Romance on the Edge 01 - Hooked

to get his ire under control. “What can I do to help?”
    “Not much at this point,” Sonya said, “other than keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.”
    “You seem to have a good view of the Savonski’s skiffs from your camp,” Garrett said. “Did you see anything this morning?”
    “No,” Aidan said. “I haven’t seen anything, but then I spent most of the morning catching up on sleep. I’ll keep a watch out now that I know you’ve had trouble.” His gaze landed on her. “You should have come to me first, Sonya.”
    She turned away, uncomfortable with his wounded expression. No matter their history, she didn’t like him hurting.
    “Kids,” Gramps joined the conversation. “The tide’s headed back in. We’d better make for the beach. Peter, let’s get this 4-wheeler moving. I have no plans to get wet.”
    Sonya glanced over her shoulder and gauged the water. It was headed in fast. The tide in Bristol Bay went out in a rush, and returned with a vengeance. One minute you couldn’t see the water, and then it chewed hungrily at your feet.
    “Got it, Gramps.” Peter started the 4-wheeler, but addressed Sonya before he engaged the gear. “Are you going to be okay getting back to camp?”
    Meaning, was she going to be able to get out of the mud? It did warm her heart that her usually infuriating baby brother was concerned over her well-being. “Thanks, Peter. We’ll be right behind you.”
    With a wave, Peter turned the ATV and headed back to camp with Gramps and the outboard engine.
    Sonya tried to lift her feet. Stuck . She glanced behind her to the tide eating up the distance. Don’t panic. Deep breaths. Everything would be fine, she mentally chanted.
    “You really are mud-impaired, aren’t you?” Garrett trudged back to where she wasn’t gaining any ground.
    “Everyone’s got to have one weakness,” she muttered. She should be able to do this, damn it.
    “You have more than one weakness, Sonya,” Garrett murmured, giving her a smile that brought to mind what she’d wanted to do with him earlier. Then he swung her up into his arms. A surprised sound escaped her, followed immediately by a squeal of alarm as Garrett stumbled, the mud grabbing thick at his feet. “Don’t move,” he warned, straining to regain his balance, while at the same time pulling free of the mud.
    She tightened her arms around his neck and held herself very still. “Don’t you dare drop me.”
    “Babe, you go down, I go down.”
    He worked free of the mud, and then fought his way toward the 4-wheeler. Just like any red-blooded woman, she was impressed with the muscle Garrett exhibited as he went all He-Man, carrying her to the safety of her 4-wheeler mount. Sonya tried not to worry about the water coming in like a flood. They needed to move faster, but there was no hurrying through the gelatinous goo. Finally, they reached the 4-wheeler and Garrett set her down on the seat, swiping at his sweaty brow with his arm.
    “Next time, let’s find a more enjoyable strenuous activity to do together.” There was no doubt in her mind to what he was referring to.
    Sonya felt the prick of Aidan’s glare. She glanced over Garrett’s shoulder. Aidan sat like granite astride his ATV. She’d forgotten he was still there. Watching. She flushed hot and then cold.
    Aidan’s dark eyes were fevered with jealousy.

C HAPTER T HIRTEEN
    “You’re welcome to stay for dinner, Garrett,” Grams said as she finished filleting a salmon on the bank of the creek below the cabin.
    Sonya stood behind Garrett, and shook her head no, but Grams continued even though Sonya knew she’d seen her. “We’re having teriyaki salmon with rice, and I’ve made a yummy lemon cake for dessert.”
    Gramps and Peter had gone in search of a fifty-gallon drum they could submerge the outboard engine in, hoping to clean out the saltwater. Sonya wished Gramps would just let the engine die.
    “Lemon cake?” Garrett swallowed as though dessert had been awhile.
    “Yes.” Grams nodded with a smile. “Homemade.”
    Garrett groaned. “You don’t play fair. I’ve been living on what amounts to rations since I got here.” He seemed to waver, but then he straightened his shoulders. “Thank you, Mrs. Savonski, but I really need to head back.”
    Sonya breathed a sigh of relief. Another few hours in Garrett’s company and who knew what she’d do. Probably have her way with him. Forget homemade lemon cake, she’d serve herself a