Jack Beale 00 - Dangerous Shoals

was upset with him. Wisely, he gave her some space and didn’t chase after her. He expected that her anger would only last a few days, so he focused his energies on getting the boat ready for launching. After a week of long hours working on Irrepressible , she was ready and he was too. Max hadn’t called, and he hadn’t chased. Now, it was time. He missed her. All those hours working alone on the boat had given him plenty of time to think.
    “Could Max be wrong about seeing Daniel? If he is here, why? And what about the predator?” The predator. Jack had given that nickname to the guy he saw in the park, the guy with the eyes that Courtney had also seen. He couldn’t forget those eyes. He knew that he should have told Max, but he hadn’t. Why hadn’t he? He didn’t know. He just missed her. And he needed a beer. Time to walk over to Ben’s.
    * * *
    Max didn’t see or hear him come in. Her back was turned to the bar as she bent over a cooler, stocking beers. He sat down silently and just watched her. She stood, stretched, pushed her hair out of her face, and turned.
    “Jack!” Startled, she jumped as she said his name. “What are you doing here?”
    “I was thirsty. How about a beer?” he said with a bit of a grin.
    His voice sounded so good. As she looked at him, she could feel her face warm and her heart race from the start he had given her. Completely flustered, she managed to squeak out, “Sure. The usual?”
    He nodded, never taking his eyes off of her.
    She took a glass off the shelf and walked out back to get him a draft. Her hand felt as if it were shaking uncontrollably as she pulled on the draft handle and began filling the pint. She smiled and began to feel warm inside. She blushed at her reaction. “Grow up. It’s only Jack.” The pint full, she took a big breath, exhaled, turned, and returned to the bar with his beer.
    “Here you are,” she said placing it in front of him, trying not to betray her excitement at seeing him.
    “Thanks.”
    Jack took a sip, which was easier than saying anything. Max was rescued by the chikka-chikka-chunk of the printer demanding that another drink be made. He watched her as she worked. He loved the way she stretched as she took a glass off the shelf, the way she scooped the ice, and how her hands just knew which bottles to grab, how much to pour, and then that little shake she would give to the drink to mix it. It was all so effortless and natural. She placed the drinks on a waiting tray and turned back to face Jack.
    “Jack,” she said at the exact same time he said, “Max.” They both laughed nervously. He said, “You first.”
    “No, you,” she replied.
    He took another sip. “Max. Are we okay? … I didn’t mean to keep things from you.”
    She cut him off, “Yes, we are, and I think I know why. I forgive you.”
    Jack didn’t know how to express what he was feeling, so all he said was, “I’m sorry.”
    That was when Patti came into the bar. She paused for a moment, looking first at Jack and then at Max before deciding that it was okay. “Hi guys,” she said breezily, trying to act as if nothing had gone on before this moment.
    “Hi Patti, how’ve you been?” replied Jack as if the past week hadn’t existed.
    “Great. Dave was asking if you were around. I think he wants to get together for a run.”
    “Tell him to give me a call.”
    “I will.” Then, turning to Max, she said with a bit of mischief in her voice, “Do you want me to come over tonight?”
    Max caught her meaning, blushed slightly, and said, “I don’t think so.”
    “You sure?”
    Max glanced at Jack and said, “I’m sure.”
    * * *
    Her shift at Ben’s had seemed to last forever. An older couple had lingered in the corner of the bar. They had obviously been partners in life for many years and simply sat there, their drinks long finished, holding hands over the table, their hushed conversation punctuated with soft laughter and long silences.
    “Do you think we’ll ever be like them?” Max asked later, as she lay next to Jack, her head resting on his chest.
    “Like who?”
    She loved his smell. “Like that older couple, who were the last to leave tonight.”
    Jack stroked her hair. It was so silky. He could feel her warmth as she lay there, her naked body pressed against his. He gently kissed the top of her head before answering. “I sure hope so.”
    Max lifted her head and twisted around, sliding her leg over his until she was lying on top of