“Everyone take your time, it’s just rain. Head on back to the van at your pace, it’s unlocked,” I say. A few of the older guestshightail it back down the path to the parking area. A few tourists made of sterner stuff watch as the waterfall gushes down the stones with the rapid rainfall.
Fergus comes rambling by us, shaking his dripping wet fur right onto Maisie.
“Dammit, Fergus,” I say, and Maisie just laughs, letting the hood of the raincoat fall back, the rain drenching her curls, nature taming them, making her hair look darker.
She tilts her face to the sky, the rain trickling against her skin like some sort of cleanse. After she’s had a moment, she walks over my way, grabbing my wet shirt, making me lean down for a kiss.
I forget that I’m on a tour. It’s just me and her warm lips embracing, surrounded by the sounds of my favorite place. My fingers tangle into her damp strands and I hold her face, knowing without a doubt I’ll never be the same when she leaves this place.
Unless I can convince her to never leave at all.
We’re broken apart by a clearing of a throat.
“I think we’re all ready to head back,” Glenn, one of my guests, says.
I’m sure my cheeks are hot, as I give him a quick nod. “Of course, everyone back to the van.”
Maisie looks equally embarrassed as we half jog down the trail, following behind the rest of the guests.
When we’re back in the van, Fergus is pressing his wet body against Maisie and the rest of the guests are drenched.
“Now that you’ve all been properly blessed, why don’t we go grab a cuppa so everyone can warm up,” I suggest, which has everyone on the bus agreeing.
I usually drop everyone off at Greer’s, but this time it’s at the Craic Cafe. It’s still raining hard as I usher everyone inside, beside Fergus, who sits under the awning outside the shop.
“Is Greer going to be upset that your little racket didn’t work today?” she asks as I pay for her coffee.
“I think he’ll be more upset that he wasn’t the one to see you soaking wet again, I reckon.”
Maisie’s cheeks turn pink, and she elbows me in the side. I give my guests some recommendations for their holiday; they thank me for the tour and the tips aren’t bad, but not great either. It’s to be expected when the weather is shit.
She sips her drink, her curls still damp with rain as she shivers.
“I bet Effie has her hearth going right about now.”
“What about Fergus?” she asks.
“He’s like an additional grandson to her.” I give her a wink.
“It isn’t weird? Knowing everyone by name in your town? They know everything about you and you know everything about them.”
“I would argue that it’s weird to live somewhere not knowing anyone personally.”
Her lips purse and she gives me a quick nod.
“Doesn’t the gossip and everyone being in your business bother you?”
“What business would that be? That I’m spending my time with one of the hot Omega twins? Or that my pack is in disarray?”
Maisie licks her lips and shrugs.
“It doesn’t bother me. Because you know what? When I need my community, they’re always there for me, and when they need me, I’m there for them. Sure, there’s gossip. A secret doesn’t stay a secret for long, but I’ve got a lot of people in my corner who will always be there for me when I need them.”
She looks contemplative as I say this.
“I’m just used to no one knowing anything about me, I guess. It’s a change of pace.”
“Sometimes a change of pace is just what you need,” I tell her.
