Beauty (A Midsummer Suspense Tale) Read Free Page A

weren’t out here on vacation, no matter what she decided to call the trip.
    “Bed and breakfast,” Scott offered.
    But Sawyer shook his head to that too. “Rented house. Out of the way. You know the drill. I already picked the place.” And put down the money for a month. He figured they’d end up there a week, maybe two, but maybe they’d get lucky. Either way, it was set, and the driver knew the way.
    Scott and Val went silent ahead of him. Not just ignoring him, but entirely silent. So they didn’t like his plans. Did he care? No. They didn’t have to come along—he sure as hell didn’t ask them. Let him brood alone in silence out in the middle of nowhere, he’d be fine with that. But no, they had to tag along, probably to ease their own worries rather than his. So they’d follow his damn rules in the meantime.
    He felt the frown creeping on his face, tried to relax again but then the previous relaxation was just pretend anyway. Sawyer was tense, wound tight, stress and worry clawing at him no matter how he tried to ignore it. And exhaustion. Bone-deep weariness he couldn’t shake no matter the time that passed.
    The SUV jostled around on a rough road, suggesting they were out of town already and headed deeper into the country, and the movement just reminded him his head hurt. There wasn’t much change in the noise level, at least—Midsummer had been fairly silent as they rolled through the downtown. Population had to be a couple thousand and much of the citizens were spread out in farmland and big country homes. Soon the rush of water sounded in the distance, over the faint noise from the SUV’s heaters. He’d rented a beach house, something reported isolated on a good chunk of property. Normally it would have to be booked months in advance, but only if he’d come during the summer. In fall, it was empty, and the realtor had been more than happy to offer it when his people called.
    Eventually the SUV slowed and Sawyer cracked open his pale grey eyes. A long winding driveway unfurled like a ribbon up a slope, past wrought iron gates. The place had some security but not much. Less than he was used to, but then calling in more would’ve alerted someone, somewhere to his presence.
    To his right stretched a massive lake in the distance, bleached sandy hills and tall uncut grass. Simple. He was grateful for that, the untouched natural beauty of the property. The house itself was directly ahead, two levels visible up front and a third below that opened to the beach, according to the photos. Tall, wide windows took up much of the walls, allowing in natural night. White and airy, clean modern lines. The place was furnished, cleaned and ready for their stay. Just the sight of it filled him with relief, weight lifting from his shoulders. Scott had picked up the key when they neared town an hour ago—Sawyer had been clear about not wanting anyone there to meet them or show them around. The fewer people the better.
    Jeffrey swung the vehicle past the four car garage and pulled up near the front steps to the house and a path of wide, light gray interlock stones. Sawyer turned his gaze from the house to Valerie ahead of him. Her eyes, a gray tinged more blue than his own, were locked on his, and a dark brown eyebrow was cocked with enough questions she didn’t have to say a word.
    “Not right now,” he warned, less bite and more weariness to his tone than he’d displayed so far that day.
    Her brow didn’t move but she pursed her lips. After a lengthy, meaningful look, she swung around and jerked open the door. Her bobbed dark hair bounced with the movement and she climbed out to stretch.
    “Hey,” Scott said, twisted around. “Don’t make my wife bitchy after dragging her out here.”
    Sawyer bit back a comment about how he hadn’t, in fact, dragged her anywhere. Val was bullheaded and went wherever she damn well pleased. Instead he nodded, avoided his brother-in-law’s gaze, and shifted out of the