Page 50 of Bit's Bliss

“Do you think he’s telling the truth?” he asked.

I didn’t hesitate. “No.”

Trevino put his hand on my leg. “Good.”

“I realize now that there was a part of me that never trusted Tiernan. God, I can’t believe I came that close to marrying him.” I looked at Trevino. “I can’t help but feel like there’s something you’re not saying.”

“I don’t have all the facts yet.”

Chills spread through my body. “How worried should I be?”

His eyes bored into mine. “I promised you I’d keep you safe, and I will.”

“Am I in danger?”

“I don’t know for certain, but I’m not taking any chances.”

I studied him, unsure what to think.

“I asked you before to trust me. Do you?”

Like I hadn’t hesitated to respond when he asked if I thought Tiernan was telling the truth, I didn’t now. “I do.”

“Okay if we get on the road now? I’d rather have the rest of this conversation once we arrive.”

“Of course.”

He started the truck but kept his hand on my thigh. That alone brought me comfort.

Once on the road,Trevino went the way we’d come, but instead of turning east to return to Los Cab, he continued south for a few miles. Shortly after the highway veered inland, he turned right, in the direction of the ocean. The gravel drive curved in several places, eventually leading to a gate that looked more elaborate than the one we had.

Trevino slowed his truck, waited for it to open, then pulled through. The drive curved again, then wound its way up to a crest. Once there, he stopped and shut the engine off. In front of us was a sweeping view of the ocean.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“Technically, Harmony, but the unincorporated part,” he said, looking out at the view like I was. “I’ve never brought anyone here, Eberly. In fact, no one knows about it.”

“No one?”

He shook his head. “Not a soul.” He looked over at me. “Whenever I imagined the two of us together, it was always here.” He took my hand and brought it to his lips. “I hope you like it.”

“I already do.”

He started the truck, put it in gear, and as we made our way down the hillside, he told me about the place the former owners had named Poppy Hill Ranch.

“All together, around thirty-five acres.” He motioned to the left. “Those are Valencia oranges, and beyond that grove, there are Star Ruby grapefruit.” He turned his head to the right. “Those are avocado trees. All of it turns a decent profit.”

He explained that the property was set up to be entirely self-sufficient with solar power, a deep well, and two ten-thousand-gallon storage tanks.

“In addition to the main house, there’s a one-bedroom guesthouse that I haven’t done much to yet.”

“How long have you owned this?” I asked.

“Not quite a year.” He shook his head and chuckled. “I guess if my family really wanted to find me, Ashford could’ve told them how to do it. Or maybe they decided not to bother looking.”

“Were you hiding?”

His expression changed. “I guess you could say I was. More, I wanted to be left alone.”