Page 32 of I Should Hate You-but I Don't

His dad worked too hard, developing Gem Haven into what it was today. Hell, he'd worked too hard to keep everything going after his dad was incarcerated.

Entering the campground on the east side, he slowed. The two-cycle engine on the dirt bike was a loud motherfucker. Each campsite was full. From full-size motorhomes to tent campers, they were booked until Labor Day.

He rolled to a stop outside the cabin and got off the dirt bike. Brushing off the dust before he walked inside, he paused for afew long seconds, hearing River's voice as she directed a camper on how to follow the pathway to the bar.

River could work anywhere on the compound and succeed at the job. She was adaptable and pleasant to others. He walked inside and took the time to watch her without her being aware that he was there. If he had ridden his Harley over, she would've known he was coming before he arrived. She had trained herself to recognize the sound of the idle of his bike, which always gut-punched him.

Old ladies took pride in recognizing the sound of their man's motorcycle.

Sheshouldbe his old lady.

Her hair fell, covering most of her face as she pointed at the map on the counter. "The trail is outlined with river rock. The trailhead is to the right of the bathrooms on the B section as you enter the campground."

The woman nodded. "I remember seeing that when we arrived."

"The bar opens at seven for breakfast. Drinks start at noon, and last call is at nine o'clock. The campground shuts down at ten o'clock, giving you time to come back and settle down before the gate closes." River folded the map up and handed it to the woman. "If you have any problems, the number for the cabin is on the back of the map. You can call, and someone will help you."

"Perfect. Thank you." The woman grabbed the man's hand beside her and left the cabin.

River spotted Zane and broke out with a smile, hurrying around the counter to him. He caught her before she could throw her arms around him.

"I'm dusty." He held her at arm's length. "I also need to use the phone. Where's Phil?"

"Out collecting." She walked behind the counter and set the landline on the counter.

He looked behind him. What he had to tell the sheriff wasn't something he wanted the campers to know. Right now, the wind was down and blowing in the opposite direction. None of the campers needed to worry about wildfires yet.

"I'll use the office. If Phil comes back, tell him I want to talk to him." He walked to the hallway and entered the office, shutting the door behind him.

He called Sheriff Hampton with the exact location of the fire and then sat looking out the window. He'd call a club meeting and inform everyone about the fire and the importance of keeping watch. Because he'd sent Snake out to look around, they'd caught that morning's fire soon after it started. Typically, none of his men hung out in the forest or out at Devil's Bowl. They preferred to straddle their Harley and ride on asphalt.

Standing up, he stretched his back and checked his phone. He hadn't heard from Kingsley in two days.

Unable to ride with his brother, he should've insisted that he take someone with him.

He walked out of the office. River sat behind the computer with the phone cradled in the nook of her neck. She glanced at him in question but smoothly returned to helping the person on the phone.

He leaned over and kissed her forehead, and left before he could change his mind about leaving her.

Outside, he found Phil heading toward the cabin and met him halfway.

"Prez." Phil held out his hand.

He shook. "There's a fire at the bottom of Devil's Bowl. Have you had anyone asking about trails near there?"

"Devil's Bowl?" Phil blew out his lips. "Not exactly a hiker's paradise. I can't remember the last time someone wanted to explore that area."

"That's what I thought."

Phil stroked his chin. "That's about five-six miles as the crow flies. Gem Haven should be safe."

"Yeah, we're good. The sheriff is on it. He probably already has a fire crew headed there. They'll have to hike in, of course." He straightened his beard. "Keep your eyes and ears open. We don't want someone fire happy to start something closer."

"No, shit. It's the last thing we need this summer."

He walked over to the dirt bike and revved it up, cutting through the campground and taking the pathway home.

He parked the bike in the garage and looked over at the house when the phone rang, thanks to the cell booster he installed in the apartment upstairs. He answered without looking.

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