Chapter 9
They spent the rest of the day making good use of their nakedness creatively before finally using the last condom.
The next morning, they looked outside for the first time. Caleb went out with his camera to get some scenery photos, and Grace hung back. It was strange how much she missed him, knowing he wasn’t far away.
Having him here in the cabin had been an unexpectedly good surprise. No matter what happened when they left, she would have these memories of someone who didn’t mind her clumsiness and had treated her like she was precious.
She knew it was coming, the end of their time away. When they’d looked outside to see the sun shining bright and snow already starting to melt, it was clear that their getaway was coming to a close.
Neither of them mentioned it. Grace had thought he would make a comment about how he’d be able to leave soon, but none came.
She opened her phone now that the power was on and it had recharged. Caleb had said he’d be awhile and stoked the fire before he left. Now was a good time to text Kristen and catch up with her friend.
Grace: How’s it going there?
Kristen: Oh, she lives?
Grace: Very funny.
Kristen: I thought so. How’s it up there with you two?
Grace: Interesting.
Kristen: How so? Give me all the details. I’m an old married woman now and must live vicariously through my peers.
Grace: Funny.
Kristen: We already established I am hilarious. Spill.
Grace: It’s been great. Caleb’s great. I’m honestly sad it’s about to end.
Kristen: OMG! Did you two hook up?
Grace: …
Kristen: Tell me you did. He’s so kind. And hot.
Grace: We had fun.
Kristen: Oh, I love that for you so much.
Grace: It’s almost over, though. Then I get to go back to the same boring and clumsy me.
Kristen: You never know.
Grace: Don’t I? This wouldn’t have happened if we weren’t stuck together. I’m not mad about it, but I know what it is.
Kristen: You know he was worried about you, right? Macy said that he knew exactly who they were talking about before they told him it was you stuck up there.
Grace: Umm, yeah, because I was out on that date and then had all that happen in front of him, of course it would be me.
Kristen: That’s not what Macy said. He was worried about you.
Grace: He’s coming back in. I’ll talk to you later.
Kristen: ;)
She stood and put her phone in her pocket as Caleb opened the door.
“Damn, it’s pretty out there. Cold, but I think I got some great photos.” He peeled off his jacket and hung it up.
“That’s great.” She tried to force some lightness into her voice.
Caleb raised one eyebrow at her.
“What?”
“What’s wrong?” Caleb asked.
“Nothing.” She sighed, knowing that wouldn’t get him to stop asking questions. “I’m just going to miss this place.” And you, she added silently.
“Got big plans when you get back to town?” he asked, walking over to her.
She shook her head. “Just avoiding everyone who knows about the disaster of a date, so like everyone.”
“Why?” He took a seat at the table and pulled her into his lap. “There’s nothing to run from, and that guy should be way more embarrassed than you.”
“See, you can say that, but I was the only one who made the big scene.”
“It wasn’t as bad as all that. Just ignore people and hold your head up high.”
She snorted. “Yeah, until Grandma sets me up on another date.”
His hands tightened and loosened on her waist. “Just be honest with her and tell her you don’t like it.”
“You don’t know my Grandma and her affinity for matchmaking.”
He laughed. “Well, I got to meet you that night, so it wasn’t all bad. If she hadn’t convinced you to come out, then we wouldn’t have met.”
“And I wouldn’t have made a fool of myself in front of you.”
“Well, I hate to burst our bubble, and I really mean that, but I think we can get out of here now. The main road is passable, and my truck will make it down to it.”
“What about my car?” She blinked a few times, holding back tears at the ending.
“Another time. I think getting back to town before another storm rolls through or all this melt turns to ice should be our priority.”
She gave him a sad smile and stood. “I guess I’d better pack.”
“Wait.” He pulled her back down onto his lap. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“I mean, I know that this was just while we were here; you don’t have to tell me. I won’t turn it into a thing.”
It was his turn to be confused and silent. It took him a full minute to recover. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“This, us, I don’t expect to repeat what happened when we leave.”
He dropped his arms. “Does Milo have a carrier?” She thought she saw a muscle twitch in his jaw.
“No, I just let him ride in the car.”
“Okay. I’ll help you pack. Let’s get ready.”
She stood again, and he followed suit. Grace held it together until she was in the bedroom; only then did she let a few tears fall. Just a few, she’d let the rest out when she was alone again.
It didn’t take long to get packed up and ready to go. Caleb had gotten everything else ready and loaded before she finished the bedroom.
“Is that the last of it?” he asked.
Grace nodded and didn’t protest when he took the bag. She grabbed her coat and boots and went out to his truck. He helped her in, and they were off in silence.
Just outside of town, her phone rang, and she answered it.
“Hi, Grandma.”
“I heard you were snowed in up the mountain?”
“I was,” she confirmed.
Grandma hummed. “What were you even doing up there?”
“Getting away from my own humiliation.”
“Child, no one cares. You’ve got to learn to live your life and not worry about people.”
“Grandma, it’s not that simple.”
“Well, I told you I wouldn’t surprise you again, so I’m letting you know, I have this friend whose grandson is coming to town this week. We set you guys up on a nice little—”
“Please don’t.”
“She can’t,” Caleb yelled.
“Is that a man?” Grandma asked. “Were you up there with a man?”
“What are you doing?” she hissed at Caleb.
“Put it on speaker,” he told her.
She shook her head but did it anyway. Did it even matter where this was headed?
“Yes, ma’am. We spent the last few days together, so I’ll have to ask you to cancel that date for her.”
“Who are you?” Grandma asked.
“I’m friends with Mike. We met at The Diner.”
“Oh, the cute new one? My, you moved fast, Macy. I’m proud of you.” Grandma laughed. “I’ll find a new date for him. You two come over for dinner soon.” The call ended.
“What did you do?” Grace looked at him.
“I solved all your problems with your grandma.” He turned his focus back to the road.
“By pretending to be in a relationship with me? What happens when you leave?” Was the man insane?
He opened his mouth and closed it again. “If that’s what it needs to be, then yeah. And I never said I was leaving.”
The rest of the ride was quiet as she tried to figure out what had just happened and why. She was ready to wallow in her feelings for a night with a pint of ice cream and get over him as much as she could, but what was this?