I ignore his last comment. “We can overnight you via charter or overnight freight cargo. We can use the crate from the RV. I can fly out with you and have a cargo van ready, prep a hotel room, all of that. It’s a little spendy, but I’ve arranged flights like that before, and I’d fly with you because it’s accompanied cargo. Probably an uncomfortable jump seat, but still, it’s doable.”
He shakes his head. “I haven’t traveled like that in years. There is too much risk to consider. Besides, if I am traveling there like that, he will be worried about me instead of focusing on his family. I have kept him away from them already for too long.” He sadly smiles and finally looks at me. “But thank you, dear. You are very sweet to offer.”
“When is the funeral?” I mean, I know, but I’m trying to be polite.
“In three days. Wednesday evening.” He smiles. “As if you didn’t hear.”
“Well, you know…” I don’t know where to go with that.
“I don’t know when he will return. I will try to get him to spend time there, with his family.”Thereis Georgia, where Corbin’s originally from. “The other reason it’s probably best not to go is that his family…does not know.” He sighs. “About…us.”
“That he’s gay?”
He nods. “I do not wish to drive a deeper wedge between them and him than already exists. Corbin suspects if he came out to them that they would ostracize him. He left there right after high school and made his way out here, where we met. They think he is a wilderness guide. We send them money and pay his parents’ property taxes every year. We sent them money to help with medical expenses. We are, in fact, paying for the whole funeral. His brother wished to be cremated, so no graveside service.” He plays with the ornate gold band on his right ring finger.
Now that I’m thinking about it, I realize Corbin wears a ring on his right ring finger, too. I remember seeing it when we met.
Ahhh.
#Imadumbass
All the clues have been there the whole time.
“But if you go, you can charm people to think you’re nothing more than friends. Or—now, hear me out—you could charm them to accept that he’s gay, and then you two could openly be together.”
He seems to consider it, then resignation washes in again. “Yes, but it will still stress him out.” I walk over and offer him a hug, which he accepts. “Thank you for all your help, Eilidh. I meant it when I offered you a permanent position here. Please, consider it. I know winters are harsh, but we will make sure you want for nothing. It is good for him to have another human here to speak with, whom he doesn’t have to hide anything from. And you are very pleasant company.”
I know he means that in a friendly way, not a romantic one. “I’m thinking about it, boss. Let’s table that, for now.”
“He wants me to turn him, but I’d rather wait. His aging has slowed somewhat, but if I turn him, it will make him visiting his family impossible. I’m hoping to wait until at least his parents have passed. By then, he will look a little older, close to my appearance. I would welcome you as our human helper, should you wish to stay on.”
“I can’t make you any promises, boss. I told you that.”
Look what happened the last time I got my hopes up.
“I know. I just want the offer to be extended.”
We end the hug and I grab the shopping list. “Anything else we need?” I ask.
He starts to say something when the gate intercom goes off again.
I’m closer and answer it. “Hello?”
It’s a different man, and I don’t recognize his voice. “Sorry, but is this the Olsson Homestead? I think I’m lost.”
“Sorry…” I give him directions and turn to see Chaldis standing there and frowning.
And he’s holding the nine-millimeter handgun he’s been teaching me target shooting with. I’m not bad with it. He must have blurred to get it.
He’s also holding the concealed carry waistband holster. “Take this with you to town,” he says.
“Really?”
He arches an eyebrow at me—Dom eyebrow if I ever saw it—and shakes it at me. I don’t like to carry and he knows it.
“Fine.” I strap it on, making sure my T-shirt and light jacket cover it. “Happy?”
“And take a sat phone.”
