2019-11-22 - Hiking for Thanksgiving

Erin had invited Jack out for a day of hiking. There was even food packed for the outing and it was in her backpack. Among a few other 'just in case' things. She'd told him to bring whatever he wanted to bring in his own backpack, but asked for a small, thin blanket to serve as their picnic table. It was cool out, not a cloud other than a fluffy one or two, so she was wearing a pair of fashionably faded jeans with the distressed look she'd gotten from her favorite boutique along with a plain dark gray shirt and a dark gray and black North Face jacket.

They were to meet there and Erin was a little early, anticipating it, ready for a carefree and relaxing day. Instead of bringing her Maserati and leaving it in the parking lot in the middle of nowhere at the beginning of a hiking trail, she had a Uber drop her off. Now she was leaning against a tree and waiting for the designated time.

Jack has a choice of vehicles, work vehicle that old ford truck, the coupe he's fixed up and now, the fairlane he's working on with Shauna. He came in the work truck, it was fit for getting out here to hike and he pulled up where they were to meet. He's jumping out near where uber dropped her off. Backpack with things for him, hopefully the blanket she asked for and him in a thicker shirt for the weather, but button sleeves he could easily unfurl as needed once they warmed up while hiking.

Crossing over as he locks the door he lifts a hand to wave and nods to greet her, "You look ready to go. Hopefully you have something in mind. Otherwise it'll be getting lost and seeing if we can figure out how to get back." Said with all the muster of someone who probably wouldn't get lost in this part of the woods. But he did wave, which is nearly a smile as far as greetings goes from Jack.

Erin watches as he arrives and laughs warmly, taking a few steps in the direction of his old truck. "Nice wheels. I think I'm in the market for an older model something. Maybe a truck. Something like Bella has on Twilight." Oops, was that a confession to having watched the movies? Yes it was!

With a lopsided grin she looks at his backpack, "What'd ya bring? Hopefully a sleeping bag in case we get lost and don't make it back. Or maybe a map, preventative measures." With soft laughter she hikes her own pack up a little. "Wait, don't tell me, the mystery is more fun. Are you ready?" Her hair is back in a ponytail and kind of bounces around with each animated gesture. "I'm good to go."

Hitching a thumb into one strap to hold has hand up, Jack squints slightly as he tilts his head then nods. "Exactly," he returns, "Can't ruin the mystery of it all, no fun in that." As serious as he might look, he'd probably tell the contents if pressed. With a chin he indicates a trail to head out on. "You know that's a Chevy," he offers, admitting he knows the movie tuck st least, "I usually restore Ford's." A few beats," I suppose I could make an exception. You do the leg work find me an old 60s truck to work on, well see what we get." Who was he kidding, he'd fix it up regardless. A grin shows at the corner of his mouth. "Let's get lost then, shall we?" He waits a moment then heads for that trail.

"Oh is it?" Erin lowers her sunglasses from her head to cover her eyes and grins over at him. "I won't ask how you know that, but it'll be our little secret." She sets off with him towards one of the trails. Luckily they notice that one of them is closed down due to erosion from a previous storm and are able to correct and go on the one next to it. It's a little more challenging, but they both can carry on.

"I'll find a truck I like. It may even be a Ford." Laughing at his teasing. " We could take one of your cars to Michigan to the Dream Cruise. That would be fun, taking some time off for that." So now she's just inviting him everywhere. "To getting lost." She'd not been on the trails, but she was looking forward to it. "I hope you left your cell phone behind. I brought a burner but it's for emergencies only. Listen to me, I sound like we're going on some spy mission," she laughs.

As they set off, managing to avoid the bad trail, Jack loss askance at her a moment. That knowing look shared, she that movie and the truck in it. Him knowing that truck at least. Secret shared.

"Get the truck you like, you're good for it ... Me stepping out of my comfort zone and all that." Teasing back as they set off on their trail. A pause in thought, "Michigan is a long ways out." As if that says a lot, he turns enough as they walk side by side to talk in her direction. You know I've not been more than 50 miles out of Gray Harbor here. Haven't thought much about it. You'll have to convince me I think."

"Maybe you can teach me how to work on it with you. A project car. It'd be kind of fun. I swear I'm just becoming a Jack-of-all-trades." Erin looks at him with her nose crinkled. "Get it? Jack?" Okay she may be a closet goof ball, but she's comfortable enough with Jack to show that side of her. "I think it's fun to get out of a comfort zone. I used to go to Beverly Hills once a month for shopping on Rodeo Drive. Before my Grandmother cut me off."

