Chasing Sunset

by Missouri Vaun

  * * *

  Finn stretched, yawned, and then remembered Iris was next to her. A fleeting rush of excitement evaporated the instant she realized Iris was gone. Like discovering on Christmas morning that none of the presents under the tree were yours. Not that that had ever happened to Finn, but she was pretty sure the disappointment as a result of Iris’s absence was what it would feel like.

  She rubbed her eyes and then checked her phone on the nightstand. It was only eight thirty, not so late that her mother would give her grief for sleeping in. She sat up so that she could look out the bedroom window. Iris’s rental was still parked in front of the cabin next door. Finn launched out of bed and hustled through an accelerated version of her usual morning ritual of showering and getting dressed. She checked out the window for Iris’s car once more as she ran her fingers through her hair with molding paste to calm it down and arrange it into some semblance of orderly chaos.

  Luckily, her mother was nowhere in sight when Finn bounded into the kitchen and retrieved two cups of coffee. Hmm, cream or no cream? Sugar? She pondered these questions. They’d shared a bed, in the most platonic way possible, but she had no idea how Iris preferred her coffee.

  Finn opted for a small tray and loaded it with cream, sugar, spoons, and two of her mother’s buttered biscuits from the stove for good measure. Might as well bring a small jar of strawberry preserves. What good were biscuits without jam? Cabin two was about to get room service.

  Nothing had happened last night, but Finn’s ego couldn’t quite let the idea of it go. There was something about Iris that had captured her attention in a big way. She hoped coffee delivery turned out to be a welcomed gesture. She should be thinking about how she’d just gotten herself fired and how she needed to be looking for another job, but Iris was a much more pleasant distraction.

  It was nine o’clock now. Was that a reasonable time to deliver coffee? Finn’s courage waned for an instant, her hand hovered, then she swallowed and knocked. She didn’t knock very loudly. If Iris was still in bed she could easily keep sleeping.

  Finn held onto the tray with both hands and shifted her weight nervously from foot to foot. Should she knock again? She glanced over her shoulder as a car passed along the road. When she turned back, Iris was standing in the open door. She was pressing her damp hair with a towel; she’d obviously just showered. Iris smiled and Finn’s nervousness puddled around her feet and then rose again and settled in her stomach.

  “Hi.” Iris was wearing the short, sheer robe from the night before. It wasn’t much of a robe, more of a robe-like suggestion.

  “Hey.” Finn raised the tray in Iris’s direction. “I thought you might like some coffee.”

  “I had no idea this cabin came with room service.” Iris was teasing. “Or did you receive my psychic wave from next door?”

  “I just wanted to see you…I mean, you know, before you left.” Finn hadn’t meant to blurt out the truth.

  “I’m glad.”

  “You’re glad?”

  “Yes, why wouldn’t I be?” Iris continued to squeeze lengths of her hair with the towel, tilting her head for a better angle. “I didn’t want to wake you earlier, but I considered it, so that I could thank you for last night.”

  Oh, so Iris only wanted to say thank you. Well, that was still an improvement from having a glass of water thrown in your face.

  “You can take the tray if you like.” Finn didn’t want to assume she was getting invited in.

  “But there are two cups?”

  “I was…” She didn’t really know what to say. Barging over with coffee for a near stranger first thing in the morning now seemed a bit presumptuous.

  “Come in.” Iris stepped aside to make room for Finn. “It’ll just take me a minute to get dressed. Please, come in.”

  As Finn slid past, she got the most delicious scent of Iris—her hair, her skin, whatever she was wearing, Finn loved it. Some yummy mixture of coconut and vanilla and sunshine, yeah, sunshine.

  Finn sat at the table in the kitchenette area and stirred cream into her coffee. She heard the blow dryer in the other room. After a few minutes, Iris joined her. She’d changed into shorts and a distressed V-neck T-shirt that was worn thin and soft and drew Finn’s attention to every curve. She struggled to return her gaze to Iris’s face.

  “I think that cream has been adequately stirred.” Iris smiled as she sat down.

