When we reach baggage claim, Tristan is nowhere to be found. I don't know if I should be relieved that he's not there or if I should feel bad or worried. I know he's not happy with me, but I care about him and I don't like that we’re arguing. In addition, I was really counting on his help with my plan. I take a deep breath, clear my thoughts and turn to Kaylee, "Whatever, we can do this on our own anyway. We don't need him!" I think I say this more to try and convince myself than her.
Kaylee looks at me worriedly. I'm sure she knows that I'm upset but doesn't make a big deal out of it. "You bet Emma, we are woman, hear us roar!" I stifle a laugh.
She always knows how to lighten my mood. We both head over to the luggage carrousel and grab our bags. "Well I guess we will just hail a taxi," I say.
Kaylee nods and follows me out the exit into the arrivals parking area. Outside are dozens of taxis. I start heading towards the one nearest to us when I see it: Tristan's yellow Jeep, idling at the curb.
My breathing becomes labored and my stomach is sent into an anxious tailspin. Although I'm nervous about seeing him, I'm also grateful. Had Tristan not shown up I would have been forced to resort to plan B. But since I didn’t have a plan B, I would have been really up the creek.
I turn towards Kaylee and she looks at me slyly as if asking the silent question, 'Is that who I think it is?' I nod and we both start wheeling our luggage towards the Jeep.
When Tristan spots us he gets out and comes to assist us. "Hello Emma," he says and I can tell by his tone that he's still not happy about my decisions. "And you must be the infamous Kaylee." He smiles at Kaylee and offers his hand out for a shake, still the gentleman.
"Yes, and you must be Emma's night and shining armor, Tristan." She diffuses the tension of the situation. Instead of shaking his hand she goes in for a hug and says, "We’re from Texas hon, we don't shake hands, we hug."
He smiles and gives her a quick hug, but doesn’t linger. Then he grabs our bags and starts putting them in the back of his Jeep.
Tristan never fails to surprise me. I've dated many guys who couldn't help but be ferociously attracted to Kaylee. I can't ever blame them; she is absolutely gorgeous with her long blonde hair and baby blue eyes. If I were a guy, I would be like a moth to a flame as well. But, Tristan looks at Kaylee like a brother looks at a sister. It's unbelievably respectful to me and I can tell that he's not forcing himself to act that way. That thought makes me feel even more nervous because that would reveal just how intense his feelings must be for me. Butterflies go fluttering in my stomach as I think back to when only a day ago he told me that he loved me.
"Kaylee, why don't you sit in the front?” I say to her. She gives me a confused grimace but then a look of understanding comes over her as she realizes that I need a bit of distance from Tristan right now.
We all hop in and I steal a glance towards the bed of his Jeep. Noticing the lack of supplies, I wonder if we’re still on the same page. For all I know, he could be taking me back to my Dad ending this whole charade. I shake off the thought knowing that Tristan wouldn't betray me that way.
Kaylee, unable to just sit quietly, sparks up a conversation. "So, Tristan, how long have you lived in Kauai?"
"Pretty much my whole life. I was born in Australia but moved here when I was two." He replied.
"Australia, cool! I bet it was awesome growing up in Hawaii." She says.
"Yes, I of course have enjoyed it. I'm sure growing up in Texas was just as cool for you guys." He says.
Kaylee crinkles her nose and says, "Boring is what it was. Anyhow, so what's the plan?"
I look up and catch Tristan's aquamarine eyes staring at me through his rearview mirror. "Emma didn't discuss it with you?" He raises his eyebrows in a questioning look.
"No, I figured I would just surprise her." I call out from the back seat.
"Yay, I love surprises. I hope we are staying at some high end resort." She turns towards me with a big smile.
I groan inwardly. No, I didn't discuss it with Kaylee because I didn't want to sit for eight hours on a plane ride hearing her complain. I know she won't be too happy with where we are staying. I just reply, "Well, you will just have to wait and see."
Tristan glares at me through the rearview mirror. We will just add this to the top of the list of things Tristan is mad at me about.