Erin studies him, tapping her fingers on the straps of her bag as she holds it while they walk. "Then I think Michigan is just far enough to make up for lost distance. A drive in whichever classic you want to take, spend a week up there. Food truck vendors, the drive around Detroit. Catch a ball game, wander Woodward Boulevard, stop in at the Fox Theater and Hard Rock Cafe, tour the Maritime Sailor's Cathedral. Cruise from Flint to Pontiac, stop by the former Silverdome. Cross the bridge into Canada and come back under the lake in the tunnel. Maybe visit a lighthouse or two. Any number of things, Am I convincing you yet?" A hopeful smile given his way.

There is a hint of a chuckle in his voice, and a nod. "I see what you did there," agrees Jack, about the play on his name. "That's a long way to get out of your comfort zone. Tell you what, you come with me to find that truck, we'll hit up some old barns and do some picking in the area, see who's got what junk laying around." Then a pause. Michigan to make up for not going too far himself. He listens to it, getting his other thumb up under a strap as they hike along the trail now. "Sounds like it could be good. You know, I'm the kind of guy that doesn't need to go all in. You convince me to go to Seattle or cross a state line and you're making strides where others have barely stepped. I like it here, it has its good days. I know here, better or worse, the folks here. Come find that truck with me, see what I like here, then tell me about this Michigan. I'll consider it, keep convincing me Erin."

Rarely has Erin heard him chuckle and the hint of it draws her in enough to tilt her head and glance over at him. "Just call me Jack." A laughing eye-roll, she continues walking at his side. "I'd like to go with you to look for a truck. We can take all the backroads and farm roads and we can all wear black and hiking boots and ski-masks. Wait, maybe not the ski-masks. Maybe not the all black either. I'm sure it would show all the dirt."

Her lips quirk again as she walks around a fallen tree that had fallen over the path. A pretty large tree. The way is uneven, lots of dips and rises and roots. She lets go of the straps of the backpack to use handholds as she walks around it. "Must have had a lot of flooding out here if there's trees that size. No wonder the other path was closed." Shrugging it off she manages to get to the other side and looks back watching him come too.

She continues talking though! "Seattle though is only a short distance away. Michigan is where it's at. The Cruise isn't until next August though, so I've got a whole year almost to convince you. Ten months at least. It just happened for this year this past August. I suppose we could throw a dart on a map and take a trip there." Again, assumptions. After a few moments she considers him. "What are you doing for the holidays this year?"

Either he noticed the glance, or Jack is just looking in her direction when she glances his way. Eyes met, he giver her a nod even, to her just call me Jack comment. "Just don't were something too nice, you're sure to get dirty. We're woking with old metal, it'll get ripped too. But all the back roads I can think of, just here, close to home." His home at least, he names it as such. He too lets go his straps as they move around the big tree. "Yeah, lots of weather this fall so far, lucky its not worse I suppose. They'll clean the trails up more come spring." That doesn't help now, closer to winter. "One step at a time, we'll see where I end up. But a little bit of convincing, you got it Erin." He considers that, looking at the trail and re-hitching his thumbs on the straps of his back pack, tree bypassed, he turns to her as she considers holidays. A shrug, "Don't know, eating some bird, working on a car if I'm lucky." He's not thought too much about his holidays it would seem.

Once he has cleared the tree and uneven path, Erin starts walking again along side him. The scenery is admired though, she takes the time to look at the fall colors that is left on the trees, the last few dawdling leaves stubbornly clinging to the mostly bare branches. The ones on the ground are a beautiful array of colors though and slightly crunchy from their dried status. "I can see why you never want to leave the area though. This place is beautiful. All of Gray Harbor and surrounding area."

"I don't mind getting dirty and exploring the back roads around here. Maybe you can show me some of the sights I've never seen. My Maserati would never make it down some of the back roads." For now she doesn't try and convince him for an outside of the area visit. Instead, she ponders where there is around the area to go. "Did you know there's a restaurant out on one of the lakes that actually floats on water? It's in one of the neighboring towns.Probably less than fifty miles from here." Definitely it was but she's teasing him. "Real surf and turn stuff. Not too expensive though." Erin nods at his plans for the holidays. "Sounds about right. The day before Thanksgiving I've set up a thing to feed the hungry. You're welcome to come help out for a good cause."

Jack likes the scenery, knows it well, enjoys the exercise just as much. Out about, moving around. And for him, he's lively. Between the hints of smiles and that one brief chuckle. "I'm sure every place had its own charm. It's own skeletons but past that, it's own quiet allure. Or that's part of it but you like it anyways no matter where you are." Part of the skeletons? "Ahh," he draws out in response to her last inquiry. That might be a good note on his otherwise near monotone sorry of draw. "See you're unlocking that convincing. That surf ahs turf than some other place. One step at a time. Fair deal we'll find your truck to work on, I'll try this surf and turf. After that and we get your truck started, you can see about a little closer to your Michigan. Don't get me wrong, it sounds charming. I'm just moving st my own pace." A glance her way, more smile given, both corners turned up, genuine and honest in that moment. Not that he wasn't, but more open then, revealing.

