CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Dressed in tennis shoes, a red down jacket, jeans, and a sweater, I wait for Markus outside. He’s prompt and arrives in a black Ford Explorer, which is a good sign. He’s not the flashy-car type, just like he said.
He steps from the car, and wow. He’s what I’d describe as all-American handsome. Short brown hair neatly cut and parted on the side. Slight almond-shaped eyes and high cheekbones. Very nice lips, the bottom one fuller. His five o’clock shadow is more prominent around his mouth, kind of like a frame for his lips.
“Rose.” He leaves the car running and walks around to greet me with a handshake. “I was at your party, but we never had the chance to meet.”
I wonder why. I shake his hand. It’s warm and rough, but nothing as extreme as Jor, my neighbor.
“Nice to meet you.”
He smiles, and it’s a good one. It says he’s genuinely happy to see me. There’s no wolfish gleam in the eyes. No twitch of lusty seduction in the lips. It’s as genuine a smile as they come.
“Oh, I know this isn’t a date, but”—he reaches for the rear passenger-side door, opens it, and produces a bunch of big fluffy marshmallows on skewers, wrapped in cellophane—“I got you a bouquet.”
“Oh, what unusual flowers,” I say with a giant smile.
“Phil and June are bringing the chocolate and graham crackers.”
I surmise that Phil and June are the friends who are joining us. “Please tell me we’re making s’mores.” I’ve never had them. My childhood memories contain zero outdoor excursions or camping trips—something I plan to do a lot of going forward.
“And cocoa as promised. Premade and waiting for you in my thermos.”
“This is already the best non-date I’ve ever had.”
He flashes a warm smile, closes the rear door, and opens mine. “Then I’ll be sure to say something incredibly awkward at some point during the evening so the bar is set really low—just in case we ever decide to go on an actual date.”
I chuckle and get in. I can already tell that Markus is special. Warm, friendly, confident. I’m definitely considering counting tonight as our step one.
Markus and I keep the conversation light during the drive to the trailhead about forty minutes away. He’s a high school English teacher, of all things. He only casually mentions that his parents were really supportive when he decided not to go into the family golf resorts business, which is nice to hear. He has an older brother who runs things on the West Coast, and a younger sister, just by one year, who is at grad school, studying business.
“So she’s the one who made you ask me on a date?” I say.
“I can’t say no to her. Doesn’t matter how hard I try, she always gets her way,” he says with affection.
He clearly adores her, which makes him adorable.
“So tell me more about you,” he says.
“Pretty much what you witnessed at the party explains all of the drawbacks.”
“So it’s all true? They kept you in the attic, stole your money, and starved you?”
“Ah, I see you’ve been keeping up with the tabloids.” The staff, who were all fired, told the press everything and then some. “My situation was difficult, but not as dire as some of the stories. I wasn’t chained up or anything like that.”
“It still sounds like one hell of a crap situation. I can’t imagine growing up like that.”
“And I don’t recommend trying. It’ll only depress you.”
“But you seem…I don’t know. Well-adjusted?”
I shrug. “I’m happy to be free. Happy to start my life and put it all behind me.”
We turn and pull into a nearly empty parking lot lined by tall thick trees. There are signs posted everywhere.
He stops the car and turns off the engine. “But what they did to you—they deserve to be in prison.”
“They already are. It’s called greed.”
He bobs his head. “Still, I’d feel better if they weren’t running free. After everything I’ve heard about them from my parents, it wouldn’t surprise me if they came after you. Clearly they’ll do anything to get your money.”
“What have you heard?”
“That they don’t like anyone getting in their way, and they’ve threatened people in the past. Physically. Just rumors—but everyone says they used to run some illegal gambling ring in the seventies until they got hit and lost their money.”
Whatthehell? “My grandparents. You’re sure?”
“Like I said, they’re just rumors, but if what you said at the party is true, then that’s reason enough to watch your back. Who knows what they’re capable of.”
Ohmygod. “It never crossed my mind that they’d try to hurt me or hire some…hit…man…” My voice fades.
The memory of Gustavo and that night in the alley flashes in my mind. Two-man job? No. Don’t be ridiculous. Gustavo had the chance to let that man kill me. Or Gustavo could’ve taken me out himself. But he didn’t. He saved me. He’s a mama’s boy who wants to open a salsa club, not a hit man.
“Is everything all right, Rose?” Markus asks.
“Yeah. Totally fine,” I lie, with a hard swallow.
“Let’s get the gear, then, and I’ll introduce you to Phil and June.” He points to a white sedan pulling into the lot.
I nod, and we get out to grab the packs from the back.
“You sure you’re alright?” Markus asks.
“Yep. This hike is exactly what I need.”