We spend the next hour in silence with the occasional "ooh" and "ah" from Kaylee as we pass through the scenery. When Tristan takes a turn off of the main road and onto a dirt road, Kaylee looks back at me nervously. I just avert my gaze and pretend like I'm admiring the scenery as well. She straightens back in her seat, but I notice her fidgeting out of the corner of my eye.
A moment later Tristan comes to the end of the road and puts the Jeep in park.
"Um, where are we going?" Kaylee asks a bit on edge.
Tristan refers to me with a gesture of his hand and I reply, "The Hilton." I go to grab my luggage but Tristan waves me out as he grabs both of our suitcases. Kaylee and I only have to take our carry-ons. I feel bad, since the terrain we are about to embark on isn't ideal for rolling luggage. Anyhow, Tristan starts heading towards a make shift trail among the thick foliage in front of us. I know where we are headed of course, but Kaylee does not.
"I don’t like this Emma. Not one bit!" She says giving me the stink eye. Her suitcase bobbing up and down along the dirt path.
"Sorry Kaylee; I just didn't want to mention it and have you be mad at me the whole way here. I did warn you that this wasn't going to be an ideal vacation. I meant it. If you want, I can have Tristan take you back to civilization and check you into a hotel. I need to stay here though." I look at her hopefully. Only in my wildest dreams would she agree to go back to a hotel. Not that I don't want her with me, but if I could keep her out of danger, that would be the best option.
"No way Jóse! Not happening, you aren't getting rid of me that quick Emma Ann Townsend! I'm coming along, but I don't have to be happy about it." She makes a harrumph sound and starts walking ahead of me following Tristan's lead.
I groan and head after her with my carry on suitcase bumping awkwardly behind me. This is going to be a long hike.
An hour later we step out of the brush and are face to face with our waterfall. I'm still taken by the beauty of this place. I can tell Kaylee is too. She stands there open mouthed looking all starry eyed. She mouths a single word, "Wow."
"Am I forgiven?" I ask looking at her.
She looks at me and as she is about to respond, she catches sight of something behind me, then says, "Um not yet missy." Putting her hands on her hips she gives me a glare.
I turn around and see that Tristan has already pre-set up two tents for us. Camping supplies are organized around the area and a fire pit is all ready to go in front of the tents accompanied by a stack of extra firewood.
I turn back around to Kaylee and say, "Sorry Kay." I try to give her my best sad frown-y face.
She groans then loosens up and says, "Fine, but there better not be any bears out here Emma."
"No bears." I say relieved that she's not going to stay mad at me all night. Mutually glad that she didn’t bring up any other creatures that could possibly consider us prey.
"No bathroom either." She says under her breath as she heads towards the tent.
Tristan doesn't help matters when he chides in, "There's a tree over there," he smirks.
Kaylee gives him a deserving glare, which wipes the smirk right off his face. I laugh at that and follow her to the camping area.
We put our stuff in the tent and then I take Kaylee over towards the base of the waterfall to watch the sunset. Tristan stays back and works quickly to get the fire lit and to set up a cooking station. I don't know what he's planning on making, but my stomach is growling in anticipation. I only had that pastry and a bag of peanuts since the food in coach looked puke worthy.
"I like him." Kaylee says once we are out of earshot. "I can tell he cares about you a lot."
&
nbsp; "Yeah. He's a good guy." I say.
"Good guy...hmm, what do you really think Emma?" Kaylee raises her eyebrows.
"I don't know." I say looking down at the ground. I begin nervously pulling up small bits of grass off the ground and tossing them aside.
"Do you love him or not?" She asks so matter of factly it takes me off guard. Leave it to Kaylee to be blunt.
"Pry much?" I say sarcastically looking up at her. It’s a silly question though since Kaylee and I have never kept secrets from each other…up until lately I guess. I sigh and then let my gaze wander over to where Tristan is working methodically.
"Well?" She pries.
