Chapter 29
MAE
It might not have been the fanciest or most expensive meal I’d ever had in my life, but it was by far the most satisfying.
I dipped the buttery roll in my mug and ate it, snug inside the tent while the storm raged outside.
The wind battered the tent in an alarming way that at first had me worried, but after a while, I realized the tent was made of sturdy stuff.
‘Designed for all weather’, according to Jonah.
After that, it was one of the most comforting experiences of my life, snug inside under a blanket eating soup with a cute guy.
‘That,’ I declared, using the end of the bun to mop up the last traces of soup in the bottom of the mug, ‘was delicious. I guess I worked up an appetite ice skating.’
‘Mm,’ he agreed, licking his fingers. ‘There is nothing like soup on a day like today. I made that from scratch, you know.’
‘You did not.’
He pouted. ‘Why is that so hard to believe?’
‘I don’t know. You just never mentioned being a culinary whiz before now.’
‘I’ll have you know I can hold my own in the kitchen.’
‘I’m impressed.’
‘It’s just soup,’ he said modestly.
‘Did you make the bread rolls too?’
‘Uh, no,’ he said sheepishly. ‘I bought those. I have made bread before, but I got home late last night and somewhat distracted, thanks to you, and was a bit short on time this morning, so I picked those up at the café this morning when I stopped for coffee.’
‘I won’t hold it against you. They’re delicious.’
‘You’re delicious,’ he said, then pulled a face. ‘That came out way cornier than it did in my head.’
I chuckled absentmindedly. ‘That’s the kind of thing I’d say.’
‘I know. I must admit, there is a certain freedom to it. Saying any old thing that pops into your head.’
I squirmed around a bit. ‘Mm.’
‘Although I can definitely see how it might land you in some sticky situations.’
‘Mm? Oh, definitely.’
An urge that had slowly been building over the course of the afternoon suddenly decided to become a lot more urgent. It must have shown on my face, because he gave me a shrewd look. ‘OK, you’re clearly distracted. What’s up?’
‘Sorry?’
‘I can tell something’s wrong, Mae. If you’re uncomfortable in here with me, I can take you home,’ he said, pulling a face. ‘It’s not exactly going how I’d planned anyway.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I planned this when the weather forecast was still looking good. It was supposed to be a romantic picnic while we watched the sunset over the ocean. But as usual, the fickle Pine Harbor winter weather had other plans. We’ll be lucky if we can see a few feet ahead of us in this rain, let alone a sunset. ’
I cocked an ear. ‘Actually, I think it’s died down a little.’
He listened for a few seconds. ‘You’re right, it has. I wouldn’t count on it lasting though.’
I could ignore the urge no longer and reached for my boots. ‘It doesn’t need to last long, just long enough for me to…’
‘To what?’
I gave him a pointed stare, but he still didn’t get the hint. I sighed. ‘I need to visit the little girls’ room.’
He frowned. ‘The little…?’ The penny dropped.
‘Oh. The… Yep. Right. Fair enough.’ He reached into the basket and fumbled around a bit.
‘I have some wipes in here, and a couple of flashlights. I’ll take the headlamp,’ he said, putting it on over his hood.
‘You can take this one.’ He turned the flashlight on.
The light flickered, so he banged it against his hand a few times until the beam was steady. ‘I’ll come with you.’
‘You will not.’
‘Well I’m not letting you go out there by yourself. As you pointed out earlier, there’s a cliff edge nearby.’
‘I’ll be fine.’
‘I’m sure you will, but I’m still coming.’
‘Jonah.’
‘I need to relieve myself as well anyway.’
‘Really?’
‘Really.’
‘OK fine. But can we please get a wriggle on?’
He went down the ladder first, then stood at the bottom steadying it while I descended.
The rain was still steady, and the wind blew it almost horizontally, into our faces, making it hard to see.
He’d been right. Visibility was at a minimum.
Not to mention the fact the rain had begun to melt the snow, turning it into slush.
I dropped off the bottom step of the ladder and immediately lost my footing, sliding into his steadying arms.
‘Sorry,’ I said loudly. ‘I seem to be developing a habit for doing that.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ he shouted above the wind.
I shook my head emphatically. In my coat and hat I could barely see out, and only my cheeks, chin and the tip of my nose were probably visible.
‘No, thanks,’ I shouted back.
‘It’s too dangerous for you to go by yourself,’ he shouted. ‘Maybe we should just call it, head back to your cottage.’
‘We can if you want, but either way, I’m still going to need to go now. By myself.’ I held out a hand. ‘Wipes, please.’
He passed them to me, his face conflicted. ‘I don’t like the idea of you wandering off in this weather.’
‘I won’t go far,’ I reassured him. I’d seen a couple of trees and bushes as we’d parked and knew which general direction they were in. His face was torn. ‘Jonah, I’ll be fine. I’m perfectly capable.’
‘OK, I’ll go that way.’ He pointed. ‘Meet you back here in a few minutes?’
I nodded, watching as he disappeared into the gloom.
Tucking the wipes into my pocket, I aimed the flashlight in the direction of where I remembered the trees being and carefully started making my way through the slushy snow.
It wasn’t far until I found them, and with the shelter the small canopy offered I ducked behind a trunk, pulled out the small packet of wipes and quickly relieved myself.
The icy wind made my bare skin sting, so I didn’t want to hang about for too long.
I wasn’t sure if it was just my imagination, but the rain seemed to be increasing in strength again.
I took a few tentative steps back towards the direction of the truck. The flashlight started flickering.
‘Shit,’ I swore, banging it against my palm a few times, the way I’d seen Jonah do. It didn’t like that, and died completely.
‘Jonah,’ I called into the gray, but there was no answer. I kept walking in the direction I was sure the truck was. Slowly, one foot in front of the other.
‘I can do this,’ I muttered to myself, echoing the words I’d said earlier to Jonah. ‘I’m a strong, capable woman. A nurse, for God’s sake. I hold people’s lives in my hands every single—’