Tink: You better not have left town without seeing me first!
Jemmy: Bombshell just dropped! You know that saying it’s a small world, you have no clue!
Jemmy: Call me when you get a chance
Troy: Good morning beautiful. I don’t want you to worry, but I’m taking Jax to the hospital.
Noah: Feeling better today! Taking Drake to his appointment later. Miss you!
“Did anyone talk to Jemmy?” I asked as Remy pulled a turquoise top over my head.
“It’s unseasonably hot out,” he explained as I looked at the sleeveless top with scoop neck. It was shorter, so a sliver of skin was exposed below the shirt and above my sand colored shorts.
I looked over at Jace and saw that he was dressed in a pair of cargo khaki shorts with a baby blue polo that made his blue eyes stand out even more. It was still surreal to me that it was the beginning of January and we were able to wear shorts. It was going to be a shock returning to cold weather.
“Jemmy’s left me some messages, but I’m not really in the mood to talk to her,” Jace stated resolutely as he took a bite of his breakfast sandwich.
Remy grabbed his own sandwich. “She left me a message, too.”
I took a sip of my coffee and contemplated how I was going to approach Lincoln. I took two more bites of my sandwich, then put it down, unable to finish it. “Okay, boys, wish me luck,” I said as I stood up.
“Let me drive you to the public access beach. He ran in that direction,” Remy stated as he stood up. “I might just come back here and crash if you don’t mind, Jace.”
“Have at it, man,” Jace said with a nod. “We don’t need you driving if you’re tired. I’ll keep watch on the cameras, just in case.” Jace stood and kissed me on the nose and gave me a brief hug.
Remy nodded and then grabbed the keys to the other vehicle off the counter. “Do you want your coffee? You really don’t function before your first cup.”
“True story.” I feigned a laugh, my mind whirling with all the possibilities of how this meeting was going to go. I grabbed my coffee and followed Remy out of the camper.
He was already in the car and was busy playing with the radio when I slid into the passenger seat. I sighed, my worry getting to me. “Who’s next?” I muttered in frustration.
“None of us. You’re going to charm him, and he’ll want to make the connection,” Remy said with conviction although it didn’t reach his eyes.
I snorted in doubt as he continued to drive. I didn’t know what I’d do if the guys continued to get sick and I didn’t convince Lincoln to make a connection. Will our lost connection affect him too? Could I persuade him by telling him that his health may suffer if we didn’t connect?
It didn’t feel like that it took that long before we found the side road that led to the public access beach. I leaned over and kissed Remy on the cheek. “Get some sleep,” I told him softly.
“I wish I could go with you,” he grumbled.
“I know you do, but you know I have to do this on my own,” I patted his cheek, his stubble rough across my palms. “See you soon.”
He nodded as his hands clenched and unclenched on the wheel.
I headed towards the beach and took off my sandals when I reached the sand. The sand felt warm on my toes from the sun’s heat. I noticed that the whole beach was empty. I looked out at the ocean and couldn’t help but admire its beauty. I turned and looked around.
I could see a few houses. I wondered if this beach was a well-kept secret. Even though it was seven in the morning, I expected to see at least a few people on the bench. I looked off to my right and saw a figure heading my way. It had to be him. I took a deep, calming breath and took a seat on the warm sand. Might as well be comfortable while I waited.
I wished I had brought my sunglasses, as the sun was blinding as it bounced off the water. It wasn’t long before he was within a few feet of me. I tried not to notice that he was topless and only wore a pair of gym shorts that were slung low on his hips. A towel was casually hung around his shoulders.
“Done stalking me from your RV?” he asked sardonically, slightly breathless as he wiped his brow off of sweat.
I gaped at him. “You knew I was out there and didn’t say anything or find out why I was out there?” I asked in surprise.
“I knew exactly who you were the moment I met you,” he said in a clipped tone. “You forget I knew how to jump long before you started stealing my gift and making me weaker. I’m just wondering why a gift thief is suddenly in my world.”
I was now sitting in his massive kitchen with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in front of me. He refused to talk to me on the beach. He told me that the paparazzi had been known to lie in wait for him. Especially now that he’d finished wrapping up his latest movie.
“I’m not a gift thief,” I finally stated as he took a long drag of his bottle of water. “How much do you know about our gifts? Our community?”