Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“Is it painful?”
“Yeah, the muscle pain when your body twists up is pretty bad. But the stares in public are worse. The pity, the curiosity. You want to go to the fuckin’ grocery store without people staring and acting like you’re a circus act.”
My heart twists at what he’s saying. “You’re not serious.”
He watches a squirrel.
“You haven’t had an easy life,” I say the realization creeping over me. I don’t know why it makes my heart hurt to imagine that Rafael’s life has been so difficult. I barely know the guy, and yet I want to hug away his pain.
“You haven’t had an easy life either, princess.”
My eyes widen. I think he’s the first person to ever say that to me. Most people assume because I’ve grown up in splendor that I’ve been allowed to do whatever I want.
“I’m scared to go back. Being here with you is the first taste of freedom that I’ve had. In my whole life, I’ve never gotten to be free. I’ve always felt…caged.” Admitting those words out loud is the scariest thing I’ve done in a long time.
Some emotion I can’t define flickers across his face. “We’ll make the most of it. What are some normal, everyday activities that you’ve always wanted to try?
I take another bite of my gooey sandwich. “Well, cooking for one. Gardening, camping. Ooh, I’ve always wanted to try camping.”
When Rafael looks at me, his eyes are smiling. “One camping trip coming right up.”
6
RAFE
One hour later, I’m standing in Grizz’s outdoor shop, trying to pretend I know what the hell I’m doing.
“This is so exciting,” Aurora gushes for the third time in as many minutes. “I had no idea you were such an outdoorsman.”
I’m outdoorsy in that I know how to grow vegetables. I know fuck all about camping, but the hero worship in Aurora’s gaze is doing something funny to my insides. It’s making me want to be worthy of that look. “Love the outdoors. Can’t get enough of them.”
“I bet you’ve been camping a million times,” she says and turns to the display of tents. “In your expert opinion, which one would be the best?”
I chance a look at Grizz who’s standing a few feet from us. He’s been quietly eavesdropping since we came into the shop. He offered to help us, but Aurora waved him off.
Grizz subtly gestures to the one on the top shelf, careful not to attract Aurora’s attention. I owe the man a steak for having my back. So far, he’s quietly directed us to the best hiking boots and ponchos for the adventure.
“This one,” I yank it from the shelf. “It’s weather-proof which is great for the uh, weather.”
She frowns. “Are we expecting bad weather tonight?”
“Never can be too careful,” I answer, as if I thought to check out the forecast for tonight. In truth, I saw the look of hope in Aurora’s eyes when she said she wanted to go camping. In that moment, I decided she’d get to experience this at least once in her life.
Grizz makes a motion like he’s swatting away bugs.
I clear my throat and add, “Also the netting does...repels mosquitoes.”
“That sounds good to me,” she answers and follows me up to the counter where Grizz has been carefully stacking our purchases. I see he’s added a few extra things, battery powered lanterns and other items I wouldn’t have thought to include.
While Aurora goes to the restroom, I pay for the purchase.
“You know where your property ends and Roman’s begins?” He asks.
I nod. I’m familiar with the boundary lines on these mountains though they’re rarely enforced. As long as we all respect each other’s properties, no one has any issues. I’ve always lived peaceably with my fellow mountain men.
“There’s a clearing with a lake and a fire pit. Set your tent about fifteen feet away from both of those. Avoid putting it under the trees, and don’t keep food out.”
I yank out my credit card and pass it to him. “Your next beer at Liquid Courage is on me.”
He chuckles as he bags up the order. “Invite me to the wedding.”
We arrive at the spot Grizz mentioned by late afternoon. Storm clouds are already gathering overhead.
“Should we go back?” Aurora asks.
Thunder cracks, but I think about how this might be her one and only chance to experience everyday things like this. “What’s a little bit of water?”
The smile she gives me tells me that I made the right call. She wants this camping trip as much as I do, and I won’t stand in the way of her dreams.
“What’s the first step?” She looks at me expectantly.
“Choose a place to put down the tent. Anywhere with flat ground is perfect. We want to avoid tree roots and rocks.” Yeah, that sounds smart. That sounds like I know what I’m doing.