CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

In the wee hours of the morning before the sun rose, I opened my eyes and sat up. After eighteen sponge baths, I was determined to get a real bath. Hitching my backpack over my shoulder, I slipped out of the tent. I’d bunched up the blankets on the cot to look like I was still sleeping in case anyone decided to check on me. Once outside, I sucked in a clean breath of air and felt the sense of freedom. Scanning the empty beach, I smiled. No one else had the idea of waking early like I had.

Following the sound of the water, I trudged through the dense brush and stopped, finally descending upon the majestic waterfall. Mist rose off the deep blue pool as ferns leaned over for a drink. Large round stones made perfect islands as if awaiting a mermaid to perch her slippery tail upon.

Slipping off my clothing down to my bra and underwear, I stepped into the water. Braced for the chill, the warmth surprised me. Then the sulfur smell registered. A hot spring.

“Geez,” I cursed under my breath. This had to be where everyone bathed, yet I’d been sheltered from it. Secrets and lies, the way of the colony.

I dove under, the water embracing me. This had been the first moment of peace since the abduction. The warmth infused the new tender skin on my inner thighs and took the ache in my wrist away. With the bar of soap, I washed my hair and the skin folds all over, evicting the sand that had made its home, then wiggled off my underwear to give them a good scrubbing, too. Grabbing the rest of my clothes, I swam to the far side and let the cold water rain down on my head.

A giggle escaped from my lips as the happiness of being clean overwhelmed me. I’d be sneaking out every morning from now on.

Knowing my time was short, I quickly scrubbed the dirt off my jeans and shirt, and wrung them out. I had my dress in my pack which I’d hidden behind the tree, but if I was caught returning with wet hair, they’d know I’d slipped away.

Plunging myself underwater one last time, I wished for gills so I could live in this watery heaven forever. My lungs had other plans and I moved to the surface, unable to hold my breath any longer. A muffled boom sounding close to shore stole my attention and I opened my eyes. Off in the distance, white bubbles rose everywhere.

I remained under water and swam to the nearest rock before surfacing. Looking around the edge, I worked to listen over the shushing water, but no one was there. Only a lone cowboy hat lay on the rocks, one that hadn’t been there a few moments ago.

Other voices began to filter over the noise; guy’s voices. Quickly, I snagged my drying clothes off the rock and pulled them underwater with me. Then there was a splash. I peeked again and caught an eyeful of skin and parts I’d never seen before. I stifled a squeal, shielding my eyes.

“Hey, Van!”

“Garrett!”

“Cannon ball!”

My heart thundered as I moved further into the cave. The entire lagoon was filled with naked guys. What if they came under the waterfall? What if they caught me? I wedged myself into the corner between a rock and the wall, hoping no one would investigate this far inside. Smearing mud on my face and hair, I put on my dark shirt, and did my best to sink down and blend into the wall.

Through the sheet of the water, I saw Van laughing and pointing.

“Well, look who’s here ya’ll.”

I leaned over to see who else arrived, expecting Kaden. Wearing nothing but his boxers, Memphis stepped from the trees and dove into the pool. He emerged with a triumphant whoop.

“Done with babysitting duties?” Garrett teased.

“Babysitting?” Memphis let out a low whistle. “Don’t you wish.”

“Until Kaden officially claims his property,” Dixon added. “Might as well take advantage.”

Memphis shrugged. “She’s not his… officially.” A wicked grin curved his lips.

A chorus of catcalls bounced off the water.

“I knew it!” Van said, splashing Memphis. “There had’a be only one reason why you were gettin’ back here a day late, ya lucky dawg.”

“Dude!” Garret followed. “No way!”

“I don’t kiss and tell.” Memphis held up his hands. “But man, does she love to call out my name.” He fell into the water like he’d fainted.

More cheers erupted once his head broke the surface and I wanted to die. My chest tightened even more as the muffled conversation continued on and Memphis didn’t stop their assumption we had fooled around.

With a huge grin, Memphis climbed onto a rock. “No girl can resist this gun show.” He flexed his arms and kissed each bicep before doing a flip into the water.

Everything inside me wanted to swim out and rip out his jugular. But as more barely clad guys appeared, the conversation became a garble of shouts and laughter over the splashes. If I came out of hiding, I’d look like the perv.

Then a trail of bubbles burst under the waterfall. A blond head popped above the surface. I pinched my eyes shut and willed myself to remain still.

“So what’s up with Kaden, man?” Van asked. “Wound up tight. I can’t get a word out of him, other than Abby’s off limits.”

What? Off limits?

“Who knows? After his vision, he thinks he’s all high and mighty. Up for an Elder position, blah blah blah.” Memphis sneered. “Totally hilarious since Abby can’t stand him. All they ever do is fight. He thought she’d be his golden ticket and she’s not cooperating.”

Van laughed and my gut felt like I’d been punched. “Well if he would have told me what he was up to, I woulda went with him. Heck. There’s gotta be more girls in Brighton in need of some Southern lovin’. More than what we got here in our sorry homestead.”

“What? You’re not into sweet Ursula?” Memphis chuckled as Van groaned. “With her mole and missing toof.”

“I ain’t picky, but she’s older than dirt.” Van sighed. “And I can’t even imagine kissing that woman, even if I were drunk. Once Kaden lightens up, I’m gonna ask if he could find me a girl. I’d take anyone over Ursula, but if he found one half as gorgeous as Abby, I’d owe him my left nut.”

“She is sweet, isn’t she?” He hummed.

“Don’t lie, man. We all know she ain’t touched you,” Van said.

Oh, for the love of goodness, yes! My respect for Van rose and I would have sang to prove it if I could have.

“So what’s your plan today, Romeo?” Van finished. “How you gonna steal her from Kaden?”

A sick feeling fell over me. I’d thought Memphis was the honest one, the kind one. I’d been played.

“After that cobbler Aunt Clara baked, she’s like putty in my hands. I’m thinking something real romantic. Like a picnic with candles and wine on the beach. She’s never seen the ocean. Didn’t you say you found some of that sweet smelling lotion? Chicks dig that, right?”

“I ain’t givin’ ya my stash or my secrets.” Van laughed. “Heck, after she comes back disgusted with you, maybe I’ll woo her myself—well, with Kaden’s blessin’. Women cannot resist a Southern gentleman.”

“Gentleman, as if? Pfft.” Memphis said. There was a splash, then silence.

“No way, jackass. Screw Kaden. She’s mine. You’ll see.” Memphis’ private confession took my breath away and my heart nearly broke free from my chest as I dared to open my eyes.

Only after his blond head disappeared underwater, did I breathe. That was until I spotted Kaden on the bank, staring directly at me.

Date: 2015-02-03; view: 610