Body Shot (Last Shot)(71)

Carrie choked on her tequila. “Four hundred breasts?”

Marco grinned. “Yes.”

Carrie gave her head a shake and held up her hands. “That’s just wrong.”

“Like I said, this is mix of myth and fact. Anyway, to alleviate Quetzalcoatl’s pain at losing his beloved, the other gods gave the agave a liquid that, when drunk, would comfort and erase painful memories. And those who drink from the agave will live happily ever after.” Marco lifted his glass of tequila in a toast, his eyes twinkling.

Hayden met Carrie’s eyes and they joined in the laughter of the others listening. “I love how he pronounces the Spanish words,” Hayden whispered to Carrie. “It’s so sexy.”

“Eh.” Carrie wrinkled her nose. “He’s putting on a show.”





Chapter 19


The next morning, Beck arrived at Hayden’s place to pick her up and drive her to her aunt and uncle’s. This was the price he paid for taking her on an adventure yesterday when she should have been helping them. To convince her to spend the day with him, he’d told her he’d come with her and help.

This wasn’t the first time he’d gone back to her aunt and uncle’s place with her, after that night Gina had fallen. He’d found himself there a couple of times, helping out with things. Not how he usually spent a day off. Cade and Marco were spending the afternoon sailing. Would he rather be with them?

Hmmm.

While a sailboat on the ocean did sound appealing, he’d rather be on the boat with Hayden. So sailing would be their next adventure, another time. Today he’d make her life a little easier.

Morning fog was burning off over the coast as they pulled into the driveway in front of Gina and Colin Strong’s house. They’d stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few things and had also gotten coffee. He let Hayden carry their cups while he hefted the grocery bags into the house.

They paused to peer into the living room, which was empty.

“Aunt Gina?” Hayden called.

“Out here, Hayden!” The voice came from the open sliding doors onto the patio. Beck followed Hayden across the living room and outside. There her aunt was seated on a comfortably padded patio chair, reading a book. Hayden set their coffees on a table and bent down for a hug. Gina hugged her back then smiled at Beck. “Hello again, Beck. What have you got there?”

He held up the bags. “Just a few things we bought. I’ll take them into the kitchen.”

“Oh.” Gina’s forehead creased in a distressed expression. “Do you have to…I’m so sorry. It’s a mess in there. I just haven’t gotten to it yet.”

“Hey, no worries, you should see my bachelor condo.” He smiled at her and turned back into the house.

“You’re getting better every week,” Hayden said to her aunt. “But you’re not up to cleaning a whole big house yet. I wish you’d hire someone to come in and clean, Aunt Gina.”

Why would they, when Hayden came to do it? Beck sighed, listening to them talk through the open windows as he set the bags on the counter and began to unload them.

“How’s your hip, Aunt Gina?” She hadn’t done any major damage when she’d fallen that night, but it had set back her recovery.

“It’s about the same.” Gina sighed.

“Where’s Uncle Colin?”

“Out back. Doing something with the fish.”

Beck peered out the big kitchen window and saw Colin bent over the stone pond. He turned and surveyed the kitchen. Damn. He looked at Colin again.

Straightening his shoulders, he walked out another set of sliding doors onto the patio. The yard really was gorgeous. He jogged down a couple of steps to the lush grass and wandered toward Colin. The older man looked up.

“Oh, hey there, Beck. Didn’t know you were coming again today.” He slowly pushed up to his feet. “I’d shake your hand but mine are pretty dirty.”

“No worries.” Beck smiled. “Looks like you’ve been working.”

“Yeah. There’s always something that needs doing out here.”

“Nice pond.”

“Thanks. Built it myself. Put all those plants in too.”

“Did you build that gazebo?” Beck nodded.

“Yeah.” Colin moved toward it and Beck followed him. “It’s a nice place to sit outside in the evening. Not that we do that much anymore.”

Beck admired the structure and asked a few questions about some of the plants and shrubs around the yard. “So great to have such a big space in the city.”

“Yeah.” Colin grinned. “It’s my pride and joy. Check out my azaleas.” He paused. “You’re probably not much into horticulture.”