Page 22 of These Rough Waters

Once the girls are out of sight, I load the logs into the bed of the truck and drive the short distance to the cabin before I start to unload the logs into the small shelter at the side of the house before I scribble out a note and shove it under the handle on the front door.

I’m gone by the time she makes it back, no Harper at her side this time and pulls the note from the door. I only know because I’m sitting in my boat at the docks watching.

She tips her head back as she sighs heavily, balling up the note before she looks in the shelter and shakes her head. My concentration on her however, is broken a moment later when my cell begins to buzz in my pocket.

“Rett,” I answer.

“You thought about my offer yet, brother?”

I lean back in the chair on the deck, feeling the water gently rocking the boat. It was a rare sunny day, perfect for fishing yet I didn’t head out, too focused on watching and waiting forherto return. Don’t ask me why, I have no fucking idea.

“No,” I answer honestly.

“Come on, Tor,” Rett huffs like a child, “I could use the paycheck.”

I knew that was complete bullshit, Rett had more money than I did, and I wasn’t exactly hard off. To appease my youngest brother, I ask, “And what exactly is the job?”

“Target hasn’t been revealed however it’s high profile. They’re in the public eye.”

“Male or female?”

“I don’t know.”

“And how am I meant to make an informed decision to come out of retirement if you can’t even tell me if it’s worth my time.”

“Do these things matter?”

“Five years,” I grunt, “That’s how long I have been out the game.”

“Afraid you’ve lost your touch, brother?” Rett chuckles.

“No, Rett, my shot is still better than yours.”

It was Rett who had talked me into getting on that boat five years ago, when I’d decided to retire from the game, but he’d convinced me anyway. I couldn’t blame him for the ultimate consequence of that decision, but I wouldn’t be convinced again. Not when I’d managed to stay away and resist that craving.

Because yes, it was a craving, as potent as any drug, the life I used to lead, and left, was still an itch under my skin.

“And how can you be sure if you don’t do a job with me.”

“There’s nothing you can say, Rett, I’m not taking the job.”

“That little island got everything you need, hey old man?”

“Goodbye Rett,” I roll my eyes and hang up before he can shoot back a retort, my eyes casting back to the cabin.

But Maya is no longer outside, and I hate to admit how much that disappoints me.

Twelve

Ipick Harper up from the school just after three and head down to the diner. Imogen is working but it’s quiet so she ends up joining us at our little table.

“It’s in two weeks,” Imogen continues, pushing the flyer towards me, “You should come, it’ll be the perfect way to firmly cement you in the town!”

Harper gasps, “There’s a maze!”

She was currently talking about the annual fall festival that the town holds in October. A way of closing out tourist season ahead of the coming winter and was the town’s biggest festival, or so Imogen said.

“Everyone will be there,” She exclaims excitedly.

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