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Chapter Ten

Nate

I really wasn’t as young as I used to be. Rolling out of bed, my hips protested while my knees creaked. Flexing, I cracked my back and blew out a relieved breath. The grin stretching my lips was automatic as I stared down at Perry’s well-used body. We’d both be sore today, but I doubted either of us would have any regrets regarding last night. I knew I sure as shit wouldn’t. If I lived to be a hundred and ten, I doubt I’d ever get tired of touching Perry. Even now, my fingers begged to dance along his skin again. But Perry looked so peaceful, lying there, splayed out and blissfully asleep.

“You’re a grown-ass man, Nate,” I mumbled, scolding myself. “Self-control is a thing. Use it.”

While I was trying to convince my fingers that keeping to themselves was in Perry’s best interest, the object of their affection stretched and made a mewling sound that suddenly had my dick agreeing with my fingers.

“Shit.” Hightailing it out of the bedroom, I grabbed some clothes and quick-stepped my naked ass to the bathroom. I turned the water on lukewarm and stepped inside. It was easier to wash away sweat and last night’s activities than it was to dampen my libido. My mind and body were in agreement that our fiancé was the sexiest man to ever exist. Those feelings were difficult to squash, even when I knew doing so was in Perry’s best interest. While last night had been fantastic, his body needed rest. Mine did, too—it was just difficult convincing my singular-minded lower appendage.

Stepping out of the shower, I toweled off. Without air-conditioning, the cabin was still warm and muggy. It was the kind of weather where everything always felt damp.

Dressed to the point I wouldn’t shock any other early birds who might be out and about, I checked in on Perry one last time before heading outside to the porch. I checked the time before pulling up Nat’s number and hitting the send button.

Yeah, it was early, but Nat would be awake. She had little kids who were always up at the crack of dawn.

Nat answered quickly, proving how right I was. “You’re lucky, Harmon. I just finished my second cup of coffee, and I’m halfway through the third.”

Chuckling, I could envision my partner with a mug of steaming coffee. The temperature outside didn’t diminish Nat’s love of the stuff, nor the amount she poured into her body. Having already drank two cups, she was clearly savoring the third. I’d called at the perfect time.

“My timing, as always, is impeccable,” I teased. Nat grunted something I couldn’t understand but still grasped its meaning.

“Shouldn’t you still be in bed?”

While I couldn’t see the horizon, the general area was lit with the soft glow of early sunrise. “I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep. No air-conditioning here.”

“Jesus.” Nat genuinely sounded horrified. “That’s just not civilized.”

“It’s not so bad.” I shrugged and settled into the chair I’d fallen asleep in yesterday. “If it weren’t for the humidity, it wouldn’t be bad at all.”

“If you say so. I’m just glad it’s you and not me. Russ has tried for years to get me to go camping and I refuse. He’s taken the kids by himself a couple of times.”

I grinned. “Bet you didn’t mind that.” I remembered those times.

“Bliss. Pure bliss. The house all to myself…” Nat’s musings trailed off. “I did miss his cooking.”

Russ’s cooking was legendary. “A good reason to stay married.”

“As good as any,” Nat agreed playfully. “Now, as much as I’ve enjoyed our entertaining banter, tell me the real reason why you called.”

Inhaling, I rubbed the cotton fabric over my heart. As I lay in bed this morning, I’d waffled back and forth whether to call Nat or not. Paranoia was only paranoia if what you feared wasn’t true. Right now, I wasn’t sure if I was being paranoid or observantly cautious. Was it wrong that I hoped I was being paranoid?

“I need you to look someone up for me.”

Nat’s tone instantly became serious. “Name?”

“Hank Shelton.”

“Anything else I have to go on?” I could hear her pen tapping a countertop in the background.

“Not much. White male, mid- to late-thirties, brown hair, about my height. He’s a park ranger here. Claims to have moved from Ohio to Indiana about two months ago.”

“ Claims? ”

“That’s the story he gave us. Also says he’s married. Not sure about kids. He did say his spouse was a wife. That implies female to me, but we both know about assumptions.”

“That we do.” Nat remained quiet for a few moments, and I could hear the scratch of her pen against paper. Nat wrote in a way that only she’d be able to interpret. “Why am I digging into Hank’s background?”

I rubbed the area over my heart harder. “Gut feeling?” I asked more than answered.

“Never doubt your gut, Harmon.”