"Well, I don't know Kaylee. I don't know how I feel. I care for him so much. But, then there's Kai. I care for him too, a lot. I don't know what love feels like, all I know is that I'm too confused and mixed up right now to decipher it." I hurt just thinking about this hot mess that I've gotten myself into. I also feel really bad jumping all over Kaylee like that. It’s not like she’s done anything to deserve this. The only thing she’s done is try and help, and here I am being vague and not giving her any answers.
Despite my animosity, Kaylee puts her hand on my arm drawing my attention to her. She says so sincerely that I nearly believe her, "Emma, you can love two people at once."
I take a deep breath as tears start building up in my eyes. I shake them off. "That wouldn't be fair, to either one of them. I can’t just play them both like puppets."
"Love's not always fair." She says simply. Even in its simplicity, it’s still a profound statement. I nod my head and we both turn our backs to Tristan and watch the sunset somewhere behind the waterfall. Once twilight has started to set in we head back towards the campsite to join Tristan.
"So who's hungry?" Tristan says.
My stomach growls loudly in response. I look behind Tristan to find that he has a table all set up with hot dogs, buns and condiments. We head over to put our hot dogs on wire hangers that Tristan must have fixed up for roasting. I haven't roasted hot dogs over an open fire since I was a kid. I have to shoo away too many raw emotions as I think about the father and daughter camping trips we used to take. I feel horrible about deceiving my dad and Kaylee's mom for that matter. I wish I didn't have to, but neither of them would willingly let me risk my life to save Kai and understandably so. They wouldn't be able to understand that I need to do this...Well, perhaps my dad would understand. He would have done whatever it took to save my mom if he could.
All three of us head over to the fire and start charring up our hot dogs. I make mine nearly black, just the way I like it. As we eat our dinner at the table I listen as Tristan asks Kaylee about herself and she gladly tells her life story as well as how she met me. I get beet red as she relays some of our more embarrassing adventures like the time we convinced a couple to take us to the other side of a lake on the back of their kayaks. They probably thought we were nuts but obliged anyhow. We had heard that there was a burger joint somewhere closer to that side of Lake Lewisville. Once we made it across, Kaylee and I found ourselves burger-less, soaking wet from the knees down and stranded. Kaylee's mom was none to happy to have to drive an hour out of her way to pick us up from the other side of the lake.
After dinner Kaylee yawns and says she needs to call it a night. I walk her over to the tent giving her the look that says I'm calling her bluff.
"Whaaat?" She says trying to play innocent. "I figured you two could use a little alone time. The tension is so thick between you and y’all have barely said two words to each other the whole night."
"Thanks, I think." I say giving her a half smile as I unzip the tent for her. Looking inside, I notice that Tristan has set up two air mattresses for us, both fully made with bedding and all. I grab a lantern that's sitting next to one of the beds and turn it on for her.
"I'm just going to read, don't mind me." She says pulling out her newest self help book titled, The Art of Extreme Self-Care, by Cheryl Richardson.
“Seriously Kaylee?” I chide.
“Hey, don’t judge, I realized just the other day I needed to get some more pampering in my daily schedule if I’m going to remain happy. But right now is not about me; you need to get back out there with Tristan. Y’all try not to beat each other up, or get all hot and heavy since I'm within ear shot, K?"
I shove her jokingly and say, "Whatev!" I turn to crawl out of the tent trying to calm the knots that have formed in my stomach. I shouldn't be nervous about spending alone time with Tristan but I am. I know he's upset and what kills me the most is not knowing if I can make it any better.
I zip up the tent for Kaylee once I'm outside. I look back and I can see from her shadow in the lantern light that she must be changing into something more comfortable. I'm sure right about now, she's realizing that the dresses and high heels she brought with her are now deemed useless. I'm glad I forced her to bring a few pairs of jeans and her Sketchers.
Turning back towards the table I see Tristan sitting there staring directly at me. I wonder how long he's been watching me. I start twirling my hair nervously as I head towards him.
I figure I should be the one to start this conversation. "I'm sorry, Tristan." I say genuinely.
I see his steel gaze melt a bit at that. "I still don't like this idea Emma," he says with a face full of concern.
