Page 41 of Chasing Sunrise

Chapter Nine

They fished the restof the afternoon. Amanda caught two fish and Kasey five. He showed her how to clean them and cooked them on the tabletop stove, sauteing mixed vegetables and making stir-fried rice to finish off the meal. The sun set long before they ate.

Amanda went back to town to freshen up one last time while he drove to an all-night truck stop the other way on the highway and took a shower. He’d invited her to go with him, but when he admitted he wasn’t certain of the amenities they had for women, she decided to go back to the restaurant she’d stopped at on her way this morning.

Kasey had the fire roaring when Amanda returned close to midnight.

Edward rushed over to her. She patted his head as soon as she exited her car.

In the glow of the fire and solar lanterns, Kasey made out her rosy cheeks from the sun and wind today. She’d untangled her short hair, changed clothes, and smelled like cake again. He wanted to lick her skin to learn if she tasted as good as she smelled.

Whoa. We’re just friends.It was just that he couldn’t dismiss how much fun they’d shared today.

“S’more time.” He picked up the sticks he’d shaved down to use for roasting the marshmallows.

“My ex loved s’mores.”

Kasey snatched up the bag with the graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars. “What happened with you two?”

She took in a deep breath, giving him the idea she didn’t want to go into it. Yet, she said, “We wanted different things. We met my freshman year. He was a senior and had already signed on to be a naval officer. We married at the end of my second semester. His job is extremely important to him. He travels nonstop. I got tired of being married to someone who was never around. Don’t misunderstand me, he’s amazing. I’m simply not sure if I loved him.”

He waited for her to continue.

“No, that’s not it. I loved him. I still love him.”

“What aren’t you saying?” He set the bag down, and Edward sniffed it. Then Kasey skewered a large marshmallow onto a stick and handed it to her.

Amanda held it to the fire. “I married so young, I’m not sure if I married him for love or if I thought I needed a husband.”

“Needed?” He heated another marshmallow.

“I’d just lost my folks and moved to college where I knew no one. I felt very alone. Barry is a hero kind of guy. He wanted to take care of me. His family accepted me and are the nicest people on the planet. It was just ... This is going to sound terrible.”

Kasey squinted at her. “Please say something terrible because it sounds like the guy is perfect.”

She sadly smiled. “Since he was gone so much, when he was home, he tried to make everything perfect. Which made everything too easy.”

“You got bored?” He jammed the end of his stick into the ground to keep it upright while he opened the box of graham crackers and a chocolate bar. He handed one of each to Amanda and threw a cracker to Edward. The dog caught it midair.

---