Chapter 44

• I respond affirmatively. When I reach my car again, I enter his home address into the GPS on my phone. His house is about a 20 minute drive in the opposite direction of the Ranch. When I turn off the main road and start ascending a winding dirt road through a thick forest, flutters of what feels like a thousand butterflies begins to build in my stomach. I realize that I'm a little nervous, but I'm also very excited.
• The house appears out of nowhere, almost as if it's a part of the forest itself. It's architecture is distinctly modern, the main walls covered in large windows. The structure is built with grey cement and a beautifully vibrant, reddish-brown wood. It's stunning. I struggle slightly with feeling quite inferior when I park my run down truck next to the sleek and very expensive car that I'd seen when they'd visited the ranch. Stepping out, I quickly rub my suddenly sweaty hands on the rough material of my jeans.
• The large glass door to the house opens and a smiling Aro steps out. He's dressed more casually today in a blue, linen button-down shirt and dark blue slacks. His smile is wide and I can see that he seems to want to rush out to meet me, but he holds himself back, allowing me to make the first move. This makes me feel respected and I appreciate his gesture. When I finally get closer, I can see how his eyes look bluer today and how they eyes sparkle when he reaches his hand out in greeting.