Page 14 of All Mine

“I live on the road, so I don’t spend that much time in nature,” he said after a while.

“What do you mean you live on the road? Where’s your office?”

“It’s wherever I am. At first, it was in Boston. But since I’m always traveling to meet clients. There became no point in having the expensive overhead. So, I have one virtual assistant and myself. And I hire out crews when needed.”

“You own your own company then?”

“Yep.” He ran into rocks on the side of the river, swore, and pushed himself back into deeper water.

“Does not having a home base get lonely? What about your friends and family?”

“I don’t have any. But it’s no big deal.”

How could he say that it was no big deal? My friends and family were the most important things to me. “No family?”

“I’m sure I have distant relatives; I just don’t know who any of them are.”

“Have you tried to find any of them?” Asking about what happened to his parents bordered on a bit personal. I hadn’t meant to get into anything this deep and didn’t want to pry.

“Nah, I’m too busy building my empire.”

“You’re… wait, don’t tell me…” Oh, what was it he said he did? “real estate empire?”

He laughed. “Yes, good memory. I’m building a real estate empire and don’t have time for a personal life.”

“Well, I hope it’s all worth it.”

“I think so. I’ve made an ass load of money.”

“So, it’s just you and your virtual assistant?”

“Yep.”

“That sounds lonely.”

“You’re not with anyone either,” he snapped. I’d struck a nerve.

“True, but I don’t wander the country claiming I don’t need anyone. I’m part of a town and have friends…” And I’m fortunate enough to have an enormous family, but I didn’t want to rub that in.

“And family,” he added.

“You know what, let’s drop it. It’s a lovely afternoon, and we get to be outside, floating through all this spectacular country.”

The rhythmic sound of our paddles lapping into the water filled the air. It wasn’t a long trip to reach the path. I directed Camden to the side of the river, and we hauled our kayaks onto the shore. He took the backpack from me, slinging it over one shoulder, and followed me up the rocky incline.

The evening was clear and warm, with a light breeze drifting off the water. A few boats dotted across the lake. We came to the deserted clearing.

“Wow,” Camden said, coming to a stop.

“Here’s our spot. There’s a blanket in the bag to put down.”

A few minutes later, we sat on the blanket, and I distributed the food.

“Chicken salad,” Camden said. “I haven’t had a croissant in forever.”

“Me either. I just make them.”

Camden lowered the sandwich, “You made this?”

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