Page 57 of Tide and Seek

“It’s not really any of our business.”Despite my statement, I was as nosey as she was and I moved beside her, straining to listen.The ocean breeze carried their voices clearly enough, but without context I had no idea what they were arguing about.

“But it’s right there,” Luke shouted, his hair sticking up in messy blond tufts like a toddler throwing a tantrum.Ethan said something in a quiet voice, and Luke screeched, “And I don’t need your permission, by the way.”

Ethan made frantic shushing noises while glancing around uneasily.“Keep your voice down,” he said harshly, the agitation in his voice carrying on the wind.

“No.I don’t have to listen to you,” Luke yelled, his response loud enough that a couple walking their dog further down the beach turned to look.“You said you’d handle it but you haven’t done a thing.”

“I’m doing my best,” Ethan rasped.

“Maybe you don’t understand how desperate I am.”Luke grabbed hold of Ethan’s arm, but Ethan angrily pulled away.

“I’m as desperate as you are.Maybe even more so.”

Waving his arms wildly, Luke growled, “I’m done waiting on you.”

“You do something stupid and you’ll regret it, kid.”Ethan’s face was red, his hands clenched into fists.

Luke screamed something unintelligible at Ethan, getting in the other man’s face.Personally, I thought Luke was playing with fire.Ethan had four inches and at least fifty pounds on him, and he looked about five seconds away from laying the younger man out in the sand.

As if reading my mind, C.J.whispered, “God, I’m afraid Ethan’s going to punch Luke if he doesn’t stop yelling in his face.”

“Agreed.”

We both slumped with relief when Ethan suddenly turned and stalked off toward his van parked at the edge of the beach.Luke kicked at the sand, shouted something incoherent at Ethan’s retreating figure, and then trudged in the opposite direction toward his own house.

“What in the hell could that have been about?”C.J.turned to me, eyes wide.“I’ve never seen Luke that upset before.He was out of control, taunting Ethan like that.I really thought Ethan was going to hit him, which would be completely out of character for a guy like Ethan.”

“Luke’s lucky Ethan controlled himself,” I murmured, watching as Ethan sped out of the beach colony, tires screeching.“Could the argument have been about Luke’s ant problem?”

C.J.wrinkled her brow.“Ants?”

“Yes, remember Ethan said Luke had called him to get rid of ants?”

“Oh, yeah.”C.J.grimaced.“Well, that might explain why Ethan was here, but I can’t imagine ants could get anyone that riled up.And you’d think if it was ants, Luke would be mad at the company, not at Ethan.”

“I agree, but people do take their anger out on service people when they’re unhappy about things.”

C.J.bit her bottom lip, a line between her light brows.“I don’t think that was about ants.”

I sighed and admitted, “Me neither.”

C.J.suddenly yelped.“Oh, shit!My ice cream.”She started for her car, calling over her shoulder, “I’ll see you and Royce tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m., Max.”

“Can’t wait,” I returned, hoping I didn’t sound as disingenuous as I felt.

****

I forgot all about Luke and Ethan’s fight on the beach when I stepped inside and saw dinner waiting on the table.Royce had grilled two thick ribeye steaks, seared to perfection, with roasted asparagus on the side, and he’d opened a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.

“I was going to help with dinner,” I said, heading into the kitchen where Royce was washing his hands.

“No need.You were busy handling the insurance stuff.”He dried his hands on a paper towel and then slipped his arms around me.“Besides, I wanted to pamper you a little.”He lowered his head and placed a soft kiss on my lips.

I shivered at the warmth of his mouth, but then said grumpily, “I’m supposed to be pampering you this trip.”

“It’s not a competition, is it?”

“No.”I sighed as he trailed little gentle kisses down the side of my neck.“I mean, it’s kind of a competition.Everything is.”