Nat’s reassurance eased some of my anxiety. “He seemed nice enough, but in an area full of empty tables, he picked the one Perry and I were sitting at and wanted to share. He also claims to be married, but he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. He’s sporting a tan, and there wasn’t a line there either. It could be that he simply doesn’t wear one, or—”

“Or he’s lying for some unknown reason.”

“Or that,” I agreed.

“I’ll let you know when I’ve got something.”

“Thanks, Nat. I owe you.”

“I’ll tack it onto the bottom of the list. Then again, I might need to add a whole new sheet of paper. I’m running out of room.” Nat’s quiet laughter softened her words. “You don’t owe me shit, Harmon. Now, get off the phone and go hug Perry or something.”

Nat didn’t wait for my goodbye. The call ended, and I was left staring at a blank screen.

The screen door creaked open and a sleepy-eyed Perry walked out, feet bare and T-shirt hanging off one shoulder. His hair was mussed and shifted in a way that partially revealed the Florida-shaped scar etched across his scalp.

With a wide yawn, Perry walked out onto the narrow porch. Patting my leg, Perry’s cheeks flushed, but he walked toward me anyway and sat down on my lap. Setting my phone on the ledge, I wrapped my hands around his rump and steadied him.

“We look ridiculous like this,” Perry weakly protested as he leaned against my chest.

“It’s early. I doubt anyone will look twice.” I wasn’t so sure but could have cared less.

I felt Perry nod against my shoulder. “And why are you up so early?”

I leaned my head back and stared at the porch ceiling. “No reason. I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep. I figured if I stayed in bed any longer, my wayward fingers would start molesting you again. So, for your own good, I got up, showered, and came out on the porch.”

The tips of Perry’s fingers danced along the collar of my T-shirt. “Is it really molesting if the aggrieved party isn’t all that aggrieved ?”

My chuckle lifted Perry’s head. “Maybe not. Regardless, your body could probably use a reprieve now and again.”

Kissing me on the cheek, Perry grinned. “My body loves being used by you.”

Shit . “You can’t say shit like that.”

“Oh?” Perry squirmed, pressing his ass against my hardening dick. “It seems to me you like hearing shit like that .”

“Ugh, you’re killing me here. You realize that, don’t you?”

“I realize nothing of the kind.”

Despite his words, Perry stopped squirming and settled. “Who were you talking to?”

“Nat,” I answered without hesitation.

Perry was silent for a beat before he surprised me by asking, “You’re having her look into that Hank guy from yesterday, aren’t you?”

I considered my answer before replying with a brief, “Yes.”

Perry’s sigh was deep and long. “I thought so.”

Curious, I asked, “Why?”

With a shrug, Perry lifted his left hand, spreading his fingers and staring at his engagement ring. “No wedding band,” Perry answered. “Hank said he’s married, but there’s no ring. I can’t imagine taking my ring off. I mean, if it was dangerous to wear it, then sure. I know some guys wear one of those rubber ones so they don’t damage the real thing, but they still wear it. And if they have to take it off, then they put it back on again when it’s safe to do so. He didn’t even have a tan line.”

I blinked, ashamed that I hadn’t considered Perry’s observational skills. Then again, I hated that he felt the need to be so guarded and skeptical. Most wouldn’t have noticed, and even fewer would have thought it indicated anything possibly nefarious.

When I was silent, Perry asked, “You didn’t think I’d notice?”

I could have lied but chose not to. “No. Or maybe I hoped you hadn’t. I’m a homicide detective. It’s hard to turn my wary brain off. I hate that you’ve been put into a position that makes you cautiously observant.”

“Yeah, well, it is what it is. I’d like to trust that the people in this world are mostly okay. Chances are, that’s true enough. But most isn’t all. You and I both know that it only takes one person to cause a lot of damage.”

Neither of us mentioned Willie’s name, although I had no doubt we both thought it.

After a few moments of blissful silence, Perry quietly said, “Let me know what Nat finds out.”

“I will,” I promised. Squeezing Perry tighter, we sat on the little porch and watched the sun brighten the sky.

“ A scavenger hunt?” Perry asked as he stared at a map in Delia’s hands. “I’ve heard about them before, but never thought we’d do something like that here.” His dark sunglasses were firmly planted on his nose, with the addition of a sun visor plopped on his head. Most of the day would be spent in the woods and on trails. Perry had still applied a gracious amount of sunscreen. I probably should have, too, but while I tanned, Perry burned.

