Page 39 of Snowed in With the Yeti
I saw Maya’s jaw clench. “I’m serious.”
“After four days?” Pauline continued.
“After three years,” I interjected. “Pauline, ring us up. Please.”
The total was astronomical. In my haste to leave the store, I’d gone overboard on supplies, but I paid without comment and ushered Maya toward the door.
“Geoff, wait!” It was Tom, one of my search and rescue teammates, a grizzly bear shifter with a good heart but terrible timing. “Hey man, I wanted to congratulate you on the rescue. Heard it was a close call.” He looked at Maya with genuine warmth. “You’re lucky he found you. Geoff’s saved more lives than anyone else on the team.”
“I know,” Maya said, managing a smile. “I’m very grateful. Luck seemed to be on my side for once.”
“And now you two are,” Tom made a vague gesture between us.
“Together,” I said firmly. “We’re together.”
“Huh. Fast work.” Tom’s expression flickered with something like concern. “Be careful, yeah? You know how you get with attachments.”
“Tom.” My voice held a warning.
“I’m just saying, you barely know her in person. And humans can be, well, that’s my problem from my last experience.” He trailed off, clearly realizing he was stepping in it. “I’m sure she’s great. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“I appreciate your concern,” I said through gritted teeth. “We’re fine.”
We made it to the truck before Maya’s composure cracked. She climbed in silently, staring straight ahead, her hands clenched in her lap. A lone tear rolled down her cheek.
“Maya.”
“Can we just go? Please?”
I started the truck, pulling out of town faster than I should have. The tension in the cab was suffocating. After a few minutes, I couldn’t take it anymore.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “They shouldn’t have,” I sighed. “They were inappropriate.”
“They’re worried about you. I get it.”
“Doesn’t make it okay.”
“No, but I understand it.” She finally looked at me, and there were more tears in her eyes that she was clearly fighting. “They think I’m using you. Or that I don’t understand what I’m getting into. Or that I’m going to break your heart when I realize this was just a fun vacation fling with a Yeti.”
“That’s not,” I began.
“Isn’t it? To them, that's exactly what it looks like. Human girl crashes her car, gets rescued by the nice local Yeti, sleeps with him because she’s grateful or curious or has ‘bang a monster’ on her bucket list or whatever, then moves on once she’s settled.” Her voice was shaking. “And they’re protective of you. Which is actually really sweet, even if it makes me want to crawl into a hole.”
I pulled the truck over to the side of the road, putting it in park. “Maya, look at me.”
She did, reluctantly.
“I don’t care what they think. I don’t care if it looks fast or crazy or inappropriate. You’re not using me. You’re not going to break my heart. And this is not a fling.” I reached over, cupping her face. “You’re it for me. I told you that. I meant it.” I kissed her lips softly.
“I know you did. But everyone else…”
“Will figure it out when they see us together. When they realize this is real and permanent and not going anywhere.” I wiped away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. “It’s going to take time. People are going to have opinions. That’s unavoidable in a small town. But we know the truth - the truth about us and our relationship. That’s what matters.”
“Is it enough?”
The question hit me hard. “Is what enough?”
“Knowing the truth, just us. When everyone else is watching and judging and waiting for me to mess up?”
