Twist and turn, p.19
Twist & Turn, page 19
Pheobe giggled at me and went on with her story. "When you fill someone else's bucket, then you fill your own too!"
"Okay, so how do you fill a bucket?" I asked, with Cam smiling at me.
"Well, like if you say nice things to someone or if you help them out, that fills their bucket. Life isn't always rainbows and roses, but you don't have to be a bucket dipper."
I laughed so hard. She was so darn cute. When I realized how serious she was, I straightened up my face, pressed my lips together to thin out my smile and let her continue.
"That means you steal out of someone's bucket when you're mean to them or hurt their feelings," she advised me, with confidence.
"Oh, I see."
"I like what you're wearing," Pheobe said, smiling adorably at me.
"Thanks! You're really good at that bucket filling thing; such a sweetheart.”
Pheobe giggled out of control, bouncing up and down with excitement. “Abby filled my bucket when she said I was a sweetheart!”
Cameron crouched down to talk to his daughter on her level. "Abby filled my bucket when she said she'd come with us today."
Pheobe giggled delightedly and smiled at her father, but it couldn’t compare to what I was feeling right at that moment.
"Now all of our buckets are full!" Pheobe cheered.
Eventually she broke free from Cameron's loving grip and ran through the open grass toward the cabin. When she wasn't paying attention, Cameron stopped me briefly to steal a kiss, his soft lips moving over mine with a lovers caress. I enjoyed it thoroughly. It definitely filled my bucket.
After registering for the tour in the cabin, Cameron pulled a folded paper from his pocket and handed it to Pheobe. “I have a surprise for you."
I watched Pheobe's wide eyes as her eager fingers unfolded the paper the rest of the way.
The paper read: If you go out to the Park today, you may meet some of our friends!
"What is it, Daddy?"
"It's a checklist. You have to record your wildlife sightings. See the picture? You have to try and find that bird."
Cameron handed Pheobe a small pencil, the perfect size for her delicate, little hand. "What d'you say?" he asked.
A smile lit up her face. "I'm going to find everything on the list!"
"What are you looking for? Maybe I can help," I suggested.
"Thanks Abby, but I'm a big girl. I can find them myself."
She immediately crouched in the grass and started exploring for the list of creatures. "Look!" she cheered, less than a minute later. Down on one knee, she pointed at a small blade of grass that had a lady bug crawling on it. "Check!" she said excitedly, as she marked it off her list. "Only four more to go."
All of a sudden, a bubbly, middle-aged woman with short, red hair and full bangs came out of the cabin. She was wearing a vest with matching khaki pants, a tilly hat and a name tag. She reminded me of an overly enthusiastic summer camp counsellor and there was no doubt in my mind that she was our tour guide.
The lady spoke with a deep, projective voice. "Welcome to Rosella Park. Hi everyone, I'm Linda. I'll be your tour guide for today. If you're registered for the nature walk, please show me your registration card and we'll be on our way."
There were twelve in our group and we all followed the guide as she told us about the history of our surroundings. We strolled down the leafy, brown trails. Boughs of pine trees formed a cool covering overhead, as we plunged further into the wilderness. Pheobe skipped ahead of Cameron and me and, as the tour went on, we casually faded to the back of the crowd.
Cameron turned to me and smiled. "Did you know that Rouge River got its name from riverbank clay causing the stream to look red, or 'Rouge' in French," Cameron explained.
"I did not know that, Mr. Encyclopedia. But I like when you talk to me in French," I said, wearing a naughty smirk.
Cameron acted like he wanted to beat me up for being smart, so I ran away from him, heading for Pheobe and the rest of the group. He chased behind me and I couldn't help but let out a squeal like a little girl. When he caught up with me he wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me up. I had caught Phoebe's attention and she seemed to be amused by her father's playfulness.
"Oh, look Pheobe!" I said mid-flight. I pointed out the two beautiful orange butterflies that were swirling around each other in the cool, autumn air.
