Page 37 of Tide and Seek
I nodded, making sure I didn’t react to his mention of James.“Well, now that I have it figured out, sort of, we can use it more while we’re here.”
“Sure.I also want to take you out, though,” he said quietly.“I want to take you to some of my favorite spots.I want to share those experiences with you.Then those places will be our places.”His cheeks tinted pink and he looked away.
“I’d love that.”After our conversation about my embarrassing insecurities, Max had made an effort to show his feelings more throughout the day.I suppose that made spilling my guts worth it, at least.
I moved closer to him, and he gave a knowing smile.The slanted rays of late afternoon sun made his eyes appear almost navy, the blue darkening to match the deeper waters beyond the breakers.I lowered my head, capturing his mouth in a tender kiss.
His response was searching, gentle.Moments like these reminded me of the real Max.The Max I loved.They reassured me that what I felt for Max was reciprocated, and that even if we were different people, we fit together beautifully.What did it matter that he liked fancy wines with names I couldn’t pronounce, while I preferred whatever beer was on sale, so long as it was ice cold?
When the kiss ended, he sighed contentedly and looked out at the water.The sun was low in the sky, bleeding orange and pink across the horizon.The ocean caught the light and threw it back, glinting across the waves in rose-gold shimmers.
The scent of grilling fish reminded me I needed to check on the food.As I lifted the lid of the grill, my phone rang.Tugging it out of my pocket, I recognized Deputy Gonzalez’s number flashing.
Not wanting to miss his call, I answered quickly.“Hello?”
“Sheriff Callum, sorry it took me so long to return your call.”Gonzalez sounded tired.“It’s been a cluster—you know what—of a day.”
“No worries.I understand you’re a busy man.”
“I appreciate that you get it.”He sighed.“I got your message.Sure, if you and Mr.Thornton want to come peek at the security video tomorrow, that’s fine by me.Just let me know approximately when you’ll be by and I’ll see that one of my people can accommodate your request.”
“That’s great.I appreciate it greatly,” I said, grateful Gonzalez hadn’t been a jerk about it.
“Not a problem.Have a good evening.”He hung up.
I tucked my phone away and smiled at Max.“We got the okay to see the security footage.”
Max lifted his dark brows.“Yeah?That’s fantastic.”
“It may not shed any light on anything, but it’s certainly worth a try.”I opened the hood of the grill and gently scooped the fillets onto a plate.I carried the grilled fish to the table where Max had set dishes and silverware.“When would you want to go to the station tomorrow?”
“Maybe around noon?Detective Hartley is coming in the morning to interview us.”Max’s face was pinched.“I hope he doesn’t stay too long.I’d really like to do something fun with you tomorrow.I feel like the entire trip so far has been spent with law enforcement.”
“I know.”
He brightened.“Would you want to visit the Getty Villa Museum one of the days we’re here?”
“The Getty?”I took my seat across from him.
“Yes, it’s a cool place.It was modeled after the Villa dei Papiri, an ancient Roman villa in Herculaneum.You’ve probably heard of it.Herculaneum was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the same eruption that destroyed Pompeii.”
“Sure, I’ve heard of it.”I nodded and set my napkin on my lap.“I’m fine going there.”
“Do you like museums?”He studied me.“I don’t think we’ve ever discussed whether you like things like that or not.”
“I enjoy them, yeah.”I grinned.“I mean, there aren’t many museums in Rainy Dale, unless you’re going to count Joe Jameson’s rusty cars piled up in his yard.”
“Yes, the Getty is a little more interesting than Joe’s yard.”
“Although, rumor has it he has an M29 Weasel hidden somewhere on his property.”
Max widened his eyes.“Seriously?”
I nodded.“Yep.He supposedly bought it at a government auction.”
“Is that allowed?I mean, isn’t that some kind of tank or something from World War II?”
“I think of it more as a tank crossed with a sled, but yes, civilians can legally own certain decommissioned military vehicles.I believe most of the vehicles are stripped of weapons and sensitive components before sale.So, odds are Joe won’t shell Rainy Dale anytime soon.”
