Page 117 of Axe-identally Married
My stomach lurched. “Do you even know how to drive it?”
She shrugged. “It’s been a few years since I’ve been on one, but I’ll be fine.”
I picked up the bag and slung it over my shoulder. “What’s a few years?”
“High school.” She said it without an ounce of shame.
She was already piling on layers, twisting the scarf I’d knitted around her neck.
“Willa,” I pleaded. “This is crazy.”
Her eyes flashed with rage. “Listen to me. Kara has been a friend for years. Her husband is out at lumber camp and can’t get out. She’s alone and scared. I’m her doctor and her friend, and I do not take orders from you.”
My lungs seized up. All right, then. I was equally terrified and impressed by my wife.
“Fine,” I said, opening the closet and grabbing my own jacket. “I’m coming with you. I have a lot of snow mobile experience. I’ll drive.”
“Not necessary.”
“Yes, it is,” I gritted out. “You’re my wife, and if you’re going to drive miles up a mountain in a fucking blizzard, then I’ll be by your side the whole way. It’s my job to protect you.”
She threw her arms up and dropped them heavily with asmackagainst her thighs. “I don’t have time to fight with you about the patriarchal insanity of that statement.”
“Good. You can kick my ass later. Now move. I need to get my boots.”
Of all the nights. I shook my head. The snow had been pelting the side of the house all day, and it was bitterly cold. I wanted to be curled up in front of the wood stove, not role-playing one of those weird survival shows Jude loved to watch.
We headed out to the garage where she threw the cover off the snow machine.
It was a large touring model, thankfully. That meant there was room for both of us.
She set the medical bag on the back, along with a wilderness survival kit, and covered it with a tarp, then secured it with bungee cords. Every one of her movements was controlled and confident. I couldn’t help but admire her. She was determined, and nothing was stopping her.
“Okay, it’s secure.” She pointed to a gas can. “Fill her up.”
I poured gas into the tank as she double-checked the bungee cords.
As I worked, adrenaline pushed through me. I did not want to do this, but the thought of her being out in this weather alone ignited some instinct inside me that I could not identify.
I wanted to protect her, keep her safe, and deliver her to her destination.
As a native of rural Maine, I knew my way around a snow machine as well as this town. Even so, this wouldn’t be easy.
Before I mounted the damn thing, I grabbed my phone and sent a quick text to my brothers, just in case.
Cole
Willa and I are heading out on the snow machine to see a patient. If you don’t hear from me in a few hours, call for help.
Finn
We’ll come look for you
Gus
Are you sure? It’s dangerous out there
Cole