The tour guide stopped in her tracks when she heard Pheobe's excited response. Linda approached Pheobe, who was chasing the fluttery pair. "You're pretty lucky to check these butterflies off your list today, young lady. These two must be stragglers. I'd bet the rest of their family has already migrated for the season."
Pheobe listened with wonder in her eyes and happily checked the monarch butterfly off her list. When everyone's attention was focused on Pheobe, again Cameron took my lips in a passionate kiss. This time we carried on a little too long and our love didn't go unnoticed. Thankfully, Linda only flashed us a smile and continued on with the tour.
Cameron was content to stay behind, but I grabbed his hand and pulled him on, trying to keep up with the group. Pheobe was right up at the front, hanging on every word Linda uttered.
“There are over 225 different kinds of birds that live here in Rosella Park. Oh, look here," she pointed. "Do you see it, Pheobe?"
"I do! I do!" It was the small bird on Pheobe's wildlife checklist.
"That's the black-capped chickadee or the Poecile atricapilla, as they call it," Linda explained.
Cameron whispered in my ear. "Its French name is Mésange à tête noire." He waggled his eye brows at me seductively and I couldn't help but bite my lip when I smiled back at him.
He sounded so sexy when he spoke French. "How do you know that?"
Cameron smirked. "I read it in the brochure when we came in."
"Do you speak French fluently?" I asked, terribly turned on by the notion.
"I do my best. I’m not comfortable giving legal advice like that, but my French clients respect that I try."
"You're so darn cute," I said, wrapping my arms around him.
"I'm not cute," he said, bluntly.
"Yes, you are."
"I'll show you cute," he said, as he kissed me sweetly and then grabbed my ass in both of his hands. We had some onlookers watching us, but he didn't care to stop the entertainment.
As the day went on, we continued our hike through the woodlands and Cameron carried on playfully kissing and touching me whenever Pheobe wasn’t looking. Hand-in-hand we walked down the trails, captivated by each other.
"Daddy, I have to go pee," Pheobe hollered anxiously, interrupting the guide.
“There’s a pit stop in about 20 minutes,” Linda advised. “Then another 10 will take you back to the front gate.”
“Can you hold it?” Cam asked, crouching down to meet Pheobe on eye level.
Pheobe was already bouncing around, doing the potty dance. “No, Dad. I have to go really bad," she whined.
"You’ll have to go in the bush then,” he suggested.
“No, I won’t. I need a potty,” she pouted.
"There is a short cut," Linda said, while the others in the group waited for her impatiently. "Here I'll show you." She pulled out her map and ran her finger along the trail that would take us to the nearest public washroom.
"Thanks. I appreciate it," Cameron said. "What do you ladies say? Are we ready to go it alone?"
"I think that sounds like a plan,” I said, watching Pheobe prance around in front of us. “Thank you for the tour, Linda."
"My pleasure. Thanks for joining us today," Linda said, then turned and headed back to the front of the pack.
"Come on," Cam said, scooping Pheobe off her feet.
It was a good ten minute trek before we finally located the washroom. I was starting to worry that Pheobe might not make it. When Cameron lowered her onto her feet, she took off in an all-out race for the potty.
I strode quickly after her. "I can go in with you if you want," I hollered.
"I don’t need any help. I'm a big girl,” Pheobe hollered back, disappearing inside the building.
After taking a peek at the facilities, that were surprisingly clean and modern for an outdoor washroom, I rejoined Cameron outside.
“I offered to stay with her, but she insisted that she doesn't need my help," I told Cam, shrugging my shoulders. Feeling the effects from the long hike, I leaned against the brick building and pressed my foot against the wall with one bent knee. "Ahh, that's better."
Cameron came toward me with a purpose and put his fisted hands against the wall on either side of my head. "Did you notice there's no one around here?" His voice was low, dark and devious.
"Your daughter is right inside there and she'll be back out any minute."
He bent his arms and rested them against the wall, his face now only inches from mine. He closed the gap between our bodies and kissed me tenderly. I couldn’t resist him. He tasted so good.
