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I don’t let myself react. Kate had no notice and needed someone to fill her shoes. Imogen should be able to organize the wedding. But there is no way she can lead tours into the wilderness. She doesn’t have any experience or skills.
She puts down her cup. “I know that sounds strange. I’ll figure it out. I’m good at adapting to new situations. How old were you when you went camping for the first time?”
I meet her gaze. “Six. I spent a night in the forest alone, not far from my house.”
“How is that possible? No one would let a small child camp alone.”
I take another sip of coffee. “I didn’t ask permission. I had an incompetent nanny. I convinced her I was tired and went to bed. She never checked.”
“So, you went into the woods alone? Weren’t you afraid?”
“I was fascinated by survivalist tools and wanted to be alone. I often played in the forest during the day and realized I could sleep out under the stars.”
Her eyes widen. “You set up a tent on your own?”
I flick my hand in the air. “No, I had gathered wood during the day. When I camped that night, I started a fire and sat up all night.”
Imogen pushes her hair away from her face. “Did you hear strange noises and become scared?”
I laugh. “No. I could have easily crept back into the house. I loved the exhilaration of being surrounded by darkness and all the noises. I could hear owls, small creatures scurrying, and other things I couldn’t see. I found it all fascinating.”
“It’s hard to imagine such a little boy being resilient enough to stay alone in the woods.”
“That night taught me I could survive alone in the woods, and it fueled my fascination with the darkness. After that, I camped out frequently. I asked my mother for a tent for Christmas when I turned eight. She was reluctant but did it anyway. She didn’t understand my desire to camp.”
Imogen removes her jacket. “Is that when you knew you’d work outside?”
I get up to put another log on the fire. “I didn’t think about a future job at six or eight years old. As I grew older, I became interested in nature and solitary pursuits.”
A group of five teenagers came into the foyer, and one of them says, “Let’s find a board game to play.” A few of them start to debate which game.
I pick up my coffee from the side table. “Do you want to go upstairs? I have a balcony off of my room. It’s about to get noisy in here.”
Imogen stands up, collecting her jacket, scarf, and mug. “Sure. Maybe for a few minutes.”
“My room is on the next level.” I gesture for her to go up the stairs first.
I watch her slide her hand along the banister and examine the artwork hung on the walls.
I have several work calls, but I’m reluctant to let the evening end. I enjoyed having a simple dinner and not being on guard every moment.
But I need to tell her my full name. Only my mum calls me Lorimer. Everyone else uses Alex. Imogen won’t be happy when she realizes I didn’t tell her the full truth.
She turns and looks at me as she gets to the top of the stairs.
“It’s the second on the right.” Stepping past her, I scan my key and open the door.
I leave the door open and walk into the living room, turning on a light.
Imogen follows me and closes the door. “Oh, this is a suite.”
I throw my jacket on a nearby chair. Taking my phone out of my pocket, I place it screen down on the cocktail table. I have tons of texts and missed calls. “The enclosed porch is this way.”
I open a door into the glassed-in porch overlooking the street. When I turn on the lamp, a soft light fills the space.
Imogen steps onto the porch. “This is so cozy. You can watch what’s happening on the street. I think I see the ocean in the distance.”
“In the daylight, there is a decent view but the ocean is too dark to see at night.”
