She wrinkled her nose. “I have to share a roll of toilet paper with you? That might actually be worse than sharing a tent.”
I laughed. “You’ll survive. Pack a different bag with your things for the cottage and we’ll keep it in my car.”
“Okay. Will I need anything fancy?”
“Nah.”
“But your mom likes people to dress for dinner.”
I shrugged. “You can wear anything you like.”
“Are you sure it’s okay that you’re bringing me to your family reunion?”
“I’m positive, but if it makes you feel better, I’ll call my mom right now and let her know you’re coming.”
“Please do that. Thank you.”
I headed for the door. “Just give me a shout when you’re ready, and I’ll help you carry everything to the car.”
“Okay.”
I went downstairs and pulled my phone from my pocket. But after giving it a moment’s thought, I went outside to make the call.
9
Chloe
NOW
Unbelievable.
How had he done it? One moment I was putting my clothes back in my dresser, and the next I was pulling things out again, tucking them into a backpack so I could go on an overnight hike with Oliver Ford Pemberton.
Just the two of us!
Sleeping in a tent!
Alone!
Together!
It was just like him. He’d known perfectly well what he was up to last night, and he should have told me everything. Instead he’d waited until I had already shaken on the deal and promised to hear him out, knowing I wasn’t someone who went back on my word. Then he fudged the truth about staying overnight together.
“Asshole,” I muttered.
After everything he’d done, where did he get the nerve? I’d admire it, if I wasn’t so irritated that he always seemed to get his way. As I stuck items into the bottom of the pack, starting with sweatpants and extra socks, I heard him go out the front door. A moment later I heard him speaking through my open bedroom windows.
“Hi, Mom.” A pause. “It was fine, not much traffic at all.”
Underwear. Sports bra. Soft T-shirt to sleep in.
“Everyone is good. Aunt Daphne said she’d love to come for the Fourth, but they’re too busy at the inn.” Silence. Laughter. “I know, I tried. But Chloe and I are definitely coming.”
Pair of flip-flops. Bathing suit. Tank top. Hat.
“Yeah. I am too. But remember, you can’t say anything about it. Not yet.”
Huh? What was he talking about? Our partnership?
I went over to the window and peeked out. He stood on my front walk facing a shiny black SUV I figured was his.
“I know, Mom, but we just prefer it this way. At least for now. It took a lot for me to get back in her good graces. I don’t want to blow it.”
You’re not back in my good graces! I felt like shouting. Not after you just duped me into taking an overnight trip with you!
Moving away from the window, I whipped off my shirt, exchanged my regular bra for a halter bikini top, then my underwear and denim shorts for my bikini bottom and some hiking shorts that were light-weight and easy to move in.
“Okay, thanks,” Oliver said. “We’ll see you tomorrow night. Love you too. Sure, I’ll talk to Dad.”
I threw on a sleeveless yoga top, tied a plaid button-down around my waist, and swapped my sandals for socks and hiking boots.
In my bathroom, I put my hair up and tied a bandanna around my head, knotting it at the top. I packed just the necessities in my backpack—toothbrush and paste, face wipes, sunscreen, eye drops, hand sanitizer. The rest of my makeup and toiletries were packed in my small suitcase, along with the clothing I’d want in Harbor Springs. I took Oliver at his word and went casual—shorts, tops, some tennis clothes, a cover-up, jeans, and a sweatshirt, but just in case, I threw in a pretty white sundress and dress sandals.
I took my backpack down first, setting it on the floor just as Oliver came in the door. “You’re sure I don’t need to pack snacks or anything? I have some things that might come in handy.”
He shrugged. “Whatever you want.”
From my pantry I pulled some homemade trail mix and poured it into a Ziploc bag, then added a few protein bars and some dried fruit. “Did you talk to your mom?”
“Yep. She’s beyond thrilled. Can’t wait to see you.”
“I’m excited to see her too.” I crouched down, sticking the Ziploc in my backpack. “It’s been a long time. Maybe since that Christmas party at Cloverleigh your family came to a few years ago.”
“Oh, right.”
I looked up and smiled, unable to resist digging at him, although at the time, I hadn’t found it amusing at all. “You brought your fiancée that night.”
“Why don’t I grab your other bag?” he asked, disappearing up the steps before I could answer.
Clearly, his broken engagement was not his favorite subject.
From the kitchen counter, I grabbed my phone, charger, sunglasses case, and keys. After sticking the glasses on my head, I wedged the other items into an outside pocket, and tried on the pack.
Oliver came down carrying my suitcase. “Looks good. How does it feel?”
“Pretty good. A little weighty, but I’ll get used to it.” I walked over to the kitchen, took a stainless steel water bottle down from a cupboard, and handed it to him. “Can you shove this in an outside pocket?”
He set my suitcase down and tucked the bottle into a side pocket. “Perfect fit.”
I turned around to face him and held out my arms. “Well? How do I look?”
“Perfect,” he said with a smile. “Ready to go?”
“Ready to go.”
I had to admit I actually felt sort of excited and exhilarated tossing my backpack into the back of Oliver’s SUV and hopping into the front seat. I didn’t know exactly where we were headed, but it was a gorgeous summer day, I wasn’t at work, and I really did love an adventure. I sometimes hiked with April or with friends, but it had been a long time since I’d done an overnight. I felt free and spontaneous and—yes, I’ll confess—even a little bit grateful to Oliver for making me do this.
It wouldn’t be so bad, would it? He still knew how to push my buttons, but he seemed more mature. More focused on his goals and not just on having a good time. Maybe he was right, and this partnership was going to be a good thing for both of us.
If I could learn to trust him.
As we drove west out of town on Highway 72, windows down, my arm out, warm air rushing over my skin, I tipped my head back and sang along with Stevie Wonder on satellite radio.
Oliver laughed. “I forgot how terrible your singing voice is.”
I reached over and poked his shoulder. “As I recall, yours isn’t any better.”
“Nope, it is not.” He glanced at me. “Know where we’re going yet?”
“I have an idea.” I bit my lip. “But only because you said island.”
“What’s your idea?”
“North or South Manitou?”
He grinned but kept his eyes on the road. “South. Have you been?”
“Not in years,” I said, sitting up straighter in the passenger seat. “I remember once going with Sylvia and my dad because she was into photography and wanted to take pictures of the lighthouse. I must have been about thirteen then. We hiked the island, but Sylvia’s not really a camper, so we didn’t stay the night. We caught the last ferry home.” I found myself even more excited. “I’ve always wanted to go back, and I never have. Seems silly, when you think about how close it is. I’ve hiked all over the map but haven’t really explored my own state.”