His arms protected me from the crisp breeze and his kisses sent me into a lust-filled frenzy for more. Our lips caressed more aggressively now and Cameron couldn't seem to restrain himself. Demonstrating the intensity of his enthrallment, he pressed the rock hard bulge in his pants flat against me.
“Mmm,” I groaned, as the hand dryer clicked on. Knowing it was time to wrap things up, I forced myself to dash under Cameron's arm and out of the hold he had on me.
He turned toward me swiftly and locked his arms around me, leaning me slightly back against him, controlling my weight. "You're not getting away from me that easily," he said, as he smoothly massaged my breast.
I spun around and kissed him and he lowered both of his hands until they cradled my ass. My nerves were gnawing at me something fierce. I broke away from the kiss. "You should really cut it out, Cam. Pheobe..."
"Eww, Daddy!" Pheobe screeched.
Cam's hands immediately released me and I stepped away giggling. "Yeah, Daddy. Eww!"
He smiled at his daughter, as he clearly struggled with his urge to pull me back into his arms. Pheobe on the other hand had a rather pouty face on and it was pretty comical.
"I'm gonna get you next," he teased, as he chased Pheobe away with pinching fingers.
He came back carrying her effortlessly over his shoulder. She was giggling uncontrolledly in his arms. When he reached my side, he returned Pheobe to her feet and it took a second for her to steady herself. He crouched down to make sure she was okay.
I watched him with his daughter. He was such a good father. He was also charming, witty and devastatingly handsome. My gosh. Every ounce of this man appealed to me.
Oh, how I love this man.
CHAPTER TWENTY
THE DAY WAS GROWING late when we decided to go exploring. On our way back toward the park entrance, we hiked down an unbeaten trail into the wilderness and discovered a hidden stream. There was a couple canoeing together and it looked incredibly peaceful and utterly romantic.
"Can we try that?" Pheobe asked.
"I don't think there's enough time in the day to do all the things you want to do," Cam answered, smirking. He rustled her hair and scooped up her hand.
The leaves were whirling in the wind and covering the ground with a carpet of colour. I was surrounded by large, old trees and wrapped in the sounds of nature with the man I love and his sweet, little girl. I inhaled a deep breath of fresh air. Life can’t get much better than this.
Pheobe released Cameron's hand and scurried down the trail ahead of us toward the sound of rushing water. Cam didn't let her get more than a few steps away, before looping his arm around her and plopping her on his broad shoulder. It was nice to be together, just the three of us, to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
Cam stopped when the untraveled trail branched into two directions. One led us back to the cabin; the other to the river.
"Can we go that way?" Pheobe begged, pointing toward the raging river.
Cameron lifted her off his shoulder like she weighed not more than a feather. "Okay, but stay close please."
"I will, Daddy," she insisted, carefully trotting ahead of us.
We approached the steep riverbank and kept our distance from the loose edge. Cameron took Pheobe's hand as we proceeded onto the less stable shoulder. We glanced out at the rushing water that was a good drop from where we were standing. Pheobe wanted to get closer, to see the fish that were swimming by.
"Careful sweetie, not too close," Cameron said protectively, as she pulled his arm to full extension.
She crouched down, near the edge of the bend in the river, causing Cameron to hunch at her side as she pointed excitedly into the water. "Look at the fish, Dad!"
"Those are rainbow trout," he explained.
Pheobe’s proximity to the edge made me very nervous. I hadn’t lifeguarded since I was a teenager, but I could still remember the torment in the children's eyes when they scooted out a little too far at the beach and realized that they couldn’t make it back on their own.
"Maybe you should come away from the edge, Pheobe. That's not very safe there for a little girl."
"She's okay. I’ve got her," Cam said, as he glanced in my direction to smile.
Without warning, Pheobe stood up swiftly and tugged her hand from her Dad.
"No!" I hollered, frozen with panic.
She spun towards me on impulse and I saw her feet fail her as her shoes lost grip on the loose ground. Her eyes popped open wide with fear as her arms wagged backwards. Cameron reached for her desperately, but her jacket slipped from his fingers and she plummeted backward; drifting through the air, a terrifying screech ringing in my ears until she splashed into the pool of icy water.