Delia studied the map. Her fingernails were painted a light blush pink, and one of her slender nails traced a trail. We were a small group. According to Delia, Gabriel would join us at some point. Most of the groups had five or six individuals. Even with Gabe, we’d only have four. Perry seemed relieved, so I rolled with it.

“It’s not a typical scavenger hunt,” Delia said. “Malcom hid clues throughout trails four and six.” She tapped the map again, indicating the trails. “We need to follow one clue to get to the next, and so on and so forth. There are three different hunts with the same number of stations and clues. The team that finds their final clue first and returns that clue to Malcom is declared the winner.” Delia’s grin was wickedly evil. “Now, not to put any pressure on the two of you, but I always play to win. Do you understand?”

“I’ll try not to slow us down,” Perry promised while flexing and extending his knee. “And if it becomes too much, I’ll sit down while the two of you—and hopefully Gabe—soldier on.”

I stiffened. “I am not leaving you sitting alone on the side of a trail somewhere, Perry.”

“Absolutely not,” Delia readily agreed. “This is a team effort. If you become tired or your knee is bothering you too much, Detective Harmon will carry you on his back.”

“Delia’s right, I’ll…Wait…” My brain spun while my misplaced ego valiantly claimed I could do exactly that. “I’m not sure I can—”

“Relax, Detective.” Delia slapped me on the shoulder. “We’re a resourceful group. I’m certain we can figure something out.”

Snapping my mouth closed rattled my teeth and kept further words under wraps.

“Well, then, no time like the present.” Delia said right as Malcom yelled, “Begin!”

“Detective Harmon, would you be so kind as to read our first clue?”

Unfolding the small piece of paper, I read the typed words and frowned. “I’m not yet in kindergarten, but I still go to school. Primary colors are my jam.”

“Trail four,” Perry said. “That’s where we should start. Four-year-olds aren’t in kindergarten, but many are in preschool.”

“Exactly.” Delia snapped her fingers and strode toward number four’s trailhead.

“I’m not sure about the primary colors part,” Perry added.

“Or what jam has to do with anything,” I agreed.

“We won’t know until we start walking. Come along, boys.” Delia never looked back to make sure Perry and I followed. She didn’t need to.

Trail four was shorter than most, at least, according to the map. It met up with others, crisscrossed some, and meandered next to a creak with slow-running water. The background sounds were amazing. The gentle hum of water combined with birdsong and the rustling of squirrels, chipmunks, and God knew what else.

We’d been walking about ten minutes when Delia triumphantly said, “There.”

Perry and I hurried after her. Delia had found a patch of wild strawberries. Their red color stood out against the deep greens around them.

“Strawberries,” Perry said while crouching down. That position wouldn’t have been possible before his knee surgery. “Red’s a primary color.”

“And strawberries make excellent jam,” Delia added.

Bending down beside the two of them, I rustled through the berry patch, praying there wasn’t poison ivy growing alongside the berries. “Got it,” Perry triumphantly said, waving a piece of paper around like it was the Holy Grail.

“Fantastic!” Delia praised. “Do you want to read it, or would you like one of us to?” Delia was well aware of Perry’s limitations when it came to reading, especially in natural light.

Perry handed the note over and said, “You do it.”

Delia plucked the note from his fingers and unfolded it. “Four is great, too much fun to wish for more. I wish Mom would let me stay out past my bedtime, so I can see the bats take flight.”

“Bats?” Perry physically pulled away from the note. “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything against the little flying mammals, but I’m not sure where we’re going to find one around here during daylight.”

“A cave?” I mused while doing a slow turn. “It sounds like we’re supposed to stay on trail four. Anything on that map that looks like it might be a dark, dank place for a few bats?”

Unfolding the park map, Delia skimmed her finger along trail four’s marking. “Not that I can see. If there is a cave of some sort, it’s not labeled on the map.”

“No caves. At least, not on this trail.”

All three of us turned, staring at the slender ginger-haired man not far away. “Hey, Gabe,” Perry greeted him happily. “Malcom said you’d get to join us, but we weren’t sure if we’d see you.”

Gabe sauntered forward. Sporting a pair of cargo shorts that hung down to his knees and a loose, faded T-shirt, Gabe appeared casually at ease in his trail shoes. I half expected to see the guy wearing sandals.

“Oh, I didn’t want to miss this.” Gabe clapped his hands together and rubbed them. “Mornin’, Delia,” Gabe greeted her.

