Page 42 of These Rough Waters

I keep to the sidelines, my ballcap pulled low over my eyes and hands buried in my pockets. The few townsfolk comfortable enough to approach me give me their greetings which I mostly ignore, focused on my destination.

I can see her already, the object of my obsession, standing close to where Imogen serves customers wanting to grab some quick fast food from her stall or a beer to wash it down with. Where Imogen is all smiles, Maya is more reserved, a little nervous if her fidgeting is anything to go by. Her hands have a small tremor, her green eyes darting around, checking faces, reading body language and Harper plays close by with another child, cupcakes sat on plates half eaten and forgotten while they’re focused on a boardgame laid out in front of them.

Maya’s eyes dart to her daughter at least once a minute, running over the child as if to check and confirm the girl is where she’s supposed to be and unharmed.

Oh, what secrets she must hold inside that pretty little head of hers.

I had means of finding out everything about her, had the contacts and facilities to drag every speck of dirt on the girl into the light but I found I didn’t want to. Not when getting her to tell me was better, not when I wanted her trust enough for her to tell me her story.

I stand against the side of a building for a while watching them, noting each subtle change in her body language, from the ease in which she speaks to Imogen, her body relaxing a touch as she grins and laughs with the woman to how she stares at her daughter in utter adoration.

But whenever a stranger comes to the stall she stiffens and smiles even though it looks like she’s in pain. And notably, I’m not the only one to see it. Imogen softens as she touches Maya’s arm, smiling sympathetically as she tells her something and Maya begins to turn away, checking on Harper a final time before she starts towards the empty diner behind her.

I choose that moment as an opportunity to steal her time.

I won’t force myself on her in her cabin but here, in public, I can get her alone while giving her the freedom if she so desired it.

“Torin!” I hear Imogen screech, “We’re closed.”

“I’ll only be a minute,” I tell her, disappearing through the same side door Maya had moments before. I hear Shawn telling her it’s fine before the chaos of the festival is drowned out by the door closing.

My steps echo in the empty diner, giving away my presence which was preferred, I’d rather not scare the girl.

“Maya,” My voice is all gravel when I stop in the doorway to the kitchen, freezing my little doe on the spot as she rounds her wide eyes to me and drops her lips to form an O shape.

“Torin,” She finally stutters out, “What are you doing here?”

“You’re avoiding me.” I say.

She drops her eyes and starts to busy her hands, “No, I’ve just been, um, busy.”

“Busy, huh,” I smirk, rounding the counter towards her, “So you haven’t been watching me outside the cabin?”

“No,” She blurts, “Just checking to see what’s going on.”

“And you haven’t been staring while I chop wood outside your window? Or stealing glances when you think I can’t see you?” I ask.

She swallows, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Are you trying to forget what happened?” I inquire.

She snaps her eyes to me, “Torin…”

“Are you pretending that you didn’t ride my thigh until you came?”

Her cheeks flush, “Stop.”

My feet anchor down, “Tell me it was a mistake.”

“It was a mistake,” She gasps out.

“Tell me you wouldn’t do it again.”

Her mouth opens but no words come out.

“Tell me you haven’t thought about it every damn night since.”

When she doesn’t answer I start to close the gap between us.

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