All Chapters of Pelican Bay Security: Chapter 181 - Chapter 190

"Don't respond," Huxley says reading the text message over my shoulder."Hey!" I pull the phone away from his view. I wouldn't hide it anyway, so there's no need for him to go snooping. "Don't you think I should ask where he is?"Huxley narrows one eye, staring at me, but not seeing me as he thinks. "Yes, but only say that, 'where are you?' And nothing else."I grit my teeth enough it stops me from rolling my eyes. I'll chalk it up to him being tense because of the situation not because he thinks I'm a moron who can't handle a simple message."You want me to send it for you?" he asks when I don't immediately type out the message.Remember, he is under a lot of stress, Winnie. You can't fault him for wanting to keep you safe.I give myself the reminder twice more before I'm ready to look in his eyes without screaming and shaking him by the shoulders. Then I calmly respond as I send the message to Archer.WINNIE: Where are you?His reply comes in less than a minute as Hux

"Winnie, you can open your eyes. We're home."His words do nothing for me. "Wheels on the ground?" I clarify with my eyes closed.Huxley chuckles. "Yes, that was the big bouncing a few minutes ago.""You promise?" I believe him... Maybe. My stomach flew into my chest at one point during the bouncing so I also feared we took off again and we're circling the Pelican Bay airport for the delight of the pilot so he can land again and watch my expression. If he does, I will puke on something. His shoes."Princess, get off the plane." Huxley squeezes my fingers giving a slight tug on my hand.It works, but I'm not happy about it. I stand with my eyes still closed and slowly open them, looking out the side window to confirm we are planted firmly on the ground. The plane steps have even been dropped and Huxley and I are able to walk right off the plane. I may not enjoy the actual flying, but it sure is nice not to have to go to baggage or security. He stops to thank the pilot and I sp

"Are you sure about this, Winnie?" Huxley asks, walking me out to the parking lot.I'm not sure at all. There was a point in my life when I trusted Archer explicitly, but that time is past. "It'll be fine, Hucks.""What do you know about the guy?"I pause next to the driver's side door of my car and take a few deep breaths. I may not trust Archer, but I don't want Huxley to figure that out. I don't appreciate him questioning my decision-making skills. It's a little stressful right now and his questions are extra pressure I don't need. "We dated for years, Huxley."His face pinches together in agitation when I mention how long I dated Archer, but he's the one who keeps bringing it up. I want to forget those years of my life too.Huxley starts to say something else, but a loud ticking sound comes from further down the apartment complex. Gravel pinging off cars. We both quickly turn in that direction and freeze as a large yellow Pelican Bay school bus barrels down the apartment

For the next few minutes I follow Tabitha around the house as she quickly picks up pieces of things here and there. I fluff a pillow or two and finally we end up in the kitchen as she pulls out heavy square containers of pre-made side dishes."Ridge made the pasta salad because it's a specialty, but I bought the rest. Don't tell." She takes out a container of mashed potatoes and steps back counting the dishes before setting it at the end of the line.Every surface in the oversized kitchen is covered with bowls, plates, and other dishes. "Do you think you have enough food?"She stops to survey the area again, one finger tapping on the end of her chin. "I don't. Do you think so? I'm worried."I laugh a small chuckle but she doesn't join. "Tabitha, I was kidding. You have enough food here to supply half of the town.She shakes her head solemnly. "You've never seen these guys eat. Have you?"I guess not. I've seen Huxley, and the way he put away the entire dish of twice-baked p

Huxley holds my hand as we walk out of the small Pelican Bay church. More paint flakes off the steps leaving behind the weathered pine boards that are who knows how old. Each week a collection is taken to get the church painted, but as the congregation is small and old so it's slow going."Today was a nice service," Huxley says, letting his arms swing between us for a moment as he walks to my car.I nod using that as my agreement. The two of us have settled into a nice routine. Anyone who met us for the first time may think we'd been together for years, but Huxley and I have found a happy middle ground. We seem to get one another and our personalities mesh well. I'm sure in time, eventually we'll have our first big fight, but my boyfriend is so calm and logical I have a feeling it won't last long. Until then I've decided to enjoy myself and go with the flow. It's something I used to be able to do quite often before the mess with Archer started. I need to find carefree Winnie again.