  She was right. Finn had been so distracted she’d stirred her coffee at least a thousand strokes. She cleared her throat and set the spoon on the tray.

  Iris thought Finn was charming this morning. She was wearing faded jeans, worn through in a few strategic spots, and a charcoal T-shirt that snuggly hugged her biceps and broad shoulders. The shirt was tucked in only at the front, showing just a hint of a scuffed, wide black leather belt, and she was wearing driving mocs without socks. Her long legs had been stretched out, but she readjusted when Iris sat down, as if she was assuming some stance of casual attention.

  “So, big plans for today?” Finn was fishing.

  “I don’t need to return my rental car until tomorrow.” She wasn’t sure she should go into all the gory details about her flight and how she’d jokingly thought of driving back to California. “I’m just planning to relax today and enjoy my birthday.” She air-toasted with her coffee in Finn’s direction.

  “What?” Finn brightened. “Today is your birthday?”

  “Yes, the big three-oh.” Iris took a bite of biscuit with the jam. “Oh, wow, this is delicious. Are these homemade?”

  “Yeah, my mom is famous for her biscuits and her fried chicken. But you’re deflecting. It’s your birthday. We should do something.” Finn hesitated. “I mean, we could do something if you want. I could show you around. We could go to the lake or go for a drive.”

  “Don’t you have plans?”

  “Maybe you haven’t heard, but I’m recently between jobs, plus, it’s Saturday.”

  “If you’re up for playing tour guide, then I happily accept.” Iris’s phone chimed in the other room. “Sorry, let me get that. It’s probably my mom.”

  She returned to the kitchen as she swiped the screen.

  “It’s a birthday text from my mom. I’ll call her later.” Her mother was in New York. She’d probably been waiting so as not to send Iris a message too early. She’d probably forgotten Iris was in Atlanta for work and not in California. Her mother sometimes lost track of details.

  Finn finished the last bite of her biscuit.

  “So, there’s a lake nearby?” Iris held her coffee in both hands and rested her elbows on the table. She sipped the coffee and regarded Finn across the rim of her mug.

  “It’s not a large lake, but it’s very pretty. It’s spring fed so the water is fairly cold year-round, but there are canoes and trails to hike.”

  “That sounds like fun.”

  “We could pick up some food at Turner’s Corner and have lunch at the lake.”

  “Turner’s Corner?”

  “It’s the only place close by that passes for a grocery.”

  Finn was energized by her own plan and Iris couldn’t help smiling. Sometimes not having a plan inspired the best plans. A spontaneous picnic sounded like the perfect way to spend her birthday. No expectations, no pressure.

  “Am I dressed okay for a day at the lake?”

  “You’re perfect…I mean, yes, what you’re wearing is great.” Finn blushed and averted her eyes. She started to reassemble the empty coffee mugs onto the tray. “Um, I’ll change into shorts and come back in say…a half hour?”

  “Sounds good.” She’d give her mom a quick call while she waited.

  Finn picked up the tray and headed toward the door. Iris was a few steps behind. Finn attempted to balance the tray with one hand so that she could open the door, but in her haste didn’t get the angle quite right. Iris reached her just in time to catch one of the empty mugs as it tumbled, but not the small serving bowl of strawberry preserves. Finn gr
abbed for it at the same time Iris did. They bumped into each other which caused Finn to flip the entire tray. Everything hit the hardwood floor with a clatter, spraying both of them with a light splattering of strawberry goo.

  “Oh, shit.” Finn still held the empty tray.

  Iris stared down at the mess, then back at Finn. She started to laugh, then Finn started to laugh.

  “I’m thinking your next job should not involve table service.” Iris looked down at her legs speckled with bits of strawberry.

  “I’m so sorry.” Finn started to swipe at the sweet goo on Iris’s thigh and then realized what she was doing. “Um…sorry about that too.”

  “It’s okay, really.” Heat rose to her cheeks, inexplicably. Finn’s light touch and the tingling sensation across her skin surprised her more than the fumbled tray of dishware and jam.

  “I’ll clean this mess up.” Finn hurried to the kitchen for a towel.

