Page 101 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

“Fucking Pollyanna,” Kerry grumbled under his breath.

The foursome worked together to sort and tunnel their way to the bigger pieces of furniture, then loaded them onto the three pickup trucks and secured the cargo safely in the beds. Cynthia offered her house key to Seth so they could get a head start on unloading, but Seth pointed out that there was a lot of space left inside the three pickup cabs.

“Makes no sense not to grab everything we can,” he said, ignoring Kerry’s glower.

It seemed Seth wasn’t the only gloomy one among the crowd that morning. Shawna seconded Seth’s suggestion, forcing Kerry to agree or look like a dick. Cynthia had been Natalie’s best friend, and Kerry had always reserved one of his few soft spots for her. The bright morning sunshine disappeared under thick cloud cover, casting the rented unit in shadow. The breeze picked up, stirring leaves and dust into a miniature cyclone.

Kerry glanced at the sky before scanning the cramped space. “I think we’re only going to get one trip before the skies open up.”

“Oh darn,” Cynthia said. “I’d hoped to clean out half of this by myself today. Oh well. Guess I’ll focus on unpacking whatever we move on this trip. Grab anything marked for the kitchen and bathroom. I’ve got the essentials everywhere else.”

It didn’t take them long to stuff the interiors of the four vehicles. Seth had just grabbed the pull rope to close the rolling door when his gaze landed on a box marked as high school stuff. The top of a trophy stuck up through the untucked flaps. “Do you have room for one more, Cyn?” Seth called over his shoulder.

She joined him at the front of the unit and followed the direction he pointed. The crestfallen expression on her face made him want to kick himself. She’d already told him how sad she’d been since Natalie’s remembrance celebration, and he pointed out a box of souvenirs most likely filled with memories of her best friend. Any trophy Cyn had she’d earned alongside Nat because she’d given up all her beloved sports after that fateful summer day. And Seth suggested she take that box of bittersweet memories into the home she viewed as a fresh start after a painful breakup. Way to go, idiot.

“I think I’ll tackle those ghosts another day,” Cynthia said.

Seth wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.” He’d only told his immediate family about the CBI’s cold case unit taking a look at Natalie’s case. He figured the news might make her feel a little better and shared it with her.

Cynthia’s eyes widened and welled with tears. Then, she ducked her head against Seth’s chest. “You’re the best, and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.”

She would sing a different tune if she found out about his relationship with Rueben. When, not if. There was no way in hell they’d keep this a secret. For one thing, Oliver knew the truth, and their past relationship wouldn’t prevent him from going public with a story once he corroborated his suspicions. Seth wasn’t foolish enough to believe Amos Martindale was going to disappear without a fight either. The guy had plenty of money and time to disrupt Seth’s life, so being with Rueben should’ve been the last thing on his mind, yet Seth called him as soon as he was alone in his truck.

Pick up. Pick up. Pick up.

Rueben answered on the second ring. “Hello, sexy.”

Seth didn’t realize how wound up he’d become until the warm voice nearly melted him into a puddle of goo on the seat. “I miss you so fucking much.”

A soft chuckle stirred butterflies in Seth’s stomach. “I just talked to you a few hours ago. Did you forget?”

Rueben had coaxed him through an orgasm by describing the vivid dream he’d had about them fucking in the claw-foot tub at the cabin. Seth would remember that long after he died. The physical part of their conversations hadn’t changed; it was the emotional ties that had frayed over the past few days. “Of course not,” Seth said. “I need more, baby. I want to hold you.” He wanted to look into those mesmerizing brown eyes when Rueben lied and said everything was okay.

Rueben sighed wistfully. “You know it’s not a good idea.”

“I don’t care. We’re destined to get discovered, so we might as well make the best of it.” Seth swallowed hard. “There are things I need to say to you, and I don’t want to do it over the phone.” But he would if it came down to it. If Rueben wanted to end things, Seth at least wanted him to know just how real his feelings were. “Maybe waiting for the perfect moment is stupid. We both know how fleeting life can be. Baby, I lo—”

“Don’t you dare, Seth Jamison Burke.”

“Wow.” Seth couldn’t help but smile at the scolding. “Middle name and all.”

“You’ll look me in the eye and say it to my face, or you won’t say it at all.” Rueben inhaled deep and slow. “What time?”

“Hmmm?”

Rueben chuckled. “What time do we meet at our special place?”

“I’m free as soon as we unload the boxes and furniture at Cynthia’s house, but you have poker and—”

“You’re more important than a card game.” They both knew poker nights on the ranch were more significant than that. “I have some supplies to grab, and I’ll meet you there in a few hours.”

Seth’s spirit soared for the first time since Rueben left his cabin on Wednesday afternoon. “Supplies?”

“Food staples and some other things.” Rueben’s voice thickened on the last part and piqued Seth’s curiosity. “Don’t worry. I’ll be discreet.”

“Does that mean you plan to stay for a while?”

“If you’ll have me.”