Page 25 of Refuge for Ailsa

The interior of the boat couldn’t have been more surprising to him. It was immaculate. That was no surprise. The surprise was how ungirly it looked. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but it definitely wasn’t that. Everything was shades of blue, gray, and off-white. Even the sofa was navy and the chair next to it was gray tweed. He’d expected maybe a lot of pink and powder blue, but no?it looked very, very classy. Even her refrigerator was neat, and that just pissed him right off. His always looked like a war had taken place inside it, but hers was organized and clean. “Now there’s a way to make a guy feel inadequate,” he muttered as he pulled everything out and started making the sandwiches.

When that was finished, he gave Starlight a piece of ham, then headed to the bathroom to get rid of the soft drink he’d had on the way there. He stepped into the bathroom and started to close the door, then decided that was kind of ridiculous and pushed it back open. The towel on the back swung out and knocked something off the vanity. “Hope that wasn’t breakable,” he said aloud to himself. As soon as he was through, he washed his hands, then picked up the object. At first, he didn’t recognize it, so he opened it.

Birth control pills.

Well, that question is answered, he told himself as he placed them back on the vanity’s surface. That made him feel a good bit better. He grabbed the plate with the sandwiches on it and he and Starlight headed back to the office.

By the time they finished their lunch, the new slip renters had never shown, so he headed back to the boat, pulled off his shoes, and relaxed on the sofa. After trying to get comfortable for a few minutes, he texted Ailsa.

I can’t seem to relax on the sofa. Is it okay if I stretch out on your bed?

Her response made him laugh.

You’re going to be in it later. Why wait?

Are pets allowed on the furniture?

Her response to that one left him laughing loudly.

Yes. Tell Starlight her pet can get up on the bed with her.

He typed a reply.

Well, aren’t you the smart-ass today?

I have red hair. If that didn’t tip you off, you’re slow on the uptake, bub.

Tavish was laughing so hard he didn’t think he could calm down, but when he finally did, he texted her one more time.

Okay, taking a nap now. See you in a bit, beautiful.

She sent back a kissy face, and that was enough for him.

* * *

“So where is this place?”

Tavish shifted the Crossfire into third gear and let the RPMs level out. “It’s just east of town.”

“Town meaning Danville?”

“Actually, Lexington.”

“So we’ve got a bit of a drive.”

“Eh. Not much. But it’s worth it.”

“Oh, I believe you. For some real Thai drunken noodles, I’d do just about anything.”

Tavish snickered. “Like, do just about anything right now?”

“Do you really want to mess up my dress by banging me in this tiny car?”

He laughed again. “No. I can wait. But not too long. So eat fast.”

They pulled up in the parking lot, and he smiled. It was the cutest place he’d ever been. They even had the little banks on the counter?little boxes where a coin could be placed and a door opened, a cat’s head popped out, and a paw grabbed the coin and pulled it into the box. He loved their food, but he didn’t eat there often because he had to eat alone. This time, he could really enjoy the food and the company too.

They’d no more than fallen into step behind the hostess when he heard a voice say, “Please don’t arrest us, Mr.Officer sir.”

---