Chapter 7
From: Aspen
To: Kane
Subject: I’m here, finally!
Kane,
Hi! We’re finally here. Can’t say where here is, as you know, but for as much sand as there is around us, I haven’t had one chance to use my surfboard.
;) The flight was all right. I couldn’t sleep, though.
My seat was nothing like your couch. We’re all set up in our accommodations and, like usual, I’m not in the same place as my team.
I get it, I do, but it’s frustrating. How can I get to know them and how can they get to know me if we’re not together?
Anyway, I’m guessing we won’t be here much, we’re headed out to explore soon, but I wanted to send you a quick message to let you know I’ve arrived and everything is good. Talk to you later.
~Aspen
From: Brain
To: Aspen
Subject: Re: I’m here, finally!
Aspen,
Thank you for writing. I’ve been waiting anxiously to hear from you.
I’m glad the flight was uneventful and you made it there without any drama.
I hadn’t really thought about accommodations, but I can see how frustrating that would be.
And you’re right, a lot of the bonding happens before and after outings, when my team and I are hanging out informally.
We talk about the day and everything that happened and what might be in store for us tomorrow. Keep your chin up.
Winnie and the other women all told me to tell you they’re sending good thoughts your way.
Gillian and Trigger are ready for their ceremony at the courthouse, and it was decided everyone’s coming back to my house afterward for a small reception.
Unfortunately, I know nothing about organizing a wedding reception, and Gillian still refuses to have anything to do with it—not that I can blame her, since she does that sort of thing every day because of her job. Got any suggestions for me?
I said it before and I’ll say it again, be safe. Rogue waves can come out of nowhere and knock you on your ass. And I’ve heard there’s a lot of nasty weather headed your way.
~Brain
From: Aspen
To: Kane
Subject: Weather
Kane,
Yeah, the weather’s pretty nasty, and it’s forecast to be shitty for the entire time we’re here. But I’ll be sure to wear my raincoat and carry my umbrella wherever I go. :)
As far as the party, I’m sorry to miss it.
But I’m thinking the best thing you can do is serve a bunch of appetizers.
They’re easy for people to eat and pretty easy to make/buy.
I think you should be able to buy a lot of things pre-made from the grocery store, but I would also ask everyone to bring something, that would save you a ton of time.
Examples for what people could make are deviled eggs, caprese skewers, fruit kabobs, tortilla chips and salsa (or potato chips and dip), meatballs, cheese sticks, chicken wings, twice-baked potato skins, pigs in a blanket, or a charcuterie board (and now I’m hungry, darn it; the food here sucks).
Please congratulate Trigger and Gillian for me. Maybe I’ll bring them back some sand as a present. Just kidding!
I know it’s only been a few days…but I miss you.
~Aspen
From: Brain
To: Aspen
Subject: Re: Weather
I miss you too, gráinne (that’s Irish, by the way. *grin*). Sometimes I wonder how we clicked so quickly, but then I tell myself not to worry about it so much. There are a lot of things in this world that I don’t understand, and I’m enjoying feeling this way about someone.
How’s the weather? My friends and I have been hearing some not-so-very-nice things about the storms over there, and it’s making me nervous. Rumor has it we might be taking a vacation out there in the near future ourselves. I’ll know more in a week or so.
Thank you for the suggestions. I called Kinley, and she was thrilled to help with the appetizers. She’s calling Gillian’s girlfriends, and they’re going to help too. Winnie even offered to make a cake. It won’t be a traditional wedding cake, but on short notice, it’ll have to do.
I miss hearing your voice. I got so used to talking to you every evening that it seems weird to eat dinner and settle in front of the TV without being able to hear about your day.
Watch your six, gráinne.
~Brain
From: Aspen
To: Kane
Subject: Re: Re: Weather
Today sucked. There are some days I hate my job, and today was one of them.
Remember when I came over to your house after that hard training session and was dehydrated?
Yeah, things here are going like that training day.
The guys I work with are being standoffish and I feel very alone, even when surrounded by people.
I have to be an adult and suck it up. And God forbid I cry.
I’ll be called a pussy and told I can’t hack it.
Derek’s an ass, and I’m ashamed I thought for one second that he was a good guy.
He sucks as a leader, and the only positive thing about the day is that he’s not my boss.
I’m sorry I don’t have it in me to be upbeat and positive today. I miss you.
~Aspen
From: Brain
To: Aspen
Subject: Hang in there
I just got your email. I’m so sorry I’m not there to give you a huge hug.
I wish I were. And I’m sorry Derek’s being an ass.
It makes me so mad that your team isn’t supporting you like they should be.
And you never have to be positive with me if that’s not how you feel.
I want you to be you, shitty emotions and all.
I miss you too. Confession: the quilt you used when you stayed the night still smells like you, and I’ve been sleeping under it since you left. It makes me feel closer to you.
~Brain
From: Aspen
To: Kane
Subject: Amazing Day!
Kane,
I had the most amazing day today! And I know, I know, my last email was pretty much a downer, but today was great.
We were walking around seeing the sights like we’ve done every day we’ve been here, and we heard screaming coming from a house.
A little boy was standing outside the door crying, and when he saw us, he frantically gestured for us to come closer.
I stood back, letting the others do their thing, but the boy came right to me when he saw the red cross on my bag.
I went inside and found his mom was in active labor.
She was screaming in pain, and she was all alone in the house.
No one was helping her. I immediately got to work—and the guys with me helped out so much!
