Siren Rock by Laurie Keck Read Free Book Online

will.” Grant put his arm around Larina as they walked and enjoyed the daybreak and the fierceness of the breaking waves.
    Larina rested her head on her father’s shoulder as she asked him, “How did you know he would take it so well? And why are you not afraid that he knows our secret?”
    “Larina, a person has to trust and believe in someone. Life is to be shared, love is to be felt. And a secret is only healthy if another person knows it and accepts you for it. That’s how you know true love.”
    “Mother’s a lucky woman.”
    “I am glad you think so, but it’s actually I who has been the lucky one.”
    Larina saw a conch shell up ahead and went running over to it. She picked it up and held it up for her father to see.
    Grant said, “We can turn that into a horn for you.”
    She tilted her head. “Yeah, we can.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Returning home, Larina and Grant approached the veranda. Sunmoon ran ahead and shook the wetness from his coat.
    “Do you want a fire, boy? I hear you.” Grant went over and gathered the wood and began to prepare a fire. Larina went into the house and soon returned with her father’s pipe, his tobacco, newspaper, and reading glasses. As she placed them by his chair, Grant glanced over. “Thank you. You take good care of me.”
    Larina said, “I was thinking I might invite Case over, maybe make some oysters.”
    “I think that would be a very nice way to spend an afternoon. I, for one, can make myself scarce.”
    “No, Daddy, Case would love to see you. I won’t do it unless you say you’ll join us.”
    “Then I’ll join you.”
    “Great. I’ll call him and then go to the marina and get everything. I’ll see you soon.”
    Grant sat in his chair and reached down and stroked Sunmoon. “There, does that fire help? You know, if I have my way, your mother will have an even bigger family one day.”
    “Daddy, I heard that!” she yelled from the doorway.
    Grant chuckled to himself and went back to reading his paper.
     
    * * * *
     
    As Case drove up the drive to his ranch, Bandit’s head was braced against the car door to inhale all the scents. When they reached the top of the hill on the property, Case noticed instantly something was wrong, that something was gone.
    “Damn.” He pounded his fist against the steering wheel and then lowered his head onto it. He exhaled as he undid his seatbelt and then reached over to unclasp Bandit’s. He hopped out of the truck, slammed the door, and walked to the other side. He opened the door and patted his leg. “Come on, boy.”
    Bandit jumped out.
    Case pushed up his shirtsleeves as he walked swiftly to the side of the house toward the pit. He squatted and picked up limbs and branches. He held them in front of him, confused, as if trying to figure out the pieces of a complicated puzzle. There with no way to figure it out. Why would someone have destroyed his tree? He threw a branch as far as he could. He kicked the dirt and straw with his feet. “Damn. Why?”
    He felt his heart race and rushed over to the stable. Bandit followed. As he entered, Doe and Rae greeted him. He scratched their heads and saw both Robust and Sas were standing peacefully in their stalls. He braced himself against the wall of the stable and exhaled. He then walked over to Robust, and as he entered the stall, he whispered, “Hey, buddy, just checking. You okay?” He patted him and extensively ran his hands over his body. “Good boy. Glad you’re well.” He went over and checked on Sas before going back outside.
    He walked to the sawdust pile and picked up a two-inch double needle. He rubbed his neck while he paced and muttered, all the while staring at the pine needle. He sat on the log near the pit and placed his hands on his temples, staring over at the pile. There was nothing more than kindling and a small root where the sand pine had once stood. Bandit came over and lay at his feet. Case reached down and stroked his head.
    “Well, guess that’s