Unseen Messages(64)

My head whipped up to stare at Galloway. “G?” My heart flurried. “You’ve already earned a nickname?”

He half-smiled. “Not gonna complain. Besides, I gave her one first.”

Something warm spread across my insides as Galloway smirked at the little girl. “Want to tell them what it is or shall I?”

“No!” Pippa shouted; a mixture of pleasure at being singled out and mock-annoyance for sharing her secret. “Only you can call me it.” Her eyes flashed to her brother. “Co will only ruin it.”

“Will not.” Conner shook his head.

“Will, too.”

Galloway gruffed, “Fine. Pippa’s nickname is mine and mine alone.”

The girl beamed as if she’d been given every toy she’d ever wanted.

The warmth inside me spread into hot heat.

He’d given Pippa something so precious. He’d taken her mind off the loneliness of being an orphan and the fear of being stranded.

He continually surprised me. One moment he seemed as if he couldn’t stand the children. The next he acted as the perfect father and friend.

Galloway hopped up the beach and awkwardly grabbed the dented piece of fuselage that resembled a witch’s hat. “Perfect.”

I moved closer, giving up at preventing Pippa from rummaging in the clam bag. “Perfect for what?”

His face pinched in pain as he hobbled back and placed the piece of metal directly into the fire. The burning wood separated for him as he used his crutch to tap the metal into position, half in the fire, half on top of it.

“What are you doing?”

Instead of answering me, Galloway gave orders, “Conner, go grab some seawater. Use the empty bottles from your dad’s backpack.”

Conner flinched at the reminder of his dead parent but charged off with the three bottles in his arms. He came back just as quickly, his forearms and legs dripping wet. “Now what?”

“Fill up the pot, of course.”

A pot.

God, I’m an idiot.

How else did I think we’d cook the clams? “You’re a genius.”

Galloway cringed. “No. I’m not.”

“You are. Here I was thinking of opening the shells and spearing them onto sticks.”

“That way would work, too.”

“Your way is much better.”

He scoffed but didn’t reply; his eyes locked on the water-filled metal. “We’ll wait for it to boil then put the clams in. It would be better with fresh water, and I dread to think how salty they’ll be, but beggars can’t be choosers.”

Warnings of raw shellfish and food poisoning ran through my mind. “How do we know we can eat these?”

“They’re fresh so that shouldn’t be a problem.” Galloway’s forehead furrowed. “My plan was to boil them like mussels and only eat the ones that open.”

“Sounds reasonable.”

“Once it starts to boil, toss them in. Conner and I will be back.” Galloway made his way laboriously to the treeline.

Nerves fluttered. “Wait. Where are you going?”

Conner chased after him. “Yeah, where are we going? I’m starving. I’m going to pass out if I don’t eat something soon.”

Galloway bent over and picked up a piece of fuselage. “You’ll see. I need your help.” Passing the piece to Conner, he grabbed another and entered the forest.

I let them go.

I didn’t really have a choice but curiosity niggled. It wasn’t like me to want to be with someone. Normally, if a person left, I was glad. I willingly let them go as it meant I could regroup and find peace that I couldn’t find in company.

But Galloway was different.

The moment he’d disappeared, I wanted him to return. I felt better when he was around. More alive. More certain. More awake to every sensation.

My tummy clenched as I relived the kiss we’d shared.

His challenge of making me fall in love with him might not be as big a feat as he thought.

And that terrified me.

Pippa tugged my hand. “The water is bubbling.”

Pushing Galloway from my mind, I beamed. “Excellent. Want to help me put the clams in?”

She bit her lip, nodding with utmost seriousness.

“Be careful, it’s very hot.” I was wrong to let a child tend to an open fire with boiling water. But this wasn’t an ordinary kitchen in an ordinary world. This was survival, and everyone had to grow up fast.

Together, we ladled handfuls of the white and orange shells into the boiling water. A few hot splashes singed my knuckles and my legs burned from being so close to the flames.

A strange banging came from the forest, over and over.

What the hell are they doing?

Once the last of Galloway’s haul was tucked nicely in the water, I sat on my haunches and high-fived Pippa. “Great job.”

She grinned.

“Did you really find all of those?”

She grinned wider. “Yep.”

“All forty-two of them?”

“Yep!”

I exaggerated my awe. “Wow, that’s amazing!”

She swivelled her foot in the sand with sudden shyness. “Will it be enough?” Worry etched her young skin. “I’m so hungry. I want them all.”