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Willa shivered, remembering the night before when Odell had buried something on the property.
“Could this place be any creepier?” Henri asked, returning with another bottle of wine. She handed it to Landry, smiling suggestively as she said, “Be a love and open that for me, will ya?”
Landry returned Henri’s smile and took the corkscrew from her and slowly opened the bottle while Henri watched, as if in fascination. Willa found herself watching, as well. His movements were skilled, his hands large and nicely shaped, the backs tanned from the sun, his fingers working the cork slowly, gently, patiently from the bottle.
He would be that kind of lover, Willa thought, then looked away, shocked by the very idea.
“Odell tells us you’re here because of a broken heart?” Landry said to the redhead.
Henri nodded. “He turned out to be a real bastard.”
“All men are bastards,” Landry said. “It’s only the degree of bastard that separates us.” He shot a look at Willa. “Isn’t that right, darlin’?”
“Absolutely,” she said. “And if anyone knows, it’s you, sweetheart.”
He grinned meeting her gaze. “You can see why I love her.”
Henri laughed and took the glass of wine Landry gave her before stumbling into her lawn chair again. Blossom hadn’t moved but she did seem to be watching everything. Just as Willa had seen her apparently listening to everything the evening before.
The steaks ready, Odell handed everyone a plate. “It’s not fancy,” he said when he gave Willa hers. “Steak and salad. That’s as fancy as we get out here in the middle of nowhere. Kind of like out West. Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas. Not that I’ve ever been there.” He smiled at her.
She took the plate, her fingers trembling. She hadn’t told him she was from South Dakota, had she? Or was he just making small talk?
She glanced at Landry.
If he’d heard, he gave no indication. He was busy cutting his steak. He took a bite. “Great steaks, Odell. You’ll have to give me your marinade recipe.”
Odell smiled and said, “Thanks,” but Willa could see that he didn’t like Landry. Not that she could blame him.
Henri didn’t eat much of her dinner but was all over the s’mores. She was letting Landry make her another one when Odell touched Willa’s shoulder and motioned her toward the open door of his apartment.
“Would you mind helping me a minute?” he asked quietly.
Landry and Henri didn’t seem to notice. Blossom was watching them with apparent disinterest.
“Sure,” Willa said, and stepped into his apartment.
He moved to the back where there was a small kitchenette. The moment she joined him, he turned to face her. “How long have you known him?”
Willa blinked, not sure at first who he was talking about.
“Tim,” Odell said. “How lo
ng have you known him?”
“Not that long,” she admitted. “Why?”
“I just have a bad feeling about him,” Odell said. “I know it sounds silly. But he feels…dangerous.”
She couldn’t have agreed more. “Dangerous?” she repeated, just for something to say.
Odell grasped her forearm. “Don’t trust him. I’m serious. I don’t think he’s right for you.” He took his hand back quickly as if he realized he was overstepping his bounds. “I’m sorry. It isn’t any of my business. You’re obviously attracted to him. Maybe I’m all wrong about him.”
“No,” she said, and quickly added, “I appreciate your concern. I’ll be careful.”
“You just don’t seem like the type of woman who would go for that kind of man. You know, the crude, aggressive type.” Was that how Odell saw Landry? “He isn’t the one who hurt you, is he?”
Had she told Odell the same story she’d told Gator? Or had Odell gotten his information from Gator? She really had to try to remember who she was telling what to. Keeping track of her lies was exhausting.
