“Missed you at the art opening the other night.”
“I had work to do.”
“All work and no play, as usual.” Derek gave the boat a two-one-one rap on the side. “And this little craft here is all play. 2014 Baja Outlaw. Made some major deals to rent the thing. I may just have to buy it.”
Paisley joined them, her purple pigtails bouncing. “We brought a ton of food. Derek picked out the best cheese and crackers. Yummy! I can hardly wait to eat.”
“Havarti and Wasa,” Derek added. “Much better than the saltines and spray cheese crap Paisley likes.”
“I like my spray cheese crap!”
“So cultured.”
Ignoring the banter behind her, Emma clenched her hands and headed up the pathway. This is going to be harder than I thought.
CHAPTER SIX
“IT’S SO CUTE!” Paisley exclaimed, galloping up to the cabin. “Look at the porch, Derek! Can’t you just imagine Ma and Pa Kettle in their rocking chairs?”
Derek toed the blue dish sitting beside the front door. “What’s this?”
“Some leftover bread crusts I didn’t finish,” Emma said.
“You left them out here?” Derek balked. “That’s not very smart.”
“I didn’t want to throw them away.”
“Leave her be,” Paisley said. “Maybe Emma wants to feed the forest fairies.”
“She’s going to attract pests,” Derek argued.
“That’s what you said about Ryuk,” Paisley replied. “Look what a great cat he turned out to be.”
“Yeah, little beast pees on my coat if I set it down for two seconds.”
Emma opened the door and gave Derek a flat stare. “He must not like you.”
“No accounting for taste,” he shot back.
Paisley pushed past them. “Look at this place! It’s so rustic!” She spun around, the tutu of her dress a green flurry. “Just how I imagined!”
“It still needs some work,” Emma said. “Mostly small things like hinges and a few repairs.”
“I see potential, though.” Paisley stood, hands on her ample hips. “A splash of yellow paint and maybe some cool Bride of Frankenstein kitsch on the walls.”
“That would be a unique look.” Emma grinned at her friend’s enthusiasm. “If it were mine, I’d keep the walls au natural. The logs are a bitch to clean, but they’re kind of growing on me.” She took in the living room. “I think I’d go for a 1920s French country-style theme. Rustic, yet refined. Black and white tiles in the kitchen, and maybe some enameled art deco something’s here and there.”
“Ooh, that would work too!” Paisley said, her brown eyes wide. “Don’t you dare move out here, Emma! I was just teasing you the other day!”
“Not even considering it, trust me.”
“I’d rent it out as vacation property,” Derek said, eying the cabin critically. “Nobody will live out here. It’s too remote.”
“My grandmother lived out here,” Emma said sharply.
“Yeah,” he shrugged. “She was old.”
“So maybe an older couple will buy it.”
“That’s great until they fall down and break a hip and can’t get to the hospital.”
“There’s a hospital in Timber Point.”
“Must have missed it when I blinked.”
“Anyway,” Paisley cut through their argument. “I brought something to celebrate!” She opened her backpack.
“Celebrate what?” Emma asked.
“Do we need a reason?” she replied. “Tomorrow, we clean like little worker bees, but tonight…we party.”
“If you want me to put the word out about this place, let me know,” Derek persisted. “My business associates are always looking for development property. They might even be interested in going in as partners. The cabin would have to be knocked down, of course.”
“I’m not knocking Fae’s cabin down.”
“Nobody will rent it, Em. It’s a dump.”
“It’s not a dump. And I’m not renting it. It’s going up for sale.”
“Then you’re going to need to upgrade pretty much everything.” He took in the kitchen. “How old is that fridge? 1970s?”
“I think it’s cute,” Paisley said. “I love avocado green.”
“It’s outdated,” he said. “If you’re set on selling the place, I can help you, but you’re going to need to update the kitchen.”
“I didn’t ask for your help.”
“Derek likes a challenge,” Paisley cut in. “Forgive him. He’s like a bulldog when he gets his mind set on something.” She kissed his nose. “Don’t be cross. You know it’s true.”
