Chapter 36
thirty-six
THE WATCHER
He saw there was a message from The Ramblers’ Facebook group. Nothing new there. Everyone was excited for the trip. He had his bags packed a week ago. The anticipation was nearly strangling him. He’d barely slept more than four or five hours a night once the club gave the trip a green light.
He would need to be on the road within the hour if he was going to make it on time. Everyone was driving separately or carpooling. He wished he and Bébhinn could have made the trip together, but it was for the best.
He wouldn’t have had enough room in his tiny Nissan Micra to fit the huge suitcase she’d been packing yesterday.
She must plan on leaving the suitcase in her Jeep, because it would never fit into the two-person tent he’d gotten them.
It was probably spare clothes and supplies in case someone forgot something.
She was always the most thoughtful in the group.
In only a few short hours, they would see each other at the designated hiking spot, where they would pitch tents before heading out on a day hike.
Since the trip was family-oriented, the hikes today and tomorrow morning were shorter with little to no difficulty. The location was chosen for the picturesque trails and lakes for the kids to play in and explore.
The leisurely pace was exactly what he needed. He and Bébhinn could sit by the lake and talk, smiling and laughing at the kids having fun. She would touch her fingers to his as if by accident, like she’d done during a hike last year.
He watched her at night and imagined kissing and touching her body—like her ex-boyfriend used to do to her. Except he would be better at it. She would praise him for how good he made her feel.
He finished mixing the batter for the sweet biscuits he made for the trip and placed dollops of dough on the waiting baking sheets before putting them in the oven. While they baked, he would load his gear and then check the group messages. He’d heard it ding several more times.
He let himself into the apartment just as the buzzer went off. He set the sheets on the counter for the biscuits to cool, grabbing one as he sat at the table and opened Facebook.
“No. No!” His mangled cry was one of disbelief and anger as he read the messages.
The Ramblers Hiking Club Community
Bébhinn
Hey everyone! Sorry to be posting last minute, but I won’t be able to make it today. I hope everyone has so much fun. Post plenty of pictures here so I can see them! Happy hiking!
He stood so fast his chair tipped over and slammed against the tile. He fisted the half-eaten biscuit in his hand and, in a fit of rage, swiped the two baking sheets from the counter.
He read the message again. And again.
That suitcase had never been for the hiking trip. She was going somewhere, and it wasn’t with him.
He didn’t want to believe that she was intentionally ruining his plans, but he was having trouble seeing an alternate motive.
And where was she traveling? Who was she traveling to see?
He had to stop attempting grand gestures. In trying to create a special, perfect moment, he was taking the chance of losing her.
He couldn’t lose her. He wouldn’t.