Forever and a Day (46 page)

“Yes! Thank you. I feel so much better. What do I do with... this?” She asked embarrassed.

He took the damp washcloth from her and set it down behind her on the makeshift seat, “I’ll take care of the washing later. Uh, panties?”

“Can we do this back at the camp?” She asked quietly.

“Oh. Uh… sure.” Once again, he made sure the blanket was wrapped around her tightly then picked her up and carried her back to camp.

He set her down inside the tent and she held up her panties, “Ready to help?”

“Sure.” He mumbled as he took the panties in hand.

She held out a foot to him and he quickly brushed the sand off her small delicate foot then slipped it on and did the same with the other. As he pushed them up her leg he realized that she had nearly no stubble on her legs, he felt soft warm skin all the way up past her knees. He swallowed hard, leaned her on to him, and then completed the task by gently sliding them in place.

“You are still shaking.” Halo reminded him.

“I know! I can’t help it, I’m sorry.” He said exclaimed red-faced.

“It’s ok Xander. I’m just like everyone else…”

“Uh no… no you are not.” He replied adamantly.

She gave him a long look, “Ok, why am I not like everyone else?” She whispered.

He sat down next to her, “You are Halo Raines. Do you not get it?”

“Holy hell, Xander! You help me go potty and you still think I am different?” She whispered hoarsely at him, “Explain it then.” She demanded.

“Uh, well yes. You are not like the rest of us. You—you are simply gorgeous, smart, talented, and tough too… you are Halo Raines.”

“Well… thank you for that, but Xander? I really am just like everyone else, please trust me on that.”

Xander thought that now would be a great time for a talk, but he had the breadfruit to deal with, “I’ll try. I can’t make any guarantees, you just can’t see it I think. I have to get dinner out of the fire… chat later?”

“Of course, silly.” She smiled as she held out her arms to him.

He squinted at her, “Uh, what?”

“Take me with you? Can I sit on that log with you?”

He nodded and wordlessly picked her up, carried her out to the log, and gently set her down.

Turning his attention to the fire, he removed the breadfruit with a stick and pushed it aside to cool. He got out a protein bar and cut it up into a bowl then added a package of gummy fruit. He sat down next to her with the bowl, “I’ll let the breadfruit cool a bit. I have a cut up protein bar and some gummy fruit candies. Tomorrow I’ll do better.”

“Xander why the long face, whatever you make for me I’m happy with. Consider the alternative.”

“Thanks. Need help still?” He asked quietly.

Halo watched his eyes for a moment, “If you wouldn’t mind.”

Xander simply nodded and using a fork, he fed her the contents of her bowl then helped her with the remaining Vitamin water, “Good job. I’m happy to see you eating.”

“How can I resist a good looking guy feeding me?” Halo smiled.

“Oh. Thanks?” Xander replied and was at a loss of words, now would be a good time he was thinking when she interrupted his thoughts.

“Xander, look!” Halo pointed up to the sky, “The sunset is so beautiful… can you take me out there so we can see it?”

Xander saw her beautiful blue eyes wide in anticipation, how could he ever say no? With a nod, he gathered her up in his arms once again.

“Oh my! The orange and reds are stunning! Is there someplace we can sit or you can set me down?”

“I uh… here.” He replied and walked out to the last palm tree in the sand before the surf.

The coconut palm jutted horizontally out towards the surf, then curved gracefully upward, allowing him to sit down on the trunk and have her on his lap. “Is this ok?”

“Perfect!” She smiled, “It’s so beautiful…” Halo whispered, as she gazed out at the setting sun and the myriad of beautiful colors displayed.

“Yes, yes it is.” Xander replied, thinking it had no comparison to hers as he held her in his arms.

They both sat in silence as the sun slowly dipped into the sea and soon was lost behind the other island. Halo leaned her head back, resting it on his shoulder and let out a little sigh.

“So that’s the other island?” She stated, breaking the silence.

“Yes. I’d like to go there when you can get around. I found a path today going from the beach into the jungle. I’d like to check it out tomorrow?”

Halo looked up at him and he looked down to meet her gaze, she so wanted to taste his lips but she ignored it, “Of course. You think someone is here?”

“No, the path is overgrown. I didn’t see any footprints either. I haven’t seen smoke from the other island these past two days either, I think we are alone.”

Halo’s belly did a flip at hearing him say ‘alone’, a warm rush in her heart added to the good feeling. Alone with him, she thought with a little smile, “Good. Party crashers can be so lame!” She said with a giggle.

“Yeah, no kidding.” Xander quickly replied, “Shall we try the breadfruit?”

“Yes!”

Xander brought her back and prepared the hot breadfruit into chunks then placed them into the bowl.

“Smells great!” She exclaimed with her mouthwatering in anticipation.

“I better go first, just in case.” He chuckled. He picked a chunk up with his fork, and blew on it then took a bite and savored the flavor: it tasted like sweet coconut bread, if there was such a thing.

“Looks like you enjoy it, me next!” Halo whispered hoarsely with excitement.

