“I don’t know everything he does,” Riley protested. Something was obviously bothering her, and she seemed determined to set everyone straight. “He’s my boss; not my husband.”
There were several snorts from the table as some attempted to hide their devious grins. Riley appeared offended and glared at her co-workers.
“I’m sorry,” Riley suddenly announced boldly with irritation while glaring at her co-workers. “Did I say something funny?”
Her look was enough to cause the entire table to fall silent. There was something almost hostile with her tone and the way she glared at everyone. Kane felt the fear ripple through his body as he was painfully reminded of his encounter with her the night Selena was murdered. Riley tossed her napkin down, stood, and left the dining room. Once she was gone, Chrissie snickered behind her back. Noble attempted not to laugh. Casper picked at his pie while staring at it and frowned. He obviously wasn’t pleased about the way they were treating his newly found friend.
“Sounds like Hayes tossed her over for a younger model,” Chrissie teased.
“Younger model?” Noble snorted at the comment and held back his laugh. “Where would he find a younger model? On the playground?”
“That’s not nice,” Selena snapped and appeared irritated. “Hayes and Riley aren’t having an affair.” She looked at the others around the table. “And you should all be ashamed of yourselves for talking about your boss that way.”
The table fell silent to her scolding and everyone minded their dessert. Kane glanced at Selena and smiled to himself. He was proud of her. She was a little less mature then when he meets her in three years, but she had respect for her boss and co-worker. It made him feel good, and he was very proud of her for taking the high road. She was finally beginning to resemble the woman he fell in love with.
Chapter Nineteen
Behind the majestic inn was a large, in-ground pool connecting to an oversized hot tub. There was also a horse stable toward the back edge of the property. Landscaping encompassed nearly the entire backyard and bordered on excessive. Winding brick walkways led to several fishponds with small bridges crossing them and hidden gazebos in several corners. More chubby marble cherubs lurked in every corner. The first few were cute, but the endless parade of naked, marble cherubs bordered on creepy. They looked like little demonic statues preparing to pounce. Casper casually lounged in the hot tub and watched Kane pace the nearby patio with his glass of wine.
“Remember what we discussed?” Casper said firmly, apparently disapproving of his continuous pacing.
“I’m tense,” Kane replied.
“You drank an entire bottle of wine; you should be good and mellow,” Casper remarked then muttered under his breath, “and possibly drunk.”
Riley and Selena appeared on the patio in their pool cover-ups. They talked softly between themselves, although the conversation wasn’t loud enough for either man to hear. Neither appeared particularly happy with whatever they discussed. Selena saw the hot tub and became enthusiastic.
“Thank God! A hot tub!” Selena announced with glee and picked up her pace to join them.
“I bribed the innkeeper for a bottle of wine,” Kane said to her as they approached.
Casper muttered, “Two--actually.”
“Count me in,” Selena giggled.
Kane poured a glass of wine for each woman. Selena took both glasses and joined Riley by the hot tub. Kane refilled his own glass and watched them. Riley removed her cover-up to reveal a tasteful bikini that exposed her ample cleavage and her amazingly toned body. Kane and Casper stared with surprise as their mouths hung open. Selena removed her cover-up to reveal a skimpy, string bikini that just about covered her and left little to the imagination. Kane eyed Selena in her ‘barely there’ bikini then uncertainly looked back at Riley. He was almost ashamed that he indulged in a second peek at the woman he despised.
“Are you joining us, Kane?” Riley asked while tossing her cover-up aside.
His eyes strayed to her buttocks as they tightened when she spun around on the balls of her feet. He felt his body throb in response. “Be right there.”
