Chapter 11 (her)
After arriving back at the hut late that evening I was exhausted. James had to go back to the shop to check on it and after our escapades at the waterfall. He seemed quite tired himself. Not feeling like talking to anyone I ate some peanuts and fruit from the mini fridge and ate it on the patio watching the surf roll in.
After a beer and watching some very dark clouds roll in, I climbed into bed and called my girlfriend to tell her all about my vacation so far.
"Sounds as though you are getting over the 'Jilted at the Alter' scenario?" She said.
Without a tear shed and a deep breathe in relief I felt wanted and sexy.
The rain began to fall slightly and then picked up. I fell fast sleep as the rain pelted the tin roof of my hut the rhythm was hypnotic. When I awoke I was startled by such a large crash of thunder the room shook and then immediately the lightning lit up the whole inside of my hut. It cracked so loudly that it felt as though it hit my roof. I went to the window to look outside. I saw the most incredible sight I ever seen in my entire life. The waves from the ocean were about 4 feet high and crashing so hard my adrenaline pumped faster. Quite a storm! I glanced at the clock but the electricity was out. I had no idea what time it was. It was still very dark with no sign of the storm ending in sight.
Slipping back under the covers I lay there in the dark trying to fall back to sleep. Normally thunderstorm sooth me, the way the earth replenishes itself. The down pour was stronger and this was too incredible. Water blew in the hut windows and the when I picked up the phone it was dead. Feeling slightly alarmed by the increased intensity of the storm I grabbed my pillow and blanket and slept in the tub where I wasn't getting wet and felt safe.
Dozing in and out for the rest of the night awakened by crashes of lightning and pounds of thunder the storm finally seemed as though it was letting up. Still pouring rain I heard a hard knock at the door and someone enter. Stretching and feeling very stiff from sleeping curled up in the bath tub I put one foot on the floor; instantly soaked. There was about 2" of very cold water covering the whole floor. Cussing I made it out of the bathroom to see James standing there in a panic. The look on his face, you would have thought I was swept away with the tide. He stepped into the room further and gave me the biggest hug so tight I could barely breathe. Sitting me on the bed he grabbed my suitcase then moving to my drawers, he started tossing things into the cases and told me to get dressed I was leaving.
I didn't understand the drama; I was fine, achy from the hard porcelain tub, but fine. The look on his face though made it seem as though there was urgency to his quickness of packing and his demand that I was leaving this hut and now. I simply did as I was told. Feet soaking wet, he went to the bathroom and grinned at seeing that I had slept in the tub. He tossed all of my belongings into a sack and then left the hut to throw all of my bags into a jeep. Just sitting on the bed shivering and tired I watched him very easily pick up my luggage in his arms as if they didn't weigh a ton. Which, I know that they did.
Grabbing my hand and tugging me out the door I slipped on the mud just outside the door and he caught me from falling flat on my ass. Sweeping his arms under my legs he lifted me up and walked a few steps to place me in the jeep. Another pounding of thunder followed by another crack of lightning and the palm tree about 50 feet away split right down the center falling only inches from the rear of the jeep. He turned the key and the jeep came to life. I hugged my knees to my chin shivering from the cold rain pelting my arms stinging them, leaving red blotches across my shoulders. The soft top was up but somehow the rain found its way through the small tears and openings. Sliding across the mud road up the hill I almost thought we weren't going to make it. James slipped it into 4 wheel drive then masterfully maneuvered the jeep up the side of the road not even breathing until we finally caught pavement.
He pulled up to the Blue house and carried me inside. It was nice, not that I can't walk, but I was shivering from the cold. He placed me on the carpet in front of the fire and began to peel off my damp clothing.
"You want to fuck me now?" I said chiding him through my chattering teeth.
He kissed me on the forehead and looked at me very seriously, as if he didn't understand what I had said. Then his eyes lightened and I noticed he got my little joke. He didn't think it was funny, but he covered me in a huge blanket and through another log on the fire.
"Stay!" he ordered upset, pointing his finger at me like I was a puppy that peed on the rug.
This made me angry, I'm not a dog. I went to say something but he was gone. Seconds later, soaking wet, he carried my entire luggage upstairs to his room and returned wearing just button fly jeans not buttoned all the way up and held a shirt in his hands.
He looked at me seriously then let out a heavy sigh.
"I have been trying to call you since the storm began." Without taking a breath "The phones went out and then I tried to hop in the jeep to get here and the rain was so bad I couldn't see to get out the driveway."
Putting his hands on my cheeks cradling my face, they felt hot. I was still shivering.
He stretched to the side and picked up a bottle of brandy from a cabinet. Passed it to me in glass and I welcomed the warmth that it filled me with.
Sitting on the rug bare-naked under a blanket, I questioned,
