Dark as the Night

24

Author's note: Originally I had planned for the craft fair to be in Missoula, but upon looking at google maps, it turns out that's 4 hours away from where I have Camp McKenna located, so I've changed it to Kalispell. 

Now then.  Please enjoy this bit of Tai fan service.

-Evie

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Odessa woke easily to a dark room. Her curtains were open and she looked out her window to see the palest of grey beginning to overtake the inky sky. The clock on her dresser read 4:15 and she sighed dreamily as she stretched her arms over her head. She had slept straight through without any nightmares since Tai brought her home the previous afternoon. She wasn't sure what time that had been, but since he and James had come over right after school, she must have fallen asleep around 4:00.

She made her bed then sat down on the floor to stretch out her limbs and back, and take a mental inventory of her body. She felt rested, happy, and headache free for the first time in days.

Thinking about the day before, she cringed at the realization that she hadn't properly apologized to James for making assumptions about his feelings toward her without talking to him first, and subsequently ignoring him. She didn't want to be that kind of person, and while she didn't know how to be a good friend in return, she was determined to do her best. That started with a real apology as soon as she saw him.

Leila had told her two days before that they would be meeting at the medical center at 6:00 a.m. It was a two-hour drive to Kalispell, and even though the monthly craft fair where Tai and his father sold their work started at 9, setup began at 8. Happy that she had woken up with plenty of time even after forgetting to set an alarm, she wandered into her tiny bathroom to take a long shower.

Afterward, Odessa went to her closet and looked through the shirts Linda had kindly rush-tailored for her. There were only a few, and she tried to pick one out that would distract from the fact that everything else was still woefully too large. The reason Leila had invited her to join them in town today was so that she could buy some essentials. Her former guardian/employer/mentor/self-proclaimed honorary big sister had been very excited about the prospect of a "girls' shopping day." That made Odessa grin. She tried wracking her brain for some clue that this was not a first time event for her, but she just drew a giant blank.

She sighed in frustration then took her money from her duffle bag and stuffed it in her pocket. Then she snorted and realized she'd need to buy a wallet, and probably some sort of purse. A duffle bag was too big and cumbersome for daily use. Let's just add it to the list, she thought ruefully.

Odessa decided to stop by the Woodshop before heading to the food hall. When she got there, she saw a light inside and knocked on the door. A few seconds later, the door opened and a sleepy-looking Tai stood in front of her. His mussed black hair was pulled back from his face and dark circles lined his eyes. He was dusted liberally in a creamy-colored powder and a formerly white tank top revealed his broad shoulders and toned, muscular arms. A heavy tool belt pulled his dirty jeans low on his hips. "Good morning!" she said brightly.

"G'morning," he mumbled with a tired smile. "Why are you up so early?" He stepped aside and motioned for her to come in, taking a moment to let his eyes trail across her face and down her body. She looks better, he grinned inwardly.

Odessa brushed past him, inhaling the sweet smell of pine. "Early? I actually slept straight through since you took me home yesterday, so it's more like 'late.' How about you? Were you up all night, working?"

Tai wiped his dusty hands on his equally dusty jeans, cursed under his breath, then crossed to the sink to wash up. "Yeah, I had a few things to finish up. Do you want some coffee? Wait, no you don't. Sorry, it's several hours old," he grumbled the last part as he lowered his face to the coffee pot and sniffed.