Page 17 of Secret Billionaire

7

Could it really be Friday already? Impossible… and yet it was. She was thrilled with the progress they’d made on the outdoor area. She honestly felt more alive than she had for a long time. When she pedaled into the parking lot, Jesse’s motorcycle was already there. She felt guilty that she’d overslept and was an hour later than she’d intended to be.

She secured her bike to the rack by the back entrance. Seeing that damn graffiti made her spitting mad every time she had to look at her ruined wall. Damn delinquents. That was at the top of her list of things to accomplish as soon as possible. She’d put it off for too long. At least it was in the back, hidden from the public’s view.

Of course, her schedule would depend on what Jesse had in mind for her today. Regardless, she was going to re-paint the damn thing this weekend if it was the last thing she ever did.

Slinging her backpack over one shoulder and juggling the carryout coffees and cinnamon rolls from her basket, she stepped inside. It felt deserted and she called out, “Jesse?”

No answer. She set her pack and goodies on the bar. Everything was opened up and the ocean breeze had chased away any residual staleness lingering in the air. It was still chilly, but it was sunny and supposed to reach the upper seventies. Perfect!

“Jesse?”

“Out here,” he called.

She still couldn’t see him, but she grabbed the coffees and stepped outside, following his voice.

He was hidden from view, crouched down in a pit between the large stilts below the deck. Half of the planks had been removed and the deck level was at about shoulder height.

“You’ve got to see this, it’s the darndest thing,” he said, ducking back down.

“Good morning to you too,” she said,

He glanced up at her and grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, I’m just trying to figure something out here.” He hopped up beside her and accepted the cup of joe she held out.

“Cream and sugar, right?” she asked.

He winked, “You really get me.” He took a sip, eyes sparkling as he peered at her over the rim of his cup.

“What’s got you puzzled?”

“Give me your coffee,” he said, placing it on the deck next to his own. He jumped back into the pit and turned for her. She sat on the edge and he splayed his hands around her waist, lifting her down next to him like she was as light as a feather. He didn’t release her right away. Pulling her against him, he tipped her chin.

“I’ve missed you…and you’re late.” He planted a kiss on the tip of her dainty nose. She fit perfectly against him. She resisted the urge to snuggle into the warmth of his body.

“I’m sorry, but did I miss something? When did you become the boss?”

He grinned and released her, squatting down next to a large wooden crate. There was stamped lettering which read ‘Mexican Stone Craft’. “I found this after pulling up some loosened deck boards.”

“What’s inside?”

He lifted the lid which he’d earlier pried open with a crowbar. Faye leaned closer, peering into the crate.

Her eyes widened, “It’s a statue.”

“Yeah and what’s it doing here?”

“Who knows. I wonder how long it’s been sitting down here?”

“Could have been here for weeks or years. Anybody’s guess.”

Her forehead furrowed, “It almost looks like somebody built a little room down here. That’s so weird.”

“There’s more. This whole ten by ten space was enclosed and protected from any rising water levels.”

“Why would someone go to that amount of trouble?” She said.

He squatted down and picked up a newspaper from a pile on the floor and read, “World series goes to Cincinnati Reds. This is from 1975. And look at this box of cheap trinkets. It’s like something you’d see at a street market.”

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