It was fun sharing the hike and the scenery with Jack. Walking at his side, she looks around still until he takes her attention again and she gives it to him easily. "So you'll allow me to treat you to a meal out at Portside?" That's the name of the floating restaurant. "I think it would be fun in the summer. They have boat rentals also. Ski boats, sea do, party barges. Have some friends? Like any of mine?" She grins. "We could make it a party."

"It will be fun getting the truck going once I choose one. And really, if you're adverse to Michigan, it was only an idea. I'm not going to try and convince you or coerce you. I don't want to make you uncomfortable." After another look to him, Erin continues walking. For awhile they walk, getting further and further along the trail until it looks like the trail stops at a crossroads. Up? Or around? There's not a real trail either way, had they reached the end? "Which way?"

"Whatever floats your boat," offers Jack i has nonchalant manor, putting in a pun on the floating restaurant and whether it's them two or a group out for dinner. "They're not open this time of year," he asks for his own clarification. But he's agree she can take him out to the Portside.

Not seeing the darkening clouds he indicates up and right st the crossroads. "It's not coercing if I agree, I'm just making not that I work things out in my own time. But going out of state isn't a spur of the moment thing for me is all. Down the road sure sometime, maybe. If I feel like my arm is being twisted I'll let you know. Other spur of the moment things to do that w could do in the spur of the moment." Another hint of smile from Jack as the way is chosen and they're off further into the proverbial wild.

"Ha ha." Erin grins at him. "I'm pretty sure the boat rentals aren't open this time of year yeah." As they walk, she doesn't look back, just forward, like him she misses the darkening sky. The hike was doing her good, just getting out. A deep inhale. Ahh nature. She gives the man walking beside her a sidelong look then looks back to the path.

"I understand you doing things in your own time. You're old like that. And set in your ways." Amusement lilts her tone and she crunches over some fallen sticks, crunching them and the leaves covering them. "It doesn't even necessarily have to be spur of the moment. Plans are doable. Have you ever lived your life spontaneously? Or made any decisions like that?"

In his thirties was pretty old, he made it that far, and Jack nods in agreement, "I should retire soon, but I have kids like you keeping me on my toes." Joking back in his stoic manner. He turns an eye to her as the consider spontaneity. "I have, but that could be like, lets dig out a compass and just go west. Find the ocean from this trail on our own, then we just go north to the harbor, and figure out how to get back to the car. Spontaneous but, I know we wouldn't get lost so long as we know where north is right. All we need is some sun light for that." So some spontaneous things, but measured against his ability this close to the city at least. "What sort of spontaneous do you like? You gonna show me some, see if this old man can keep up with it?"

Erin was on the other side of her twenties at least, she had passed over that hill and was coasting towards the thirties. "You're definitely not old Jack. Maybe set in your ways, but that happens." Again she smiles at the teasing. "So did you bring a compass for a safety measure or was coming out here truly a spontaneous act, and this fork of the trail the same?" Sure, she is curious.

"My sort of spontaneous would be flipping a coin to decide what to do or where to go. Opening the yellow pages and blindly selecting a business to frequent and exploring it. Taking a hike without a cell phone or compass. Getting a dog because I want the company at home. Anything without planning it out fully. I just want to live to explore and discover. I want to stroll around Seattle, I want to see a Broadway musical, just so many things. Then I want to go to Alaska in a small cottage in the middle of winter with a fireplace and hide away from the rest of the world on a vacation with someone that I love and loves me in return."

She continues walking the way he had selected as she continues talking. "My idea of dating is apparently archaic compared to others anymore. Dating and relationships aren't what they used to be. Or what I thought they were. I'd be happy with one single person. Someone who I am enough for. They wouldn't need other dates, other lovers of the same or different gender. I would just be enough for them." With a wry look of apology, she shrugs. "Sorry you asked?"

"Reliable, that's what we call it at my age, set in our ways," offers Jack back to her tease, half a grin put there even in his own tease back. "I don't have a compass, I have a sun, east is where it starts, west is where it ends, its sort of in the south, so we have a compass. But yeah, I have no idea which way we're going other than following some trails." Spontaneous in a manner just the same. "See, that cottage that's convincing to get me out of here. Middle of nowhere with nothing to do but share some good company." His voice a little deeper, he would enjoy alone company in a cabin it seems.

"Who said that's archaic, that sounds right. No dating as many people you can until you settle or whatever it is most people do. One person, and you don't need another person to date because its not a race or a judgement to see who is best, but just cause you want to share the company. Just like I can enjoy one town, because I want to, no need to compare or explore options. I do like that spontaneity though. Next fork, you flip a coin, get us lost. I do have a small tent and enough to stay warm. And we have the sun." He looks back finally, to realize its disappearing. "Or we did, it'll be back."

