I’d like to think it’s because he’s too focused on our current engine predicament, but I can’t help but worry that it’s about the other, more serious problem at hand.
On impulse, I lean in and capture his lips with mine. He responds with the briefest of kisses, his soft sigh skating across my cheek as he pulls away. “Listen for this Sam guy, okay?”
“Don’t fall in.” Who knows how deep that lake is, and the floats are likely slippery.
He pops open his door and eases out.
Leaving me alone with worry gnawing at my insides.
* * *
“What kind of plane is that?” I study the mustard-yellow one-seater that taxis along the lake toward us. It looks like a brightly painted fighter plane, with the little pilot hatch on the top.
“A Fire Boss.” Jonah watches its approach while standing on a float. “They use them to fight forest fires. The pilots fly down low over a lake, slurp up a bunch of water into the floats, and then dump it on the fire from above. It’s pretty cool.” Jonah’s words don’t match his flat voice and grim face. Whatever he found under that engine panel had him cursing Bart, Alaska Wild’s mechanic.
The silence drags as we wait.
“So, how bad is it?” I finally dare ask.
“Don’t know yet. I need to get Toby here.”
The yellow plane stops twenty feet away, and Jonah tightens his grip as the subtle waves rock us. The hatch pops open and a bald man waves. “Not havin’ a great day, are ya!”
You have no idea.
“Thanks for comin’, Sam,” Jonah hollers.
“No problem. You need a ride outta here? I can come back with another plane, but it’ll be a bit. Or I’ve got a friend not too far away I can call.”
“Either would be much appreciated.”
“Lemme get a hold of my friend. Probably faster.”
Jonah gently thumps his fist against the fuselage. “I’ll start tyin’ him up.”
* * *
“Did you do it right?”
I look up from my perch on the closed toilet to glare at Jonah. “How many ways are there to pee on a stick?”
“More than one, based on this.” He scowls at the pregnancy test instructions. “It’s less complicated to fly a damn plane.”
I stare hard at the tiny window, turning it this way and that under the light of the naked bulb above, searching for the second pink line that’s supposed to appear within two minutes. It’s been five and there’s not even a hint of one. Based on this test, I’m not pregnant.
Relief sweeps over me, though I know we’re not in the clear yet.
Jonah crumples and tosses the pamphlet into the trash can. “So, what now?” His mood hasn’t improved since Sam’s friend brought us home. We left Archie at the edge of the lake, secured by ropes and anchors, and I know it’s eating at him.
“I’ll do another test in the morning, to make sure. Maybe my hormones are messed up this month.” I can’t hide the hopefulness in my voice.
Just as Jonah can’t seem to hide the disappointment from his face.
He nods slowly. “Did Toby respond yet?”
“Yeah. He said he’s free to go today if you want,” I say.
“Today would be ideal.” He hesitates. “You good with staying home, or did you want to come with us?”