Both women joined Casper in the hot tub. Casper continued to stare at Riley with his mouth hanging open then looked away with embarrassment. Kane drank the entire glass of wine and refilled it before approaching. He needed to concentrate on Selena. He removed his shirt and joined them by the hot tub while wearing his conservative swimsuit. Kane worked out enough to appear toned, although not nearly as muscular as Tucker. He was certain he knew how to get Selena’s attention. She had always been impressed with Kane’s chest and broad shoulders. This was one area where he was sure he’d finally receive some notice from her. As he joined them in the hot tub, Selena didn’t even look at his chest and shoulders. Kane suddenly felt self-conscious. Perhaps it was her muscle-bound boyfriend filling her head. He certainly couldn’t compete with Tucker in that area. Kane sipped his wine and sank into mild depression. When they were first dating, it was all he could do to keep her hands off his chest. Now--nothing.
“Can you believe they don’t even have televisions in the rooms?” Selena announced while frowning. “What are we supposed to do for the next three evenings?”
Kane wanted to suggest something, but he knew he wouldn’t get away with anything perverted. After all, he wasn’t Casper. As he cast a glance at his friend, he could see by his raised brow, Casper was dying to say what Kane was thinking. Thankfully, he refrained from speaking.
“I’m good,” Riley announced and sipped her wine.
Casper raised his brows, grinned deviously, and clinked his glass to Riley’s glass. She returned the smile. Kane wasn’t sure what Riley found so amusing, but he was almost certain she was up to something.
“You’ve been hanging out with Hayes too long,” Selena scoffed while rolling her eyes with disgust. “He’s turned you into an old woman.”
“In that same comparison, what did Tucker turn you into?” Riley snapped in response.
Riley and Selena glared at each other in an awkward silence. Kane and Casper appeared surprised by the friction. Something was definitely brewing between them and it was rapidly coming to the surface.
Casper leaned closer to Kane and muttered, “I think we’re going to need more wine.”
“What’s with you two? I thought you were friends,” Kane finally remarked while attempting to smooth things over between them. He was hoping this wasn’t the prelude that started the entire downward spiral for revenge.
Selena glanced at Kane and smirked. “Riley’s on her broomstick because Hayes is banging some little vixen,” she informed him in a tone that mocked Riley. She cast a look at her young friend. “Now she’s no longer the center of his universe.”
“You’re disgusting,” Riley scoffed while rolling her eyes. “You and Tucker deserve each other.”
“You’re just jealous because I have someone and you don’t,” Selena lashed out.
“Jealous? Of Tucker?” Riley suddenly asked then snorted a laugh. “I don’t think so.”
Selena was obviously enraged by the comment. “Maybe if you’d gotten around to fucking Hayes, you wouldn’t be feeling sorry for yourself and taking it out on me.”
Kane was stunned by Selena’s comment. “Is that really called for?” he suddenly demanded.
She glared at Kane with hateful eyes. “Sure, go ahead and defend the little princess,” she hissed and gave him a disapproving once over. “Everyone always does, but it’s not going to help you get between her legs. They’re permanently locked.”
Riley had the same look in her eyes as that night in the museum when she killed Selena. Casper and Kane were both shocked by Selena’s rant. Kane couldn’t even believe Selena was suggesting something so perverted as him wanting Riley, but it was her tone and vulgarity that stunned him.
“What is wrong with you?” Kane retorted without even thinking about what he said. This wasn’t the woman he knew. “You’re behaving lik
e a spoiled little girl throwing a tantrum.”
Selena sneered at Kane and jumped out of the hot tub. “Fuck you.” She grabbed her towel and stormed off.
Casper stared after Selena with a dumbfounded expression then glanced at Kane, who was equally stunned. “That had to hurt,” Casper muttered.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Riley casually informed him. “I’m a big girl. I can handle Selena.”
Kane looked at Riley with surprise by the comment. He couldn’t believe she thought he was defending her and had to set her straight. “I wasn’t defending you,” he snapped. “I just didn’t expect her to be that way.”
“She wasn’t always like that. Tucker made her that way,” Riley casually informed him. There was an awkward silence as she stared at him. Her look was serious yet sympathetic. “You’re not her type, you know.”
Kane stared at her from the comment. What did she know? He and Selena would be getting married in two weeks if Riley hadn’t murdered her.
