Romance on the Edge 01 - Hooked

pure, sweet profit. Somehow it was made all the sweeter having Garrett a part of it.
    She needed to decide what to do about him. The more he integrated himself into her life, the more she liked him there.
    Could she be ready for more? She was beginning to believe so.
    But what about him?

C HAPTER F ORTY
    They’d tendered the fish and were proudly flying the broom.
    It was the largest catch to be recorded in the Savonskis’ fishing history. Her crew was tired, but riding high on accomplishment. They’d tied up to the cannery’s dock, and Sonya decided to treat her hard-working crew to pizza from the Pitt. They deserved it. She’d sent Peter after the pizza, leaving Wes to watch the boat, while she headed for the showers. Garrett insisted on shadowing her. By the smell of him, he could benefit from a good cleansing too.
    Garrett grabbed her elbow. “I need to stop at the General Store. I’m out of soap.”
    She lifted her backpack that held her showering supplies. “I’ve got soap.”
    “Unless you share a shower with me, I’ll need a bar of my own. Besides, I’m sure your soap smells like flowers.” He wrinkled his nose. “While I love your smell, not the manly scent I’m after.”
    She sniffed him and quickly adverted her nose. “Flowers would immensely improve your stench.”
    “Stench?” He held open the door to the General Store for her and then followed her over the threshold. “I hate to break it to you, babe, but you don’t smell all that fresh right now, either.”
    She glared at him in mock anger. “What a thing to say.”
    “Just speakin’ the truth, ma’am.”
    “That truth you can swallow.”
    “Well, well,” Davida commented. “Aren’t you two getting along like two bears in the woods. Heard you’ve switched sides of the line, Garrett. How you like fishing?”
    “I like it fine, Davida.” Garrett didn’t take his eyes from Sonya as he admitted it. She felt herself flush from under the heat of his gaze.
    Davida cleared her throat, and Garrett glanced from Sonya to her. “I also heard about your troubles, Sonya. I’m sorry.”
    “Thank you, Davida.”
    “In your network of news,” Garrett said, “have you heard anything about Roland Harte’s whereabouts?”
    “Nope, not a peep. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.” Davida nodded and then got down to business. “So what can I get you two?”
    “Soap, shampoo,” he scratched his raspy, stubbled jaw, “razor, and shaving cream, if you’ve got them, and that item I had you special order if it’s here.”
    Davida smiled. “It’s your lucky day. It arrived on the morning flight. Give me a minute to rustle it all up.”
    “What’d you order?” Sonya asked, her curiosity piqued.
    “You’ll see.” His grin was that of a man who had a secret he couldn’t wait to share.
    “Here you are, Garrett.” Davida packed all the items he’d asked for in a bag and then did a quick glance around to see who was watching. She must have deemed the area clear for she reached into the freezer behind her and quickly pulled out a pint of ice cream.
    Sonya gasped. Haagen-Dazs black raspberry chip ice cream.
    “You have a plastic spoon, Davida?” Garrett asked. “I don’t think Sonya’s going to be able to wait until we’re aboard the Double Dippin’ .”
    “Already ahead of you.” Davida produced the spoon and a couple of napkins.
    Sonya took the spoon and the carton of ice cream Davida handed over as though the items were the most precious of objects. To her, they were. Her eyes felt suspiciously wet as she gazed at Garrett. “You got me ice cream?”
    “It’s your favorite, right?” His eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me I ordered the wrong flavor.”
    “No. Black raspberry chip is my favorite.” She knew how hard it was to get ice cream flown out here, and how high the expense. It was suddenly difficult to swallow as her throat clogged. “Thank you.” The words seemed inadequate for the level of gratitude she felt.
    “You’re welcome.”
    Davida rang up his purchases. “You tell Judd he needs to do something sweet for me like that. It’s not ice cream I want, though. I go weak in the knees for things that sparkle and fit snug—” she held out her ring finger “—right here.”
    Garrett chuckled and picked up the bag of toiletries. “I’ll let him know.”
    “You do that. I swear the man is denser than a wood boat,” Davida mumbled.
    They left the General Store. Sonya hid the carton of ice