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I lie back—carefully—and watch the fluffy clouds morph into shapes above me, throwing me back in time. Summer days with my mom, a time when nothing was more important than our trips to the public pool and what friends were going to meet us there. I was naïve to the evils of the world. They hadn’t invaded my life. Yet.
But right here, right now, this is…
Crack.
Shuffling sounds follow what seemed like someone stepping on a branch coming from the shoreline. The opposite shoreline. I jerk up, staring, gripping both sides of the canoe. Searching. Glancing back to Paxton’s side, Riggs is standing alert, staring at the same spot where the noise came from. Chills run up my back, and my arms and legs break out in goose bumps. I remember Zander’s words, “Question things that seem out of place.”
Riggs barks, and it’s not a friendly bark. It’s a warning.
A warning for me to get the hell out of here.
With hurried, careful strokes, I navigate the canoe back toward Riggs, stealing glances over my shoulder every few seconds. Nothing like freaking out in the middle of a lake. Paxton is already at the shoreline when the canoe slices up the bank, pulling me in further and helping me out. My chest heaves with panic.
“What happened?”
“I think…” I turn, my gaze fixed on the spot, still seeing nothing but the dense cover of trees. I clear the panic from my throat. “I think someone was there. What if it’s…” My voice trails off. It doesn’t need to be said. He understands.
He looks down at Riggs, still barking, and then stares across the lake for a few moments. Riggs settles and sits. “It was probably a deer. He always goes crazy when he sees one.”
That makes sense. Of course, there’s wildlife all around here.
“Now I feel silly,” I say, shaking out my trembling hands.
He takes my hands in his. “I promise, you’re safe here.”
I’d like to believe that, but a madman is out there, and Paxton isn’t invincible. But I sigh and nod.
“I need to throw the steaks on the grill for a few minutes to finish dinner. Still hungry?”
More so now that I spent all my energy between fear and rowing like my life depended on it. “Before we eat, do you mind if I take a shower?” There’s a layer of wet dirt caked on my skin, a combination of dust and sweat. The thought of him being close, watching me, makes me feel violated.
“Not at all. Second door on the right is the guest bathroom. There’s shampoo and soap. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“That’s great. Thanks.”
The renovated bathroom gleams in sparkling white with clean lines, more of a modern flare. I’m certain it’s a stark contrast to the original design. I turn the faucet on, shedding my shirt, and cringe at the line of dirt where my shirt used to be. Gross. Despite knowing my clothes will still be dirty when I put them on, I won’t be. My eyes shift to the empty towel rack. Great. I check all the cabinets, finding no towels. Typical man. Not one towel in the guest bathroom. I hate bothering him, but there’s not even a rag I could use to dry myself off. Grabbing my shirt off the floor, I slip it back over my head and turn off the shower. As I’m about to round the corner, I overhear Paxton talking.
“If you could check it out for me.”
I peek around and see he’s on the phone, so I decide to wait for him to finish.
“There’s no way I’m leaving her, or I’d do it myself,” he murmurs into the phone.
My shoulders tense. Screw privacy. He’s talking about me. Leaning my ear forward, I shamelessly eavesdrop.
“Riggs doesn’t bark like that with other animals. He saw someone.”
I suck in a quick breath and yank my hand over my mouth to stifle the noise. He lied. There’s a long pause while I assume the other person talks, or he heard me gasp.
“No. She’s taking a shower right now.” Another pause. “Shut it. Nothing is going on. I’m helping her out. I’m taking her back after dinner.”
I sigh, unsure if the dispelled air is because he lied to me or that he’s not into me. It shouldn’t be the latter, because what would I even do with a relationship right now? I don’t know what tomorrow looks like. Still, there’s a lingering sting of rejection.
Not caring anymore if he sees me, I step into the living area where he’s standing, staring out the window. Riggs glances up from his bed, causing Paxton to shift his attention to me. He plays it off.
“Okay, cool. Thanks for your help.” I wrap my arms around my waist, staring at him. “That was a quick shower.”
“Couldn’t find a towel.” I can’t hide the irritation.
