“So, are you married?” Quinn asked, breaking the awkward silence.

“Nope,” Carmen said.

“No children?”

“My pets are my children. I have dogs and horses. Half a dozen cats in the barn. Even a few tamed rabbits.”

Quinn wondered why Carmen had never married, but then, it wasn’t her business. She couldn’t think of any other questions that weren’t intrusive. They took the rest of the trip in silence, other than a few words from Maggie now and then.

Quinn got more nervous with every mile. The entire event was unfolding like some sort of movie.

From the road, the house looked imposing, and as they took the winding driveway, Quinn noted it also looked empty. Lifeless. As far from welcoming as a home could get. Built in a mountain retreat rustic style, the house boasted tall matching front windows that looked out over the land. To Quinn, they reminded her of two bottomless eyes watching them approach.

“Who owns this house?” Maggie asked.

“You’ll know soon,” Carmen said.

That appeased Quinn for the moment.

Maggie, not so much. She was very unhappy about the secrecy. Quinn already had to shush her a few times when her temper started to show.

They parked as close to the door as possible and followed Carmen to the porch. Quinn noted how bent over she was, as though she held the weight of the world on her shoulders.

It was hard to believe that Carmen was the same age as Quinn’s mother. Carmen could’ve passed for at least a decade older, the lines and grooves around her face belying a woman in her late sixties.

Even so, she looked strong. Not physically so much. It was more of a mental strength that she carried. She was sharp, and Quinn could see the stubborn streak that must have defined her throughout her life.

Quinn could feel the racing of her heart, and the pounding of her pulse alerted her that whatever story it was that Carmen wanted someone else to help her tell, it was huge.

Carmen reached the top first, and she went to the door to knock.

“Wait,” Quinn said.

Carmen’s closed fist hung midair as she turned around.

“I need a moment,” Quinn said, then sat down on the top step, dropping her head into her hands. Everything was moving so fast, she felt like she needed to step back and take a second.

Maggie sat down beside her, and Carmen lowered herself to the other side. The three of them sat there, silent, not touching, but there.

“You can do this, Quinn,” Maggie whispered.