Calla

After going almost five days without a proper shower, I'm happy to be home and feeling human again. I run a brush through damp strands of my hair, loving how clean I feel. With the large water basin attached to the trailer, there's been plenty of bathing opportunities, but nothing feels as good as your own shower. I could stand in it without bumping my elbows against the walls.

I flop down on my bed, a towel wrapped around my body, and close my eyes, sighing with relief. My room is humid from the tendrils of steam that snuck through the crack beneath the door. I take a deep breath, smiling at the scent of mango shampoo and coconut lotion. I'm also sighing because of the date Maddox and I went on. Despite the fear of someone recognizing him, it was perfect; we stuffed ourselves with pizza and drank high-quality beers. When we were finished eating, we strolled around the streets of Penticton. We also stopped at The Peach and got one of their monstrous milkshakes. Our milkshake flavour was cookies and cream, and topped with a large slice of chocolate cake and a copious amount of whipped cream. I think we were both ready to puke by the time we finished eating-slash-drinking it on the beach.

Upset stomachs aside, our date will go down as the best night of my life. A goofy grin crosses my face. Hopefully, we'll be able to go on another date soon. I don't mind leaving the Central and Northern Okanagan to spend time with Maddox. He's worth it. It would be fun for us to leave town. We could go to the Kootenays or Banff—somewhere far enough away the burden of being Roman's son doesn't weigh on Maddox's shoulders. British Columbia has so much to offer it would be a shame to treat it with ignorance. Traveling would give Maddox some time to relax, too. 

"And what the hell are you grinning about? You look crazy."

My eyes snap open and I sit up, fear pumping through my blood. "Lindsay!" I exclaim, adjusting my towel. "What the hell? I could have been naked!"

Lindsay rolls her eyes and leans against the doorjamb. "As if I haven't seen you naked before. Do you remember when we were kids? We used to go skinny dipping in the pool at night."

"We were kids!"

Lindsay cocks her head to the side. "So? Are you going to answer me?"

I stand up, clutching my towel close to my body, and narrow my eyes into thin slits. "Maybe after I get dressed. Will you give me a minute?" I'm a little pissed she walked in here without knocking. I was having fun daydreaming about Maddox and I's date.

"Sure," Lindsay replies.

I use every ounce of self-control to not throw a pillow at her smirking face as she steps out of my bedroom, closing the door behind her. I'm tempted to sit on the foot of my bed and make Lindsay wait, but I decide against it. She's here because she wants something. Stepping into my closet, I gather a pair of cut-off jeans and a baggy heather-grey sweatshirt. My clothing choices are warm for the current outdoor temperature, but when I arrive at the campsite later tonight, it's going to be cold. At least... I'm hoping the campsite is still standing. I left Vance in charge again. He did a good job of running the place yesterday. Two days, however, may be too much for him to handle.

After I'm dressed and I have tied my haired into a damp braid, I head downstairs to the kitchen. Lindsay has already made herself at home; she's helped herself to a cup of coffee and one muffin. I made muffins earlier this morning because we're in dire need of some ATV-friendly snacks. Muffins are easy to pack and can supply protein to keep you full. They also will not explode like cups of applesauce do. To say that was a disaster to clean up is an understatement. 

I take a seat across from Lindsay, swiping a piece of the muffin from her plate. "Hey!" she exclaims, smacking my hand. "Stop it!"

"I baked these muffins," I snort. I pop the piece into my mouth. "Why are you here? I thought you were working today."

Lindsay shakes her head. "Work ended early, and Isaiah is home looking after the girls. He took the day off."

Lindsay takes a bite of the muffin, wiping away crumbs from the corner of her mouth. "I stopped by because I need to ask you a favour. Isaiah, the girls, and I want to camp overnight. We were thinking about driving up this weekend. We also want to bring up the dirt bikes, but can only fit mine and Isaiah's in the back of our truck. Would you be willing to bring Feyre's up to the campsite when you leave later?"

"Of course," I reply without hesitation. I'm always willing to help Lindsay out if it means we're nurturing Feyre's passion for dirt biking. Feyre is only five, and she already has a promising career ahead of her. If she takes that route. "I love it when that kid comes riding. She's skilful."

