Chapter 21 : New Mornings

*Genevieve*

Even though I had barely gotten more than a few hours of sleep last night, I woke up feeling more rested than I had in weeks. My fingers and toes stung, and my arms and legs were sore from the climb, but I felt an overwhelming sense of pride at having been able to survive the climb in the first place. I was rusty, but I wasn't ruined.

I rolled over as I tried to convince myself to get up for the day. Something cream-colored caught my eye.

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and reached for my pillow. There was a note left on cream linen paper, with beautifully scripted writing in black ink. I picked it up and read it, feeling my mood instantly brighten.

'I enjoyed being with you last night, minus the murder stuff. When can we meet to make a plan? Leave a response note in the planter outside of your room by nine this morning.'

The note was signed 'Just R'. I smiled and set it aside. Just Rowan. I should dispose of the note somewhere, destroy it so that no one would f