Page 16 of Loud Unspoken Memories

“That’s just what they’re predicting over the next twenty-four hours.”

She falls back against the mattress and covers her face. “This is not happening.”

I walk over to her. “Give me your car keys.”

“Why?”

“I’m going to get your suitcase. Well, not your suitcase, but your things. I’ll take an empty backpack with me and transfer your stuff into it. Easier to carry.”

Her face pinks up. “I’ll go with you.”

“Something you don’t want me to see? Devices that vibrate when activated?”

Her jaw slackens as I reprimand myself for teasing her.What the hell has gotten into me?

“Oh my god,” she huffs. “You did not just say that.” She glares at me then smirks. “Actually, so what if I did? It’s really none of your business. But no, that’s not what I mean. I just don’t need you going through my things is all.”

“Fine. Come with me then. But you’d better keep up. We’ll have to go faster than yesterday with this weather moving in.” I look at her shoes and her hoodie and go to the closet. “Put this coat on. I’d give you a pair of boots but you’d only trip over your own feet. Double up on your socks and bring extras in case they get wet.”

“Can we at least eat first if we’re going to hike ten miles?”

I open a cabinet and pull out six protein bars, tossing her one and stuffing the others in my coat pocket. Then I grab a few bottles of water and my backpack. “Daylight’s wasting.”

“It’s not even nine o’clock in the morning.”

“Yeah, and if we’re not back by noon, we’ll be caught out in the storm. Winds are picking up already.” I hand her one of my extra beanies and a pair of gloves her small hands will swim in.

She puts on my hat and coat, stuffs extra socks in her pocket, and marches to the door, clearly irritated. As if I’m the one causing all this inconvenience. I’d say it’s the other way around. She’s the one inconveniencing me.

Not even ten minutes into our hike, she breaks the silence.

“Is it dangerous climbing the cell tower?”

I scoff. “We’ll go a lot faster if we don’t talk.”

“Listen, Dallas. I’m slightly freaking out here. I’m stranded in a strange place with a strange guy, my ex just died, and I can’t get to my kid. And now I find out I’m going to be trapped here for at least another day because there’s a fucking blizzard coming. Sue me if I think a little conversation might be a nice distraction from my totally stressed-out thoughts right now.”

I chuckle, finding I’m kind of digging this girl and her smart mouth. As soon as the feeling comes, though, it’s gone.

“So the tower?” she asks, huffing along keeping pace with me.

I shrug. “It’s nothing I haven’t done a half-dozen times before.”

“Have you always been successful?”

I hold out my arms. “I’m still here, aren’t I?”

“I mean at fixing the signal?”

“Usually. But hey, thanks for the concern about my well-being.”

“Sorry. Of course I’d be concerned about you. I’m just worried cell service might go out again.”

“It could. I’d suggest doing whatever you need to do before the storm comes.”

“Like?”

“Like calling whomever or downloading a movie. Whatever you think you’ll need to pass the time.”

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