Romance on the Edge 01 - Hooked

Why else would she entertain the idea of getting Garrett alone? While he wasn’t the man for her, he had the equipment to take care of a few of her urges.
    Grams glanced up from mixing the butter, sugar, and eggs together. “Now you’re thinking of a man. Your fish cop, by chance?” She reached for the jar of chunky peanut butter and spooned some into the bowl.
    There was no point in lying to her. The woman could see through a solid steel door. “He’s occupied a bit of my mind lately.” More than a bit, if she were honest.
    “He’s a fine looking man. Nice butt. I can see why you’re interested.” She scooped four cups of oatmeal into the mix.
    “ Grandma .” Little old grandmas weren’t supposed to check out men’s butts.
    “What woman wouldn’t have noticed those tight buns?” Grams laid down the spoon and picked up a pocketknife. She sliced open the many bags of chips, pouring them each into the bowl.
    Sonya swallowed. Okay that was it. She wasn’t lying here any longer. She stood up and had to fight a wave of dizziness, results of residue from the pain killers she’d taken last night. Her head throbbed for a moment, but it felt good to move around.
    “If you’re not going to lie down, at least sit,” Grams scolded, adding the package of M&M’s to the bowl. She saved a handful and set them on the table for Sonya.
    Sonya sat and began eating the chocolate pieces one by one. Did anything taste better than chocolate? She didn’t think so.
    “Sonya, is Garrett being a trooper all that’s keeping you from having a relationship with him?”
    “As barriers go, it’s up there.” Sonya popped a few more M&M’s, hoping Grams would drop the subject. She wasn’t up to discussing what was between her and Garrett.
    “You’re only a fisherman two months out of the year. What barrier does a trooper pose for a high school music teacher?”
    “Logistics?” She didn’t like where Grams was going with this. She really hadn’t thought about what could happen with her and Garrett when fishing season was over. She didn’t know if she wanted to. Fishing was a nice solid wall erected between them. She didn’t like Grams poking holes in it.
    “What logistics?” Grams asked. “I heard he lives in Homer. That’s only an hour away, maybe an hour and a half depending on weather.” Grams gave her a measured look. “What’s really keeping you from starting a relationship with him?”
    It was time for a subject change. “How do you stand being in this cabin all day?”
    For a moment, it looked as if Grams wasn’t going to let the subject of Garrett Hunt be pushed aside. She must have thought better of it, much to Sonya’s relief.
    “How do I stand it?” Grams repeated her question. “I treasure it. Don’t get me wrong. I love Nikky, but the man can wear on the soul of a priest.” She began dropping spoonfuls of dough onto a cookie sheet. “Since he retired, he’s always underfoot. I never have time to myself. So, when everyone is out fishing, I get to read, carve, take long walks. Anything I want to. Sure there are chores, but even doing them is a pleasure when it’s quiet.”
    Sonya had never looked at it from Grams’ point of view. She’d always felt a twinge of guilt leaving her at camp all the time. It was good to know that she didn’t feel like she was missing out on anything.
    “Don’t think this talk about Garrett is over,” Grams said, sliding the cookie sheet into the propane oven. “He seems to be a good man. I love his take-charge attitude.” She closed the oven door, set the timer, and met Sonya’s gaze with her pointed one. “Besides, he has a strong enough character to equal your own. He’d be a good match for you, Sonya.”
    “Don’t tell me you’re playing matchmaker too?” Did she have old maid stamped across her forehead?
    “Just telling you like I see it. Garrett’s a keeper. A smart woman would recognize that and snag him.”

    Aidan slapped a piece of cheese between two slices of bread. He was so furious he could barely keep from punching the wall. Knowing that the punch would probably bring the shack down around him kept him from doing exactly that.
    Lana sat quietly in the corner. She hadn’t said two words to him since he’d found out what happened to Sonya yesterday. She’d buried her face in a book once they’d returned to camp. Classic avoidance. How had she missed the temper gene? She sure as hell would benefit with a bit of fire. What he