“Excuse me?” he blurted out while attempting not to sound offended by the remark, but in reality he wanted to drown her in the hot tub. Unfortunately, Casper would never allow it. He was already too attached to the witch.
Riley stared at him and remained calm and sympathetic. “I see how you look at her, but unless you’re secretly wealthy, I doubt she’ll give you a second thought.”
“Ouch, that cut to the bone,” Casper said softly.
“It’s nothing personal,” Riley gently informed him. “You’re obviously intelligent and handsome, but you’re undoubtedly the settle down, get married, and raise a family type. Selena’s the last of the party girls.”
“How do you know I’m not the party type?” Kane asked defensively. He didn’t like this woman telling him about the woman he intended to marry, and he certainly didn’t appreciate her telling him what sort of man he was.
“Dude, who are you kidding?” Casper blurted out then turned to Riley, cleverly raised his brows, and gave her a humored smile. “He’s serious daddy material.”
“I rest my case,” Riley replied.
Chrissie, Collin, and Noble walked onto the patio with pool towels in their hands. They saw Riley in the hot tub, talked among themselves, and opted to use the pool instead. Riley glanced at the three then minded her own business. She didn’t say it, but she was obviously bothered. Casper caught her look and possibly felt sorry for her.
“Fuck them,” Casper said to her.
Riley glanced at him and smiled gently. “I used to think it was just the women who gossiped around the museum, but that’s not the case.”
“What you do or don’t do is none of their business,” Casper informed her. “Don’t let them bother you.”
“I usually don’t,” she replied then sighed. “It’s just been a weird sort of week.”
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Casper muttered and eyed Kane, who secretly sulked.
Chapter Twenty
Kane sat huddled on one of the Victorian sofas the following morning with a cup of coffee in his hand and a distant look on his face. He looked at the grandfather clock. It was seven o’clock in the morning. Hayes should have been there by now. If he couldn’t doctor his morning coffee, he wouldn’t be able to stop him from going on that hike. It was all falling apart fast. Unless Hayes didn’t show up at all. That would be perfect! Of course, that wasn’t going to happen. Nothing he’d done so far would have caused enough of a time ripple to alter the final result. Destiny was still on its destructive course. If it wasn’t, Kane would have returned to his correct time, and his torture would finally end. He wanted this entire mess behind him. It was too much for him to endure.
“Come on, Hayes,” Kane muttered.
There were footfalls on the stairs followed by Selena’s laughter. Kane straightened and looked to the archway. He didn’t know what happened last night, but he somehow had to smooth things over between them. This trip was turning into a disaster where Selena was concerned even if Casper insisted their interaction didn’t matter. Selena and Tucker entered the lounge while clinging to each other. Kane appeared surprised to see Tucker then became immediately disgusted. He wasn’t supposed to be there. He hadn’t been invited! Tucker grabbed her around the waist and nibbled on her neck while she giggled. Kane felt his entire body tense with loathe and jealousy. They’d obviously spent the night together, and he couldn’t stand thinking about them rolling around naked together. Tucker kissed her quickly on the lips, smiled lustfully at her, and left through the main door. Kane knew that smile. It was the coveted ‘sex was great last night’ smile. Seeing that smile on Tucker’s face made Kane ill. Selena approached the beverage cart while grinning, noticed Kane on the sofa, and smiled weakly.
“I’m sorry about last night, Kane,” Selena said timidly and with sincerity. “It’s been a really bad week.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about last night too.”
Despite his jealousy over a woman who technically wasn’t even his yet, Kane decided to seize his moment alone with her. He was about to speak when she quickly changed the subject.
“Did Hayes show up yet?”
Refocusing on Hayes was for the best. “No, not yet,” Kane informed her.
“What the hell--?” Selena bellowed.
There were more footfalls on the stairs followed by Riley and Casper’s voices. Riley and Casper entered the lounge a moment later and appeared to be enjoying each other’s company. Riley touched his arm while she laughed. Casper seemed to enjoy the way she touched him a little too much. Both looked at them as they entered the lounge.
