Tyler slapped me on the back. “That’s why they have you.”
“I’d rather face a moose.”
Matt exited the library while chattering away about dysentery. I might have gone on a bit of a rant about drinking water. Each of them had a parent escorting them away, and other than a quick hello and wave, none stopped to talk. I couldn’t tell if I intimidated them or if having Tyler at my side put their worries to rest.
“It’ll beLord of the Fliesbefore you know it.”
“Didn’t one of them die?”
“Gasp. He’s read a book.” Tyler shot me a smirk as he headed back to his desk. What had I gotten myself into? Next time I stopped by the hardware store, Seamus and I were going to exchange words, or at least I would mutter under my breath.
I finished packing my rucksack, ensuring every item went in its designated spot. I could spend all day sitting here and lecturing them about the dangers of the outdoors. Even if they absorbed every word, it wouldn’t be the same as building a campfire and experiencing the outdoors. Throwing them to the wolves, they’d learn everything they needed. That is, if the wolves didn’t devour them first.
It had been decades since doing an overnight in the woods. I should take my own advice and do an expedition before I take the kids. It’d give me a reason to get away from Firefly and spend some time reacquainting myself with a part of me I hadn’t thought about in years.
Tossing the sack on my back, I gave Tyler a wave and headed out of the library. To my surprise, Lacie and Nick were exiting the Bistro on Maine. He gave me a slight nod. That might have been enough for him, but Lacie followed his gaze, her eyes lighting up as she spotted me.
“Shit,” I muttered.
The scent of fresh bread drifted from the bistro even though I had yet to set foot inside. Maybe I’d ask Mum if she wanted togo out for lunch in the next few days. The delicious smell mixed with exhaust as a pickup idled parked along the sidewalk.
Lacie embodied chaos. Snatching Nick’s hand, she pulled him along like a dog pulling at its leash. At this point, if I ran, it’d be considered rude. The kids had tested my patience, and I wasn’t sure I could handle another interaction with humans. Instead of focusing on the impending awkwardness, I turned my attention to him.
He tried slowing her, digging in his heels, not that it worked. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about him after our exchange on the green. An outsider, he didn’t see me as anything more than a random guy. No generational baggage. No history. No expectations. In a place where it felt as if the walls closed in, he provided relief.
As she dragged him along, his face had turned red from embarrassment. Nick didn’t notice the way his shirt crept up his belly, revealing a dark line of hair circling his belly button and leading to his jeans. He hid his girth with an open button-down, while I showed off every curve in a tank top. I had a feeling that if we talked, we’d find ourselves on opposite sides of every discussion.
“Look who it is.” I couldn’t help but snort at Lacie’s ‘My Heart Belongs to Firefly’ t-shirt. Only here for a few days, and the town had made a convert. I wonder if she understood we joked about flatlanders and their touristy ways? I’m not sure she’d care.
“Are you going somewhere?”
I raised an eyebrow.
She stepped close enough to invade my personal space. Her perfume reminded me of Marigold’s flower shop. Leaning to the side, she inspected the backpack. Above us, a flag snapped in the breeze, its rope tapping a soft rhythm. Firefly, the epitome of small-town ambiance.
“An axe?” Her eyes were wide as she returned to staring me in the face. “You’re one of those outdoorsy types, aren’t you?” She reacted as if she realized she had won the lottery. “Are you a lumberjack?”
“Lacie!”
The red crept from his beard until his cheeks glowed bright red. I think I understood the dynamic. He played the reserved role while she provided the outgoing energy. I wanted to ask Nick if she had a dial or if she always came in hot?
“Not a lumberjack.” She pouted at the news. “Teaching some kids about wilderness survival.”
I’m certain that if I held Lacie by her ankles and gave her a vigorous shake, it’d be a smattering of Firefly essentials. Honey from the Walters. Whoopie pie from No Big Whoop. If I got lucky, she’d have beef jerky from that guy at the farmer’s market. It’d either be that or cans of Moxie rolling out.
“Nick loves the wilderness.”
“I do?”
“He does?” Nick’s screensaver with mountains didn’t count.
“Yeah, he might look like a desk jockey. He gave that up for adventure. He’s always talking about wanting to commune with nature.”
She lied through her teeth, but I appreciated her commitment. I’d play along. “I’m going for an overnight camping trip tomorrow.” Nick didn’t react, but Lacie turned to her friend, all but squealing. “More than welcome to test your grit.” I suspected Nick didn’t get much sunlight during the summer. He struck me as an inside cub. Video games? No, he was more of a watch documentaries kind of guy.
He’d never accept.
“He’d love that,” she said.
