Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88057 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88057 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
The large canyon park was too full of celebrity sightings for my taste, but I could see Ambrose walking or running the many trails, undoubtedly in preppy outdoor clothes and a matching backpack for the dog. I had to smile as we entered the driveway of his early 1900s arts-and-crafts bungalow. Impeccably remodeled, the exterior was a homey gray-and-white nod to the original time period.
“You can park in the garage,” Ambrose said after I entered the security gate’s code. Once past the high front wall, the large lot’s pristine landscaping and gleaming ivory trim raised expectations for the inside of the decent-sized house, but I was looking with an eye to security, not real estate. A large lot meant more ground to cover. Ample indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces were only more nooks for unwanted visitors to hide. Likewise, historic details usually included hedges in addition to fencing and more spots needing careful checking. All the interesting angles of the property inevitably created a challenge for security cameras. And the period-appropriate design meant a detached garage, which would equal more exposure for Ambrose crossing the front courtyard than I wanted. Despite a supposedly modern security system, all those “quaint” and “charming” features were why I’d called for backup.
Luckily, my phone beeped as I parked in the garage as directed. Right on time.
“My buddies are on the way.” I looked up after I finished reading the message. “Duncan’s bringing our friend, Cash. He knows all about these older properties’ security quirks thanks to his boyfriend’s place.”
Ambrose blinked. “You have gay friends?”
I bristled at his assumption I was some sort of muscle-bound caveman who wouldn’t have a diverse friend group. I turned in my seat so I could stare him down.
“Actually, I’m not sure Cash has ever said. Gay. Bi. Pan. Whatever. Dude has saved my life more times than he’d ever admit. Duncan’s got a guy now too. You got some sort of issue with queer SEALs?”
“No. Not me. I’m gay, which, thanks to Cressida’s teasing, you probably already knew.”
“I had some idea.” I tried not to smile, but satellites roaming the heavens likely knew Ambrose was gay. He wasn’t the type to hide it easily. Not femme or flamboyant, he nevertheless managed to broadcast his identity on all channels, all the time. He moved with the confidence of someone who’d always known exactly who he was.
“Oh.” Ambrose’s cheeks turned pink. His identity seemed hard-wired into his speech, movements, clothing tastes, and more. He’d likely never been in an environment that tried to stomp his uniqueness down, and I hoped he never was. Authenticity like his was rare but admirable. “Good to know you’re okay with…wait. That sounds horrible.” He made a frustrated noise. “Damn it. I’m rambling. I need to eat. And shower. God, I reek.”
“Yup.” No sense in lying to the guy. I’d be honest with any of my buddies. Might be more polite with a regular client, but Ambrose had been the one to say it, not me. “A hospital stay will make anyone desperate for a real shower and food.”
“Totally.” Ambrose looked up as Duncan and Cash pulled into the driveway behind us. The garage door was still up, so they strode toward us as Ambrose and I exited the truck. He was still holding Hercules, who growled a low warning at my friends. Huh. He’d been so friendly with me.
We exchanged greetings and introductions, but I could tell Ambrose was way too tired for much socializing. He kept shifting his weight from side to side and his breathing sped up along with the tension in his body language. As soon as he unlocked the main house for us, I touched his arm.
“Why don’t you let us handle checking out the place? You go get that shower you’re craving, and then we’ll sort out your food situation after.” I pointed toward a hall beyond the living room, which presumably led to the bedrooms. The place was a single story from what I could see. The large living room we’d entered was adjacent to another more casual space that offered a glimpse of a dining room and kitchen beyond.
“I should take Hercules out…”
“Let me.” I made my tone gentle. The house was spacious, but Duncan, Cash, and I were three big, built dudes with a tendency toward loud voices and commanding gestures. The way Ambrose clung to Hercules said he was more overwhelmed and intimidated than he wanted to let on. I needed to give him an escape hatch. “He can come with us. Does he need a leash to roam the yard?”
“Not usually.” After taking a deep breath, Ambrose handed me the dog, who willingly came to me even as he had a suspicious eye for the other two. “He’s a free-range pup when the gates are closed but watch him around the pool.”