| |
Jared popped into headquarters, tossing his keys in the air and whistling. Katelynn eyed him curiously.
"What's got you in a good mood?" she asked, feeling anything but happy.
"Two more hours and I shut and lock the front gate." He leaned against the counter. "Hunting season starts in a week. I'm ready to get out of here and do what men are supposed to do."
She wrinkled her nose. "What are you going to do all winter after that?"
"I work at the silver mine as a material handler."
"No rest for the wicked, huh?" She glanced at the clock.
Jared laughed. "Good song."
She smiled in return and then concentrated on the task at hand. "I heard Quint has the outside maintenance crew working the rest of the week to close up the campground, but I was wondering if you'd have time to do me a favor?"
"Ask away." Jared lifted his brows. "Hours are lax around here with the guests gone. All I have to do is winterize the bathrooms and make sure the firepits are all cleaned, and the sites are picked up."
"Do you think it would be okay if you got off at three o'clock tomorrow?" Her stomach rolled every time she thought of the number of hours she had left.
Two days ago, she'd called the bus station in Spokane and found out how much it would cost for a one-way ride to Vancouver. Then, she'd called the airport to compare prices. There was only a hundred-dollar difference and the shorter amount of time to travel by plane appealed to her. She'd be a mental case having left Quint and needed the easiest route possible.
"I was planning on getting out of here early anyway. What do you need?"
"A ride to the airport in Spokane. I can pay you," she said.
Quint had given her wages to her yesterday, in cash. It was much more than she'd counted on getting for working all summer. When she tried to explain how she hadn't expected more than minimum wage because he'd let her stay with him, eat his food, and had helped her, he'd put an end to the conversation.
"Or, if you can take me to Federal, I can probably get a ride from there," she added.
"No, I can take you. I was just wondering if Quint knows you're leaving?" Jared's gaze softened. "I would think he'd want to take you himself. You did live with him all summer."
Even if Quint wanted to see her walk into the airport, she couldn't do it. Her heart broke every time she imagined leaving the cabin for the last time. She'd never be able to say goodbye to him in public without making a spectacle of herself.
He expected her to leave. It wouldn't come as a surprise to him when she walked away. She only wanted to spare them both the awkwardness of a goodbye. She'd write him a thank you letter, like a coward.
"So, you'll take me?" she asked.
"Sure." Jared straightened. "Be at my truck at three o'clock tomorrow."
"Thank you so much." She leaned forward. "And, could you maybe not tell Quint?"
"Katelynn," muttered Jared, frowning.
Everyone at Bitterroot Campground knew they were having a summer relationship. She never hid her attraction to Quint, and lately, he openly kissed and touched her when the others were around. But, leaving him and the emotions involved were something she wanted to keep private.
"Please?" She swallowed. "I don't want to make it a big production or involve anyone else in our business."
He nodded and walked out of headquarters. She sniffled, inhaling deeply. Asking for a favor had been harder than she'd thought. Sick of leaning on others for help, she would soon be back to depending on herself. No doubt, she'd fail many times to get back on her feet, but she'd survived before. She'd survive again.
To think otherwise would only defeat her, and she refused to give up on herself.
She gathered the broom and dustpan and set to cleaning the hardwood floor. Any moment, the few campers remaining would pull their travel trailers past headquarters and leave. The chaotic rush from the last three days would be over, and she'd have to face Quint without any distractions.
He hadn't mentioned her leaving, except to hand over the money she'd earned. Since putting Will to rest on the mountain peak, he hadn't even seen Anders or Mark. He'd spent all his time working and with her, and she worried about how he'd do by himself after she left.
Will's death was still fresh on his mind. He mourned his friend, and with winter coming, he needed the others around him to bolster his spirits.
She swept the dust into the pan and carried the debris outside. Gazing around the area for Quint, she found him talking with a man in front of an RV. She tossed the dirt and waved to Sam and J.T, who loitered at the dumpster.
Going back inside, she caught sight of movement out of the corner of her eye. Her rush of fright gave way to laughter.
"What are you doing in here again?" She shuffled sideways and picked up the broom. "There's nothing for you to steal, this time."
The gray and black raccoon stood on its hind feet below the shelving unit. Having watched Quint escort the raccoon out of the building the last time the critter snuck in, she mimicked his technique using the broom.
"Go now." She poked the raccoon with the bristles.
The animal hissed. She stretched, holding the end of the handle, surprised the coon was heavier than it looked.
"Boy, you're stubborn." She laughed, sliding the raccoon along the floor.
Its toenails scraped against the wood sending a shiver up Katelynn's spine. Inch by inch, she worked the animal toward the door. Keeping the broom between her and the pest, she blindly reached out to open the door when the handle knocked into her hand, unbalancing her.
She tottered to keep from falling, and two hands grabbed her waist and held her.
"Are you okay?" Quint's fingers tightened on her.
"I'm fine. Just trying to get this little guy outside before he makes a mess." She looked over her shoulder at Quint. "He's protesting. I think he knows winter is coming."
"You wouldn't be so kind if you could see how many babies she'll bring with her next summer." He took the broom from her.
She stepped out of his way, verbally punched in the gut by the reminder that she would be in Vancouver next summer. Only Quint would be around to shoo away the raccoons next year.
He made quick work of ridding headquarters of the trespasser. She took the broom and dustpan and put them away.
"I think everything is in its place and clean." She pointed to the shelves. "I left everything up that wouldn't spoil and pinned the sheets to keep them dust free. The candy and snacks are in the boxes by the door. I wasn't sure where you wanted them."
"I always let the employees take them home at the end of the season." He looked around. "You've got the place finished faster than I normally get it done. Thanks."
"No problem." She shrugged. "It feels good to stay busy."
Not that keeping herself physically moving stopped her head from thinking of what was in her future, but it worked out some of the tension riddling her.
"Go ahead and head on back to the cabin. The last guest has left. I'm going to talk with the employees and should be home in a half hour or so." He kissed her and walked into his office.
She stared after him, wanting to call him back and beg him to let her stay with him while he worked. Any time apart from him made her chest hurt. Tonight would be the last time she slept in the same bed with him.
Her vision blurred and she turned away, going out the door. Hurrying to start the ATV, she rode away from headquarters, away from Quint.
The wind failed to dry her tears.