Page 58 of Roads Behind Us
I set the steaks on the little prep table attached to the side of the grill, then turned and pointed to the paper. “What’s that?”
“Nothin’.”
Whatever it was, it was clear he didn’t want me to see, so I closed my eyes and tipped my face up to the sky, appreciating the warmth from the setting sun on my skin. It had just begun its slow descent to the west, and the golden light it cast over Bax’s backyard felt magical. The mountains surrounding it weren’t so bad either, and they had me imagining wood nymphs and fairies emerging from the forest to join the barbeque.
The solar lights I’d bought at Bob’s Feed and Tack would be glowing around the edge of Bax’s huge yard and in front of his house within the hour.
“What about bears?” I asked with my eyes still closed. “Won’t they smell the steaks?”
“They might, but we have electric fences back here. You can’t see ’em from the house, but they’re there. It’s not a bear-free guarantee, though,” he said, “but I’ve got the bear spray too.” He paused, and I could feel him watching me. “You stayin’ for supper?”
I opened my eyes and focused on the tight set of his shoulders beneath his sweater while he awaited my answer. “I’m invited?”
“’Course. Abey and Devo are droppin’ by, too, and we’ve got s’mores and apple pie for dessert. Courtesy of Rye’s girlfriend, Aubrey.”
My mouth watered. “Thank you. I accept your invitation.”
He nodded once, and his shoulders released their tension. He’d tried to hide a small smile, but his dimple gave him away. So did his eyes. They flashed in the evening light, like sunshine reflecting off a clear, aqua ocean. “How was your day?”
“Good. The crew finished Abey’s roof and siding. They’ve already started on the drywall, and Rye’s house is almost at the same stage. Oh, hey, do you know anyone with long hair?”
Bax’s eyebrows dipped. “Uh, yeah. Lots of people.”
“I meant a guy. He has hair down to his shoulders. It’s brown.”
“No, not that I can think of. It’s not to say someone I haven’t seen in a while hasn’t grown their hair out, but nobody comes to mind. Why?”
“Have you met Clay yet?” I asked as I sat in the lawn chair next to Bax’s recliner. He nodded. “Well, this mornin’, Clay saw some guy by cabin three. He took off before Clay could talk to him. I thought he might be lookin’ for a job on the crew, but after work, I went for a walk by the lake, and when I got back, he was there again.”
Bax sat forward. “What? Somebody was fuckin’ around by your cabin?”
“Yeah. I mean, he wasn’t doin’ anything. It felt like he was lookin’ for somethin’ or someone. I asked him if he needed help, but he said no, and then he drove away.”
“What kinda car?”
“An old gray or silver sedan, or maybe it was white and just really dirty. Not sure what make or model. He parked down the lane so I couldn’t tell. It looked kinda rusty and banged up.”
“Was he alone?”
“Yeah, as far as I could tell. Though, he had somethin’ with him. Some big thing he was carryin’.” I shrugged. “I’ll keep my eye out, but I really don’t think he was there to cause trouble. I thought you might know him because when I pointed out that this was private property, he seemed a little… indignant? I dunno. But he said he already knew that.”
“I’ll let Rye know. If you or Clay see him again, I wanna know about it.”
I nodded.
Bax relaxed back in his chair and turned his head toward me. “I want you to stay here with us… until your job’s done.”
“I’m way ahead of you. I brought my suitcase with me.”
“Good.” He nodded, and some kind of look of satisfaction flooded his eyes. He hadn’t mentioned what he’d tell Athena about where I’d be sleeping, but we could work that out later. Maybe it wouldn’t be a big deal to her if I slept in her dad’s room, but then again, it might be a huge deal. Teenage emotions were so hard to predict, but I hoped she’d be okay with it since she’d been playing matchmaker extraordinaire.
Smoke rose and heat wavered above the grill, and it drew my attention away from Bax’s face. “Think your grill’s ready.”
“Huh?” he said, and he blinked, but then he followed my gaze. “Oh, yeah. Okay.”
He pushed himself up on the arms of his chair, trying to stand, but I laid my hand on his shoulder.
“Sit. You can direct me if you feel it’s necessary, but I know how to put steaks on a grill rack.”
