Page 2 of Tide and Seek (Dr. Maxwell Thornton Murder Mysteries #8)

I glanced at the clock on Royce’s side of the bed. “It’s 4:00 a.m. here, and we’re two hours ahead of California. Probably too early to call my insurance.”

“They should have an emergency number. Not all accidents happen during working hours.”

“True.” I scowled. “God, I’m so frustrated. I really, really don’t want to fly to LA right now.”

Royce narrowed his eyes. “You’ve been wanting to run back there since you arrived in Rainy Dale. I’d think you’d be thrilled to go back for a visit.”

I sniffed. “Well, you’d be wrong. I have no real desire to go back there. Especially alone.”

He pursed his lips, studying me. “What if I came with you?” he asked softly. “Would that make it better?”

I glanced at him in surprise. “Really? You’d be willing to go with me?”

He lifted one shoulder. “Sure. Why not? It’d be great to get away together, just the two of us. The only trip you and I ever took together was to Giggly Elves Farm. I think we can both agree that wasn’t much of a vacation.”

I shuddered. “No. I’d even go so far as to say we’re lucky we survived that excursion.”

He grimaced. “Yeah.”

“Would you be able to take the time off?” I asked hopefully.

“I’ve been known to take a week or so off this time of year on occasion. You know, just to reset the old batteries. A man can’t work all the time.”

“That’s what people say.”

His smile was cajoling as he took my hand in his. His firm, calloused skin was warm and comforting against mine. “It might be fun to go on a little adventure with you, Max. We could turn a bad thing into a good thing.”

I smirked. “You’re always so optimistic. Are you going to tell me we should make lemonade out of lemons, Royce?”

His grin was sheepish. “What if I am?”

“I’d expect nothing less of you.” I smiled. “You know, if you’re coming with me, we could make it a real vacation.”

“Meaning what?”

“Well… could you maybe manage to take ten days off?” I held my breath. I knew it was a lot to ask.

He hesitated. “Hmmm, ten days?”

“We can do less if you’d rather.” I tried not to show my disappointment. “It’s just that two of the days will be eaten up with travel, so they don’t really count as vacation days.”

“That’s true.” He pursed his lips. “Should we do it, Max?”

“I think it would be amazing.” While I was frustrated my beach house had been broken into, the idea of going to LA with Royce was exciting. That truly would make a crappy situation better. “I’d love to take you back to LA with me.”

“Yeah?” He looked pleased.

“It’ll be fun to wine and dine you at some of my favorite restaurants.

Plus, my beach house has a private beach.

Well, mostly private. There are three other houses in the colony, but it’s way more private than a public beach.

We could skinny-dip in the Pacific Ocean at night. Doesn’t that sound fun?”

He gave a nervous laugh. “Not sure about skinny-dipping in the ocean at night. Aren’t there a bunch of sea creatures lurking?”

I laughed at his obvious reticence. “I suppose in the deeper water that might be a concern. But we wouldn’t venture far from shore. It’s a wonderful experience. Very freeing. I’ve done it lots of times.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Is that right? I’m assuming you weren’t alone?”

My face warmed. “All I’ll say is it would be more fun with you.”

He hesitated and then seemed to shrug off his concerns. “I guess that might be fun. Probably wouldn’t kill me to broaden my horizons a bit. Unless of course a shark eats me.”

“I’ll protect you.”

“Is that right?” He smiled.

“Honestly, the sharks and jellyfish are probably more pleasant than half the humans you’ll meet. While I’ve missed the Pacific Ocean and the restaurants, I can’t say I’ve missed the people.”

“Were they snobby? Shallow?”

“It’s almost like you’ve already met them.”

He gave a sheepish smile. “You were a snob when you first got to Rainy Dale, Max. I’m assuming your friends would be cut from the same cloth.”

“They were and are. Frankly, I’m a pussycat compared to them.”

“You’re not exactly selling the idea of joining you on this trip, Max.” He chuckled.

“I just want you prepared for what they’re like. There not all bad. My immediate neighbor C.J. is nice. But most of them aren’t warm and welcoming to new people. They’ll smile to your face and stab you in the back without a thought.” I sighed. “At least with me, I’ll stab you in the front.”

