Romance on the Edge 01 - Hooked

herself some cocoa, snagging a couple of cookies.
    “What happened between you two? You were a mite cozy last year.” Gramps bit into his cookie as he watched for her reaction. Sonya knew he hated being out of the loop.
    “Don’t pester the child, Nikky,” Grams chided.
    “I’m not pestering,” he scoffed. “I’m concerned. Aidan’s a good man. Good marriage material. Likes to fish. I want to know why she keeps turning men like him away.” He narrowed his attention to Sonya. “You want to get married, don’t you?”
    She sighed and sat. “Yes, Gramps. I want to get married and have a family. I’ve got plenty of time for both.”
    “Well, I don’t. I want me some great grandbabies and with your snail-like approach, I won’t be getting any.”
    “So, you’d be happy with me shacking up with anyone as long as it gets you a great grandkid?”
    “Don’t get smart. Of course not. I want you happy too.”
    “I am happy.” She softened her tone and gave him a crooked smile full of affection. “Gramps, I don’t need a man to make me happy. I’m responsible for doing that all on my own.”
    He reached over and laid his hand over Grams’. “I want you to have what Maggie May and I have.”
    “Some aren’t as lucky as the both of you.”
    “Hogwash. You make your own luck and right now you aren’t even open to love. You need some romance in your life. You’re way too serious.”
    “Why don’t we take a break from this?” Grams picked up the plate of cookies and offered them to Gramps. “Have another cookie, Nikky.”
    “I’ve had enough cookies. I’m going to go help Peter and Wes with the nets.”
    Grams shook her head as she watched him leave. “He means well.”
    “I know. He’s just stubborn and likes things his own way.”
    “He’s not the only one.” Grams gave Sonya a knowing look over the rim of her cup. “What’s the real story between you and Aidan?” She took a sip.
    Sonya set down her cup. “I’d rather not get into it.”
    “Did he hurt you?” Her eyes were steady, serious. There would be no flirting around the truth this time.
    “Yes.” Sonya gazed into her hot chocolate. If she told her grandmother the whole truth, there would be no coming back from it. The tentative peace between the Hartes’ and Savonskis’ fish camps would cease. “I thought I could care for him. It hurt knowing that I couldn’t.”
    She wouldn’t allow herself to love a man who’d hit her.

C HAPTER F OUR
    Garrett had no problem finding the Savonskis’ fish camp the following evening. A bonfire happily snapped in the slight breeze, and smoke peppered the salty ocean air. A group of people sat around the fire, laughter flickering along with the flames. They all turned as he pulled up on the ATV—the main mode of transportation for navigating the rough beaches of South Naknek.
    “Well, if it isn’t Garrett. Welcome, welcome.” Nikolai met him as he dismounted the 4-wheeler and pocketed the key. “Have any problem finding us?”
    “Not a one, sir.”
    “None of this ‘sir’ business. Call me Nikolai.” He motioned for him to follow. “Come, meet everyone. You’ve already met my wife, Margaret, and Peter. This is Wes Finley, Aidan Harte, and his cousin, Lana. The Hartes have the camp across the creek. Ah, and here comes Sonya.” Nikolai smiled. “Sonya, look who showed up.”
    Garrett thought her step faltered when she noticed him, but she moved so smoothly that he wasn’t sure. She carried a cooler, and he hurried to take it from her. Obviously a little too eager, as her eyes widened and then quickly narrowed.
    “I got it,” she said not releasing her hold on the cooler.
    “Let me.” He thought, for a moment, he would have to fight her for it.
    She wore jeans and a sweatshirt with “Fish Goddess” printed across the front. The air around them thickened as she held his gaze. She seemed to come to a decision and released her hold on the cooler.
    This woman did something to him. With just a look he felt…singed.
    “Bring the food on over,” Peter hollered. “Some of us are starving here.”
    Yeah, it seemed he was hungry too.
    “You’ve got the food.” Sonya’s lips tilted at the corners.
    “What food?” Garrett asked, knowing he could drown in the depths of her eyes.
    “The cooler.” She pointed at what he held. “It’s full of food.”
    “Right.” He laughed. “I guess I’m holding up the festivities.”
    Her brows rose. “Oh, I don’t know