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But it wasn’t Calder who had asp
Wasn’t Calder who had me call out
Wasn’t Calder who haddown the hill to make sure he was okay
I didn’t do panic Like, seriously, any tendency to panic had been trained out of me in sub school, and the fact that I didn’t panic in tense e part why I had been chosen But then I’d seen Arthur tumble and I’d
Panicked And even now, a few hours later, I still couldn’t decide who I was most upset with—Calder, Arthur, or myself
“You take as long as you want in the tub Use all the hot water,” I commanded Arthur as we disembarked from the bus back at the camp
“Okay” That he readily agreed only underscored howhe likely was He looked a wreck—mud caked in his hair and s with multiple minor scrapes and bruises He was so messy that it was a wonder they’d let him back on the bus And a wonder he hadn’t been more seriously injured
“I’ it myself,” I promised hio relax I’ll handle this”
“On a mission for coffee?” the bus driver asked after Arthur had lurched off down the path
“Yup” My attention was still largely on Arthur’s retreating form
“There’s a place back off the highway, closer to Port Angeles That’s probably your closest option The kitchen just closed after lunch and won’t reopen until dinner unless you want s of e have in the staff room”
“No, no dregs” I’d likely had orse over my years in the military and also before then, with plenty of bad retirement center coffee too, but Arthur orth way o into town for the coffee”
“You’re going for coffee?” Stacey, Oliver’s wife, eyed me with an intent that ?”
“Oh, hey, er had a twin under each of his beefy arms As the oldest, he’d probably been born with a chief’s bearing
Before I could reply, Taylor stepped in front of his mother “Can I ride with you? I can hold the drinks”
“Well”
“Dad showedarea It’s sweet”
“It is,” I had to agree
“We’re co too” The twins escaped their father to flank Taylor, three identical pleading expressions “We’ve never ridden in a real hot rod”
“Do you have seat belts?” Stacey eyed me more critically