Page 109 of Those Who Are Bound

She nodded. “I mean, yeah. That’s how I know it’s a room that someone can live in, like a maintenance guy.”

Elliott studied her.Images of the room flashed through her mind, of the contents still remaining, and the secrets it held. Despite the day’s temperature, a chill ran through her.

“I could suggest guys...” Lucy said, looking away, uncomfortable.

Relief replaced the sudden sense of dread. Lucy had a different agenda. Elliott asked, “Like your boyfriend?”

Lucy almost choked. “No! I mean… Oh, no. No!” She shook her head adamantly. “No, I wasn’t thinking about him.”

Elliott nodded, walking forward again. “I don’t want you to be nervous around me.”

Lucy breathed a sigh of relief. “You’re kind of a badass.”

If she only knew how much of a badass shewasn’t, Elliott thought. “Whatever. I’ll think about the maintenance person, but we need to take care of things first. Call my guys; try to get them out here. I imagine they’ll be busy, but beg—work your magic. In the meantime, I’ll start with the smaller stuff.”

Lucy nodded. “If you have any rope or—”

“No rope,” Elliott said tightly. Reaching for the handle of the glass door leading into the event center, she tossed Lucy a stern look. “Rope isn’t allowed on the property.”

Lucy opened her mouth and then closed it. She managed a shaky smile and then nodded. “Sure.”

That afternoon saw Elliott with a couple of beers from the bar, stuffing lawn bags with smaller limbs and whatever she could rake up. Lucy had called the tree guys, but they weren’t available, however they had the name of another crew that could help, so she arranged for them to come out. Elliott had waved her off when she’d told her; the afternoon sun was too hot, and the air was too thick for her to care.

At the bottom of her second beer, her cell phone rang. Taking it from her back pocket, Elliott answered with a cheerful, “Hey, Becks,” as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

There was a brief pause before a skeptical, “Ellie?”

She huffed out a half laugh. “Of course. What’s up?”

“Hey.” His tone was mystified but hopeful. “You sound good. Happy.”

“Ah, you’re making me blush,” she teased.

He coughed out a sound of surprised disbelief. “That’s something I want to see.”

Elliott experienced a swirl of emotions. Becks hadn’t seen her blush, true, and she was saddened by that. But she was elated by the thought of the man who could bring heat to her cheeks and body. For now, the headiness won out. “I’ll bet. How are you?”

“I was calling to see if you’re okay; I heard about the storms. I know you hate storms.”

Elliott nodded, knowing he couldn’t see her. “I do hate them. And they werehorrible.I’m cleaning up today; I have a crew coming out at some point.”

“But you’re okay? Made it through all right? No real damage?”

“No real damage. The trees took a hit, but I made it through.”

“Not scared?” A bit of challenge in the tease.

Elliott laughed, informing him, “Well, I wasn’t exactly alone.”

He made a contemplative sound, then asked quietly, “Is he why I hear all those smiles in your voice today?”

Elliott looked down and bashfully kicked at a clump of leaves. “Maybe.”

“Are you going to tell me his name now?”

She bit her lips and shook her head, making an “uh-uh” noise.

“Ellie?” Prompting rebuke.

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