Page 59 of These Rough Waters

Five minutes pass in silence as we make our way back down, sheltering from the biting cold when I touch Torin’s arm and ask, “How did you know?”

He glances down to me, and smiles gently, “You didn’t come home.”

My brows tug down and he glances away quickly, swallowing as if he was nervous, “I was waiting for you. Watching to see when you got home but you never showed.”

“You were watching?”

Rett chuckles at Torin’s side but doesn’t comment.

“We needed to talk.” Torin fidgets nervously and it was quite the sight, seeing a man like him anxious. “But you didn’t come home so I went looking for you. It was Harper who told me where you were.”

“But I didn’t tell Harper.”

“No but she saw you getting out the hiking gear and I put the pieces together.” He says, “I wasn’t entirely sure you had gone hiking but I wasn’t willing to risk it, so I came looking.”

“Thank you,” I breathe.

The last thing I remember from the night before was crawling under the tree, freezing and aching and then waking with a very naked Torin at my back. I had thought I was hallucinating. The last thought I had before I decided that sleep was the best idea was him keeping me warm and then when I woke, he was there.

“I’ll find you,” He murmurs, “Whenever you need me, I will find you.”

“Lovely,” Rett pipes in, “Getting soft there, Tor.”

“Shut up, Rett.” Torin growls.

“What?” Everett strolls ahead before he turns and starts walking backwards, glancing between us, “From the infamous Torin Avery to this. I saw it happening five years ago but this,” he whistles, “This is something else. What a waste.”

“What happened five years ago?” I ask.

“Oh, right!” Rett clicks his fingers, “You’re still in this sweet honeymoon phase with all your cards close to your chest.”

“What is he talking about?”

“Nothing,” Torin snaps, “That’s enough.”

We make it back into town an hour or so later, coming up to Torin’s truck which he left practically abandoned in the small gravel lot at the start of the trail. Rett throws his backpack into the back of the truck and hops in, Torin opening the passenger door for me, so I climb in, settling into the seat and sighing at the relief.

The drive back to the lodge was quiet, a little awkward but I was tired and aching and wanted to be with my daughter.

Torin parks the truck out front of the lodge and I hop out, not waiting for either of them as I rush forward, opening the front door with more force than I intend, and spot Harper perched on a chair with Pickles the chicken in her lap.

“Harper,” I breathe, relief washing over me.

“Momma!” She beams, jumping up, still holding the chicken, and comes for me, throwing one arm around me while she cradles the chicken with the other. “Are you okay?”

“I’m okay, baby,” I kiss her hair, “Is this Pickles?”

“Yes!” Harper shoves the bird forward, “Do you want to cuddle?”

“Uh,” I cringe, staring down at the feathered and beady eyed creature, “I think I’m okay.”

Harper shrugs and brings the chicken back, stroking it, “Did you hike?”

“I did,” I answer hesitantly.

“Was it fun?”

“I got into trouble.”

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