I need to burn off some energy. Fuck it, I’m going skiing. Okay, cross country. That’s safe.
I packed for outdoor winter fun, so I add some clothes, including a hat and gloves, and return to the equipment shack. They get me set up with boots, skis, and poles and direct me to a trail that will take me in a loop up over Stone Creek. Sounds cool.
I soon get into the rhythm and skim over the trail, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. There’s a bit of an incline at one point and I work up enough of a sweat that I unzip my jacket and take off my hat. The trail crosses the creek over a small wooden footbridge and I pause there to check out the half-frozen water bubbling over boulders, other rocks laden with snow. I take a few pictures with my phone, then continue on my way.
I’m feeling invigorated when I get back to the cottage. I walk in and Ayla’s at the table with her laptop. Her head jerks around. “Where have you been?”
I take off my boots. “I went skiing.”
“What!”
“Cross country. Calm down.” Oops. I know better than to use those words.
“I’m calm!”
I roll in my lips and nod. “Yeah, sorry.” I hold my hands up.
“You were gone a long time.”
I toss my jacket over a chair. “You were busy. With Norm.” I say the name like it’s phlegm in my throat and I’m on the bench after a hard shift. “I didn’t want to sit around here twiddling my thumbs all afternoon.”
“I didn’t know where you were.”
Heading to the fridge for a bottle of water, I ask, “Did you think I left?”
She huffs. “Your car is still here. I was pretty sure you wouldn’t leave without it.”
“Were you worried about me?”
“No!”
My back to her, I smirk. She was.
“I did consider the possibility that you’d been attacked by a bear,” she adds. “Or a cougar.”
“Don’t sound like you were hoping.” Turning, I guzzle cold water.
She rolls her eyes. “Bite me.”
I laugh. “Sorry I showed up alive and well.”
“You’re so annoying,” she mutters.
“You’re the one who wanted me here.”
She can’t argue with that one.
“Did you get things all sorted?”
“Yes, I think so. Unless I’ve forgotten something important, which is entirely possible.”
“I’m sure you haven’t. It’s really great out there. Wanna go snowshoeing?”
She eyes me as if trying to decide if I’m serious. “I’ve never snowshoed.”
“Then you should try it.”
“I don’t know…”
