“I’m a fan of her books.”
“You look decades too young to be a fan,” he said.
“Don’t let the package fool ya.”
An edge of his lip angled up, but he quickly battened it down.
Fine.He could call the police if he wanted. Perhaps they would find her funny.
He slid the phone into his vest pocket. “How did you get past the gate?”
She wasn’t about to tell him about her path along the river. “I found my way around it.”
“The property is private.”
“Figured that out.” Then again, he might not even be legit. They could both be trespassing.
“Do you need an escort back to your truck?”
“No, thanks.” She was ready to be done with Mr. Stoic except she had one more question. “Do you know if Via Belle owned this lake?”
He didn’t even consider her question. “I trust you can find your way back to the gate without any more detours.”
Smiling wouldn’t win her any favors, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. “I suspect you’ll make sure I don’t get distracted.”
“It’s my job.”
She eyed the rock where she’d left the engraved piece. “Are you Simon Farrow?”
He flinched like she’d thrown him a punch. “Are you kidding me?”
“I didn’t know it was a joke.”
“What is your name?” he demanded, but she could play the don’t-answer-my-questions game too.
“I’m out.” Instead of attempting to step around him, she turned to walk up the hill. Perhaps she could still catch a glimpse of the house along the path.
“Wait!”
When she heard the crunch of footfalls, she spun around, cell phone in hand. “I can call the cops too.”
“No need.” He splayed both hands by his shoulders. “And you really can’t. No service down here.”
“But you said—”
“Why did you think I was Simon?”
There was no way she was going to tell him what she’d found in the lake. “Just a hunch.”
“That’s not a name we welcome around here.”
“I get the feeling you don’t welcome too many people, no matter their name.”
“I’d suggest you focus on reading Via’s books instead of trespassing on her property.”
A laugh burst through her lips even if he wasn’t trying to be funny. “Focus isn’t really my gift.”
“Goodbye, Ms.—?”
