Boone
I can see the wheels turning in her head. Her mouth slowly closes. She breathes in and out like she’s meditating on how to piss me off next.
Taking her cue, I mimic her.
We both need to calm the fuck down.
But the idea of her out there, trying to clear the debris herself, makes my blood boil.
“I can’t stay.” Her adamant tone lets me know I’m in for a fight.
“What do you mean you can’t stay?” She’s going to drive me fucking crazy. “You don’t have a choice.”
I keep my voice final and level, but she’s being fucking ridiculous. It’s going to take more than manual labor to clear the road, and she should know it.
“I have places to be. Amelia needs to get checked out. I just can’t stay.” Her voice is rising in pitch, and she’s giving up on any semblance of remaining calm.
I don’t understand what the big deal is. Doesn’t she realize how lucky she is that they even survived?
If I wasn’t around…I can’t even think of that.
But that’s Margot for you. She’s never seemed to realize just how lucky she’s always been. When I pulled her from that fire all those years ago, she could’ve easily died then and there.
Considering her incredible ability for getting herself into trouble, it’s amazing that she’s lasted as long as she has. What did she ever do without me?
“It’s not a big deal. I don’t mind you guys staying here—if that’s what you’re worried about.”
A few more mouths to feed and a little shuffling in the sleeping arrangements. That’s all it will take. We can work it out.
“I’ll go out and check the road. Maybe it’s not that bad.”
I stare at her like she’s crazy—because that’s what this is.
Of course it’s that bad. We saw it. Why is she being so willfully naïve?
“We’re both strong. We could shuffle it a bit so that we can get through. You moved those other rocks before.”
I can tell she’s trying to stay calm as she says this. But her closed fists and red face give away her emotions and the strain it is taking for her to remain calm.
The furrow in her brow is exactly how I remember it. Only I remember thinking it was so cute. It’s not looking very cute right now.
“Landslides are dangerous. This isn’t something either one of us should be fucking around with.” Shit, I hope that wasn’t too loud. But Amelia still seems oblivious to the conflict we’re having in the kitchen.
But when Margot turns and heads for the door, my own anger gets the best of me.
In two steps, I catch and grab her arm. Pivoting her towards me, I can’t help but vent.
“It’s dangerous, Margot.”
So is being this close to her. Her upturned face, full of anger, turns me on more than I’m willing to admit.
All these years, I’ve thought and dreamt of her. Her face filled with passion, just like it is now.
Concentrate, fuckhead. It doesn’t matter how beautiful or passionate she is. Not while she’s being an idiot.
“You don’t own me, Boone. Just because you saved me—”
“You think that’s what this is about? Owning you? Fuck, Margot. If you go out on this harebrained fucking mission of yours, I’m going to have to save you all over again!”
She can’t be this obtuse. Her eyes are wide and innocent. She’s acting like a child, so I’ll have to treat her like one.
“This landslide might only be the beginning. The same rocks that shifted down that mountain can shift again. We can’t just go out there and start shuffling things around.” My own voice is as loud as hers.
“Wouldn’t that have happened already?” She’s really yelling now. Instead of pulling away, she’s leaning in, and we’re practically nose to nose, going at it.
This isn’t anything new. We’ve had these moments before, and it’s always hot. I just want to take her lips in a scorching kiss and give her a damn good reason not to go outside.
But on the flipside, I’m furious at her. How can she be so selfish? She doesn’t have just herself to think about anymore.
“No!” Leaning in, I make myself eye level to get my point across. “That slide out there might only be one of many around this area. And I’ll be goddamn sure that you are not out there with our daughter driving around making yourself a target.”
I realize my mistake as she stiffens. A look of defeat crosses her face as her eyes tear up.
Fuck.
Never in all of my wildest imaginings had I ever thought that we would get into a yelling match when we saw each other again. Especially not in front of our kid.
And that’s the proverbial icing on the cake, isn’t it?
She knows I know. And as tears start to roll down her cheeks, we both realize Amelia has tuned in.
Her cries can be heard in the next room, and Margot pulls away and furtively starts wiping her cheeks.
“I’m coming, honey!” Her singsong voice holds no trace of her scattered emotion.
