folks to get wind of any medical mishaps. They’d likely be here to “rescue” me in a heartbeat.
I weave in and out of the trees and check on the growing fruit. I tug off a few cherries from a tree and pop them into my mouth. Flavor bursts on my tongue, and ohmigod, who knew cherries right from a tree could be so yummy? I eat and walk the huge piece of land until bubbling sounds reach my ears.
In the clearing just ahead of me, I see the stream, the water rushing along my property. I dart a glance around to check for beavers, coyotes, and any other animal that could be lurking, and when I find myself all alone, I tug my phone from my pocket and take a few pictures. The place really is gorgeous and peaceful, exactly what I need after a “not-so-busy day,” according to Cindy.
That thought makes me snort as I set my phone down on a rock and peel off my coveralls and T-shirt. I wade into the cold water—not as cold as the Atlantic Ocean, thankfully—and let it wash away the heat of the day and the stain Bryce put on my mood. I swim out a bit, and off in the distance, Cluck crows, the noise carrying in the still air. I laugh and dip under again. I spend a long time floating and relaxing, and with my body now cooled, I climb from the water and go perfectly still when I notice my clothes have gone missing.
“What the hell?” I whisper and cover my half-naked body with my hands as I glance around. Fear pricks my skin, and I know I’m not alone out here. I spot my phone on a rock and snatch it up. I need to call someone, do something. I do not want to go streaking back to my place, especially if whoever took my clothes is still out there.
I pull up Jay’s number and call it. He answers on the third ring.
“Hello.”
“Jay, it’s Alyson,” I say in a whisper, trying not to sound as panicked as I feel.
“Are you okay?”
“No. I’m at the stream.” A bird takes flight overhead and scares the crap out of me. “I went for a swim, and someone stole my clothes.”
A moment of silence, like he’s trying to wrap his brain around what I just told him, and then, “Who would do that?”
“I don’t know, but I’m nervous.” I dart another glance around.
“What’s going on?” I hear Tyler ask in the background. Tyler is a joker, but I’m sure he’d never do something like this to me.
“I’ll be right there.”
I duck down by a tree and listen for footsteps. Silence surrounds me, and I hope whoever took my clothes is long gone by now. Wildlife scurries around me, and I spot a bunny darting into the underbrush. After a few minutes, I hear the crunch of leaves caused by someone, and I can only hope it’s Jay, running through the orchard.
“Alyson,” he says as he darts into the clearing, barely winded.
“Over here.” I stand, and he comes toward me with a towel and more of his clothes. “I’m sorry to bother you, Jay. I didn’t know who else to call.”
“It’s fine.”
“Tyler put your number in my phone this morning. In case of an emergency, I guess. I’m not sure this qualifies, but…”
“It qualifies.”
A garbled sound crawls out of my throat as I press the clothes to my chest. “Fate keeps throwing us together, and for some reason, I’m never dressed right.”
“Yeah, I know,” he says, and my gaze flies to his at the deepening of his voice. He shifts his stance, his eyes latched onto my mouth, and unable to help myself, I wet my lips in invitation. A small, tortured groan takes up space between us.
I swallow. Hard. “I really appreciate this,” I say and quickly dry myself off as my pulse flutters. I dress quickly as the scent of freshly laundered clothes reaches my nostrils.
“Tyler and his friends can be assholes, but they’d never do something like this, Alyson,” he says, defending his brother, and rightfully so. “He might be a smart-ass, but he knows right from wrong.”
“Ty’s a good kid. I know he wouldn’t do this.”
He scrubs his chin and glances around again. “Whoever’s messing with you is going to hear it from me if I ever get a hold of them.”
“Why do you think someone would take my stuff?” I hold my phone up. “Thank God they