“You comin’, or what?”one of the guys called back to him.
“Yeah.”He moved the loose debris on the ground as he walked to conceal his boot prints and followed the others.
None of the others realized what they’d just done.Or that he’d made a deal with someone far more powerful and dangerous than him.A deal that had tripled his income over the past four months and would make him filthy rich within a year.
His men thought this was all part of their plan.Stashing firepower, food and medical supplies for their militia if the big earthquake and tsunami ever hit and destroyed the island’s power grid and emergency services...Or if they were discovered and the Feds came for them.
That cover worked perfectly for him.He would make sure it stayed that way.
NINE
O
n Monday morning Willow finished tidying the kitchen, the last bit of housework she needed to finish, excitement humming through her.It had been more than a year since she and Bronwyn had seen each other, and in just a few hours her best friend would be here.She’d been running around like a maniac the past two days getting everything ready.
All her stuff had arrived from New York last week.The moving boxes had been unpacked, broken down, and taken to the recycling depot.
Everything was organized and put away.The fridge and pantry were fully stocked.This morning she’d put fresh linens and towels on the bed in her grandmother’s room and given the floors a good scrub.
Rufus was lying in the kitchen entryway, watching her quietly, muzzle resting on his paws.It seemed like he was slowly warming to the idea of being a pet and companion.
“I know you’re bored, buddy, but I’m pretty much done now.”Looking around the gleaming kitchen, she stood there a moment, pausing to assess how she felt.
Restless.Full of pent-up energy.
And no wonder, since she’d been mostly working inside all weekend, getting everything put away and all her finances and bills in order.She’d been so busy she hadn’t even unwrapped the big canvas sitting on her easel, let alone started the first painting project she’d been so excited about working on once she moved in.
She didn’t have time to paint right now.Or tidy up the back garden, or tackle any of the other items left on her to-do list.The past week had been a complete blur of settling into her new routine, while trying to get Rufus settled into his new life.
They were still getting to know each other.It seemed like he was starting to accept her.
The past two days he’d begun following her whenever she moved to another room, though he didn’t yet seem to understand that he livedinthe house instead of outside in the backyard or on the porch.The first few nights, she’d had to resort to using treats to coax him to the expensive orthopedic foam bed she’d bought him and placed on the floor beside her bed.
Rufus stared at her from the floor, relaxed but watchful, still a little wary of her.If she was feeling cooped up, it must be worse for him.And everything she’d read online said the best way to bond with a new dog was through food and spending quality time together, especially through play and exercise.
It was another sunny, hot day, and they needed to get out of the house for a while.A trip to the beach was just the thing for both of them.The cool wind coming off the water would be blissful.