Xander laughed and got a piece ready for her. He blew on it and touched it to his lip to make sure it was cool enough then held it for her; she took the bite and welcomed the sweet taste, “Mmm… very good! I love how you made it with the coconut!” She watched his eyes sparkle at her compliment, just like a little boy’s, she thought.

“Thank you. I aim to please!” He shot her a big grin.

When the breadfruit was finished, Xander set the bowl aside and wiped Halo’s lips with a hand towel. His finger brushed her full lower lip and it sent an electric zing through him. He stood up quickly and gathered the bowls.

“Xander? I can tell there is something on your mind…” She asked solemnly.

He sighed heavily, as if the world was resting on his shoulders. He slowly sat back down and stared at the glowing embers in the fire pit, “Uh, sure. I—I just want you to know that I am here to help you anyway I can. I want to do my best to make the stay here as comfortable as possible…”

She started to interrupt but he quickly held up his hand, she quieted and let him continue, “Halo, I want you to know that I don’t expect anything in return. Above all, I want you to feel safe and secure here—with no thoughts of how you said about ‘repaying me’. If anything, I would enjoy only your friendship?”

She sighed as the little boy from earlier was replaced by an uneasy man. She could not blame him as she realized she was coming on strong. She knew he did his best at hiding the look on his face concerning his feelings for her. She decided to play along for now, “So why the explanation all of a sudden. Did I do something wrong?”

“Oh no! I—I just want you to be at ease… sometimes human nature being what it is? Having to depend on someone to survive can lead people to feelings they would not otherwise have in the real world. I just want you to know, that no matter what, I will take care of you. Your survival is paramount to my own, uh is what I think I’m trying to say here.” He felt his ears go hot once more.

She just wanted to shake him and tell him how she felt, but he was not hers to have. With a sad little sigh, she nudged him to get him to look at her, “Xander, you will always have my friendship. Believe me I do understand that people make different choices under stressful and dependent situations.” She paused to catch her breath then continued, “I so, so appreciate what you are conveying on my behalf. If Joel or Johnny were here instead of you… I would really be in a horrible situation. As it is, I am here with you. I knew from the moment I met you that you are a gentleman, a caring… and a loving man.” She let that part sink in as she caught her breath, “Xander, I know myself well enough…” She met his gaze and held it with hers. He did not look away from her and she liked that.

Oh shit, she knows! His brain screamed at him in a panic. It was the way she said ‘loving man’ he held her look regardless, not knowing what else to do. He had to say something quick he realized, “Halo, thank you for understanding.” He finally said quietly to her. Let her think on that…

She smiled at him, “You are welcome, and if there is anything I can… help you with? I am here for you too.” She paused playing like she needed to catch her breath, then she carried on, “In fact, I’d like to make sure you took care of those nasty scratches. Lemme see.” She ordered.

Xander’s heart froze in his chest at her words of ‘I am here for you too’; he knew he blinked hard a few times before he got himself under control. He cleared his throat and silently pulled his legs out from under him and pulled up his pant legs for her.

“Ouchies! They look painful, but they don’t look infected. You have to be careful of cuts in the tropics.”

“Yes, thank you.” He mumbled.

“So, now that’s over can I keep you in the tent to keep me warm at night? I honestly will sleep better knowing you are close and can protect me…” She gave him a big happy smile.

He let out a little groan and took in a breath then answered her, “Oh boy… uh sure. I have to say this Halo; my wife will never, ever let this go.”

The word ‘Good!’ careened around in her mind at what he said, she paused as it caught her off guard, “Well then we just won’t tell her.”

Xander could not help but let out a belly laugh. He shook his head and smiled at her, “Oh my God, Halo!” He laughed again, when he caught his breath he continued, “You women have stealth sensing capable radar, it doesn’t matter if we tell her or not. She will know. Wouldn’t you?” He cocked his head at her and smiled.

Halo watched him laugh, she enjoyed seeing him that way, but the last sentence struck a chord within her. The feeling was an odd one, she had a pit in her belly and she did not care for it. She took as deep a breath as she could without launching into another coughing fit and answered him, “Yes, Xander. I would know… I take it your wife is the jealous type?” She watched the smile fall from his face only to be replaced by a furrow on his forehead.

With a sigh, he answered her, “Very. She is trying to work on it…”

“I don’t blame her…” She mumbled looking down at the sand between her toes. “I’m getting sleepy again…”

“Tent?” He asked and he got a nod.

Once he had her situated in the tent he watched as she turned her head then sniffed at her t-shirt, “Hey, can you help me take off my bra before bed? It’s really beginning to smell and it hurts…”

“Uh wha?” Xander stuttered with his eyes widened.

“Xander, my bra. Just help me turn over and undo it. Hell, you can keep your eyes closed as you help me pull my shirt down?”

“Oh… ok. Let me clean up, uh first.” He replied quietly and left the tent. Once outside and out of her field of view he stopped in his tracks. Jesus H! She is really killing me here! He screamed inside his mind. Shaking his head hard he set out to clean up. When he was done, he decided he should forego the cupping. He will check her back and see if her body has absorbed the gray and black stuff then take off her bra for her.