“If it was just us, I’d agree,” he said.
But they both had people who needed them. And Chay was going to be itching to get out and check out the neighborhoods and make sure everyone was okay. He really cared about hispeople, which had led him to her to begin with. He didn’t want anyone on the Navajo Nation to be harmed.
“If you can’t get out today, what will you do?”
“There’s nothing we can do. Now that the storm has passed, the snow will start to melt, which could be another problem. I’d like to get some of it shifted away from the foundation of the house. I do have some drainage built into the exterior, but not enough to handle this. I hope your place is okay,” Chay said.
She hadn’t thought of her little home since she’d been here. “Dad will probably go by and check on it. As soon as we get some kind of signal or electricity, I want to check in with them. I know they’ll be fine, but still.”
Chay nodded at her. “I need to check on my grandmother. I’m sure she’s fine, but I’ll worry until I hear her voice.”
“Same. So we need to hear from our people and get ourselves out of this snow world. Did you ever readThe Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe?”
“I didn’t, but I did see the movie. Are you thinking the Ice Queen did this?”
“No, I’m thinking of Turkish delight,” she said.
He groaned. “Of course you are. What did you make for breakfast? It smells delicious and not like junk.”
“It’s a casserole with bacon, sausage, eggs and cheese. Figured we needed something hearty, and it will reheat easily for lunch.”
She served them both breakfast, and they talked quietly while they ate. “You’re a good partner in a disaster.”
She flushed a little at his compliment. “Thank you. Even though I almost got cranky last night.”
“Anyone would get cranky after sitting in the dark for hours with only the sounds of wind and snow hitting the house. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” he said kindly.
“You weren’t.”
“I was, I’m just able to hide it,” he said.
“Because of your childhood.”
“Yes. It’s easier to act like nothing bothers me than to show how I’m really feeling,” he admitted.
“All the time?” she asked, wondering if that was how he was with her. Was he pretending to feel something that wasn’t there? Was she seeing something that she wanted to see?
“Mostly.”
“Even with me?” she asked.
“In what way?”
“Were you pretending last night?” she asked.
He took her hand in his. “I’m never pretending, Ava. I just don’t wear my emotions for the world to see. But I’m experiencing it all, and I’m never faking it around you.”
The radio came through just as the electricity was crackling back on. “Officer Benally? Chay, you there?”
“I’m here, Wes. We’re good. Going to take me a while to get out of here. You?”
“The station and town are in the same shape. I’m getting a few officers ready to start going door to door to check on everyone. Lou has a plow fitted to the front of his truck, and he’s gone to get the snowplow drivers and plow them out.”
“Sounds like you’re on top of things. I’ll keep shoveling here, try to make it in as soon as I can.”
“Great. Your grandmother’s with mine at Aponi’s house, and I just heard from them. They are fine.”
“Thanks, Wes. I’ll be in touch as soon as I’m on my way,” Chay said, ending the radio call.