"Reliable. I kind of like the sound of that. Age or not. It's better than the alternative of being unreliable." Erin finally realizes it's getting darker but accredits it to the time of day, even as she tilts her head to look at the sun. There's a look up at him when he mentions the cabin being a draw. "I think you'd have a good time in a cabin even here in these woods with no one around but you. You strike me as the loner type. But you said alone company, so maybe I'm reading you wrong."

The storm continues to build over the water, Erin usually loves watching it when she's at her home and closer to it. For now it's at her back. But it's getting closer. She points out the next fork but there's no flipping a coin because it's a three way. "Take your pick, see where it leads us?"

That he agrees with her on the mention of archaic surprises her. "I understand dating one person, seeing if it works after a few and if it doesn't parting ways and moving on to another. Just not so many at once. I guess it's the way of people now. I mean, maybe it always was or I'm just old fashioned." With a smile, she glances at his pack. "A tent? You packed a tent? I have food and we walked through lunch." Unaware how far they'd walked while conversing. It had been several hours! Looking back when he does, she finally notices the clouds. "Oh, looks like a storm is moving in. Should we make for higher ground in case of buckets of rain or stay in the valleys in case of lightning?" Because there was lightning. Plenty of it.

"In the company of another, but no one else, alone for two," he corrects a little what he was saying. Jack nods and walks, "Left." Not sure whre he's oing just going along now to see where they end up. "You got me right, alone would be good too but then I'd want some company. Just another, no need for a party or group. Just me and another, and just being." Like the song, let it be. A nod, "I did pack a tent, but I usually keep one in my pack. Maybe I was lazy didn't unpack it." As they look back and he ponders her lunch, "Maybe it will be dinner here. A little higher, but near a tree we should be fine, it'll take the hit for us. That or risk running back, but trees on the trail and rain." Could be a real risk.

He glances around the trail a little, as if marking the trees or something, "Higher ground, lets get up and under some branches, get the tent up before the rain finds us." He offers his hand, to go that way together, off the path even now.

He directs them left, which might be a lucky thing because just behind them the skies are starting to open up to a deluge of rain that threatens to be flood levels in the valley. His call to higher ground is met with a more serious nod. "Yeah I wouldn't want there to be a party in a quiet cabin. Nor in my house. I'd like quiet and the fireplace. Maybe some soft music, some sort of drinks." But that was just something like a pipe dream.

For the here and now, they take the left fork and as the rain gets closer, the cold wind comes with it, chilling everything. Suddenly it opens up over them, soaking their clothing. Their packs are likely somewhat water resistant, so they are at least safe. When he offers his hand, she gives a surprised look but slips hers in his, hers is already cold and wet. A dark shape catches her eye and she looks afraid at first before she realizes, "Is that a hollowed out place in the side of the hill?" Hill is very loosely termed, it's a bit of a rocky incline. "Should we?" Pointing it out for him as they steadily get colder and wetter.

"Color me surprised," says Jack with ask the muster of not much surprise in his voice. "Months ago I'd have figured you for the sort that prefers a few friends around, but you're taking like me. A good quiet is .. Good."

The rain finds then and she makes note of the cave, or happens to be the one that finds it with his eyes elsewhere. "Yeah let's claim it, hopefully no critters inside." His hands offers warmth at least. Never rolled up those sleeves while they hiked. She's in step enough with him he'll increase the pace as much as they can to get to that dry spot. Even there he's getting his pack off. "Help me get the tent over the entrance, then we can warm up and dry off." He's getting the tent out with its chord to seal up the entrance as best as possible. No light yet to see the cave proper even.

While it may be slippery on her way with him, Erin manages to keep her feet beneath her. Slipping here and there, she doesn't hit the ground. Puddles are already starting to form and from that are turning into small streams when they fill the pits of the puddles and join with others. Her steps increase, led by Jack to the relative safety of the cave.

Inside, just by the entrance, the ground is somewhat sandy then somewhat loose dirt and further in, rock. There's no sign of any animals inside and no other sounds inside except a little dripping water further on. It's oddly warmer deeper inside too. Especially compared to the outside. But right by the entrance it's just as frosty as the outside and the wind threatens the tent.

She removes her pack so she can help him get the tent over to protect them and their shelter and it whips it a little. "Let me look for some bigger rocks!" Erin calls out, hurrying to get one she can manage to carry. It's near the entrance. In fact there's a few on each side. "My hands are frozen.." she says as she places the rocks near her, trying to wedge the tent into the entrance with him.

