the next couple of hours driving around the town and familiarizing themselves with the area. When the stores finally opened, they purchased additional clothing, more groceries and a few other necessities.
Rianna found a brochure with information on boat rentals, so she called several marinas until she found one with a recent cancellation. After learning that a houseboat was available immediately, they headed for the lake.
"What's the name of the place?" asked Tremont.
"It's called Beaver Creek Resort, and it's near
Monticello
. There are several marinas with docks and fuel stations, but the only one with an availability is Beaver Creek. This is the height of their tourist season, so we got lucky. I think they said they have one good-size houseboat for rent."
"What's good-size?"
She showed him the picture in the brochure. "There are several types, each in a different price range with different amenities and the capacity to sleep a different number of people. I guess ours is over sixty feet long.
"According to the brochure, it features a galley with a gas stove, refrigerator, running water, generator, central heat, AC, microwave, electric lights, deck furniture, gas grill, swimming ladder, power steering, and a sliding board off the top deck."
Tremont whistled softly. "Sounds like a small yacht, and looks like it must be top of the line."
"Nope, top of the line is a lot bigger, sleeps more people and costs more."
He shot a glance at her. " Which brings up the question of how we're going to pay for this rental. I don't carry around that sort of cash, we can't charge it to Uncle Sam, and we sure can't use plastic."
"I have several thousand dollars' worth of cash with me," she told him, earning herself another, longer, sharper look. "When I moved in with Gregory, he insisted on giving me an allowance and buying me designer clothes. I've been hoarding the money and even selling a few designer gowns."
His laugh wasn't pleasant. "So your lover is paying for our little hideout."
Rianna managed to keep her temper reined, but just barely. "He and all the people he's swindled out of money, including Uncle Sam," she returned succinctly.
The reminder of Haroldson cranked the tension between them again, so they grew silent, speaking only about directions. The road that led to the marina was sharply winding, and they drove downhill at a forty-five-degree angle for more than fifteen minutes before Tremont complained.
"You're sure this dock isn't in China ?" he asked, as they kept going downward, mile after mile, in the seemingly endless spiral of a roller coaster.
"I told you the lake was carved out of solid rock. It takes a while to get down to the water."
She hoped the high rock walls would be an added barrier between them and Gregory's far-reaching network of criminals.
----
Chapter 4
« ^ »
T he marina came into view just as she finished explaining, and she caught her breath at the sight. There were boats in all sizes and shapes. Some were moored while others were coming or going on the water. The whole place was bigger, more modern and a lot more commercial than she remembered, but the overall beauty still held her in awe.
Her heart thudded heavily in her chest as emotion ballooned inside her. She could visualize her parents holding hands, laughing and teasing while her brother chased after them, always skipping and chattering. There hadn't been many happy, carefree times for her family, but they'd shared one wonderful week here.
The precious memories brought a lump to her throat and a rush of rare tears to her eyes. She swiftly blinked them away as Tremont parked the car.
He turned more fully toward her, and Rianna knew he sensed a change in her. His demeanor underwent a subtle change, too.
She clenched her teeth and turned her head to avoid his probing gaze. She hated feeling so emotionally fragile. The memories were private and cherished, so she kept them carefully guarded in her heart.
"You okay?"
She
Rianna found a brochure with information on boat rentals, so she called several marinas until she found one with a recent cancellation. After learning that a houseboat was available immediately, they headed for the lake.
"What's the name of the place?" asked Tremont.
"It's called Beaver Creek Resort, and it's near
Monticello
. There are several marinas with docks and fuel stations, but the only one with an availability is Beaver Creek. This is the height of their tourist season, so we got lucky. I think they said they have one good-size houseboat for rent."
"What's good-size?"
She showed him the picture in the brochure. "There are several types, each in a different price range with different amenities and the capacity to sleep a different number of people. I guess ours is over sixty feet long.
"According to the brochure, it features a galley with a gas stove, refrigerator, running water, generator, central heat, AC, microwave, electric lights, deck furniture, gas grill, swimming ladder, power steering, and a sliding board off the top deck."
Tremont whistled softly. "Sounds like a small yacht, and looks like it must be top of the line."
"Nope, top of the line is a lot bigger, sleeps more people and costs more."
He shot a glance at her. " Which brings up the question of how we're going to pay for this rental. I don't carry around that sort of cash, we can't charge it to Uncle Sam, and we sure can't use plastic."
"I have several thousand dollars' worth of cash with me," she told him, earning herself another, longer, sharper look. "When I moved in with Gregory, he insisted on giving me an allowance and buying me designer clothes. I've been hoarding the money and even selling a few designer gowns."
His laugh wasn't pleasant. "So your lover is paying for our little hideout."
Rianna managed to keep her temper reined, but just barely. "He and all the people he's swindled out of money, including Uncle Sam," she returned succinctly.
The reminder of Haroldson cranked the tension between them again, so they grew silent, speaking only about directions. The road that led to the marina was sharply winding, and they drove downhill at a forty-five-degree angle for more than fifteen minutes before Tremont complained.
"You're sure this dock isn't in China ?" he asked, as they kept going downward, mile after mile, in the seemingly endless spiral of a roller coaster.
"I told you the lake was carved out of solid rock. It takes a while to get down to the water."
She hoped the high rock walls would be an added barrier between them and Gregory's far-reaching network of criminals.
----
Chapter 4
« ^ »
T he marina came into view just as she finished explaining, and she caught her breath at the sight. There were boats in all sizes and shapes. Some were moored while others were coming or going on the water. The whole place was bigger, more modern and a lot more commercial than she remembered, but the overall beauty still held her in awe.
Her heart thudded heavily in her chest as emotion ballooned inside her. She could visualize her parents holding hands, laughing and teasing while her brother chased after them, always skipping and chattering. There hadn't been many happy, carefree times for her family, but they'd shared one wonderful week here.
The precious memories brought a lump to her throat and a rush of rare tears to her eyes. She swiftly blinked them away as Tremont parked the car.
He turned more fully toward her, and Rianna knew he sensed a change in her. His demeanor underwent a subtle change, too.
She clenched her teeth and turned her head to avoid his probing gaze. She hated feeling so emotionally fragile. The memories were private and cherished, so she kept them carefully guarded in her heart.
"You okay?"
She
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