His laugh was uncertain. “I like how you say that as if it’s a positive.”

“Isn’t it?”

He turned to me, looking curious. “What do you suppose they’ll think of you dating a hick sheriff like me?”

“I think they’ll like you because you’re so exceedingly likable,” I said firmly. “However, I don’t actually give a rat’s ass what they think. I’m positive you won’t like them though.”

“No?”

“Nope. You’ll see right through them.”

He sighed. “The more you talk, the more I hate the idea of you going alone. Seems like I should be there to have your back.”

“Yeah? You think you want to do it?”

He nodded, looking thoughtful. “Sure. Why not?”

“Excellent.” I smiled, feeling uncharacteristically cheerful, especially considering the circumstances. “I’ll buy our tickets first thing in the morning.”

“Great. Just let me know how much it is, and I’ll Zelle you my half.”

I waved him off. “No, you won’t. It’s my treat.”

A line appeared between his light brows. “I’m perfectly capable of buying my own ticket.”

“Of course you are. But I’d rather sit with you on the plane.”

He looked confused. “Well, obviously.”

I leaned toward him and said softly, “I’m flying first class, cowboy. That’s the only way I fly.”

“Oh.” His eyes flickered. “Well, how much more is that than coach?”

“A lot.”

His jaw had a stubborn jut. “How much more? I’m not in the poorhouse, Max.”

“I know that. But you’re exceedingly practical.”

“Meaning what?” He frowned.

“You’re not the sort of man who’d spring for anything so extravagant as first class.” I shrugged. “But I am.”

“How extravagant are we talking?”

I winced, not sure if telling him the truth would be better or worse. But he could always just look it up online. “My best guess is coach would be about a thousand less than first class.”

His cheek twitched. “For such a short flight?”

“Last time I checked, that’s what it was.”

He didn’t look pleased at that comment as he rumbled, “When was the last time you checked, Max?”

I put my hand on his arm. “Ages ago. I glanced at tickets when we were, you know, having issues. Not since. I swear. But odds are the prices have gone up, if anything, not down.”

“Hmmm.” He scowled at the floor.

I sighed at how disgruntled he looked. “Come on, Royce, don’t be like that.” I gave him what I hoped was a cajoling smile. “Let me treat you. You’ve given me a place to stay so many times. And you’ve done so many nice things for me. Plus, you’re doing me a favor by coming with me.”

“I’m not doing you a favor,” he grumbled. “I’m coming with you because I want to.”

“Okay.” I wracked my brain for how to get that surly expression off his face. “Even so, you have to take time off, and traveling is a hassle. Let me spoil you a little. I want to do this.”

Some of his irritation seemed to fade. “I don’t love the idea of you spending that much money on me.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, really.”

I scowled. “You bought me a car for Christmas. I got you a bottle of cologne. How come that’s okay, but I can’t do this for you?”

He gave a sheepish grimace. “I don’t know. It was a used car. I didn’t buy you a brand new BMW or anything.”

“Even so, I should be allowed to do things for you too.”

He sighed. “I get what you’re saying, Max, but a first-class ticket probably costs as much, if not more, than the car I bought you. I got a good deal on that car.”

“I still say it’s not fair that you can spend money on me, but I can’t do the same for you. Coming with me to LA is a big hassle. I want you to know I appreciate that you’d even do that for me.”

“I don’t have to be rewarded for doing the bare minimum.”

I frowned. “It’s not the bare minimum. It’s above and beyond. Most importantly, I want you with me. I’d pay ten times that amount to have you come with me to LA. Please, let me do this. I have the money, Royce—you know I do.”

His stubborn expression slipped slightly. “Am I being too prideful?”

“I think you are,” I said softly.

He let out a shaky breath, a line creasing his brow. “I don’t mean to add more stress to you by being stubborn.”

“Then forget about the money, please? Let’s go to LA and… you know… squeeze some lemons.”

His smile was affectionate as he relented. “Okay, Max. Let’s go make some lemonade.”