Something Gained by C.K. Carr

Author:C.K. Carr [Carr, C.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: C.K. Carr

Chapter 32

Jackie spent the entire hike to the cove tensed for Melody’s questions about George, but they never came. Instead she chattered about the latest photo spread she’d pitched to National Geographic and whether it was going to rain later and how the neighbor had come by the day before and offered them some homemade biltong which seemed to be a form of jerky but how Melody wasn’t sure she wanted to try it because the guy said he’d made it in his closet and how on earth could that be hygienic.

She didn’t even pause long enough for Jackie to respond, just bounced from topic to topic to topic. Which was fine. Jackie wasn’t up for talking anyway. Instead she let her body fall into the rhythm of hiking and navigating the muddy paths at a steady pace that kept her grounded enough not to think too much about George or Dave or much of anything at all.

The path was washed out right before the end and they had to navigate a muddy hillside that threatened to disappear under their feet at any moment, but when they finally made it down to the beach, the famous arch was as stunningly beautiful as in all the movies.

“I can’t believe in all our hiking this last month that we never made it here before,” Jackie said.

“I know.” Melody took her camera from her pack and started adjusting the settings, glancing at the sky to judge the light. “But there are always so many tourists and it’s not like it’s a unique shot. I figured it was better to wander some of the lesser known trails instead. I’m going to set this on a one-hour exposure to see if I can get a shot without people in it. That okay with you?”

Jackie nodded as she pulled out her own camera. Melody tended towards nature photography but Jackie preferred to take photos of actual people. She focused on a pair of Japanese tourists who’d just arrived, and snapped a few shots. The girl had kitten heels on, a short skirt, and was carrying an actual purse. How she’d navigated that muddy stretch of path, Jackie didn’t want to know, but she had and somehow managed to still look completely flawless, not a speck of mud on her.

Jackie glanced around for others to photograph, but her heart wasn’t really in it, so she tucked the camera back in her pack and waited for Melody to finish setting up. They found a rock shelf nearby out of the path of the crowds and climbed up to sit.

When they were all settled in, Melody turned to her with a deliberate sigh. “Well…Now that we’ve got some time, I guess we should talk about what’s going on with you and George.”

“The whole way here I was expecting you to bring it up, but now I see you were just lulling me into dropping my guard first.”

“I’m good that way.” Melody grinned. “Look. Tell me as much or as

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