Page 59 of Cru's Crush

“We have, but it’s been a while since I last saw him.”

“Daphne, welcome,” my uncle said, drawing her into an embrace as soon as our feet hit the ground.

“Hey, man,” said Brix, doing the same with me. “Glad you brought her here.”

“How’s Addy?”

“Beautiful. Amazing. The reason the sun rises and sets each day.”

I chuckled, but I knew exactly what he meant. I felt the same way about Daphne.

“I’ve arranged for you to stay in the sunrise casita,” Tryst said when we hugged.

“I told Daphne we should visit the temple first.”

“As well you should.”

Our timeon the ranch flew by. While we’d spent several days there, when it came time for us to leave, it seemed far too soon.

We’d made the most of our visit, riding out into the valley every day and talking and laughing over dinner with Brix, Addy, and Tryst. Daphne even tried to get me to do yoga with her every morning. After a couple of failed attempts, I told her I’d be happiest just watching her, which she thankfully agreed to.

Tryst was scheduled to meet us at the casitas to drive us to the airstrip, but when I saw him pull up, he looked troubled.

“What is it?” I asked, meeting him outside.

“I need to speak with Daphne.” He brushed past me and walked in the front door. Rather than follow, I waited where I was.

“We’re visiting the temple,” she said when they joined me outside.

“Okay.” I walked over to the golf cart.

“Not you,” she said.

I looked between her and Tryst. “What’s going on?” I asked.

“Trust, nephew,” was his only response.

Daphne leaned up and kissed my cheek. “This seems important to him. He said we wouldn’t be long.”

I didn’t like it, but I did trust Tryst enough to accept there was something he felt he had to discuss with Daph, and for some reason, they had to do it in the temple.

When they drove away, I went back inside and waited.

It wasn’t long before they returned, maybe twenty minutes at the most. While Tryst seemed less anxious, Daphne’s demeanor hadn’t changed. She was as happy and relaxed as when we had breakfast together earlier.

“Everything okay?” I whispered when she greeted me.

“I think so.”

“We should be on our way,” said Tryst once I’d put our bags on the back of the cart.

When we pulled up to the plane waiting for us, I walked Daphne over to the airstairs. “I need to talk to my uncle. I’ll just be a minute.”

She kissed me and put her fingertips on my furrowed brow, rubbing it until I relaxed. “Go ahead. I’m fine, Cru. You needn’t be so worried.”

“What’s going on?” I asked again when I returned to the golf cart where my uncle sat.

“It’s for Daphne to figure out.”