As much as Jonah might value their relationship, after last week’s ordeal, I’ll never entirely trust her around him, whether her intentions toward me are insidious or not.
Thankfully, I trust him.
Jonah’s boisterous laugh carries over the crowd. I know him well enough to know he can’t fake that. Not that he can fake any laugh. The guy has the worst poker face when he doesn’t like someone.
It means he’s enjoying himself with his new acquaintances.
“So, do you think Jonah’ll fly for Jack?” Toby asks, pouring a round of pints for a guy who could be Teddy’s doppelganger—another rotund, Santa-bearded man.
“I’m not sure yet. What’s this Big Game Alaska thing? Hunting, right?”
“Yeah. People pay serious cash to use Jack. I’m talking twenty, thirty grand for a fly-in, a full camp, and a guide.”
A low whistle escapes my lips. “For how many people?”
He gives me a look. “That’s per person.”
“Holy shit.” I automatically do the Canadian currency configuration in my head. I wonder how long it’ll be before I stop doing that math.
“Yeah. And he just lost one of his pilots to an airline down south somewhere. Mom mentioned Jonah to him. The guy’s got a good reputation because Jack already knew about him.”
My pride swells, hearing that.
“So …” Toby leans forward again to rest his elbows on the counter. “If Jonah can get in with Jack, that’s some good, solid cash coming in every September, before the season starts to die down.”
“I don’t know if he wants to do it.” Why wouldn’t he, though? Having work that pays well every September is exactly what Jonah is interested in.
“No offense, but he’d be crazy not to for what Jack pays. But I get it … Some people aren’t keen on being up in McGrath for that long.”
“McGrath?” I don’t recall where that is on the map.
“Yeah. Of course, they’d put him up at the lodge there. It’s not the greatest, but it works.”
“A lodge. So, he’d be away for the month.” As in, I’d be alone at home for an entire month. The conversation I overheard between Jonah and Marie is starting to make sense.
Jonah doesn’t think he can take it because of the promise he made to me. But he told Marie about it, and if he’s talking about it with her, then he must be interested, despite what he said to me.
Another loud burst of laughter comes from Jonah, along with the other men at the table. I don’t think I’ve heard him laugh like that since … Well, since he was joking around with my father.
Guilt pricks me as Marie’s words come to mind. Are you happy turning down jobs because you’re afraid to leave your girlfriend alone?
How long will she hold you to that?
I’m holding Jonah back from doing something he wants to do, and for what? Because I—an almost twenty-seven-year-old woman—don’t want to be home alone. And of course he’ll keep his word, because that’s who Jonah is. But are my reasons justified?
I’ve noticed that on the days Jonah’s grounded because of the weather, he’s irritable and restless, scowling at the clouds as if trying to scare them away. He hates being held back from doing things. Agnes says he’s always been like that—like a high-strung toddler who needs his daily dose of outdoor exercise to regulate his mood. I laughed when she made that comparison, but I’m realizing she’s not wrong.
How long before he begins resenting me?
“Ah, shit …” Toby bows his head, his hand working a cloth over the counter.
“What’s wrong?”
His gray eyes dart to the door and I see rare annoyance on his face. “Don’t look now, but the woman who walked in—I said don’t look!”
“Sorry! It’s a natural reaction.” I wince sheepishly. “The one in the leopard-print crop top?”
“Yeah. If you mean the short shirt.” He leans closer. “That’s Jessie Winslow. Her husband works on the north slope.”