Chapter Four
Ella
I stood in the parking lot behind Wildlands Lodge, watching my mother drive away after dropping me off. My car had been declared totaled by my insurance company, which wasn’t a shocker. The accident hadn’t been so bad, but my old hatchback hadn’t been worth much. The cost to fix it was more than its value. Sigh. Another thing to deal with.
My mother, of course, insisted on giving me a ride tonight and even offered for me to use her car. I’d demurred on that since Holly had promised me she’d give me a ride home. Much as I didn’t like to need anyone, it was nice to be home where I could have some support with those logistical things you miss when you’re not near friends and family—a ride to drop your car off at the shop, someone to pick you up from the airport, little th
