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 Chapter 8

   When we got outside I stopped and turned to Jennifer.  "When we get to
the General Store, I'll introduce you to one of the ladies that run it,
either Elizabeth or Helen - most likely Elizabeth.  I'm going to tell her
that you need some stuff and that whatever you want to buy, she can put it
on my bill.  The `drug store' part of the store is way in the back.  I'll
wait in the truck while you go in and get whatever you need.  Look and see
if there's something that you'd like to read if you want."

   Jennifer smiled and gave me a kiss on the cheek.  "I said it before and
I'm going to say it again, you're a pretty wonderful guy."

   When we got to the store I took a moment to explain to Jennifer that
with a population of under a thousand people, there wasn't enough business
for more than one store so this store sold everything from fish hooks to
canned tomatoes to toothpaste to women's clothes and everything in between.
There might not be a lot of choices but there would be something that would
help.  I took Jennifer in and introduced her to Elizabeth and told her to
let Jennifer buy whatever she needed then went back to the truck and
settled down to nap as I waited.

   I was almost wondering if I should get a search party to go looking for
Jennifer when the door opened and out she came with a bunch of bags
followed by Elizabeth with more bags.  I jumped out to open the door for
Jennifer and while she was getting in she told me that Elizabeth had helped
her do her shopping.  Elizabeth told me that everything Jennifer had
purchased was on the bill that she handed me and that I could pay her when
we next came to town.  I grinned and thanked her then started towards the
aid station where the EMTs hung out.

   "I hope you won't be mad but Elizabeth persuaded me to get some other
outside type clothes - some heavier ones as well as some different shoes."
Jennifer said as she looked at me somewhat apprehensively.

   I pulled off to the side of the road and pulled her over to hug her. 
"Elizabeth did exactly right.  I figured she might so it didn't surprise me
when you came out with all the bags.  I told you to get whatever you needed
and I figured Elizabeth would help you.  I hope in your splurging you
didn't forget the..."

   Jennifer blushed a bit.  "Of course not!" she said with some
indignation. "That was the first thing I got.  I also got stuff for my
teeth, for my hair and even some lipstick.  I know I need to look good for
the current man in my life."

   That last comment took me by surprise but I didn't say anything.

   *****

   When we got to the aid station, I had one of the EMTs look at Jennifer's
arm.  His diagnosis was what I had suspected - a green stick fracture - and
he told us that the splint could probably come off.  He told Jennifer that
she could try moving around without the arm being in a sling and once she
felt comfortable, she could dispense with the sling as well.

   Jenifer was delighted with this news and couldn't wait to get the splint
off.  I convinced her to keep the splint on until we got back to my island
- woops, maybe I should start saying `our' island.

   We soon were back down at my - I mean `our' - boat and after loading the
parcels and parking the truck, we were on our way home.  As we were making
our way across the water, I realized that while I'd been content to be on
the island by myself, I was now looking forward to being home with
Jennifer. She just seemed to make things that much better.

   *****

   Maggie was waiting on the beach when we arrived, barking and wagging her
tail to tell us how happy she was to have us back.  We beached the boat and
carried some of the parcels up to the cabin.  Once we'd set the parcels
down, I helped Jennifer get the splint off.  She moved her hand around
gingerly but the smile she gave me told me she was glad to see the end of
the splint.  I left Jennifer in the cabin as I went and got the remainder
of the parcels from the boat, making sure that the boat was secure before
returning to the cabin.

   On entering the cabin, I was surprised to see the curtain across the
sleeping area had been pulled.  `I guess my job of dressing and undressing
is over' I thought.  Pretty soon, out came Jennifer wearing enough clothes
to go to the North Pole - or at least that's what it seemed to me.

   "Do you like the clothes you bought for me?" Jennifer asked grinning
from ear to ear.

   "With all those clothes, maybe you can sleep out in the woodshed and I
can sleep in my own bed." I tried desperately not to grin but I'm afraid I
wasn't really successful.

   At first Jennifer got a look of fear on her face, then realizing I was
teasing started to laugh.  "You'll regret that!" she told me.  Jennifer got
a serious look on her face.  "I was serious.  I know you paid for these and
I can never say thanks enough.  But are these going to be okay here when it
gets cold?"

   I got up and after getting Jennifer's permission I opened the coat and
looked at what she had on.  "Let me." she said.  Piece by piece she took
off her outerwear then the new sweater and finally started fingered the
buttons on her new blouse.

   "I think the stripping better stop now," I said.

   Jennifer just grinned.  "Spoilsport!" she said.

   I picked up the coat and showed Jennifer how the inner insulated liner
could be taken out and just the shell of the coat worn when the wind was
strong or when it was raining.  "There should be another liner - a lighter
one." I said.

   "Oh, I thought that was just a vest, just a minute," and with that she
ran into the sleeping area and soon returned with the second liner.  I
showed her the difference in thickness in the two and told her she could
add either of the liners as she needed to compensate for the weather.

   "I know the jacket isn't very fancy or stylish but out here, comfort
beats style every time.  You can wear a stylish coat and be cold or wear a
coat like this and keep warm." I told her.  "Just because Elizabeth picked
this out for you, doesn't mean the ladies here don't have some stylish
coats, they just save them to wear when they go over to the mainland.

   We looked at the rest of the clothes she'd acquired but Jennifer left
the best `til last.  "I've got one more thing to show you.  Just wait
here." Off she went returning wearing a set of long john underwear.  "Ta
da!" she said as she came out from behind the curtain.

   "My, aren't those the most..." I paused for a moment.  "...cozy set of
undies." I started to laugh and Jennifer saw the humour and joined in. 
"Believe me, when the wind howls, you'll be glad you have them," I told
her.

   Jennifer giggled (`Oh that giggle', I thought).  "When Elizabeth brought
them over in the store I almost laughed but then remembered how cold it was
just going out to the biffy.  I know I'm going to be glad to have them."

   I made us a simple supper then went out and checked things outside. 
Looking at the sky I could see we'd be in another storm by morning.  The
generator was ready to go, the shutters had been pulled down and nothing
was lying around loose.  We were as ready as we could be.