Haunted by Cheryl Douglas Read Free Book Online Page B

threat. Not because he thought Ryan wouldn’t make good on it,
but because he would react the same way in Ryan’s position. He’d earned Caleb’s
respect. “You don’t have to worry about her. I think I’m the one who should be
worried. It’s only been a few days, and she’s already monopolizing my
thoughts.”
    Ryan grinned. “Take it from me, that’s how
it always starts. You’re doomed, my friend.”
     
     

Chapter Five
     
    Elle couldn’t remember the last time she’d
felt so young and carefree. Even though it was just a quick weekend getaway, it
was the closest thing to a vacation she’d ever had.
    “Do you like fishing?” Caleb asked,
brushing his thumb against her palm.
    “Um, I’ve never really been.”
    “You don’t know what you’re missing, girl.
Tomorrow morning, we’ll wake up at dawn and get out there for the morning bite.
There’s nothing more exhilarating than fighting a huge tuna.” He smiled at her
wary expression. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you reel in the first one. After that,
I’ll strap you in so you don’t fall overboard, and you’ll be on your own.”
    She didn’t know if he was kidding or not,
but the idea was so far removed from her real life that she found the idea
intriguing. Elle enjoyed the warm breeze blowing through the open window,
brushing against her upturned face as they crossed the Seven-Mile Bridge. She’d
noticed a change in Caleb as soon as their plane touched down in Miami. He
seemed happier, more relaxed, as though he was happy to be back.
    “Is your place nearby?” she asked, taking
in the quaint shops and restaurants.
    “Not too much farther.” He kissed her hand
with a smile. “Getting anxious?”
    “Maybe a little.” She couldn’t tell him
she’d been looking so forward to this, she’d tossed and turned all night.
    He waved to a uniformed security guard at a
gatehouse as they passed through immaculately maintained grounds. Elle had been
expecting a condo building on the beach, not beautiful stucco homes with
manicured lawns and carefully tended flowerbeds. Each home looked like a
private oasis, the epitome of luxury, yet they still managed to feel welcoming.
Brightly colored chairs were positioned on each patio to take advantage of the
breathtaking water views.
    “This isn’t what I was expecting,” she
whispered.
    “You like what you see so far?” He seemed
pleased by her reaction.
    “I love it. But when you said you had a
condo in the Keys, I expected a few hundred square feet in a high-rise
building. I definitely wasn’t expecting anything like this.”
    He waved out to a middle-aged couple
walking a Cocker Spaniel. “It is a condo; the homes just happen to be detached.
The common grounds are maintained by the corporation, and I don’t have to worry
about the grass and flower beds. They have an amazing recreation and fitness
facility for the owners and a few great restaurants.”
    “Impressive.” Elle was no stranger to
opulence, but she hadn’t spent much time considering what her money could buy
her. She wasn’t into fancy cars, and she had only bought her monstrosity in
Nashville because Ricky loved it so much. Maybe she should buy a vacation home
in a place like this…
    “I like the fact that it’s a gated
community,” Caleb added. “It gives me peace of mind when I’m not here.”
    “Yeah, I see what you mean.” Everyone
seemed friendly, smiling and waving as they passed. A few even called out to
Caleb to get his attention. She loved the sense of familiarity and security,
something that seemed absent in her own life.
    “I had a feeling you’d love it here,” he
said, grinning when she smiled. “It’s really laid back. Everyone’s here for the
same reason: to relax and have a good time. It’s easy to make friends here.”
    “Are many of your neighbors permanent
residents?” Elle imagined what it would be like to hole up here and let her
biggest concern be what to throw on the grill.
    “Some are.