Read Online Neil, Louisa - Pyxis Island Triangle (Siren Publishing Ménage And More) by Louisa Neil - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Louisa Neil
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usually used it to catch up on sleep and sports.
On the first Sunday in May, Wyatt approached him at breakfast in the cafeteria and offered to take him into the old lighthouse. Ben eagerly accepted. Even with all his research, Lila had made it clear he was not to enter the structure until she gave permission. He got nervous knots in his stomach like a kid on the first day of school. With all the research he’d done, to finally see the interior was a gift. He was becoming friends with Wyatt, slowly but steadily. Occasionally, they shared a meal and often quipped about the weather or sports when Ben was summoned to the lab for specific jobs.
“Why today?” Ben asked as Wyatt drove them toward the far end of the island.
“It’s spring, and Lila decided you earned the privilege after all your good work. She’s very impressed with the way you’re doing your job.”
“I’ve never heard it from her,” he mused and watched Wyatt have a good laugh.
“You’re still here, aren’t you? Lila is careful with her compliments until she comes to trust a person. This is her way of saying job well done.”
“I’m excited, I’ve been anxious to get inside since the first time I was brought to the island. I’ve walked the outside so many times. I can’t tell you how frustrating it’s been to not go in.” He hesitated. “Every time I come close, I start to feel guilty about going against Lila’s orders and back away.” He shook his head at the irony. “Now I’m glad I didn’t go in.”
“Just be careful, it looks a lot sturdier than it is, especially the floorboards, and the circular staircase needs major repairs. It’s come detached in several places so hold on tight. But we should be able to get to the top; the view will blow you away. It always amazes me how far you can see from up there.”
They arrived at the end of the island without verbal conversation and wandered the exterior for a while. Ben ran his hands over the rough stones, each one seemingly coming to life at his touch. “This is amazing. It’s like it has a life of its own.”
“It just needs some tender loving care. Ready to go inside?”
“Absolutely.” Ben waited while Wyatt unlocked the heavy wooden door. It took the two of them to push it inward on the creaky hinges. He knew the old wood could be refinished. With the door open, the first thing he saw was the dust motes in the air, swirling from the fresh air introduced. Glancing upward, he noted several panes of glass had been broken, letting in the elements. From the ground floor, he could just make out the modernized light installed in the late seventies.
“Ready to go up?” Wyatt put his foot on the lowest step and hesitated. “We don’t have to do this if you think it’s not safe.”
“When I come in to start renovations, I’ll insist on safety lines for the workers, but for today, I just want to experience the feel of the old place.” Ben waited until Wyatt was several steps ahead before tentatively taking his first. The old wrought iron seemed to roll with each movement either man made. They each held on to both railings, centering their steps as they ascended. Several times Ben stopped to run his hands along the rough stone walls. They stopped on the first level, the living area of the old house. While its floorboards were warped and some broken, it was the rotted ones they had to be careful of. They looked sturdy until weight was put on them, then they’d hear the crackling noise of the crumbling boards.
“We’ll definitely have to scaffold the whole place as we go. I give Lila a lot of credit for wanting to rehab this place. Wyatt, does she really know what it will take to fix this up, to make it safe?”
“She’s aware, but it’s her greatest ambition for the island. Let’s not disappoint her.”
“She’s the boss,” Ben mumbled.
“As long as you remember that, you’ll be okay.” Wyatt gave him a cryptic smile as he continued upward. They paused
On the first Sunday in May, Wyatt approached him at breakfast in the cafeteria and offered to take him into the old lighthouse. Ben eagerly accepted. Even with all his research, Lila had made it clear he was not to enter the structure until she gave permission. He got nervous knots in his stomach like a kid on the first day of school. With all the research he’d done, to finally see the interior was a gift. He was becoming friends with Wyatt, slowly but steadily. Occasionally, they shared a meal and often quipped about the weather or sports when Ben was summoned to the lab for specific jobs.
“Why today?” Ben asked as Wyatt drove them toward the far end of the island.
“It’s spring, and Lila decided you earned the privilege after all your good work. She’s very impressed with the way you’re doing your job.”
“I’ve never heard it from her,” he mused and watched Wyatt have a good laugh.
“You’re still here, aren’t you? Lila is careful with her compliments until she comes to trust a person. This is her way of saying job well done.”
“I’m excited, I’ve been anxious to get inside since the first time I was brought to the island. I’ve walked the outside so many times. I can’t tell you how frustrating it’s been to not go in.” He hesitated. “Every time I come close, I start to feel guilty about going against Lila’s orders and back away.” He shook his head at the irony. “Now I’m glad I didn’t go in.”
“Just be careful, it looks a lot sturdier than it is, especially the floorboards, and the circular staircase needs major repairs. It’s come detached in several places so hold on tight. But we should be able to get to the top; the view will blow you away. It always amazes me how far you can see from up there.”
They arrived at the end of the island without verbal conversation and wandered the exterior for a while. Ben ran his hands over the rough stones, each one seemingly coming to life at his touch. “This is amazing. It’s like it has a life of its own.”
“It just needs some tender loving care. Ready to go inside?”
“Absolutely.” Ben waited while Wyatt unlocked the heavy wooden door. It took the two of them to push it inward on the creaky hinges. He knew the old wood could be refinished. With the door open, the first thing he saw was the dust motes in the air, swirling from the fresh air introduced. Glancing upward, he noted several panes of glass had been broken, letting in the elements. From the ground floor, he could just make out the modernized light installed in the late seventies.
“Ready to go up?” Wyatt put his foot on the lowest step and hesitated. “We don’t have to do this if you think it’s not safe.”
“When I come in to start renovations, I’ll insist on safety lines for the workers, but for today, I just want to experience the feel of the old place.” Ben waited until Wyatt was several steps ahead before tentatively taking his first. The old wrought iron seemed to roll with each movement either man made. They each held on to both railings, centering their steps as they ascended. Several times Ben stopped to run his hands along the rough stone walls. They stopped on the first level, the living area of the old house. While its floorboards were warped and some broken, it was the rotted ones they had to be careful of. They looked sturdy until weight was put on them, then they’d hear the crackling noise of the crumbling boards.
“We’ll definitely have to scaffold the whole place as we go. I give Lila a lot of credit for wanting to rehab this place. Wyatt, does she really know what it will take to fix this up, to make it safe?”
“She’s aware, but it’s her greatest ambition for the island. Let’s not disappoint her.”
“She’s the boss,” Ben mumbled.
“As long as you remember that, you’ll be okay.” Wyatt gave him a cryptic smile as he continued upward. They paused
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