By the time the truck reaches the main road, my dad is struggling through a coughing fit, brought on by his mirth. “Oh, Calla . . . You’ve really asked for it now.”
“He deserved it!”
“Yeah, I’d say so. But Jonah always has to have the last word. He’s not gonna let you get away with this.”
I fold my arms over my chest stubbornly. “He should be thanking me. Now people can see his face.”
My dad’s brow lifts curiously. “And seeing his face is a good thing?”
“He’s less likely to be trapped in a cage and brought to the zoo.” Do they even have a zoo in Alaska? I doubt it.
Dad bursts out in another round of gut-wrenching laughter. “For a while there, I was thinking something might have happened between you two. You know, with the tension from the accident and all. Maybe you two . . . you know . . .” He gives me a look.
My cheeks begin to burn. “That’s what you were thinking happened last night?”
“I mean, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. He’s smart, and hardworking. Seems pretty popular with the ladies.” He chuckles nervously. “A father can hope, can’t he?”
What did he just say? Is my father actually hoping that Jonah and I hook up?
Me and Jonah?
A flash of that face last night—a peaceful, handsome Jonah in slumber—hits me. I shove it aside. “I’m not falling for some sky cowboy,” I say resolutely.
Dad chuckle-coughs. “God, Calla, you remind me so much of your mother sometimes.”
“That’s what she called the pilots up here,” I admit sheepishly.
“Yeah, well . . . can’t say she’s wrong as far as Jonah’s concerned. It’s probably for the best, anyway. You don’t need to be repeating our mistakes,” he murmurs, turning into the road that leads to Alaska Wild.
Chapter 18
Agnes’s eyes squint as she leans in and scrutinizes my computer screen. “I like the other one better.”
I toggle back to the first picture-framing option.
“Yes. That one. It reminds me of a postcard.” Agnes stands and slides her glasses off. “It’s really coming along, Calla. And fast.”
I lock the setting. “I should have it up in another day or two.”
“You make it look so easy.”
“It is easy, I swear. I’ll show you how to do everything. And if there’s anything you need
help with, I’m always just an email away.” How odd it is that only a week ago, we were emailing as complete strangers, yet to meet.
My phone rings then, and Diana’s sardonic duck-lip selfie fills the screen. “I’ve got to take this,” I murmur, climbing from my seat. I knew the call was coming. The text I sent her ten minutes ago would have her frothing at the mouth for details. “Do you want me to grab you a water?”
Agnes waves it off with a “no thanks,” and returns to her desk.
Taking a deep breath, I answer my phone, thankful that the staff room is empty for the moment.
“You did not!” Diana gasps, in a shocked “I can’t believe you did that!” way.
“The yeti is no longer a yeti.”
“Oh my God, Calla! How angry is he?”
“I’m not exactly sure yet.”