When I gazed Delia’s way, she also appeared casually at ease, a lazy grin lifting the left side of her lips. “Good morning, Gabriel. It’s good to see you.”

Gabe’s cheeks flushed, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “High praise, Delia Carpenter.”

“Nonsense.” Delia waved him off.

Turning his attention from Delia, Gabe’s eyes zeroed in on me. The grin splitting his face looked genuine as his eyes shimmered with unmistakable mischief. Thrusting out a hand, Gabe said, “Detective Harmon, I’m glad you could make it to our little retreat.”

Clasping Gabe’s hand, I gave it a good shake before pulling away. “I’m glad I could be here.”

Chuckling, Gabe nodded his head in Perry’s direction and said, “Seeing as Perry wanted to come, I doubt we could have kept you away.”

My shoulders immediately stiffened. Had Malcom meant to try and keep me away? Had that been his original plan? He’d made it abundantly clear that I was welcome, but perhaps that was the secondary option, the only viable one if he wanted to use Perry as bait .

Steering us away from potentially dangerous waters, Delia got back to the scavenger hunt and asked, “No caves?”

Gabe shook his head and scooted closer to Delia. “Can I see the map?”

She handed it over without a word. “Ah, there it is. Not too far up the trail.” Gabe pointed in the opposite direction we’d come from. “There’s a bat house and a little information plaque that tells visitors about it. I’m not sure if the house is occupied currently or not, just that there’s a wooden structure that claims to be a bat house.”

Handing the map back to Delia, Gabe waved us farther along the trail. “Come on, it’s not too far in this direction.”

Perry was quick to follow and asked, “Are you familiar with the trails? Have you been to this park before?”

Gabe swung his arm around Perry’s shoulders and tugged him in close, giving him a side hug. “Pretty familiar,” he answered without saying if he’d been to the park previously or not.

It took us less than ten minutes to find the bat house, the plaque sitting by the trail just as Gabe said it would be. Delia was the one who found the next clue, taped under the plaque. This one led us to trail six.

The four of us spent the better part of the morning walking back and forth along trails four and six. By a quarter to noon, I thought I knew the ground beneath my feet better than the roads between Perry’s apartment and the precinct.

“How are you holding up?” Perry and I’d fallen back from Delia and Gabe, who were currently arguing over what was hopefully our final clue.

Perry glanced up, and I could barely see his sunglasses below the covering of his sun visor. “A little tired,” Perry admitted. “Not just my knee either.”

I understood. Perry hadn’t been able to move freely for the better part of four years. He’d had a knee replacement about three months ago and was slowly building up his stamina. Perry’s body wasn’t used to extended periods of exercise on uneven ground.

“Delia and Gabe seem to think this is probably the last clue.”

Perry chuckled. “Yeah, that’s what they said two clues ago. I’m not sure I trust their judgment right now.”

“Maybe not, but this time, I agree with them.” I couldn’t imagine the scavenger hunt would go on much longer as this last clue had claimed we were “almost at the finish line.” Delia and Gabe were currently discussing if that meant the final clue was actually back in camp, where we would finish the hunt. Perry and I’d wisely left the decision in their hands. Neither one of us wanted to get in the middle of that debate. Besides, Perry and I weren’t the ones hell-bent on winning.

Delia’s voice rose high enough that it drifted toward Perry and me. “I’m just saying, checking the little waterfall area isn’t that far out of the way. It will take five, maybe ten minutes at the most.”

Gabe threw up his hands and gave way. “Fine. If it will make you happy.”

Delia stopped, turned, and, with a devious grin, answered, “Exceedingly happy.”

Gabe stood, rooted to his spot, mouth open and spluttering as he watched Delia walk away, headed for where she thought the final clue was. Perry and I came up even with Gabe, and I clapped him on the shoulder.

With a jerk, Gabe twirled, eyes momentarily narrowed until he realized it was me. The reaction was swift—there and gone before most would notice. For one brief moment, I got a glimpse of Gabe’s true colors—the dangerous predator—before he reeled his reaction in and eased back into the congenially aloof man he pretended to be.

“She’s very determined,” Gabe said, covering his earlier reaction.

“She’s also typically right,” Perry answered, his footfalls following Delia’s path, passing Gabe and me by.

With a huff, Gabe stuffed his hands deep into his cargo short’s pockets and sauntered after Perry, a quiet “so true” slipping through his lips.