They didn’t seem irritated that they had to help a woman give birth. We worked as a team, and it felt great.
We ended up helping the woman birth a beautiful baby girl. I’ve only delivered one other baby, and really I just assisted that time. To see such an amazing gift of life is always so special. A miracle.
The mom was so grateful, she kept kissing my hand, and the little boy was adorable. I could’ve used your translation skills, but overall I don’t think we did so bad.
Oh…how was the party? It was yesterday, right? Or is it tonight? I’m so bad at figuring out time zones.
~Aspen
From: Brain
To: Aspen
Subject: Re: Amazing Day!
I’m so glad you had a good day. That family was lucky you just happened to be there when they needed you. I’m proud of you!
The reception was good. The appetizers were a hit; thank you for the suggestion.
The actual wedding at the courthouse was short, but very romantic (at least, I think you’d think so).
Trigger surprised Gillian by arranging to have both her parents and his there.
Wendy, Ann, and Clarissa, Gillian’s longtime friends, attended, and of course, all of us did too.
It was crowded in the room, but no one seemed to care.
Since you’re a girl and probably want to know, Gillian was wearing a knee-length pink dress with a pair of pink Converse sneakers with sequins on them.
She looked absolutely beautiful. Trigger decided to wear his dress blues, and I don’t think the couple took their eyes off each other throughout the entire ceremony.
I’m pretty sure Ann or someone videoed it, and I’ll send you a copy as soon as I get it.
Winnie’s cake was awesome too. A little lopsided, but no one cared. I wish you were here. Everyone asked about you and wanted to know if I’d heard from you. Whether you know it or not, you have a team back here at home. You’re greatly missed.
~Brain
From: Aspen
To: Kane
Subject: Re: Re: Amazing Day!
I’m okay. I wanted to make sure I started with that so you wouldn’t freak.
There was an incident today, but again, I’m okay.
I wasn’t sure what you might’ve heard or not heard about it.
We were walking around like we’ve done all the other days we’ve been here when some not-so-nice guys decided they didn’t like seeing us in their territory.
Holman and Buckland, two of the guys in my group, were hurt, but not too bad.
I hit my head on the side of a building when Hamilton tackled me to get me out of the way of one of the bad guys—but again, I’m fine.
You know, some days I feel like we’re making a difference in ridding the world of evil, and other days it’s as if the whole world is against us.
I also feel like I’m on a roller coaster, one day happy and excited, and the next, feeling depressed and defeated.
I know it’s not healthy, and after days like today, I’m really questioning what the hell I’m doing with my life.
And there I go being all depressing again. Shit, I hate that.
So…what’s going on there? Have Lucky and Devyn gotten their shit figured out yet? :) Have you talked to your parents? Tell me something normal, please.
~Aspen
From: Brain
To: Aspen
Subject: Normal
Aspen,
What’s normal anyway? I totally understand what you’re going through, and while that might not be very helpful, I hope it makes you feel not so alone.
I did hear about the incident, and I appreciate you emailing me so quickly after it happened, otherwise I would’ve been completely freaked out. And yes, men can get freaked out. I hate that you were hurt, but I’m glad Hamilton was watching out for you. That’s how a team is supposed to work.
I don’t know what’s going on with Lucky and Devyn.
Gossiping isn’t really my thing, and we’ve been very busy.
But no matter how busy we get, you’re never far from my mind.
It’s been a whole month since I’ve seen you, and I seem to miss you more with each day that passes.
I forgot how boring my life was until I met you.
Now I come home from work every day and sit in my house by myself and watch TV until I fall asleep on the couch.
Back to the incident…
It scared me, sweetheart. I don’t like thinking about you being in the middle of something like that, and the thought of you getting hurt makes me crazy since I can’t be there to see for myself that you’re all right.
I trust you to do your job, it isn’t that.
I just…I worry. I need you to take care of yourself so you can come home and we can see where this thing between us goes.
I haven’t spent nearly enough time with you.
Be safe.
XOXO, Brain
From: Aspen
To: Kane
Subject: Thinking
Kane,
This trip is making me really think about what I want to do with my life.
Again, I love what I do, love the medical field, but I think I could probably be just as effective, and happier, if I did it some other way.
That doesn’t mean I’m not going to work my butt off on this current job, but I’ve got some more thinking to do.
And you know what? I thought this trip would be good for me.
To put some space between us because I was way too into you.
I’ve never fallen for someone as fast as I have you.
I thought the distance would be a good thing.
But I realize that I feel the exact same way about you more than a month later as I did that evening when I said goodbye.
I eagerly check my emails to see if you’ve written, and when you do, I read your email over and over, desperate to feel close to you.
I guess the saying is correct, absence makes the heart grow fonder. At least on my part.
Of course, you could be reading this and cringing and thinking about the best way to ease off, to put some distance between us. More than we have right now. Lol.
On that note, I’m gonna sign off. We’re going on a long walk tomorrow, and I already know Derek’s gonna be an ass about it.
Miss you,
XOXO, Aspen
From: Brain
To: Aspen
Subject: Re: Thinking
I feel the same way about you, and I’m not cringing. Not in the least.
And…there might be less distance between us in the near future than either of us thought. The possibility of that trip my friends and I might be taking? It’s looking like it’s a reality.
See you soon.
Kane
From: Aspen
To: Kane
Subject: Trip
I haven’t heard from you in a few days. I hope that means you’ve left for your vacation.
~Aspen