Managing to find cover with her, he's moving more to fix the tend. It proves difficult until she finds some good sized rocks to help create an anchor for most of the whipping bits of the fabric. It creates a good wind/rain block, though some whipping remains and certainly the sound of rain on the tend intrudes just the same. As they get rocks in place, he grabs her hands to feel perhaps, his warm still at least. "Need to get you into some dry clothes," returns Jack noticing himself how cool she is.

"Don't know if you packed some, but I have blankets." He was ready to have that lunch as planned at least. "But we need to dry up a little, not sit around in wet things. Need you getting warm." He puts her concern before his, most likely the sort to give his last shirt up if someone really had a need. He'll let go her hands so she can move as needed to get clothes if she has a spare, or he can move to his back to dig out blankets for her.

Erin shivers. The adrenaline crash was hard and left her cold, or maybe that was the weather, but they were safe and sound inside as the storm rages out outside. Lightning and thunder sound, rain washes out the world around them but runs down the hill away from them, leaving them in relative peace for now.

He takes her hands and his are sooo warm compared to hers and she feels it encompass her. "That feels so good, you're so warm." There's a skeptical look to her pack and she shakes her head. "Just socks. A few pair. I mostly brought food. I didn't want it to get too heavy," she says with a little self-deprecation.

Moving a bit away from the tent it's a little warmer, so she slips off her wet jacket. It's a North Face so the interior is still mostly dry. She finds a protruding rock to hang it there by the hood. Now there's really another shiver as the storm rages on, out of control. "Should we move a little further in away from the wind and the makeshift door? Or is here fine?" Leaving it to him.

"Socks are good, if you can only pack one thing, pick socks," says Jack in response. Dry feet are certainly a must. His hands stay with hers to let her take the warmth they need. Until he moves off to get blankets. Coming back with a big one, he faces her to toss it over her shoulders. Facing her he draws it in front like a cape or coat. "Here is good, we have outside light enough for now. We could look for old firewood, might be some if other hikers have camped here." He's more focused on her being bundled as he stands before her. "I have a flashlight, but we need you warm Erin."

Firewood was a good idea. There were probably sticks in here somewhere. Maybe? There are loose sticks that have made their way in somehow. "Have you got a lighter? I think I do in my pack." She reaches for the blanket, but removes her shoes and socks and her shirt, leaving her sports bra and pants on. The socks are removed and she keeps her soaked feet on the stone part of the floor as she wraps the blanket around her. Next though, she gets to her feet to try and collect firewood. There's a drip drip and she looks up. A flue. Convenient. "There's a place the smoke can leave at least. Maybe we can explore a little further in once we get dried off." Her teeth are chattering a little, wet and cold and with the blanket around her.

"Fire first, then explore," agrees Jack. Then he sets to getting fire wood from what can be scrounged in the cave. She can find a lighter if she has one while he builds the starting fire. Some paper center sticks in lean to fashion over that. Maybe to keep his eyes from wandering her way to much too.

It works and a fire is going, then he motions her to come sit down, be him. "We'll explore but first you," he says offering one arm over shoulders, the other near where the blanket would clasp probably so she could grab his hands to warm up. Letting her settle in he'll pull the other blanket over, to remove his own shirt for now to dry up himself. Getting back to lending her some warmth when he can be holding her closer to him.

Erin starts the fire herself, pretending she has a lighter while trying not to let him see her start it. She knows his preferences for her powers and tries not to cross his lines. It was difficult to curb that side of her, it was so much part of who she was, but in times like the hike she knew she could manage to stop it so she could hang out with him. There were extenuating circumstances though and she does use it to start the fire.

Once the fire is going, she moves to sit beside him. When his arm comes over her shoulder, she leans into him even though he was wet like she was. Until he removes his shirt. Her eyes rake over him. Of course they do, and she smiles up at him when she lifts her eyes. "You should use a blanket also."

Jack takes no notice of the fire being started, as he does dig out another blanket. Fire is good regardless of lighter or other technique used to start it, he knows a few generally involving batteries. A slow nod, as he looks down at her. "I should, just getting a little dry." He admits, then moves his own free hand not around her to take the depth of the other blanket and whip it around his shoulder. The one arm has to leave her to help pull it around. Him and her, giving her a second layer, including his arm in there to give her warmth. "Well, see, got your wish, sort of ... a cabin," as his eyes look up at the cave around them. "Room enough for two, some quiet. Cold, but no snow, not quite Alaska. Small favors." Not really, he's teasing a bit in there, but making light in the situation, allowing some glimpse of comfort to settle between them.

Still, Erin is careful to hide her glimmer use from him in respect to his feelings about it. The chill is still there but as the fire seems to catch and grow some, it gets warmer. Though Erin is wet so the shivers continue until he's got her so blanketed and his arm around her to share his body heat. She finds herself leaning into him as if drawn to that warmth.

