While I wonder what the fuck‘it’could be, I glance down at the writing and read aloud. “Join us for Delaware’s most popular historical lantern tour. Learn about Blackbeard the pirate who lived and-”
“Exciting right?” Her bright eyes and raised eyebrows make her countenance more like a kid than a senior citizen.
For her benefit, I feign as much enthusiasm as a grown adult can muster. “It sounds wonderful, but I can’t accept your generous gift. You should give it to your grandson.”
“Pish-posh. He’s got his nose glued to his space station.”
“Play Station?” My guess turns her bright pink lips into a grin.
“That’s what I meant. So, will you? Pretty please?”
Other than the hole in my body, I have no valid reason to refuse, so take the ticket and smile. “Sure, I’ll help you.” Only a total ass would say no.
“You better hurry, it starts at sunset, and I want images of everything.”
Of course, she does.In my ride, I set the address into my GPS, and when she’s not looking, clunk my head on the wheel. How the hell do I let myself get roped into shit like this? I should’ve said no before she thrust out her lower lip.
Twenty minutes later, I scold myself as I pull into the state park. Because of some shrink, I’m supposed to lay low to deal with my fucking feelings. Being shot sucked. It didn’t take two weeks of paid time off to figure it out, more like two seconds.
Remembering I haven’t been out in public for days, I tip down the sun visor’s mirror, smooth back my errant brown locks, and note the dark circles under my brown eyes. A sniff to my armpits later, I stride over the pavement toward the hand-written’tour starts here’sign.
“Ticket please.” An elderly gent in pirate attire, complete with blunderbuss and saber, holds out his palm.
Perhaps, if I’m lucky, the tickets are non-transferrable. “Mrs. Grimwald sent me in her place. She said her arthritis is acting up and wanted me to take pictures for her. I tried to say no but-”
“Well, that is so kind of you… And you are?” The gray-bearded man lifts his lantern high and triggers a memory.
Without warning, I’m on my back in a dark alley while my partner leans all his weight into the open wound at my side.
Shit.Back in the present, sweat rolls down my sides as I try to stop my right hand from shaking. “Dean Brennan. I’m renting her upper floor for a few weeks. I’ll understand if you have a waiting list and-”
“Glad you could come. If you follow the path, we’re almost ready to start. It’s good you wore jeans, the mosquitoes can be fierce.”
Shit. Now I’m stuck. Why do The Fates insist on aligning themselves against me?I guess I can bail if it’s not my thing. Regardless, a night at the beach beats staring at my four walls.
Whoa. What the what?
My cock jumps to attention as a set of long-legged twins in tight jeans saunter in front of me. My lower appendage tends not to be a randy beast, so I cut him some slack and take out my mental list of the world’s least sexy items. By the time I get to adult wet wipes and beer puke, the bulge in my pants has shrunk to normal.
Meanwhile, the guide and another pirate in his sixties has beckoned everyone onto a trail. Half of our tour consists of retirees, who chat amicably. A young woman wearing a huge rock on her ring finger fake-laughs with a man fifteen years her senior. A gaggle of teenage girls snicker at the studs a few feet away studying them.
In the shadow of the nearest fir tree, the sisters twist their heads toward the entrance to the parking lot, no doubt waiting for another to join them. The older one tucks the other to her left side and keeps her right hand free, near her oversized jacket.
My ear tingles, so I meander closer and give them a polite smile.
“Nice evening.” A friendly comment like mine might be construed as predatory in Manhattan, but here in lower, slower, Delaware, strangers strike up conversations all the time.
“Mmm.” The protector lowers her lids, eyes me up and down, and shoots me a fuck-off smile.
Her younger sibling, however, beams. “Hi, I’m Charlie. Don’t mind Sky. She’s always grouchy. You ever done this tour before? I have. It’s loads of fun. Did you know Blackbeard used this area as a safe harbor?”
“I had no idea.” One side of my mouth quirks up, until her chaperone steps in front of the enthusiastic girl.
“Charlie, I’m sure the man can hear it all from the guide.” Given the crowd and the almost festive atmosphere, her sharp tone is over the top, and to be honest, it pisses me off.
“She’s not bothering me. It’s my first time here and I find it all quite amusing.” I’m a fourth generation NYPD officer, not some perv.
Palms up, I flash her the magic Brennan smile, the one reserved for lost kids and confused old ladies. Immune to my charms, the woman in a t-shirt and torn jeans scowls causing me to re-evaluate my first impression of her.