How does she do that?
I’m breathing hard and don’t trust myself to speak. There aren’t many people that can whip me up into a frenzy this way. But the thought of her going off and getting herself hurt—her and heaven forbid the daughter I just found out I have—drives me insane.
She’s so headstrong and always did think she knew best. But this is one situation where I know I’m the expert. If I have to tie her to a chair—or a bed—to keep her from going out and getting herself killed, I will.
Avoiding eye contact, she scurries from the room.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?” Her low murmurs drift towards me as I stand paralyzed in place.
“What are you guys fighting about?” Amelia’s high-pitched question reaches my ears, even though she’s whispering.
“We aren’t fighting. We just don’t agree. Sometimes adults don’t always have the same opinion.” Margot’s pacifying tone is impressive. Considering how we were just going at each other’s throats two minutes ago, that woman has some fucking talent.
And that’s another thing. Another thing that she’s taken from me.
I could be the one soothing our daughter.
I could be the one explaining away our argument.
There’s so much I have missed. And now she knows I know.
It’s no wonder she took off out of here like a bat out of hell.
Tilting my head back, I take a few deep breaths and force myself to relax. Rolling my shoulders, I shake out my hands and turn around to go back to my fish prep.
It needs a little more work, and now that I know I don’t have to chase Margot down, I can relax a little.
At least I can count on Amelia keeping her around.
Margot’s soft voice and Amelia’s high-pitched giggle drone in the background as I finish cleaning the fish.
I realize the voices have stopped as I see Margot’s feet come into view.
“I need to make a phone call and make sure everyone knows we’re okay.” Her voice is soft and hesitant, and when I look at her, she still can’t make eye contact.
That’s just fucking brilliant. We’re in a tiny cabin and stuck with each other for at least a few days.
I need to make this right.
Even though it’s not my doing, I know causing battles now will keep me from being involved in either of their lives. That is not an option.
“Let me just wash my hands, and I’ll keep her company.” Turning on the tap, I lather soap under the warm stream. “I didn’t mean to make you angry. It’s just that the thought of you in danger again really stresses me out.”
Shutting off the tap, I turned to face Margot. “Let’s plan on talking about all this later. Okay?”
“Okay.” Her eyes finally lift to meet mine. The resignation on her face makes me pause.
Did she really think I would be that bad of a father?
“I’ll just be a few minutes.” Her parting words are loud and obviously meant for both Amelia and me.
“Stay close to the cabin,” I can’t help adding. I want to add and stay in sight, but I don’t think that will go over very well.
Starting my low chirping whistle, I call for Crockett as I move into the living room.
Less than ten seconds later, he scurries in, just as I settle on the far end of the couch next to Amelia.
As Crockett hops up and puts both his front paws on one of my knees, I look at Amelia and wink. “Okay, Crock. Let’s show our guest some tricks.”
Amelia’s breathless giggle and quick claps are all the encouragement I need.
Crockett and I have been working on these tricks for quite a few months. “Let’s see some walking. Walk, Crockett. Walk.”
Crockett’s clumsy attempts to take steps on his hind legs impress Amelia. He can only make it three to five steps each time, but it’s not bad for how overweight he is.
“Did you teach him that?” Amelia’s hands are opening and closing, like she’d like to grab and hug him.
“I sure did. Watch now as I give him a treat, so you can do it next.” Crockett lives for treats and wastes no time inhaling it. “Okay, Crockett! Let’s see some clapping. Come on Crockett, clapping. Clapping!”
Of course, Amelia laughs and squeals and claps along with Crockett as he clumsily attempts to balance on his hind legs and bring his paws together.
Even I have to admit, it’s pretty fucking cute.
“He’s so smart!” Amelia’s admiration is worth all the hours I’d spent.
“He is. Take this.” Handing over the treats, she dutifully holds one out just like I had. “He’s pretty good at quite a few things. Sometimes, I can get him to twirl on his hind legs and cover his eyes.”
“Oh, show me!”
Amelia’s laughter as we try to coax Crockett into a ballerina pose warms my heart. Her mother might be stubborn and headstrong, but this little girl…
I can tell already, she’s a part of me.