I couldn’t move, all life-saving training gone out with the wind, until Pheobe resurfaced from her vertical drop. She let out another blood curdling scream. Coming to my senses, I rushed to Cameron’s side, just in time to watch her submerge beneath the depths of the frosty river again.
The water was much too deep for her to touch bottom and I doubted she would last long in the frigid, fast water. She had already started travelling downstream, much too small to fight the strong current.
"Does she know how to swim?" I shouted feverishly, as I watched on fearful for her life. I cringed, as her head bobbed up and down in the water.
"She's just learning. She's not very strong," Cam belted out. "I'm going in."
I saw her clawing at the surface, unable to fight the undertow. From the look on Cameron's face, I was certain he wasn't a very confident swimmer. When he hesitated to pull off his jacket, it solidified my fears. He didn't have any lifesaving skills at all.
"Call for help!" I cried, then leapt from the steep bank.
I attempted a compact jump and, even though I did it to the textbook, when I hit the water it felt like I had broken through a brick wall. My feet curled upwards and water ushered up my nose. When I finally broke the surface, I choked on the intake of water and my breath stung as I inhaled the brisk air.
My body felt heavy, weighed down by my saturated layers of clothes, and torn by the tug of the current. I frantically scoured the water for my target, as the undertow dragged me under against my will. I knew what I had to do. According to our tour guide, the water couldn’t have been much deeper than 10 feet. Giving in to the towing force, I plunged to the bottom until I connected with land.
Thrusting myself upward I broke the surface again, gasping for air and kicking as hard as I could to stay up. My lungs burned as I desperately searched for Pheobe. There she was, clawing hopelessly at a slippery rock. I swam with the current, stroking head up in her direction.
I knew if I outright grabbed her she would sink us both. But when I saw her little face submerge again, even longer than the last time, I couldn't fight my heart; even if I was fighting to keep my own head above water. I was going to grab onto her and hold on at all costs.
"I'm gonna help you, Pheobe,” I screeched. “Keep kicking!"
I could see the terror in her eyes, just like I had seen so many times before, as she gasped for a breath like it might be her last and choked back a mouthful of water. The only thing keeping me from falling to pieces was the fact that she was still coughing.
When I was only a few feet from her, she submerged again and I couldn’t take the chance of her not resurfacing. I forced myself under the treacherous water to swim after her.
I plunged under the water foot first and noticed the river was shallower now. When my fingers latched onto Pheobe’s jacket, I pulled her to my hip and pushed off the bottom to force her head up for air.
After a few seconds, I found I was in dire need for air myself, so I kicked with all that I had, to keep us both above the whipping water. I managed a sharp breath and held our position, but I was struggling.
"Abby," Pheobe choked out, with a whimper. "I'm scared."
"It's okay, Pheobe. I'm scared too,” I rasped. “But we're together now. I've got you."
She wept constantly, but tried to stay still. For that I was glad because I could feel my muscles tightening with each whip of my legs.
"I won't let you go. I promise," I reassured her, though my confidence was waning.
The rocks were too slippery and the banks too steep to climb. The sharp rocks were starting to rip my clothes and scratch my exposed skin. I tried to protect Pheobe as we struggled against the current and looked for a safe place to rest.
"Do you see a big rock or branch?" I asked desperately, as I used all of my energy to keep us afloat.
Exhaustion was starting to set in and my muscles were ceasing up from the cold, but I couldn’t give up. Both of our lives depended on it. On me. With sheer determination, I held Pheobe up as long as I could until we both submerged in the rapids.
We rolled through the water, as I squeezed onto her with my last ounce of energy, her little fingers clung to my heavy jacket for dear life. Clawing at the water I managed to break through one more time. After choking on another intake of river water, a muffled sound caught my attention.
“Abigail!" Cameron hollered again, deep and damaged.
Lying on my back to float as best I could, I glanced up at the river bank. Cameron’s eyes were locked on us like a hawk. I felt a false sense of relief, knowing that Cameron was there, then I realized that he was motioning farther down the river.
