Free Familiar Strangers by Allie Standifer

those beers? Then we’ll talk.”
    Damon angled his body deeper into the chaise lounge he was relaxing in and waited for her to return. “Damn,” he cursed into the night. How the hell was he supposed to keep a secret this important from her? They both knew she could ferret the truth out of him in minutes, hence the reminder about today’s activities. He was worn out, which was one of the reasons he’d left her to Galen.
    After meeting the man and feeling his right hook, Damon did feel better with the situation. Galen Matthews was a man not to toy with. He fought dirty and didn’t apologize. As long as he was being honest with himself, Damon could admit he wasn’t sure who would have come out on top if Regin hadn’t shown up. But roughing it up had felt damn good. The fight had been the outlet he needed.
    At least he could tell Regin the truth behind his fight with Galen. The man had insulted Regin and, in the manner of men throughout time, they had settled their differences. They had cleared up any misunderstandings about Regin and himself.
    He hadn’t managed to come up with anything more convincing when he heard her footsteps on the porch’s wood planks. He leaned his head back against the chair and studied the star-bright sky. “It shouldn’t be too hard for you to unwind in a place like this. I think I can hear the grass growing, bats feeding, and fish belching.”
    Regin placed the cans on the table between them and made herself comfortable in the matching lounge chair. “Fish belching? You really are charming aren’t you?” She paused, taking a deep breath of the salt-tinged air. “It’s wonderful out here. I can’t imagine where Tatum came up with this place, or why she hasn’t told me about it before.”
    When she spoke again she didn’t bother glancing at him. Instead, she kept her eyes on the magnificent sky. “Damon, you being here doesn’t have anything to do with Shawn Townsend, does it?”
    ****

    Galen changed clothes, cleaned his battle wounds, and grabbed another beer from the fridge. He then settled in the old swing on the back porch. It creaked gently under his weight, but held together even as he used his bare foot to push it.
    Firmly ignoring all thoughts of Regin and whatever he had imagined earlier at the pond, Galen relaxed. He was in desperate need of a vacation, now more than ever. The strange visions and dreams of Regin were wearing him thin.
    The night came alive with familiar, enjoyable sounds from the water, as insects and animals hunted food in the darkness. Galen scanned the night more out of habit than fear someone was lurking. He took in every tree, rock, and stump in the water in a single glance. He knew this island and the surrounding area. He’d grown up here. There would be no way the man supposedly tracking Regin could hide his presence on the island and Galen not know.
    He’d played in the swamps, swam in the salty ocean water, hid in the cemetery, and explored every inch of his family’s island home. His familiarity of the island was the main reason he’d wanted Regin here. This was his turf, and he wanted to have as much leverage as possible. Not that he thought he would have to use it. Shawn Townsend breaking out of a maximum-security prison just to come after Regin Neff was highly unlikely. Regin was the first person the Feds would look to for answers. If Townsend was sane, he would steer clear of her.
    Galen shook his head. Planning for a problem that probably would never occur wasn’t worth the tension or aggravation, but he was doing a favor for a friend. He’d enjoy a little well-deserved holiday at the same time.
    He had enough on his mind without inventing new problems. He was more rattled than he cared to admit from the incident at the bar and now the pond. Whatever he had seen or felt while looking at Regin was going to have to wait. His time needed to be spent securing the island, checking in with his men at the office about Townsend’s