"I know." It's all I can say. I'm not planning on wavering on this in anyway so there is not much more to add.
"Okay, well you’re here, and so now I will just have to deal with it." He says sternly.
Hurt a bit by his comment I respond, "Ouch, Tristan."
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that Emma." He says flustered realizing how his words came across. "I just mean, now that you’re here, I need to step up my a-game and be ready to protect you."
I look at him strongly and say, "You don't always have to protect me you know." I try to look away when I see the intensity in his eyes but he reaches out with his hand and turns my head back towards him gently.
"Yes I do." He says, his hand still under my chin forcing me to keep my gaze on him. As if I can see into his soul, I read the same hurt there, the concern and the love.
I break the intensity of the moment by pulling my head back out of his grasp and standing up. "Thank you Tristan. But, this was my decision and I'm going into this of my own accord. I appreciate your help and all that you’ve already done for me."
"Understood, but you will not try to run away from me. I plan on being there every step of the way." He says. "I looked up the moon phase schedule. Based on it, the earliest we should expect to witness a Night Marcher encounter is possibly tomorrow or the next day."
Feeling my spirit dwindle, I should have thought of the possibility that we might have to wait a few days to get to Kai and Noa. I start pacing back and forth along the length of the table. For a moment I ponder the thought of where exactly they might be right now. Where do the Night Marchers go when the sunrises? I wish my phone could pickup a signal out here. I hadn't thought about how little I know about the Night Marchers. It would be nice to be able to do a little more research while we’re waiting. I wonder if Tristan would care if I dig deeper into the legend, or if he would prefer me to stay far away. My bet is on the latter.
Tristan gets up from the table and moves over to a blanket he spread out near the fire, motioning me closer. When I get close enough, he grabs my arm and pulls me down seating me in his lap. Squeezing me closer, he wraps his arms around my middle. Letting go of any frustrations I have right now, I go with it and nestle my back into his chest. He responds by putting his chin on top of my head. We sit silently for a while watching the embers crackle in the open fire. I love being like this with Tristan, but the downfall is that it leaves me more time to think about all the un-pleasantries: like Kai, and my relationship with Tristan. Just a few weeks ago my life seemed so uncomplicated and in just a blink of an eye I went from being an innocent girl with no care in the world to a life where uncertainties and problems
abounded at my every turn.
Chapter 6
I must have dozed off, because the next thing I know a foot is kicking me in the side. “Good morning sleepyhead!”
“Crap,” I say trying to gather my bearings. Tristan and I are intertwined like a pretzel and all I can think about is what Kaylee must be thinking. I try and wiggle myself free of Tristan only to feel his grip on me get tighter. He moans softly in my ear and I blush knowing that Kaylee probably heard that.
“This isn’t what it looks like, I swear!” I hurriedly tell Kaylee. I try and elbow Tristan but I only hear him grunt in response. He must be a hard sleeper.
I watch in absolute horror as Kaylee audaciously picks up Tristan’s canteen and pours it slowly over his face. Tristan jumps up in response flailing his arms in the air. I've never seen anyone get out of bed that quickly. I just duck and cover hoping he doesn’t trample me in the process.
Kaylee is laughing hysterically at Tristan and I find it hard not to join in. Tristan glares at us, then grumbles, "What the heck?"
Kaylee just shrugs and I cover my face trying to stifle the giggles that threaten to explode into all out laughter. Once I'm sure that my giggle fit is contained I spare a look up at Tristan. He is definitely sporting the bed head this morning. I'm amazed though that he still looks good with his messy locks and muddled expression. I can't help but smile at him, swooning just a bit.
Kaylee interjects, "Sorry Tristan, I was just worried for a minute there that you were going to suffocate Emma. You had a really tight hold on her!" We both can't control our giggles now.
"MmHm." He says sourly then turns to head out into the woods.
Kaylee shrugs and says to me, "Guess he's got to do his business." More laughter follows from the two of us. "Speaking of which, where are the restrooms? Is there a public one or a port-a-potty or something around?"
Redemption (Night Marchers #2) Written by: Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels Page 6