“I’m not cross.” He grabbed her around the waist. “I’m right.”
Emma looked away as the two playfully tussled into the corner.
“We’re embarrassing Emma.” Paisley giggled. “Stop.”
Derek straightened his shirt with an unapologetic grin. “So, are we partying or what?”
“Yay!” Paisley skipped over to her backpack. “I picked the prettiest bottle.” She pulled out a tall amber bottle of tequila. “Hope it’s good.”
“So cultured.” Derek shook his head.
“This stuff was expensive!”
“What, five, six dollars?”
“Eleven ninety-nine, thank you very much.”
“Should make for a lovely hangover.” He took the bottle, unscrewed the cap and sniffed it. “Smells like paint thinner.”
“Then we’ll get two uses for the price of one!” Paisley handed him three neon-green plastic shot glasses.
“Virgins first.” He poured Emma a shot glass full. Ignoring her glare, he poured another. “And one for my tattooed love goddess.”
“No virgins here,” Paisley said with a snort.
“Indeed.” Derek poured a shot glass for himself and then downed it. “Damn, that’s harsh.” He coughed. “This stuff’s going to make for a wicked hangover. Let me pick the tequila next time.”
“You’re more than welcome to pay for it too.” Paisley grabbed the bottle and plonked herself beside the fire. “Let’s play quarters.”
Emma coughed as the liquid burned her throat. “I think one is enough for me. I didn’t eat much for dinner.”
“Oh, you’re no fun.” Paisley pouted. “More for me, I guess.” She poured herself another shot.
“Don’t overdo it, babe. You’ll pass out and miss the fun.” Derek sprawled on the floor next to her and nuzzled her neck.
Paisley giggled. “Oh! I forgot to tell Emma. I’ve got another huge art show lined up. Atomic’s gonna host ten different artists. I think it’s going to bring in a lot of business.”
“That’s wonderful!” Emma said.
“You’ll come this time, right?”
“Of course I will.”
“I told Paisley to give one guy the boot.” Derek poured himself another shot. “Whatever he’s doing, it’s not art.”
“Yes, it is—”
“He’s a freaking moron,” Derek said. “Making all those weird sounds and jumping around. How can you even call that art?”
“Tate’s a performance artist,” Paisley said. “I’ve hosted him before.”
“Is that why he’s always hanging around?”
“He likes comic books.” She rolled her eyes at his response. “Oh, don’t be jealous, you know it isn’t like that.”
“He’s weird.”
“The theater crowd loves him,” Paisley countered. “Besides, Tate’s not high-strung like most of the other artists we deal with.”
“Because he’s probably high,” Derek said. Running a finger across Paisley’s waist, he pulled the ribbon of her corset dress free. “I don’t like the way he looks at you, babe.”
“Do you want me to grab your cooler from the boat?” Emma asked, feeling the need to escape for a couple minutes.
“It’s too heavy for you,” Derek said, disengaging himself. “I’ll get it. Be back in a few.” Giving the floo
r a two-one-one rap, he jumped up and left.
“Why does he do that?” Emma asked.
“Because he thinks I’m sexy.” Paisley twirled the undone ribbon on her dress around her finger. “I told him on the way over we wouldn’t be able to have sex. The cabin is too small, and it wouldn’t be fair to you—”
“No,” Emma said, giving her a look. “That…knock.”
“Oh that! He says everyone knocks before they make an entrance.” Paisley retied her corset. “It’s his cute way of making an exit. Sometimes he just does it to be rakish.”
“It’s not rakish. It’s annoying.” Emma saw her friend’s distressed expression and recanted. “So, ten artists. What kind of art?”
“Everything from paintings to sculptures to Tate’s performance art. Derek was going on and on about him on the way over.” She gave Emma a mischievous look. “Tate’s a sweetie, but women aren’t his thing. You think I should tell Derek that?”
Emma considered for a second. “Nah.”
They burst into laughter.
Paisley stood and fluffed her tutu. She wandered to the window and peered out. “It’s so dark and spooky outside. I can totally imagine zombies creeping from the forest and raiding the place.” She crossed her arms and shivered. “Okay, now I just scared myself.”