“No Hayes,” Selena informed Riley.
Riley’s mood immediately turned cold. “Yeah, he called me a few minutes ago. He won’t be here until later,” she announced with the disgust evident in her voice.
“Yes!” Selena said excitedly.
Kane was almost as relieved as Selena. Hayes would miss the rockslide! He didn’t know how it was possible, but Hayes had changed his own destiny. Kane just didn’t understand why he remained trapped in the past.
“I’m going out to the site this morning as planned,” Riley informed her.
“No!” Selena said with a frown.
Kane felt a shockwave go through his body. That was possibly the common denominator. Riley would go without Hayes, encounter the same rockslide, and somehow blame Selena. Perhaps Riley’s injuries were what triggered her hostility toward Selena in the future. Maybe it was never about Hayes. He didn’t know how, but he had to stop Riley from going.
“Someone has to be responsible and take charge around here,” Riley informed her with the hostility evident in her tone. “I don’t need Hayes’ permission to do my job.”
“No,” Selena whined. “The others aren’t up yet. That means you’ll want me to go along.”
That was even worse! If Riley took Selena, that might cause an entirely different set of ripples, which apparently brought them to the same outcome.
“You don’t need to go, Selena,” Riley replied.
“Yes--again!”
“You’re not going alone,” Kane firmly announced, now having enough of the emotional roller coaster he’d been riding.
All eyes were suddenly on Kane, including Casper’s. Kane realized how that must have sounded and immediately fidgeted from the stares he received.
“Are you volunteering your chaperone services?” Riley teased and grinned in response.
Kane and Casper exchanged looks. Casper appeared horrified and shook his head in a secret signal.
“I’m not sure--” Kane began and searched for a response. “Maybe you should just wait until later.” Later after the rockslide happens.
“No take backs,” Riley announced cheerfully. “Go change into your hiking boots, city boy. You’re in for two hours of hiking fun. I’ll get the backpack and the map.” Riley looked at Selena, who appeared clueless as to what just happened. “Will you get the emergency radio?”
“Yeah, sure. You’ve got it.”
Selena and Riley left the lounge before either man could protest. Casper sat across from Kane on the sofa and stared at him with a look that chilled him.
“Dude, are you out of your mind?” Casper demanded softly. “That rockslide still happens, but this time it could be you killed in Hayes’ place.”
Kane appeared deep in thought and frantically searched for an answer. “I know, I’m thinking,” he replied then looked at Casper. “What if when we reach that spot, I tell her it’s too dangerous to cross?”
“How do you know that wasn’t exactly what Hayes said?” Casper demanded.
“There’s another trail.”
“And it’s twice as long,” Casper announced sternly. “She’ll never go for that.”
“I won’t give her a choice,” Kane remarked boldly.
“As if you could stop her from doing whatever the hell she pleases,” Casper scoffed.
“I’ll take care of it,” Kane informed him firmly. “If Hayes shows up, you can’t let him come after us. I don’t care if you have to tackle him to the ground and tie him up. Got it?”
“Yeah, man. I got it.”
Chapter Twenty-one
The large horse stable located toward the back of the property allowed guests to rent horses by the hour or for the day and take picnic lunches along the trail. For the less adventurous, there was a romantic carriage to whisk couples away to their favorite, secluded lunch spot. Several well cared for horses grazed in the pasture beyond elegant, split rail fencing. Kane stood outside the barn and talked to the teenage stable boy, who gave him instructions along with a map of the trails. Two horses saddled in western tack were tied to the hitching post only a few feet away from the barn. Riley uncertainly approached while carrying her backpack, saw Kane with the saddled horses, and appeared bewildered. She paused near Kane and again looked at the horses.
“Casper said you were out here,” Riley remarked. “What’s going on?”
Death Displacement: A time travel romantic thriller Page 10