  “Hey, I can do this.” Iris needed a moment to collect herself. “You go change and I’ll handle this.”

  “You’re sure?” Finn hesitated.

  “Absolutely. Go.” Iris took the towel from Finn. “The sooner you change the sooner we get to the lake.” She waved Finn toward the door. “I can manage a little strawberry jam.”

  “Okay…again…sorry about the mess and the thing…with my…on your leg.” Finn mimicked the motion she’d made with her hand up Iris’s thigh.

  “Stop apologizing. It’s really okay.”

  Finn nodded and then trotted out the door and down the steps.

  Iris exhaled and leaned against the closed door.

  Whoa.

  Was it simply because Finn reminded her of her ex? No, aside from her initial impression of Finn, there weren’t that many similarities with Kent. Maybe there was something else. Finn was definitely her type—dark hair, blue eyes, athletic. She was momentarily reminded of her high school crush, Emily Scott, a charismatic forward for the basketball team. She smiled. Oh, yes, Finn was definitely her type.

  She mulled it over while she wiped the floor with the dampened towel. Then she went to the bath and stepped into the shower to rinse off her legs. Luckily, her shorts had been spared because she hadn’t packed very many outfits for her three-day trip. She dried off and settled into a chair to phone her mother. She toyed with the frayed hem of her T-shirt while she waited for her mom to pick up.

  Chapter Nine

  Finn tossed her strawberry speckled jeans on the floor and rummaged in the dresser for cargo shorts. What a complete idiot. Iris made her so nervous she couldn’t be trusted to walk and chew gum at the same time. Good Lord, pull it together. She’s not even gay. She doesn’t even like you that way. Finn chided herself as she pulled on khaki cargo shorts and flip-flops.

  She braced against the edge of the sink and sternly regarded her reflection in the bathroom mirror. And she’s never gonna like you if you act like a friggin’ crushed out goofball.

  She pointed a finger at her reflection. Tighten up, Finn.

  Giving herself a pep talk in the bathroom mirror, so dumb, such a rookie move.

  She checked the closet for extra towels and stuffed two into a canvas messenger bag, along with some sunscreen and her cell phone. For a minute, she lingered and rotated slowly in the center of the room. What was she forgetting? A baseball cap for sun and wind. She reached for her favorite, hanging on the hook on the back of the closet door. A faded blue Atlanta Braves cap, frayed at the edge of the brim. She pulled the cap on and searched the cluttered top of her dresser for keys to the MG. She hoped the sports car would win back some cool points with Iris. At this point, she was probably starting from zero.

  Finn slung the bag across her chest and was just about to reach for the door when her phone buzzed. She checked the screen. It was her boss, Everett Green. Might as well take the call and get this over with, otherwise it’d be hanging over her head all day.

  “Hello?” Finn tried to sound neutral.

  “First off, you’re fired.” He didn’t even bother to say hello.

  “Yeah, I figured.” How could she be mad? She deserved it.

  “Second, bring the damn car back to the lot. Now.”

  “I’ll bring it back tomorrow when I can get a ride home from my brother, okay?” She wasn’t about to derail the birthday outing with Iris just to return the stupid limo. Especially since she was already fired.

  There was silence on the other end.

  “Mr. Green, I’m sorry about what happened.” She didn’t really feel remorse for what she’d done, but the polite thing to do was apologize anyway. Everett Green had been a good boss. He’d cut her slack on many occasions just because he was a nice guy.

  “Look, Finn, I like you, and I think Geoff is an entitled ass, but you can’t punch clients and work for me.” He didn’t really soften his tone, but Finn knew he’d have probably wanted to do the same thing under similar circumstances.

  Geoff’s father was a steady client so he probably had no choice but to fire her. She wanted to ask what Geoff’s version of the story had been but stopped herself. There was no way he’d own up to being bested by a woman.

  “I understand.” There was no point arguing or trying to defend herself. “I’ll have the car back first thing tomorrow.”

  “I’ll expect you by ten.” Everett clicked off.

