Chapter Three
Saturday morning the quartet was awake early. The rain had stopped somewhere around three that morning and the ground was still wet and muddy in places. Mort and Seth went off to fish for their breakfast while Jessica and Maureen walked down to the showers.
The water wasn't very warm but they managed. No one else in the camp seemed to be awake yet. They dressed and headed back to their campsite.
"Jessica, are you okay with sleeping outside tonight?" Maureen picked up a large stick to use while she walked. "I noticed you weren't very relaxed about sleeping next to Seth last night. I'm sorry I put the other two tents back."
Jessica smiled slightly. "Maureen, I'm not used to sleeping next to anyone. It wasn't very uncomfortable. I consider Seth a great friend and I trust him especially with the Sheriff sleeping a couple of feet away." They laughed.
"I'm not sure the ground will be dry enough tonight," murmured Maureen.
"If you and Mort use the tent, I'm more than happy to sleep in the truck again."
"And Seth?"
Jessica cleared her throat. "He can sleep wherever he's comfortable."
The subject was dropped but it stayed on Jessica's mind throughout the day.
They went on a long hike after breakfast. Since the men prepared breakfast, the women cooked dinner. Grilled bratwursts along with foil baked potatoes and corn were easily cooked and served. After dinner they sat around the fire, talking and joking. Seth told anecdotes about patients without naming them although Jessica and probably Mort could make educated guesses about who he was referencing.
Jessica noticed that Mort pitched the tent in the driest area which was almost on the opposite side of the clearing from the truck. Seth had already claimed he was fine with sleeping in the truck bed and being able to see the stars if Jessica didn't mind. She didn't want to cause a problem and certainly didn't want to separate Mort and Maureen so she agreed with the plan. She missed the look Maureen sent to her husband.
Later while picking up twigs and bits of wood for the fire pit, Mort pulled her away from the other two.
"Mrs. F, are you okay with the sleeping arrangements? You can share the tent with Maureen if you prefer."
"Mort, it's fine, really. Seth isn't going to do anything to make me uncomfortable. He's always been a perfect gentleman and I doubt that will ever change."
"I know but Maureen says you aren't used to sharing your…space." He looked awkward standing there with his arms full of twigs.
Jessica laughed lightly. "I consider Seth one of my dearest friends, Mort. I trust him completely."
Mort didn't comment further other than to say if she changed her mind, he was fine with it.
They sat around the fire pit roasting marshmallows on sticks and talking. The night air was cool but Jessica felt lying in the truck bed would have most of the air swirling above them. They cleaned up the area and stashed all food in the cab of the truck before heading to bed.
Seth cautioned them about sound traveling and Mort smiled wickedly. Jessica laughed and patted Seth's shoulder. He helped her into the cab and she got into her sleeping bag at one end while Seth was at the other end. There was no sound from the tent.
Jessica wasn't very sleepy. She felt uncomfortable that everyone wanted to know if she was okay sleeping near Seth. While she wasn't tense about it, she was able to sleep last night, afterall.
"Seth?"
She heard him move about. "What is it?"
"Do you think you can sleep on this end? I thought we could talk and not have to shout at each other."
Seth crawled out of his sleeping bag and turned it around so it was next to Jessica. He got back inside and turned to face her. "Mort and Maureen both cautioned me about 'pressuring' you," he groused. "Have I ever been inappropriate?"
"Oh Seth, it isn't you. They're just a little overprotective. The way you can be sometimes." Jessica patted his hand. "I appreciate everyone looking out for me. I trust you though and have no qualms about sharing space with you."
"Thank you, Jess." They spoke for a few more minutes. "I think I need to tell you something."
"What is it, Seth?" She adjusted her pillow and pulled her blanket higher.
"When my wife, Ruth, was ill she had a nurse, Janet, that took care of her while I was working. She was fantastic, Jess. She worked with Ruth at the hospital for her first ten or twelve years after training. They were good friends." He moved a little closer and lowered his voice.
"After Ruth passed we sent the occasional Christmas card to each other but she moved to Augusta and I didn't see her again." He sighed. "I got a card from her a couple of months back explaining she had cancer and while she wasn't working, she had time to catch up. She told me she was back in Portland."
"Jess, she looked after Ruth for free. She would get off work at the hospital and come over and help take care of my wife. She slept over many nights. I don't have to tell you I couldn't afford skilled nursing care. My insurance didn't cover it while at home, only in the hospital, and Ruth didn't want to be there any more than necessary. You know I still had Margie to look after so any help was appreciated."
"She sounds like a wonderful person, Seth."
"She is, Jess. She devoted eight months to us, doing what she could to make Ruth comfortable. Now she's sick and she has wonderful nursing care six days a week so I go down on Mondays to care for her on the nurse's day off. She refused at first but you know, I can be a little stubborn."
Jessica smiled widely. Yes, she knew he could be a little stubborn.
"She doesn't have long, a couple of more months possibly. I just want to help her, repay her somehow for what she did for Ruth, for me."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I don't want people telling me I'm wonderful, caring, all that nonsense." He grunted. "People spreading rumors and gossiping about me…ridiculous. I like what you said. If I want you to know, I'd tell you."
"Well, I think you're wonderful." She put her hand on his cheek and slowly leaned forward and gave him a light kiss on his lips. "I was curious but all of the rumors were pure fiction, just light hearted unbelievable gossip. Thank you for confiding in me." She savored the tingling on her lips.
They were quiet for a few moments, each thinking their own thoughts.
"I hope we don't get any rain," commented Seth, changing the subject. "I should have put the tarp up."
"That's a good idea, Seth. It will probably be damp from dew in the morning," commented Jess. She sat up and turned on the lantern. She looked over to the tent but it was dark.
Seth unrolled the tarp and tied it with rope to the rails on the truck. After making sure it was securely attached he covered the last bit over their heads and turned off the lantern. He slanted the top so any moisture would roll off and onto the ground.
"Did you want the light to stay on?"
"No, it might wake Mort and Maureen."
Seth snorted but didn't comment. He heard more than felt Jessica moving around. "What are you doing?"
"Getting comfortable," she stated. She wriggled some more before settling down.
"Are you lying on something that's poking you?" he asked.
"I was removing my bra," admitted Jessica.
Seth was silent for a moment. He cleared his throat softly. "Is that an invitation?"
"Seth!"
"Hush woman! How am I supposed to know what that means?"
Jessica began to giggle and Seth joined in.
"Whatever you're doing over there, and I don't want to know, just keep it down," called Mort.
This caused more laughter and Jessica and Seth giggled raucously. They heard footsteps stomping toward the truck.
"I'm not going to raise this tarp so I won't have to bleach out my eyes."
Jessica sat up and poked her head out of the tarp. "The tarp is in case it rains, Mort."
"What's all the laughter about?" Mort asked, curiously.
"Seth was being silly and I guess I got the giggles and it was contagious." Jessica looked at Mort innocently. "Shouldn't you be spending time with Maureen?"
"Oh right, well, as long as everything is okay, I'll see you in the morning." He jogged back to the tent and slipped inside.
"I never thought Mort would be our chaperone," grumbled Seth. "Goodnight Jess."
"Night Seth."