Page 41 of Killer Honeymoon

“On two conditions,” Royce said. “No real money involved, and everyone keeps their clothes on.”

The girls readily agreed, but Clint protested.

“Which part are you upset about?” Sawyer countered. “Missed opportunity to lose all your money to us or that you won’t get to see one of us naked.”

Clint rolled his eyes. “I’m not a homophobe like Evan, so knock it off. I don’t believe for five seconds that either of you could beat me at poker.”

“Challenge received and accepted,” Royce told him.

He and Sawyer headed into the kitchen to find something they could use for wagers. Sawyer opened the cupboard and pulled out three different bags of cookies—Nutter Butters, Oreos, and Chips Ahoy. “What if we wager with cookies?” he asked the group. “We’ll assign a value to the different types of cookies and use them as currency.”

“Calories don’t count if consumed during a severe thunderstorm, right?” Chrissy asked.

“I can get behind that logic,” Sawyer said.

Before they left the kitchen, Sawyer tugged Royce closer by the shirt sleeve. “Prepare to go down.”

Royce smiled at him. “Well, I’d planned on it, but now we’ll have to wait until the kids go to bed.”

It took them longer to agree on the value of the cookies. The more popular the cookie, the higher value it reeeived. The decision for the most popular cookie wasn’t unanimous. Chrissy chose Chips Ahoy, Clint chose the Oreos because they were America’s cookie, and the remaining three picked the Nutter Butters.

“Because peanut butter,” Jen said when Clint gave her a disapproving look.

There was a brief debate on second and third place, then it was time to deal the cards. The lights flickered several times as they cycled through a few hands. It didn’t take Royce long to learn their strategies, but he was more interested in seeing the look on Clint’s face when Sawyer handed his ass to him.

Jen was the first to fold, but she did so with a charmed smile as her boyfriend forgot all about the storm raging outside in his effort to beat everyone at poker. Chrissy outlasted Royce but couldn’t hang long with Sawyer and Clint. The adversaries studied one another’s every move, trying to remain one or two steps ahead of the other. Poker was as much a game of luck as strategy and skill, and Royce would never bet against Sawyer Key. He leaned back in his chair and allowed the master to school the youngster. When Clint was down to his last few Chips Ahoy, a bead of sweat broke out on his upper lip. The lights flickered again as if Mother Nature was concerned they’d forgotten about her. Yeah right, as if.

“I’m going all in,” Clint said with an arrogant smirk.

“Works for me,” Sawyer replied.

Clint laughed as he revealed a full house, but his cockiness morphed into stunned silence when Sawyer displayed his cards to show a royal flush.

“Read ’em and weep,” Sawyer said as he raked the pile of cookies over, adding to his impressive stash.

“Wow,” Clint said a few moments later. He studied Sawyer with new respect. “That was impressive.”

“Thanks,” Sawyer replied. “You were a worthy opponent.”

“And I did it sober too,” Clint said. “I wonder what else I can do better sober.”

Royce was about to make a few suggestions, but Sawyer cut him off with a knowing look.

“Can we eat your winnings now?” Chrissy asked.

Sawyer stood up. “I’ll get glasses and milk.”

The lights flickered, then went out for good.

“Generator?” he asked Royce.

Before Sawyer could reply, the wind whirled and howled with an intensity Royce had only ever heard during a hurricane. It sounded like someone was trying to peel the roof off like a pull tab.

“We’re beyond that,” Sawyer said. “Everyone, follow me down to the storm cellar.” He lit two portable camping lanterns, handing one to Royce and keeping the other for himself. “I’ll go first. Stay close, but be careful. This house was built more than a hundred years ago, so the stairs are steep. Hang on to the handrails. Royce, you bring up the rear.”

A loud crash echoed through the house, making them all jump.

“Just a tree coming down,” Sawyer calmly said. “It landed near the house, but not on it. We’re fine. Everyone ready?”