
ith others, only to lose them so quickly…

Maybe this was how she protected herself.

Cheyenne made for a truck, and brought out a bunch of keys.
I walked casually past
as she hopped inside
.
As she started to back out,
I
hurried back to the motorcycle. I
’d follow her home and make sure she arrived safely. It wasn’t uncommon for a pack of Tresez to dart in front of cars to knock them off the road
.

She pulled off and slowed on
to a
gravel drive. I drove past and quickly turned around
,
driving into the forest running parallel to her. She parked and I cut my engine, listening.

She exited the truck and
I heard her mom calling for her, and the
front
door
opened
.
Happy
s
he was safe in her own surroundings, I
waited just a few moments as Gene stepped out
into the front yard.
He eyed the
dense
forest closely, his gaze stopping in my direction. He nodded and then strolled back into the house.

He’d seen me, and I wasn’t that easy to see in the forest. This man was completely aware of his surroundings
, on high alert even knowing we were helping protect Cheyenne as well.

I sighed, resting against the
handlebars
.
Though
I
’d not shared a single word
with
Cheyenne
, I’d gained a lot of useful information.
All of this was going to
help
tomorrow
, when I’d get to meet her properly
.
She w
asn’t one to
open up easily, and if I made one wrong move, she’d close herself off completely.
I was going to have to tread carefully.

A shadow twitched in the bushes nearby, and I paused.
Gene and Alexis
hadn’t made such a smart move
buying a
house s
o close to the forest.
I wait
ed for almost fifteen minutes, but
didn’t see any other movement.
Still, I took a detour, and checked through the branches. If the Tresez planned on stalking this place, I wanted to make them fully aware they’d have to get through
me
if they wanted to lay a claw on Cheyenne.

My search didn’t turn up anything, so I jumped on my bike and headed towards our house. When I came up the gravel drive, I saw Daniel in the garage, moving boxes from the truck.

“Hey Colt, have a nice ride?” he called out, wiping his brow.

“Pretty good,” I said. I didn’t need to tell him how I’d spent my day. “Need a hand?”

“That’d be great, thanks,” Daniel said. “I don’t know what Callon keeps in these things.”

Highly expensive medical equipment that’s worth more than the plane ticket that brought you here
, Callon’s voice rang in our heads.
Be careful with it.

Daniel pulled a face, and I laughed.

Here, let me.
I entered the garage and scooped up the four boxes in one go. Daniel pouted.

No need to show off, Colt!

I know,
I said,
but
Doctor Moody
is on the rampage, let’s just get this stuff inside before he throws a tantrum.

I heard that
, Callon said.

Snick
ering, I carried the boxes into the house, and carefully laid them down in the hall. The place was smaller than Callon’s home in Montana, but it was more than enough for the three of us. It was definitely a step up from the condos I’d been staying in abroad, anyway.

Have fun today?
Callon asked, stepping through from the kitchen.

Yeah,
I replied, shrugging off my jacket.

Gene is coming to see us later
, Callon said.
I’ve told him you’re going to start tomorrow, and he’s pretty insistent to meet you.

That’s a first for me
, I said.
I’m used to meeting the girl before being introduced to her parents.

Callon laughed. He jerked his head to the boxes.

Maybe, but it does mean we’ll need to tidy the place up
, he said.
You can take those boxes to the spare room, then help Daniel with the grocery shopping.

What about you?
I asked, stacking the boxes again.

I’ve got an important phone call to make.

Shrugging, I carried the boxes upstairs. The spare room was already full of stuff, from sterile needles and syringes to bandages, dressings and boxes of medication. I was sure Callon could open his own hospital with all the equipment he’d insisted bringing over.

By the time the doorbell rang in the late evening, there was at least some space to walk downstairs. Callon left Daniel and I to stock the fridge as he answered the door.

A tall man with broad shoulders entered, dressed in a T-shirt and slacks.

“Hello,” he said. “You must be Colt and Daniel. I’m Gene Wilson, Cheyenne’s father.”

I strode over and shook his hand. Daniel did likewise.

“So, Callon’s told me that you’re going to be starting school tomorrow?” Gene asked.

“Yup,” I replied.

“I wish you luck, then,” Gene said. “Cheyenne only started
the new year
a few weeks ago, so she’s still relatively new
, too. Perhaps you can strike
some common ground there.”

