Page 53 of Waiting For A Girl Like You
Emmett sneered at Liam over her shoulder, and Jamison would’ve paid good money to see his expression right then. He was playing his role like a pro, but the man had a temper and he was armed. If Emmett didn’t dial it down, this little field trip could easily turn into a justifiable homicide.
“I take you places,” Liam said in a convincingly annoyed grumble. “I brought you on this vacation, didn’t I?”
Emmett’s attention slid right back to her, and Jamison hit him with another big, shiny smile. “I guess.”
“Sometimes a woman needs more than a vacation,” Emmett drawled in a low voice that was about as seductive as a clogged garbage disposal. “Sometimes she needs the heat all year long.”
Dear God, make it stop. Drawing in a breath, she pretended to look around, focusing on the patch of forest leading east and straight to Haven House. “What’s down there?”
The flirtatious glint in Emmett’s eyes dimmed. “Don’t go down there.”
“Are there alligators?” Jamison clutched her imaginary pearls. “Are there alligators aroundhere?”
“Oh, come on now. Gators don’t hurt nobody.” The darkness in Emmett’s gaze faded at her question, his smirk deepening as he directed his words at Liam. “Except maybe dumb fuckers who bring their girls out in a stupid inflatable floatie ‘cause they can’t afford no real kayak.”
Oh, yeah. This man was just looking to get shot.
“You know, we should get going. That guide boat will leave us.” Liam shifted behind her, preparing to shove away from the dock. “And we wouldn’t want to interrupt your company.”
Jamison hadn’t noticed the truck pulling up to the shack, and by the way Emmett’s head whirled around to watch it arrive, he was just as surprised. The old thing looked half-rusted like someone had almost driven it out of the swamp, and when it stopped in front of the shack, the brakes whined in protest.
“Yeah, we better go. Come on…Rick.” She winced, realizing she’d forgotten the fake names they had decided on. “I don’t want to be left.”
Liam gave the dock a sharp push with his paddle, sending them drifting back into the water. They weren’t far from the main boat, but she doubted they’d be returning to it yet. Knowing Liam, they were heading right back to their hiding spot to watch.
“Give him a goodbye wave,” Liam murmured, “and try to see who’s in that truck.”
Twisting in her seat, Jamison mustered another cheery wave and scanned the scene. “Goodbye! Thank you for your time!” she called, smiling too hard and too wide. “Maybe we’ll meet again once I finally get to see those rainbow swamps!”
Emmett cupped a hand to his mouth. “Hey, man! Ain’t you gonna find her that rainbow swamp? A woman like that deserves better!”
“Please don’t shoot him,” Jamison hissed as she faced forward, her posture tight with unease. “Rickis a pacifist, and shooting him would really mess withMcKenzie’s moral code.”
“Rick and McKenzie need to get the fuck over it, and Emmett needs one of these paddles jammed straight up his ass,” Liam snarled, his strokes quick and rough as they glided out of sight. “Could you see who was in the truck?”
“Two men.” She wanted to look again, but couldn’t risk it. “They parked in a shaded spot, so I can’t see their faces through the windshield.”
“I’m going to take us out and then double back so we can watch safely from the trees.”
She perked up. “Does that mean I can paddle now?”
“Hell, no.”
Chapter 12
The stillness in the swamp reminded her too much of the dread often felt on the forest trails back at Haven House. She could run them fine, even enjoy a stroll if Liam was with her. But walk them alone? Never. Not since Toby. Not with that heaviness lingering in the air that made her feel like she was being watched. It had always been around, but since Toby, the sensation had felt more palpable andalive.
Like if she stared too long into the darkness beyond the path, she would find someone—or something—staring back.
The kayak floated slowly past the cypress, Liam guiding them deeper into the trees until they were swallowed by the marsh. Too close to the shore now, he didn’t speak, and she didn’t either.
Emmett still lingered outside, standing in the yard like he was waiting. The rusted old truck remained out front, but its cab was empty. Liam watched it all through the binoculars while Jamison kept her perch at the bow. When he tucked them away to reposition, he whispered that they would pull out soon if the mystery guests didn’t show.
To her left, a group of white cranes tiptoed through the water, soundless in their hunt. One by one, they slipped from view into the shadows, leaving them behind.
With afternoon giving way to dusk, the swamp had cooled thanks to an autumn bite creeping into the air. Liam wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her back to rest against his chest. “Grab your phone,” he whispered. “If anyone steps out, snap a shot. Don’t zoom in too much. Rowan will handle all that.”
She did as he asked, waiting patiently for something to happen. Once or twice, she had to swat at a lost mosquito buzzing around them, not wanting them to take a bite out of Liam when they had no Benadryl. He was impervious to most things, but mosquito bites always did him in.