A smile finds her features as he mentions Alaska. "If you can't go to Alaska then bring Alaska to you. It's close enough, except the storm outside is rain and not snow. I'm supposed to go out with a group tomorrow night in search of a perfect Christmas Tree for my house. So I don't mind some a visit to Alaska in the meantime. The company is great, I admit."

Jack doesn't seem to mind sharing that warmth, his arm more snug when she shivers, giving what he can without thought it seems. Or in full thought and wanting her to be warm again. "See, there you go, a perfect tree. I'd be lucky if I put a little tree in the window at my place, but it would be something." If he did put up a tree, his hand about her rubs at her arm opposite him, comforting. "We'll be sure you get to go out with those friends and find that tree." In the moment, then his mind wanders a little. "Just imagine its snow out there, piling up at the door. A blanket on the world, over the cabin, and its a quiet moment. It is comfy, has its own charm." He looks at the cave a moment, then to her, both have their own charm perhaps implied in there.

"Thank you, for the warmth and for thinking to bring the blankets. Would you like some food? It's leftover Thanksgiving dinner from the event I had last night. At least we can celebrate the holiday in some capacity, if you want." Erin gives a light shrug. "It was just an event in town people could sign up for so I did. I don't even know who all signed up for it so friends is a relative term." Tilting her head she regards him quietly. "You don't celebrate Christmas? Or just not with a tree? Don't you still have a family?"

His words about the cabin sure make it easy to close her eyes and let herself pretend it's a cabin off in the wilderness of Alaska with the snow gently falling, A fire crackling in the fireplace, the food prepared and ready. "Mmm, the imagery is really nice. It's just missing a Christmas tree with a gift or two wrapped beneath it. Idyllic."

"Leftover Thanksgiving dinner is pretty good," returns Jack with a nod of his head as he glances towards the fire. "I like sandwiches the day after better than the bird even. Sounds like a good event." Agreed, and he continues to stare at the fire when she asks about family. "I suppose, something like that. I can go visit my folks and do, weekend before Christmas usually. I could put up a tree but yeah." Gifts to share that is, he is agreeing that a purpose for that would help, or is missing. "I could give you a bar, to unwrap."

He turns more to her and away from his thoughts, "You know, back before summer you stopped by, I wasn't sure what to expect. You surprise me, even now." A glances over her more so, then towards the blanket, the floor of the cave. "Glad you did stop by that dad. Sort of put me back on my toes a little."

"I think so also. At least according to the people who ate the first time around. It got a lot of compliments. I meant for it to be a picnic lunch today so you could get back in time to spend the rest of the day with your family if you wanted and have your dinner with them. I didn't mean for it to become a survival dinner for us." Her lips curve upwards at the mention of survival. "I am getting really hungry though, It feels like it's been a long time since this morning." Taking a peer through the flue, it looks dark out. But that could be the storm darkening the sky.

"I'm glad you go visit your family at the holidays. That's really important. It's better than taking it all for granted and then lose it all at once." Turning her head to look at him, she grins. "Or I could get my pack and we could have a whole dinner instead of a bar." Thinking he means a protein bar or something.

When he turns towards her she lifts her eyes, his words turning her smile more lopsided. "Surprise you how?" Genuinely curious. "I am glad I did too. I've gained a lot. I've gotten to know you more. You've become a great sparring partner for one. And I don't just mean in the ring. You are someone I can come to who tells it like it is. I appreciate that about you."

"I made plans for today, its hiking with you. And we did that," nods Jack about him having something to do for later, or now if they'd made it back. "Survival dinner is the best, survival left overs. And it has been a long time. "When you're warm enough, we'll get your picnic out and enjoy leftover by firelight. Couldn't be a better holiday for me." And he could be honest, its not a big to do, its not complicated, but its in good company. "You're a different woman than I figured you for Erin, in a lot of good ways. Sparring, and all. And it is about being honest. I only like people I can trust enough to be honest back. I can only count a few, and you're in that number. Its not about who all I know, but keeping the best ones close. That's you." His arm gives her a squeeze, he puts his chin near her head, endearing, like not quite a kiss on her forhead, but holds her close. "Nope, couldn't think of much better." Or anything, but its all good.

"I'm getting there, to the warm scale. I can't help it with the fire, your arm and all these blankets." Indeed, Erin isn't even shivering now, she's warm and comfortable. "It's been a good holiday for me too. I was thinking I was going to be spending most of it alone. I'm glad I got to spend it with you."

His reassurances that her being different in good ways beings a smile and maybe a touch of laughter. "I enjoy sparring with you as well. You always manage to beat me but I learn a lot too." His mention of her honesty and she just leans into him a moment. "Thanks for saying so. I trust you too. You're a good guy."