A proud smile blossoms across Lindsay's face. "She is."

I swipe another piece of muffin and stuff it into my mouth. "I'm glad you're staying overnight. It's been a while since we hung out last."

"It has," my sister nods. Her gaze averts to the window above the sink for a moment. She then looks back at me. "So, let's go back to my question from earlier. Who were you daydreaming about?"

I bite my bottom lip and look away. Despite Isaiah trying to reason with Lindsay, she still judges Maddox. She won't be fond of Maddox and I dating. If I tell Lindsay, she'll try to persuade me into breaking up with him, claiming that our relationship isn't safe and I'm only going to get hurt. I'm fully aware of the risks I'm taking dating Maddox. Lindsay is a trustworthy person, but telling her about Maddox and me isn't a good idea. She'll worry too much.

"Seriously," she presses. "What's his name? I had that exact expression on my face when I met Isaiah. Spill."

While I contemplate my options, I tap my fingers against the countertop and stare at anything but my sister. Making eye contact with her will cause me to break under pressure. She knows I'm hiding something. "It's nothing," I reply. "Honestly, Lindsay."

"Calla."

This time, I do make eye contact with Lindsay. Her gaze is hard, and she raises her eyebrows while she waits for a response. I bite down harder on my bottom lip. I refuse to tell her until she gives him a chance. This weekend, she's going to see just how amazing Maddox is and change her mind. Although I promised Maddox I wouldn't interfere, I don't define this as interference. Lindsay is my sister, and sometimes you need to change your sister's mind. She prevented me from wearing that terrible olive-green dress to graduation, so I'm going to prevent her from falling into the same judgemental category as other people do.

"It's no one," I reply, hardening my voice. "I was daydreaming about running the campground when I graduate from university. It'll be easier once Mom and Dad are out of the picture. I'll have free rein over every decision I make. My own rules and regulations."

Although Lindsay doesn't believe me, she drops the subject and tosses back the rest of her coffee. "You're going to be an excellent conservation officer, Calla. Just... Just promise me you'll be safe with the decisions you make."

I roll my eyes. Innuendos are the worst concept that was ever created. She knows there's a man in my life and now she's hinting at us making proper decisions. "Really?" I ask.

"Yes," she blinks. "There are economical decisions you have to make regarding the campsite and the trails. You need to make sure the benefits outweigh the costs."

My head translates benefits to sex and costs to pregnancy. Knowing she will not give up, I sigh and nod. "I know. I'm always careful about the decisions I make. I prefer to assess the risks and costs; I always make sure the benefits outweigh them."

Lindsay keeps her gaze locked with mine. "Good."

"Good," I nod.

She sighs and gets to her feet. "I'll allow you to keep your secrets for one more day. You're lucky I have to leave. I promised the girls and Isaiah takeout tonight. They've been craving Pad Thai."

I groan, knocking my forehead against the counter. "Why did you have to mention Thai food? Now I'm craving some."

"I'll buy you some Pad Thai," Lindsay shrugs, "but you must tell me who this mysterious man is."

Pressing my lips into a flat line, I shake my head. Nope. I'm not outing Maddox. When Lindsay and Isaiah arrive, Maddox is going to be nervous. Meeting my big sister is a close second to meeting my parents. Lindsay is going to be overprotective of her kids, and when Maddox has his back turned to her, she's going to argue with Isaiah about having the son of a drug dealer around the little ones. Added stress is the last thing Maddox needs.

"Fine," she smirks. "Keep your secrets. I'll find out, eventually."

I stare after my sister as she exits the kitchen, an uneasy feeling in my gut. Lindsay's threats never go unfulfilled. No matter how tightly I keep my lips pressed together, she's going to figure out the relationship between Maddox and I. It frightens me. I don't want Maddox to hear all the nasty words my sister has to say. I'm sure he'll understand Lindsay is more afraid of the situation he's in than the person he is. That being said, it's unfair for Maddox to take a punch he doesn't deserve.

I bring my thumbnail to my mouth and gnaw on it, still staring after Lindsay. Although she dislikes Maddox, it might have been better to tell her. At least I'd be able to defuse the situation and prepare her for this weekend. Now, everything is up in the air.