  It was a blessing in disguise. Geoff had done her a favor. She now had no excuse not to pursue the career she really wanted. No more excuses.

  A noise pulled her attention to the rear of cabin two. Her father was cleaning up the bear debris. She chided herself for not thinking to do that first thing, but in her defense, Iris had been very distracting.

  “Do you need help?” Her father looked up as she approached.

  “No, I’m almost done.” He reached for a shredded Pringles can.

  “It was a black bear. I saw him last night after I came in.” She adjusted the bag’s strap across her chest, holding onto it with one hand. “I should have cleaned this up already, sorry.”

  “No big deal. I figured you got in late from work.” He straightened to look at her. He was wearing a well-loved, faded John Deere cap. His coveralls had been dark blue at some point, before they’d been washed a million times and worn almost through at the knees. His boots were just as weathered. Finn’s father had favorite clothes, and he pretty much wore them to rags. Once, he’d given her a sweatshirt of his for safekeeping because he feared her mother would throw it away. It was rife with holes all along the hem and at the elbows, but he wasn’t quite ready to give it up.

  “Where are you off too?” He tied the top of the bag he was holding.

  “I’m showing one of our guests around. It’s her birthday so I offered to drive her out to the lake.”

  “Don’t you have to work today? Saturdays are usually busy for you.”

  “No, not today. Long story.”

  Thankfully, he didn’t ask more about how she’d met the birthday girl in cabin two. He tossed the garbage bags into his pickup truck and slowly turned onto the blacktop. He waved. She was watching him leave as she walked toward the front of the cabin and almost bumped into Iris, again.

  “Oh, sorry.” She took a step back.

  “Who was that?” Iris’s eyes followed the truck.

  “That was my dad. He’s making his morning rounds.”

  “Did the bear leave a big mess?” Iris looked toward the back of the cabin where the trash cans had been restored to order.

  “Not too bad. Dad was quicker than me with the cleanup.” Finn felt for the keys inside her pocket. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes. Did you want me to drive?” Iris motioned toward the rental car parked nearby.

  “No, I was thinking I’d drive. You know, since I know the area.”

  “We’re going to take a stretch limo to the lake?” Iris raised an eyebrow.

  “No, I have a car of my own. Come on.” Finn turned and motioned for Iris to follow. They walked past the main house an
d down the drive toward the three-bay carport.

  Iris could see that there was a smaller vehicle parked next to the limo under a car cover. She waited while Finn pulled the snug corners free and folded the cover carefully. A beautiful, vintage, eggshell sports car was now on full display. Iris didn’t know a lot about cars, but she assumed from Finn’s tender care that this one was special.

  “Meet Scarlett.” Finn swept her hand toward the red-brown leather of the cockpit.

  “You named your car?”

  “And on the open road, she’s gone with the wind.” Finn smiled broadly.

  “You did not just use a reference from Gone With the Wind about your car?”

  “Yes, I most certainly did.” Finn opened the passenger door for Iris. “Scarlett is impetuous, temperamental, sexy, and she’ll sweep you off your feet.”

  Finn was so damn good-looking. Standing there holding the door for Iris, her eyes sparkled and her entire demeanor said good time. The perfect person to spend her birthday with. Finn’s grin was contagious as Iris sank into the passenger seat. Finn closed the door and circled the car. She threw her bag and Iris’s into the small trunk beneath a gleaming chrome luggage rack, then climbed in.

  “This is a beautiful car.” No, Iris didn’t know much about cars, but this one was indisputably cool.

  “My friend Ward and I added a Ford 2.3 liter inline, fuel-injected four-cylinder engine, and a five-speed manual transmission. It originally came with a four-speed.” Finn rattled off details about the inner workings of the car as if Iris had any idea what she was talking about, which she did not.

  “The odometer only has 9,635 miles,” Finn continued. “This car has been babied.”

  Iris ran her finger over the soft leather along the inside of the door. The top was down, and as they picked up speed on the two-lane road, her hair began to swirl around her face. She pulled it to one side and twirled it, holding it with her hand to tame it.