“It’s not that bad. Honestly, I’m so used to being surrounded by people and noise, it’s kind of nice.”
“I’m just glad Derek offered to come out with me.” She gave her tights a tug and sat by the fire again. “He asked about you at the last art show Atomic hosted. I think he wanted someone to hang with. I’m usually running around, making sure everything goes smoothly.”
“He could have brought one of his business friends.”
“They’re not really into the comic book scene. Last time we went out with his friends, Derek said I embarrassed him.” She worried a run on her tights. “Maybe I did get a little smashed. The restaurant was so snooty, I was just trying to have some fun. Nobody was talking to me, anyway.” Paisley shrugged and grabbed the tequila bottle. “Down the hatch!”
“I promise I’ll be at the next show, Paisley.”
“Thanks, Emma.” She wiped her mouth.
Derek came through the door, and set the cooler down with a grunt. “I wish you’d drink canned soda instead of bottled. Cans weigh less.”
“You know I like my soda in glass bottles. Aluminum tastes weird.”
“I think you just like the shape,” he remarked. “How about you, Emma? Do you like cans or bottles?”
Emma caught the gleam behind his eye and looked away. “I don’t like soda.”
“Emma is weirder than I am,” Paisley said. “She never liked soda when she was a kid, either. Every time she’d come over to my house, my mom would offer her one and she’d be like, ‘No thank you. I’ll just take water.’ And my mom would be like, ‘Why can’t you drink water like Emma? Soda’s full of calories.’ And I’d be like, ‘Well, you buy it for me!’”
“It is full of calories, which is why I bought you diet,” Derek said, unloading the cooler into the refrigerator.
“Ew! Tell me you didn’t!” Paisley jumped up and ran over to him.
“It all tastes the same,” Derek said.
“You know I hate the diet stuff, babe.”
“You’ll thank me for it later.”
“Well, poop.” Paisley pouted. “Now I don’t have anything to drink.”
“You have your cheap tequila.” He smacked her on the ass. “Don’t pout or I’ll dump it down the drain.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“I don’t know,” he said. “You’d spend the whole weekend sober. Might be good for you.”
* * *
It was past midnight before the fire and conversation had burned down. Paisley managed five shots before finally passing out. Derek had matched her, but much to Emma’s dismay, remained conscious.
She picked up the shot glasses. “There’s only instant coffee for tomorrow. I hope that’ll be enough to wake her up.”
“I brought my own coffee. Jamaica Blue Mountain, forty-five dollars a pound.” Derek followed her into the kitchen. “Do you have a Krups?”
“No.”
“Guess I’ll have to use your crap coffeemaker then.”
“There is no crap coffeemaker.”
He made a dismissive sound. “Figures.”
“My grandmother was a tea drinker.” She set the shot glasses in the sink.
“I hate tea.”
“Then you’re stuck with instant coffee,” Emma countered. “Anyway, I’m going to bed.”
Standing in the kitchen doorway, Derek made no move to get out of her way.
“Excuse me.”
“Sure.” His green-eyed gaze slid down her body. “You look beautiful tonight, by the way.”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Just get out of the way, Derek.”
“What am I doing that’s so awful? What, Emma?” he asked softly. “I’m just paying you a compliment.”
“I don’t want your compliments.” She gave him a no-nonsense look. “Get out of the way.”
“Pleasant dreams.” He leaned his hip against her as she squeezed past him.
Snoring loudly from her sleeping bag, Paisley’s red lipstick had smeared across her cheek. Emma retreated to her bedroom and shut the door with a dismissive click.
CHAPTER SEVEN
EMMA WAS AWAKE just as the sun began to rise. She lay in bed and listened to the silence. Her night had been a restless one. Derek’s remark in the kitchen weighed heavily upon her. I need to tell Paisley what’s going on. Her stomach was in knots just thinking about it. She slipped out of bed and pulled on some clothes. Opening the bedroom door a crack, she peeked out.
