Romance on the Edge 01 - Hooked

“That’s good. Sheltered so you can get out of the weather.”
    “We’re as high up as any crow’s nest on the other boats out there.” Sonya pointed to the right where a ladder led down. “Bunks, the head, and the engine room are below us.” She indicated the stove next to her. “Propane stove for cooking and heating. Mini refrigerator, small sink, some storage.” She moved to the front of the pilot house where the wheel and control panels were. “Hydraulic levers for the reels. State of the art GPS system. VHF radio and fish finder.”
    Gramps turned a full circle, a dimpled grin splitting his face as he took in the captain’s chair, and a small bunk crammed into the space to the left. “You did well, Sonya.”
    She let out a breath of relief. She’d known this was the boat to buy, but having his approval meant the world to her.
    “We’re going to make some enemies this season.” Nikolai’s eyes met hers. “You sure you’re up for this?”
    “Looking forward to it.”

C HAPTER T HREE
    Aidan Harte narrowed his eyes as he focused through binoculars on Sonya aboard the Double Dippin’ .
    She’d gone and done it—bought herself a damn drift boat. Was nothing good enough for that woman?
    Apparently, he hadn’t been.
    His boot crushed an empty soda can as he adjusted his feet. He lowered the binoculars and glared at the cabin in disrepair. So the Harte camp wasn’t as well kept as the Savonskis’. Who cared? They were only here four weeks tops every summer. They didn’t need comfort for that amount of time, especially when—God willing—they’d be fishing most of it.
    Sonya needed to lower her standards right down to his level. Wait a minute, that didn’t sound right. He turned as his father came up next to him and looked at the view through the cracked window pane.
    “Checking out Sonya’s new boat?”
    “Nope. Looking for jumpers.” Aidan set the binoculars down on a wooden crate doubling as a kitchen cabinet. This place really was sad. Why didn’t they fix it up a bit?
    “See any?”
    “See any what?”
    “Jumpers!” Earl slapped him on the back of the skull. “Where’s your head, boy?”
    Hell if he knew.
    Earl took the half-chewed toothpick out of his mouth and gestured with it for emphasis. “Instead of playing like a Peeping Tom, you should be making tracks to get back into Sonya’s good graces.”
    Aidan hated admitting his father was right about anything, but he had a point. Peering at Sonya through binoculars wasn’t getting him anywhere. Time for a face-to-face.
    He grabbed his jacket. “I’m going out.”
    “About damn time you got down to business.” Earl picked up the binoculars, grumbling. “If I’d had a chance with a woman like that, she’d be shackled and pregnant by now.”
    Aidan let the squeaky door slam behind him, ignoring Earl’s holler, “Don’t slam the door!”
    He’d slam the door if he wanted to. Hell, he hadn’t been here more than a few hours and he wanted to leave. Putting up with his father became harder and harder every year. If it wasn’t for the money he made fishing, he’d have told Earl to go to hell by now. He shoved his hands in his pockets.
    No he wouldn’t. He didn’t have the backbone, which Earl was consistent in pointing out.
    He kicked his way down to the beach just as Sonya and Nikolai jumped out of their skiff. As timing went, it couldn’t have been better. As moods went, he was in a sorry one. Not the best shape to be meeting Sonya after their last conversation when she’d told him to get lost.
    “Hey, Aidan, how you been?” Nikolai greeted him with a smile and a hearty handshake. No matter the trouble his father and uncle caused the Savonskis, Nikolai didn’t blame him for his gene pool.
    “Good. You?” He glanced at Sonya, her face flushed from the ocean breeze. She always looked so…fresh. Smooth skin, dark eyes, dark hair pulled away from her face, and full red lips. Classically beautiful and way out of his league.
    “Great. Couldn’t be better.” Nikolai glanced between him and Sonya. “Well…I’m going to head to the cabin and see if there’s anything for dessert. See you kids later.”
    Nikolai left them alone, and Aidan found himself lost for words. Sonya had always represented all that he’d ever wanted in life. Love, success, and a happy, well-adjusted family.
    “Aidan.” Sonya hooked her hands in the straps of her chest waders.
    “Sonya,” he copied her greeting, taking his cues