Page 117 of Nowhere to Hide
A few books to add to both of our collections and a plethora of spice packets for us to use for grilling fish rounded out the day.
It had been sunny and perfect, with just enough of a breeze off the bay to keep the bugs away. We did a drop off at the boat and decided to walk around to a few of the lighthouses and enjoy the views.
“You okay to walk back or need a break?”
There was a bit of tired around her eyes, but she didn’t look strained.
“I’m good actually. Today was pretty wonderful.” She hooked her arm around mine and leaned in on me like we were a couple. Like we didn’t have a twisted past between us both. I couldn’t help lowering my mouth to hers. And when she sighed into the kiss, I held onto the rightness of the moment.
We took a ferry around New Brunswick and then we found a little restaurant with a proper seafood menu for an early dinner. By the time we were ready to get back to the boat, I could tell she’d hit her limit.
As I was paying the bill, I kept her in my line of sight. She was leaning against the railing, looking out on the bay.
“Just a second sir, my system is being slow.” The hostess frowned and started fussing with her card reader.
“Is there something wrong with my card?”
She shook her head. “It’s everyone’s card.”
I nodded. “Okay, I’ll just wait over there with my...”
The words stalled in my throat. Labeling what we were was only going to ruin the day. I craned my neck, my heart stalling when I didn’t see her at the railing. I rushed through the door.
“Sir! Wait! I have your card.”
“I’ll be right back.” I pushed through the door and out to the deck. “Priscilla?” I called out.
My stomach twisted. Where was she? I ran down to the end of the deck to where a water feature was in full display with flowers spilling from weathered barrels. “Cilla!”
“I’m right here.” She said from behind me.
I turned around and caught her against me. “Don’t leave my side.”
“I didn’t. I was at the railing.” She gripped my shoulders. “Hey, it’s okay.”
I gripped her waist, my fingers digging in a little too hard. “I couldn’t see you.”
I was just getting out of the way of a runaway stroller with a toddler driving.” She cupped the side of my face. “I wouldn’t take off. I promise.”
I kept her tight to my side as I walked us back into the restaurant. “They were having trouble with the credit card machine.”
“Do you have cash?”
I nodded. “Yeah, good idea.”
I held her hand behind my back as I went up to the hostess station. I pulled out my money clip and traded my card for cash, unable to hold a chit-chat conversation.
I was too focused on getting Cilla out of there.
Back to safety.
I glanced around the room, paranoia crashing in on me.
She gripped my hand, her short nails digging into my palm. I glanced back at her, unsure if she was reading my vibe or I’d infected her with my mood on the deck.
She was scanning the people around me.
I felt like shit. We’d had such a nice day, and I’d ruined it by dragging reality into it.