The fire had burned down to embers and cast a glow across the room. Paisley and Derek were still asleep. Curled up, Paisley had pulled a corner of their sleeping bag over her head. Derek was sprawled on top it, naked. Emma quickly averted her eyes. Grabbing her parka, she stole past them and slipped outside.
She picked an unfamiliar path. I don’t even care where this goes. I just need to get away from the cabin. Okay, let me correct that. I need to get away from Derek. The path ended at a driftwood-scattered beach. She stood and gathered her thoughts. Paisley’s going to flip out when I tell her. We’ve been friends for a long time, though. I have no idea how Derek’s going to react. He may just decide to leave us here. Emma chewed on her lip. I could call Gideon and ask him to pick us up. Dammit, this sucks.
Emma walked along the shore, picking up several shells and pebbles. Gazing across the ocean, she wondered what Nathanial was doing. Maybe he’s watching the sun rise too, she thought. She closed her eyes and felt the rays touch her face. The warmth washed away some of her anxiety. I wish Derek would just leave. I could talk to Paisley privately and then it’d all be fine. Well, not fine, she worried. At least she’d know.
A rock dislodged with a clatter behind her. She turned with a start, thinking Derek had followed. “Don’t be stupid, Emma,” she said nervously. “He’s still sleeping.”
In no big hurry to return to the cabin, she continued until she spied another path that ran into the forest. Following it, she almost tripped over an ash-colored snake. Emma backed away as it uncoiled itself. “You leave me alone, I leave you alone.”
Wildflowers in a plethora of colors, lavenders, pinks and yellows, scattered the pathway. Dark green moss frosted the trees. Emma took a deep breath. The air was crisp and clean. I could get used to living here if I had to. She picked several wildflowers and eyed the dappled sunlight overhead. A breeze whispered through the leaves. I’ll admit. This place isn’t hell in the middle of an ocean abyss. It’s kind of…peaceful. Emma let her thoughts wander. At one point, she thought she heard footsteps behind her, but shrugged it off as echoes of her own.
The path ended at the ruins of the house. “This forest is like a maze,” Emma remarke
d. “At least I know where I am, though.”
Searching the area, she couldn’t locate the fallen tree she’d come across the day before. I know that cave was close to these ruins. Why can’t I find it? Emma let out a frustrated sigh. She jumped as her sigh was repeated…and not by her. The hair stood on the back of her neck.
“Hello?” Her voice echoed through the trees.
The distinct feeling she was being watched pressed against her. Emma turned to leave when the sound of a snapping branch caused her to jump. She searched the forest for any sign of movement.
“Branches break. It’s a forest,” she murmured. “Paisley and Derek are sure to be up by now. You’d better get going.”
By the time she arrived back at the cabin, Derek was making breakfast, while Paisley nursed a cup of coffee.
“Told you not to overdo it last night, babe.” He set a plate on the table. “Eat that.”
“Yuck.” Paisley wrinkled her nose. “Fish is gonna make me puke.”
“Your relic of a fridge is on its last legs, Em,” Derek said. “I had to cook all your fish.”
“All of it?” Emma asked. “Nathanial brought those for me. There was enough to last several days.”
“Nathanial?” Derek questioned. “Who’s Nathanial?”
“The cute fisherman that spirited Emma out here on his boat,” Paisley said.
“He brought you fish? How romantic.” He gave Emma a long look. “You want a piece?”
“No.” Emma busied herself by filling a glass with water. She placed her wildflowers in it.
“You know what they say about fisherman.” Derek thrust a plate of fish at her. “A lay at every port.”
Paisley yawned. “I thought it was a woman at every port.”
“Same thing.”
“God, it’s freezing this morning.” Paisley pulled her knees into her body.
“I’ll chop some wood.” He gave Emma a dour look. “I saw a pile outside while I was out looking for Emma this morning.” He gave the table a two-one-one rap before leaving.
“Derek was out looking for me?” Emma asked, after he had gone.
“Yeah,” Paisley answered with another yawn. “He thought you might have gone down to the boat.”
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