A couple of mornings later, Colton left his efficiency early. The morning air was damp and cool as he crossed to Garrett and Reagan’s condo. He stilled when he approached.
Reagan sat in a rocking chair on the porch. She wore a pair of capris and a T-shirt, her hair pulled back in its customary ponytail. What would it look like if she ever wore it down? He itched to tug it free and find out.
She must have heard his approach, because she looked up with a smile. “Good morning.”
“Hey.” Hey? That was the great opener he came up with? He resisted slapping his forehead. He glanced at the stack of pictures in her lap. “What are those?”
“Just a few photos.”
“Yours?”
She nodded, a soft look falling on her features. “May I see?”
“Sure.” She straightened the pile and handed them over.
Colton flipped through them slowly. Some shots showed Garrett and him in various stages of the hunt. His intense look in a few surprised him. Maybe he’d taken this whole game thing more seriously than he intended. He’d have to do something about that. Relax a bit.
Reagan cleared her throat. “Well …?”
“You’ve got quite an eye.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m impressed.” He tapped a photo of a bird clinging to a branch, beak open in midsong. “I can almost hear this guy.” “Actually that’s a female.”
“Wow. How do you know that?”
She blushed and looked away. “I picked up a bird book. Wanted to make sure I knew what I was photographing. Hard to scrapbook it when all you can say is ‘here’s another bird.’” Her voice rose in a funny way as she said the last words.
He laughed and handed the photos back. “I’m glad you’re taking these. They really capture what it’s like out here.”
“A far cry from the city.”
“You could say that.” The thought of heading to the Washington U campus didn’t exactly excite him anymore. He’d gotten spoiled by a couple of weeks spending time outdoors every day. “You going to the Fourth of July shindig?”
“Shindig? Seems like a little more than that.” Reagan counted off on her fingers. “The Elden Family Day events are on the third. Followed by six sets of fireworks on the Fourth. I have a feeling I won’t want to see or hear fireworks for at least a year after that.” She studied him.
Yeah, he’d kept his distance the last couple of days. If he didn’t make plans with her, would she slip out on her own? He didn’t think so but decided to be certain. “Garrett taking you?”
“No.” She looked past him as if worried. “He has plans but won’t tell me what they are.” She shrugged. “Guess I’ll stay home.”
“On the Fourth?” That seemed wrong. It would be terrible to sit alone listening to the good times. One night wouldn’t matter. He could spend it with her … and remind himself every five minutes they couldn’t be more than friends. Surely that would work. “Let’s go. Maybe we can find a spot on the beach to watch the fireworks.”
Her eyes brightened, and she sat up. “I could pack a picnic.”
“Okay.” More than he’d intended, but at least he could protect her.
“It’s a date.”
A date? Did she really just say that? Reagan stared at Colton as he strolled back to his condo. She didn’t mean it the way it sounded. But he’d turned and left before she could clarify. A date clearly indicated a romantic overtone.
She couldn’t let that happen. No, not until she could rest, knowing the stalker was behind her. Otherwise, it would be too easy to spend her dates wondering if anyone was watching and what the ramifications might be.
With his first year of law school set to start in weeks, Colton had other things on his mind anyway. And with the stress of school, he didn’t need a girlfriend who had to worry about the shadows. Sure, things seemed calm, but she wasn’t in St. Louis. She couldn’t help wondering if she’d truly shaken her stalker or if he’d gone dormant until she returned. A ripple of fear coursed through her.
She picked up the photos and shuffled through them. A couple she’d snapped from the parking lot in front of the condos. Her temporary home was the kind of place she wouldn’t mind coming back to in the future. It was small but comfortable. As she studied one of the pictures, something caught her attention. She squinted and pulled the picture closer. Could she blow it up? Not without her laptop … but maybe a photo store could.
She squinted harder. Had something been scribbled on her back window?
She couldn’t quite make it out. Yet she was certain she’d never noticed a message. She shook the thought free then tucked the photo back in the pile.
The events of the spring had her on edge. Imagining something where there wasn’t anything.
She was safe in Osage Beach.
Her stalker wouldn’t follow her. Why would he? It was such a small place that even with all the visitors and extra bodies for the Rainbow’s End hunt, she would still notice if someone lurked in the background.
She had to believe it, or she’d go crazy wondering. Besides, she had two men watching over her.