"There we go, let's relax now, enjoy the cave," he offers a rare smile, "See, I'm totally spontaneous." Not that there was much choice, but its not planned and he's comfortable rolling with it just the same. "In our own way, our holiday Erin. Not what was planned but the universe spoke and we answered, here we are." There is a soft nod to his head, sparring, and her learning. He doesn't win to be mean or prove he's better, but that was always his hope and she confirms it even.

Taking the moment of her leaning into him. "And you're a good girl." He repeats what she said back, and that perhaps is part of the surprise he said. There is a moment he might say more on the topic as he regards her, then he gives her a squeeze. "Lets share that meal, good food, good company. Couldn't think of anyone better to spend this time with." Though he doesn't much move himself, maybe enjoying her next to him just the same, less physical warmth, maybe more emotional, good company.

"Totally when it's forced on you. I'll have to remember that." Erin teases him lightly. "It is getting warm and I am getting kind of hungry." She doesn't get up immediately, but she's going to in a few. "Our holiday, it's definitely not anything like I've ever had before. "

A smile comes when he mentions her being good as well and she shrugs, "Thank you for saying so." The silence lingers a moment before he squeezes her. "Definitely, food." She smiles when he doesn't move, but she does open the blankets and steps out of them after rising. SHe gets her backpack and brings it over to start unpacking.

There are several sealed small plastic containers, turkey, ham, brisket. Sides like potatoes, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, just all sorts of things. A thermos she puills out and there's any number of Thanksgiving dinner things. And her spare socks. She puts the food and utensils between them, they can open surprises of food and share it with their separate utensils. "Still smells good."

Jack enjoys the moments, quiet talk and silence both. When she finally moves to get food, he watches her. Across firelight as it dances over her between light and shadow. His own blanket more open over his chest.

She uses socks to help, like hot gloves/mittens. The food is laid out, "It speaks to the chefs." Assuming a few contributed to the pot luck good drive thing. "So do we dig in," he asks as he looks over the offerings, then towards her, "Or we doing the whole thankful thing. A little prayer and give some thanks?" In her hands his good with both options. "And i an thankful for you, made my thanksgiving like a thanksgiving."

Erin doesn't use the socks as hot gloves or mittens. She's just got some extra in her backpack like she had mentioned earlier. The food isn't hot it's been in her backpack all day so there's no need for hot gloves or anything. The backpack is nearby her though, in case of needing the socks later to change her damp ones.

With the food containers opened and ready, looks uncertain and nods. "Sure, want to say a little prayer?" Plenty of options for them on the food. (Feel free for there to be any food you want there) "The thermos has lemonade if you're thirsty." A smile with the offer. And what do you do when a prayer is said? Erin offers her hand to his.. or more slips hers in his and bows her head and closes her eyes.

Extra socks for feet it is, not that Jack knows, just she has them out. A little nod, he takes her hand readily enough and lowers his own head. "Lord, in your generosity, grant us grace and blessing for the year to come." He says, then an, "Amen." Quick simple and to the point. "I'm thankful for good food and good company this thanksgiving, I'm thankful that the lord has led me here." Half a smile, hand still held, "There you have it, a thanksgiving." He gives her time to offer thanks or prayers as she likes, but he'll dig in, looking for turkey and maybe some potatoes. He may move potatoes closer to the fire to warm them up, but turkey he'll find a utensil to grab some with, but pausing to offer her the first bite.

Erin echoes his Amen after he says it then smiles as she lifts her head and opens her eyes, listening to his list before adding her own. "I am thankful for here and now, a better Thanksgiving than I could have hoped for. Good food, good friends, life and health." One more squeeze of his hand before she releases it and they can share their Thanksgiving dinner. All of the food is nudged a little closer to the fire and with her fork in hand, she smiles as he offers over the bite. The fork or the bite she's uncertain, so she leans in and captures the bite of turkey off the fork, lips sliding down the tines, successfully taking the first bite. After a chew and a swallow, she offers a quiet, "Thank you, Jack."

A grin from Jack as she offers her own thanks and the hand squeeze is shared before they get to the food. He watches her take the bite, his eyes on her then those lips. A slight lean closer, "Certainly, Erin, you're worth it." Whatever all that is, and his voice carries some weight to indicate its not a passing thought. She takes a bite, then he gets his own same fork and clamps teeth down and over before pulling it right off to chew quietly. His eyes even close just a little, and mmm in his throat. "See, I'm the lucky one, you couldn't pay to get good food like this, and someone like you to share it with Erin. Thank goodness there was a storm, made this a meal worth having." His free will lift over to brush at some of her hair, maybe intended playfully but gentle in the same stroke.