“Hope so,” I said. “Anything you think might help me out?”

Gene sighed.

“She’s become a lot quieter recently,” he admitted. “Hiding in her books and music. You might have to persevere with her before she’ll open up.”

I nodded, thinking about what I’d seen Cheyenne do earlier.

“But once she does, you’ll see what a wonderful person she is,” Gene went on. “And I look forward to getting to know you, too.”

“Wouldn’t speak too soon, Gene,” Daniel said, grasping my shoulder. “You don’t know Colt like we do.”

Gene laughed.

“I’m sure Cheyenne will learn to love him,” he said. “I’m just so grateful
you all are so willing to help us. I really don’t know how to thank you.”

“There’s no need,” I said. “We’ll make sure no harm comes to Cheyenne, we promise.”

Gene nodded.

“I know you will.”

Early the next day, I stood at the gates to Sandpoint Charter High, feeling strangely nervous. Well, it was my first day of school, after a couple of centuries. Daniel had suggested we watch some high school films to help me get into character, though I couldn’t say they’d helped much. I still had no real idea of what to expect. I was also wondering how my meeting with Cheyenne would go. The girls I was used to tended to be so outgoing and loud; I didn’t want to come across as too brash.

Then again, I’d never been much of a planner, like Callon. I did better meeting my challenges head-on.

I’d just have to improvise.

Adjusting my pack on my shoulder—which was heavy with all the books Callon had had to buy at the last minute—I stepped into the crowds of students. They all hung in little groups, wary of outsiders. My height made me stick out a bit, and I did earn some curious glances as I looked around for Cheyenne. I couldn’t see her anywhere, so I made my way straight to the principal’s office.

Outside, I was greeted by the red-haired secretary. She handed me my schedule, smiling.

“How’s your Dad doing?” she asked.

“Oh, he’s fine,” I said, tucking the paper into my pack. “Got a busy week of work ahead.”

“Of course,” the woman said. “Doctors work incredible hours, don’t they?”

I nodded, trying not to grin too much. Before our conversation could continue, another student appeared behi
nd me. He had brown hair and
gray
eyes, and he just about reached my shoulder in height.

“Sorry I’m late,” he said. “Oh, you must be Colt?”

“Yes.” I raised an eyebrow. How did he know my name?

“Hi, I’m Ben,” the boy said. “I’m your mentor.”

Oh right, the principal had mentioned something like this last week. I shook his hand, smiling.

“Well, I’ll leave you boys to it, then,” the secretary said. “Give your Dad my regards, Colt.”

“Will do,” I said.

Ben took me down the corridor and into the main building. He was friendly enough, showing me my locker and where the classes were held. But once his own friends appeared, he quickly left me to my own devices. I didn’t really mind—it wasn’t like we had the same classes, anyway.

I grabbed a handful of books and weaved through the stud
ents to my first class. There were
still five minutes before the bell rang, but I wanted to be prepared. I’d wait for Cheyenne to take a seat first, and then find a place next to her. From what I’d seen yesterday, I was guessing she’d choose a spot near the back where she could be left alone.

For once I deliberately ignored the girls, who stared after me as I passed them. No, today I had eyes for only one, and nothing was going to distract me from my task.

She was already seated, right at the back like I’d predicted. She was studying a textbook, though occasionally her eyes would wander to the window. I approached slowly, trying to look as if I couldn’t decide where to sit, despite the room being mostly empty.

Still she didn’t look up, even as I came right to her side. She was trying to ignore me.

In that case…

“Is this seat taken?” I asked, patting the chair beside her.

Cheyenne jumped. Flustered, she looked up at me. Her
eyes were a tense
gray
. I was caught by the color for a moment. How could it change like that?

“No,” she replied. I smiled, hoping to put her at ease. She briefly checked around her, wondering if it was really her I’d been addressing. Given that this whole row was empty, it didn’t take her long to realize I’d meant to talk to her.

“I’m Colt O’Shea,” I said, “and you are?” I stuck my hand out.

Cheyenne hesitated. The
gray
in her eyes darkened, conveying her wariness. I didn’t budge, knowing she’d have to cave eventually. Come on, Cheyenne. I know you don’t like getting involved with others, but you’re not going to brush me off that easy.