Everything would be fine if she didn’t let her imagination run wild. This is why she preferred orderly rows of numbers. Numbers were objective. There was nothing to dispute about how they added up. Two plus three was always five. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Why couldn’t life mirror an accounting program? Orderly, easy to interpret. No matter how complex, she could bring numbers into submission.
She bowed her head. When her heart got this stirred up, there was only one thing she could do. Pray for God’s peace to overwhelm her. After a moment, she felt her nerves ease.
The door banged open next to her, and she didn’t even jump. “Good morning, Garrett.”
He stretched into a big X then turned and grinned. “It’s going to be a great day. One hunt and then a break.”
“You’d better double-check with your buddy on that.” Reagan shook her head. “I think he’s determined to win this thing.”
“Nah. He likes to put on the show that he wants to win. It’s all good fun.”
“If you say so.”
“I do. We’ll take the next two days off to enjoy the festivities. Got to celebrate the birthday.” He made it sound like a required event. She couldn’t resist smiling at his enthusiasm. “Ready in fifteen?”
“Sure, Garrett.” She slipped into the condo and walked to the kitchen. The scent of french vanilla coffee filled the small space. She inhaled deeply then grabbed a mug. After lacing it with some sweetener and cream, she headed back to her room. He didn’t really mean fifteen minutes.
Colton entered the last few caches in the online database. He’d given up waiting for Reagan to get ready and told Garrett they could find him in his condo when they were finally ready to leave.
He studied the rankings. No matter how many caches he pushed Garrett and Reagan to hit in a day, someone else stayed in front of them. Who led the pack changed from day to day, but these people must be highly motivated. Maybe Garrett was right. Colton should quit pushing so hard and enjoy the summer. Hit a cache every once in a while, but let it be enjoyable.
Nah, that wasn’t him.
He couldn’t participate without at least trying to win. Anything less wasn’t in his makeup. Garrett might as well learn that now—he planned to be a grueling study partner once classes started. Colton’s goal was to hit honors from the first semester if there was anything he could do to make it happen.
Garrett didn’t give off the same intense vibe.
It’d be Colton’s luck that Garrett was one who could read something once and know it for life. Skate by on a great memory. That would be just perfect.
A knock on his front door made him turn from the laptop.
“Come in.”
Reagan slipped through the door. “Hey. Garrett wants to know if you’re ready.”
“Garrett?” His frustration at the delay smoldered below the surface. He hoped she couldn’t see it.
“I know. He’s decided to start pushing … no idea why.” Her gaze moved around the condo. It didn’t reflect who he was, but how could it when none of the furniture was his? Wasn’t worth the effort to move anything big here with only a few weeks before they’d head back to St. Louis. “Nice place.”
“Yeah. Identical to yours.”
“Just smaller. Must have the same designer.” The smirk looked good on her.
“Know where you want to go today?”
“Wherever you guys go. I figure I’m still the tagalong.”
Something about the way she said it had him turning his laptop toward her, earlier annoyance gone. Maybe she thought the guys weren’t letting her participate in the game enough. If she didn’t carry the camera everywhere, it might help, but still, he could include her more often in some of the decisions. He clicked a couple of buttons then motioned for her to take a seat. “Here’s the list. The caches with green check marks are the ones we’ve already found. If you click this button, you can see the sites superimposed on a map. Any appeal to you?”
She set her chin in her palm, fingers curled by her lips, and studied the screen. “How about that one?” She pointed at one that looked like it was nearby in town.
“Why that one?”
“It’s close. And if I were going to hide the bonus token, I’d keep it close.”
“Ah, the token.” He grinned. Maybe she was in this to win, too.
Her eyes sparkled as she smiled back. “I also think we should check the one at the outlet mall. How many people would search for that one?”
“All the women?”
“Sure. And how many of them will be able to drag men along with them?” “Not very many.”
“Exactly. So it’s a nice way to get you a bonus log in.” “I like the way you think.”
“Just methodical.” She shrugged. “That’s how accountants are wired. I’ll tell Garrett you’ll be ready in a few.” She slipped out the door, and Colton watched her go. There was something about her that was like watching a dance in progress. One that captivated his attention and made him want more.
He had to shake free of that. In less than two months, law school and his studies would consume his life. He hadn’t worked hard to save for his tuition just so he could be distracted by a relationship. He wasn’t even sure he’d have time for friends. He definitely needed to rein in his thoughts.
Reagan could be a good friend. One he’d stay in touch with via e-mail and Facebook. But that was it. His life didn’t have room for more. Not now.