It was good to see him enjoying the food and when she looks up at him again, Erin sees him leaning closer. "Thank you for this, for the day out.. which is turning into a night out. The food really is good." Erin reaches for the brisket with some of the au jus over the top. It was warm enough and she spears a bite with her fork. Just before she would have taken a bite she changes her mind and offers the bite to him instead, as he had her. "This got a lot of compliments last night." As his hand reaches over to brush at her hair, she assumes there are leaves or something in there, but she blushes a little. "Thank you."

"All you," returns Jack in regards to the food being good. And it was good. He doesn't hold back. Even as she offers a bite, he does sink teeth into that brisket, holding onto the fork an extra moment or two, letting his eyes clothes and perhaps smelling the air about the food or her. Mmmm, again, "Still just as good. You'll have to let me try cooking something myself here." Reaching for water bottle to wash some down, he looks at her and that blush. "There you are again, the Erin that keeps surprising me. Glad I got to see all of you." Which, given that she did remove wet clothes could mean more, but he's looking into her eyes. "Only thing that would be a little better is some music. Like enjoy thanksgiving food, listen to some Christmas music or something to get in the spirit for the coming season."

Erin goes to remove the fork and smiles when he holds it. It almost slips out of her fingers, but she manages to keep hold. With a soft laugh she tries again and pulls it out to take a bite of the meat. "Cooking something here? Sure, if you have something to cook, that sounds interesting." While he drinks the water, she reaches for the thermos and pours some lemonade in the cap for a drink of it.

She glances up at him until he mentions seeing all of her and she lowers her eyes to the thermos cup, aware she was in her pants and her sports bra. The sports bra covered her fine and was perfectly modest, something she'd even wear at Joey's gym. But the way he looked at her suddenly made her feel she was showing a lot. Or maybe it wasn't him making her feel it, he was being proper. "Do you sing? You could sing Christmas songs."

Modest or otherwise, it could be the dance of flame that literally and proverbially showed her in a new light. Or something he knew all along, but the way the shadow and light played, he was looking while trying to focus on her eyes. Which he did manage too, conversing with her. "Just what we have here for cooking," or what she brought, showing he put total faith in her with the picnic idea and just bring blankets.

He considers her question then, his eyes dedicated to hers in that moment. "I'm not much of a singer," but there is hesitation in his voice as he looks to her. "I don't sing at church much, and I rarely sing for anyone else, but I can try." He'll look at her a moment, showing that its a part of him he rarely opens to anyone at all, and seeing if she gives trust in return, that its between them. He trusts her, but the hesitation is for that shared look. Once that comes he slowly opens into On Eagles Wings. Singing low, but its enough to take some focus in the cave, with most of the noise being limited to what they're making.

"It looks like whatever we have left will be breakfast too, so if you think we should save the ham for then, then we will. It would make a good breakfast meal. Unless you don't want pork for any reason." Erin smiles and after eating more of the food, she declares herself finished, saving hot rolls and ham for breakfast sandwich.

"I usually only ever sing in groups at church." Though when he searches her expression, her eyes meet his and then he's singing. Whatever he is looking for in her eyes, he seems to find it. The song he opts for is one of her favorites and she lays back on one of the blankets so she can listen to him, a smile worn while he sings the beautiful song.

A gentle nod of agreement from Jack, "Ham for breakfast sounds like a treat." Food settled, comfortable in that cave with her, he can relax as he sings that song. A slight shake before he begins, as he doesn't even sing in groups Then she lays down to listen. Slowly as he sings, he moves to lay down beside her too. Looking at her as he sings until, as he finishes, they perhaps lay on their sides to look at each other. "Just the one I like, enough to know all the words too."

"Don't know how comfy the stone is," he says, after looking into her eyes for that moment of getting sort of cozy, "But if you need a pillow, I definitely wouldn't mind a little extra blanket." Meaning her.
He sort of turns towards his back, offering arm or more if she wants it, as he's certainly inviting her to come closer, his blanket open so they could share it together. "Unless you have a song you want to share too." Not so much as a deflect from what he just offered, but in unison, sing and get comfy even. Open invitation in the air betwen them and if she choose to stay where she is, he'd be just as good watching her as the fire dyed down in the quiet moments of the cavern.

Erin smiles, watching him a moment until he was finished with the song. Then she sits up, closes all the lids and stores only the ham near the fire and the rest in her pack again. She changes her socks for dry feet so they can get warmer. Body heat and all. They had one blanket beneath them and she draws the others over them and goes to that arm where she lays her head and pulls the blankets over them.

Jack, being the old school gentleman that he is, doesn't cross any lines or try anything. The two sleep through the night, have breakfast and are able to make it back to civilization before dark the next day.