Page 27 of Asher's Assignment
Asher got in, and she directed him to the beach where a local man with a food truck parked.
“Now, this is my kind of place.” Asher set the brake and shut off the engine. “Some of the best food I’ve ever had has been at a food truck.”
“Me too. And Jimmy makes some of the best.” Smiling, Esther climbed out.
“I see we aren’t the only ones who had the same idea.” He nodded to the line four people deep.
“Yeah. We’re actually not that late. There will be a longer line in about ten minutes or so.”
True to her word, the line that stretched behind them when they finally got their food was three times as long.
“This is a nice spot.” Asher commented as they sat down at a picnic table.
“It is. The tables are fairly new. Some locals petitioned the city to put them in. Before, it was just the trails down to the beach.” She gestured toward the sign markers. “There are plans in the works to add some bathrooms and a foot wash station. All because one man parked his food truck here.”
Asher popped a crab-stuffed fried ravioli into his mouth and immediately his eyes bugged out. “And can make amazing seafood. Holy crap, that’s good.” He shoved in a second bite.
“Right? He makes all his own pasta and never uses frozen ingredients. It’s incredible.” She speared her plastic fork into her chili-lime crab-stuffed baked potato. Savoring the taste, she glanced up, letting the sun warm her face. It had been a while since she’d seen it.
“Do you ever get tired of the sun in Costa Rica?”
He paused, a piece of ravioli just inches from his mouth. “Why would I get tired of the sun?”
She shrugged. “I just wondered if it was like the rain and people could get tired of it. I, for one, am glad to see it today.”
He tipped his head and shrugged. “I don’t mind the sun. But I spend a lot of time in my lair.” He dipped a ravioli in the sauce that had come with his meal and ate it, rolling his eyes once more in ecstasy.
Esther looked down as her cheeks heated. She could imagine other ways he’d make that face. Sending a quick glance at him through her lashes, she speared a bite of potato. “Your lair?”
“I dedicated a room in my house to my computers. It’s dark and cold, like a cave.” He rolled a hand. “My lair.”
Esther laughed. “All I picture is you as an evil genius, controlling the world from your desk.”
He tipped his chin down and looked up, a wicked grin covering his face. “You’re not far off.” He lifted his head, his smile turning sunny. “Except I’m not evil. Well, not unless I have to be. Some people deserve everything I do to them.”
She had no doubt. After what her sister went through in the spring and the stories she’d heard about the human trafficking ring Asher and the others broke up recently, she was glad there were people like him in the world. Because there were others who were truly evil.
Clouds scuttled in while they ate, threatening to hide the sun by the time they finished their meal. After disposing of their trash, they hopped back into the car, and Esther directed Asher to an electronics store in Coos Bay.
Inside, he led her to a section devoted to home security.
Her eyes widened as she took in the array of equipment. “I think I’m glad you’re here. I wouldn’t know what to get.”
“We just want a basic doorbell camera. One you can wirelessly connect to your phone and with some decent cloud storage.” He studied the shelves, then pointed. “That one.”
Esther held up her hands. “Whatever you say.”
He glanced at her, devilish merriment in his eyes. “Is my wish your command?”
A choked laugh bubbled up her throat. “What?”
He let loose a low laugh. “I’m kidding. Though it might be fun.”
Esther’s cheeks heated again. Was he flirting with her?
“Hi. Can I help you folks with something?”
Esther turned to see a man around her age approaching.
