Page 63 of Marlin's Faith

We had dinner and beers, made some small talk, but Bobby could tell we were wore out and didn’t push it. Instead, he cleared plates and told us he was going to watch some TV before hitting the hay, and we were welcome to join him. Faith smiled wanly, and I declined for us before she had to.

“Right then, see y’all in the morning, then. Jimmy, you know where the guest room’s at. Make yourself at home.”

“You got it, Man. Thanks again.”

“No problem.”

Faith very nearly sagged with relief when I took her gently by the hand and led her upstairs. I took her down the hall to the bathroom and got the water running in the tub, stripping us down a piece at a time like the night before. I didn’t know about her, but I was up for a soak, and Bobby had these giant ass old fashioned copper tubs in the house. The kind that were deep, and big. The kind that they just didn’t make anymore, and apparently they were something Faith had never seen before because she couldn’t stop staring at it, as if it were too good to be real.

“Never seen a woman fall in love with a bathtub,” I said casually.

“What, am I looking at it the same way I look at you, or something?” I froze and looked up from where I was gathering her fitted tee in my hands to draw it over her head. I felt a slow, lazy grin overtake me, but I chose not to say anything. Instead, I undressed us and got into the tub, shutting off the tap. I held a hand out to Faith and she climbed in after me, situating herself in front of me, laying back against my chest carefully.

God, this must be what heaven is like.

My arms around her, she trailed fingertips beneath the warm water along my arm, and I had to smile to myself. Yeah, I was pretty sure this was heaven. I heaved a long sigh and I’m not sure why, but I sang to her; her song,Hope Never Dies.

She melted against me, and turned her head so it was pillowed half on my chest and half on my shoulder. I closed my eyes and the next thing I knew, the water was cold and we were both jerking awake at a hard thumping on the door.

“Y’allright in there?” Bobby called through the wood.

“Yeah, Man!” I laughed, “We fell asleep!”

“There’s a bed for that y’know. See y’all tomorrow.”

Faith rolled her head back and looked up at me, blinking owlishly, she shivered beneath the tepid-at-best water and I chuckled.

“I think we’re both tired.”

She nodded and winced as she moved, stiffly, to let me up. I pulled the drain and stood with her and reached for the towel rack, wrapping her in it first. We were prunes, and she was cold. I dried her off and she stood hugging the towel around her. I dried off, double timing it, so I could chivvy us a couple doors down to the guest room. I shut the door behind us and lifted the bedding so she could crawl in. I got in right behind her and she didn’t hesitate to cuddle up to my side. I got comfortable and her body heat combined with mine had us warm enough and drifting off pretty quick.

Truthfully, we both passed right the hell back out again. It was nice, it was comfortable, and the next morning showed up too damn quick. Faith slept on, but I needed to make a run back out to my boat for a few reasons. Knowing she would be safe enough here, I laid out some clothes for her for the day and took myself downstairs. Bobby was in the kitchen and passed me a cup of strong, black coffee.

“Morning!”

I took the cup and nodded, grunting out a half assed, inarticulate reply.

“So, what’s your plan for today?” he asked and looked entirely too pleased at my rough state. I was used to getting up early, fishing being my trade; I still didn’t have to like it.

“Have t’ head back to m’ boat. Pick up some more clothes and shit for the both of us, talk to my brother… I might have to head back to work even though we’ll be stayin’ here, if that’s cool.”

“That’s cool.”

“Can’t really bring Faith around Ft. Royal for much more’n a visit until the rest of the crew is back.”

“I get you; remind me again what’s up?”

I did, explained about the Russians and the whole bit. Bobby sniffed, and nodded.

“She’s safe enough here, I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“Anyplace you don’t want her poking around?”

“I’ll give her the full tour when I see her up and moving around, set some boundaries for safety around the equipment. Shouldn’t be bad, though. I’ll tell the workers they’ll be seeing her around and I’ll also tell ‘em to stay in their lane. She’ll be fine.”

I nodded carefully, and Bobby eyed me, “You got it bad for this chick, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

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