“Well then, have a safe trip and make sure no one takes another potshot at you.”I could see the worry she was trying to hide shining in the depths of her eyes.“I don’t intend to spend the rest of my life bandaging you up.”
Wow.I’d come here expecting a confrontation, and she’d understood without me even having to explain.“Don’t worry.I have no intention of collecting any more scars.”
Beside her, Diego let out a lowwoofas if seconding that.I reached down to pat him on the head.“Thanks, fella.You keep our girl safe while I’m gone, you hear?”
I pulled her in tight for one more hard kiss, my lips lingering on hers.It took all my strength to let her go.
“There.That should hold you until I get back.”I released her reluctantly, before jumping off the porch and striding back to the car.“I’ll give you a call as soon as I know what’s going on.”
Kimberly didn’t say anything, her eyes shiny with an emotion I hesitated to guess at.
Taking a deep breath, I put the car in gear and headed out to the landing field to catch my ride.
* * *
Kimberly
I watched until the car was out of sight, then stepped back into the house and closed the door.It was just me and Diego for the next few days.
Sasha was out with her new boyfriend.He was a bit of a mystery man -- at least to me.She’d met him in one of those online dating forums, and I wasn’t really clear on where he lived.He’d popped in to see her a few times now, though, and understandably they liked to keep it just the two of them so I hadn’t met him in person yet.Just a few weeks ago, she spent a luxurious four days with him at the fabulous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, and I swear she came home walking on air.Not that I was jealous or anything, but I’d spent the day before in a makeshift campsite on a deserted island where people took potshots at me.
I wandered into the kitchen and brewed myself a cup of coffee.Sasha was probably having a great time with her new beau, and here I was being abandoned for a bunch of guys.
I reached for the Baileys and spiked my coffee with a large dollop.
Walking into the living room, I plopped myself down on the sofa and Diego settled down beside me.I turned the television on and flipped through the channels.Nothing really caught my interest, but I settled on a documentary on the solitary habits of the cougar.Maybe no one wanted to be with it either.Watching the big cat as it stalked a mule deer, I was grateful there weren’t cougars on my island.They looked terrifying, and according to the narrator they wouldn’t hesitate to kill a person.I’d have to watch the trees above me as well as everything at ground level.Nope.Did not want to have to worry about cougars.
Diego lifted his head, his ears pricked forward.Looking out the window, I saw Sasha’s car pulling into the driveway.That was strange.I hadn’t expected her back until tomorrow.She didn’t look happy when she pushed the front door open and dragged her overnight bag inside with her.
“What’s up?I didn’t expect you back until tomorrow at least.”I cupped my hands around the mug and took a long pull on my coffee.The Baileys gave it a nice warm feeling as it slid down my throat.
Sasha dropped her bag on the floor, rolling her eyes.“Something unexpected came up, and he had to leave.”She raised her brows.“Where’s Matty?Or Ryland, as you like to call him.I thought you two had a dinner date?”
I grimaced.“Looks like we’ve both been deserted.”I echoed her statement.“Something unexpected came up and he had to leave in a hurry.”
Diego let out a low whine and I laughed, lowering one hand to pet the mutt.“I think he’s trying to convey his sympathy.”
“Or maybe just remind us some males are loyal.”Sasha crossed to plunk herself down in the recliner.
I had to agree.“All the loyal ones seem to have four legs.”
“Truth.”She stood, glancing at my drink.“Coffee?I would think being deserted called for something a little stronger.”
I chuckled.“Coffee’s fine if you spike it with Irish Creme.”
Sasha laughed.“I should have guessed.You don’t look sad enough to be drinking straight coffee.I think I’ll join you.”
She headed to the kitchen.“So when are you expecting your lover back?”
I felt my cheeks heat up.Sasha liked to remind me that I’d given her way too much detail about that night on the island.“He didn’t say.What about your mystery man?You know when he’ll be dropping in next?”
Sasha appeared in the doorway with a coffee mug in her hands.“No idea.I think that’s part of what makes this relationship different, and kind of exciting.I never know when Julien is going to show up, or what he’ll have planned for us.”
“Doesn’t that bother you?That he just pops up with no warning?”
Sasha shook her head.“Nope.Not like I have a day job I have to worry about.”Being a trust fund baby with rich parents had its advantages, one of which was never worrying about where your next meal or rent payment came from.
“He ever talk about his family?Parents?Siblings?”I secretly worried this Julien was married and considered Sasha a convenient side chick.
