Page 70 of Breaking Hollywood

I lean over into the backseat, unfasten Gucci’s car harness from the seat belt, and bring her into the front with me. I clip her lead to the harness and carry her out of the car.

I go stand next to Gabe. “Okay, so what do we do now?”

“Come with me.”

He starts moving, so I put Gucci down to the ground, and holding her lead, I follow Gabe across the grass.

“Wow,” I say when he comes to a stop on the other side of the field.

Now, I see why he likes to come here. There’s a clear view of Stone Canyon Reservoir.

“What a view.”

“Yep.”

“Do you come here often?”

“Is that your pick-up line, Speedy? Because, if it is, it’s no wonder you’re single.”

“Jerk.”

I nudge him with my elbow, and he chuckles.

“And, to answer your question, I come here as often as I can.”

“I can see why you like it. It’s really peaceful.”

“Peace isn’t something I get a lot of in my line of work. And there aren’t many places I can go without someone recognizing me. Here, I can come and sit out in the open air, and no one bothers me.”

“Who owns this field?” I ask him, looking around.

“I do.”

I stop and look up at him. He’s staring down at me.

“You own a field?”

“It’s not just a field, Speedy; it’s land. Land that I plan to build a house on.”

“Ah. How long have you owned it?”

He laughs softly. “Eight years.”

“Eight years?” I look at him, dumbfounded. “So, this might be a stupid question…but why haven’t you built a house?”

He lifts a shoulder, his eyes briefly meeting mine. “I’ve been busy working for the last eight years, and I’m not sure exactly what type of house I want to build here. I bought it because it was a great deal at the time for what I was getting. I just haven’t gotten around to doing anything with it.”

“Except coming here to admire the view.”

“Except that.”

“Well, if it were me, I’d build a huge ranch-style house with a paddock for Gucci and a swimming pool.”

“The pool for the goat or you?”

“Both of us.” I grin.

He shifts on his crutches, a slight grimace appearing on his face.