Page 15 of Rough Ride

“There’s been no one since your mom?”

She shook her head. “I know he had lovers, but no one he wanted to let me know about, which means he wanted nothing long term. He needs someone to keep him company. Besides, sex keeps you happy and healthy. It’s good for your immune system. So, he needs a woman.”

“Not all men do.”

“All people need each other.”

He shook his head. “No. Look at me. Look at Joe.”

“First of all, I don’t know that much about you. Secondly, we all know why Joe didn’t have anyone around.”

She didn’t miss the look of surprise that moved over his face. So, he hadn’t known she knew Joe was gay. She knew there had been a man in his past, but once his husband had died, Joe had gone it alone. A lot like her father.

“And, you do have people around. Or beings. Admit it. You would be happy to spend all your days alone, but you would always want an animal around. A dog or a horse.”

He shifted in his seat and she sensed she hit the nail on the head.

“Don’t look so irritated. You remind me of my father. He’s always been a bit laid back, but I know he could kill with his bare hands. Now, he just likes the quiet. He said after time in the Navy and raising me, he likes his own company. Which kind of irritates me, but I know it’s the truth. I’m a lot to put up with.”

“I can’t believe that,” Danny piped up. She smiled back at him.

“Aren’t you sweet, but you aren’t a very good liar. There’s one thing I know and that is… I’m a handful.”

Eli turned off the main road and it only took a minute or two to make it to the gate. It was open. Eli grunted. She glanced over to find him frowning at the gate.

“Was that not supposed to be open?” she asked.

“No. I like to keep it locked unless we’re expecting people.”

He drove under the arch, got out of the SUV, and walked over to the control panel. After he punched a few buttons, the gates closed.

“Is it that much of a problem?” she asked.

He cut her a glance, then put the SUV in gear. “It’s a safety issue, for us and for them. Someone wanders on here, they could end up getting hurt.”

“And you could get sued. Of course.”

He nodded. “Tourists think that the entire island is theirs for exploring. We like to discourage that.”

She laughed but it ended on a squeak when one of their tires exploded. Eli cursed under his breath and parked the SUV. The three of them got out and congregated at the tire in the back end on the passenger’s side. It was definitely flat.

“Well, that sucks,” Danny said.

She laughed.

“Get the tire, Danny,” Eli said, annoyance threading his voice.

Danny smiled and went to do Eli’s bidding.

Eli said nothing and got the tools. Then he squatted down and got to work. She watched as his competent hands worked.

Crysta turned around and looked out over the land. There were storm clouds over the horizon, but it didn’t seem to faze her. She wasn’t one for rain, it always seemed to bring her down, but for some reason she felt a jolt of excitement this time instead. Maybe she was just excited about the new possibilities or the lack of sleep, but something had her heart feeling light.

“It certainly is a beautiful view. I don’t know how people would ever want to leave this.”

“Your mother did.”

The flat tone had her frowning.

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