And that both delighted and terrifiedher.
****
Two Weeks Later
The town was getting ready for the fair.The rides had already arrived and were set up at the school’s largefootball field. The whole town would be open, and even the schoolused the opportunity to raise money to help for the upcoming termthat would start in late August or early September. Daniel didn’t keep the details ofschool dates.
All he knew was that he bothloved and hated thefair. The gossip about them had died down a little over the pasttwo weeks, but even he saw how happy everyone was at seeing themtogether. He wasn’t going to complain because he was very happywith Amy by his side, but he didn’t like all the new faces. If hewas on high alert, he knew the other Reapers were aswell.
He’d already clocked Sheriff Billy, withseveral of his deputies, around town, keeping an eye on everything.There would be someone at the docks to make sure nothing wentundetected. There were several Reapers at the station.
He saw the mayor doing his usual rounds, and he couldn’tfault the man. Tourism was good for Lost Creek, but it didn’t comewithout problems, and he wasn’t interested in anything other thankeeping the town safe.
There had been no suspicious instancesaround Amy’s café, but Nixon still had a bad feeling, which Danieldidn’t like.
He’d already gone to themayor, George, to try and findas much information out about the guy Amy rejected. So far, theyhadn’t been able to come up with a name, and it was impossible toget anything out of their computer system with a simpledescription. Billy had sent a few feelers out to some of hisbuddies in different towns, but so far, nothing had come up. Danieldidn’t like this.
“It’s pretty busy this year,” Amy said,gripping his hand tightly, as someone bumped into her.
Daniel pulled her close and glared at thegirl, who held her hands up, apologizing.
“Wow, okay, it is getting a little toohectic around here. How about you and I go and have that picnic?”Amy asked.
He was more than happy to take a step awayfrom the town, and he followed Amy down toward the beach.
There were several of the locals on thebeach already, and as he found a spot that provided them a gooddistance from them, he placed the blanket he had packed onto thesand. Amy sunk down onto the blanket, reaching into her bag forsome sunscreen, as well as her glasses.
“Would you do the honors?” she asked.
She wore a strappy sundress that went toher knees, but came lowon the back.
Taking the sunscreen from her, he squirtedsome onto his hands, warming it up before placing it on her back.Amy let out a low moan. “That feels good.”
He chuckled, even though he couldn’tresist putting a kiss to the base of her neck. “You know what thosesounds do to my dick. You keep making them, and we’re going to haveto do this all day, notthat I’m complaining.”
Amy chuckled. “You’re always thinkingnaughty thoughts.”
“When I’m with you, I can’t control it.”
He finished her back and as Amy went tomove, he let out a little tut. “You know, your arms are susceptibleto sunburn, as well as your chest.”
She rolled her eyes, trying tograb the sunscreen, but he heldit just out of her reach.
“Daniel?”
“What? I am not going to let you getsick from not taking bettercare of yourself. What kind of a boyfriend would I be?” He winkedat her, proceeded to squirt more of the sunscreen onto his palm,and then waited, eyebrow raised.
She held her arm out for him. “I neverknew you could be sothorough, Mr. Long.”
“I guess there is still a lot you need to learn aboutme.”
“Yes, I have a feeling there is.”
He couldn’t see her eyes through thesunglasses, but he had a feeling she was staring right at him. Shehadn’t outright asked him about being a Reaper, but he had afeeling she either already knew or had a feeling he was one. Thebusted knuckles were anindication.
Daniel hadn’t said a word, but he did go toany call that was made and checked out every situation thatappeared to be escalating. He did whatever he could to protect thetown. It was what Nigel had told him to do when he had put him incharge.
On Nigel’s deathbed, the older man had askedhim to always keep an eye on his Martha, to protect the town, andto make sure The Reapers never died.