Romance on the Edge 01 - Hooked

loam over ice that never thawed.
    “What are you thinking about?” Garrett asked as he turned to face her.
    “The cost of Peter’s college tuition.”
    He laughed. “Way to build a man’s ego. Here I was hoping you were remembering last night. Why tuition?”
    She was glad that he focused on her comment rather than their one night together. She’d been doing her damndest not to think about it, but every few minutes it would sneak into her thoughts. “Well, with everything that has gone down this season, fishing keeps getting interrupted, and to date, I’ve haven’t made much more than expenses. I’d hoped to catch more this summer than what I’ve caught.”
    “The season isn’t over, yet. It could be worse.”
    He was right. Here she was concerned over how much money she hadn’t made, and Kendrick had lost his life.
    “Hey.” Garrett cupped her face. “I didn’t say that to make you sad. I meant, at least you’ve made expenses.”
    “I know. I just couldn’t help thinking about Kendrick.”
    “Why? From all accounts, he made life hell for everyone around him. You included.”
    “True, but what was he like when he wasn’t fishing? We all change a bit out here, become more barbaric, less civilized.” A sudden thought struck her. “Do you know if he had a wife, kids? Did he leave a family behind?”
    “From what his crewman shared, Kendrick led a solitary life. He preferred it that way.”
    “Well, that’s good.” She flushed when Garrett raised a brow. “I mean, it would be tragic if there was a son at home, or a grieving widow. I guess it’s even sadder that there isn’t, right?”
    Garrett smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear that the wind had teased free of her ponytail. “You are something special, you know that. No wonder I can’t resist you.” He slowly pulled her toward him as though waiting to see if she’d baulk. Instead, she willingly came into his arms, her own snaking tight around his waist. All day she’d had to act competent and convincing while everything fell apart around her. It felt so good to rest her head on Garrett’s capable shoulders. Something inside her chest swelled.
    “I was proud of you today, Sonya. Not many men could have handled your situation with as much poise or restraint.”
    She leaned back. “I take it you didn’t see me flip off the Intrepid or toss my cookies over the side of the boat.”
    He smiled, and her heartbeat quickened. “It all makes you that much more irresistible to me.” He lowered his head, his eyes at half-mast, watching her. Hers fluttered, and she found herself breathless as he brushed his lips softly against hers.
    “Wait a minute.” Sonya pulled back as a thought struck her and before all reason left her. “According to everything you said earlier, Kendrick’s crew had to be onboard when Kendrick was attacked.”
    “I’m kissing you, and all you can think about is Kendrick?” He gave a crooked grin. “I must not be doing this right.”
    “I’m serious. You said the boat was dry when Kendrick’s crew boarded and went to bed. If Kendrick was attacked on his boat before the crewmen boarded, how did he get in the water?”
    “We don’t know. His crew didn’t notice if he was onboard when they boarded.”
    “The boat isn’t that big, thirty-two-footer just like mine. You’ve seen my sleeping quarters, not much room. They would have noticed.”
    “Not if they were too drunk, which also answers your next question. If Kendrick was attacked when the boat was floating, why didn’t his crewmen hear anything? Too drunk.”
    “Kind of convenient, don’t you think? What if Kendrick was attacked before they got to the boat? Instead of being pushed into the water, he was pushed over the side of his boat into the mud?”
    He looked thoughtful. “We’ll have to wait and see what the medical examiner says. You’ve made an interesting point. With the boat dry, it opens the possibility for someone to board the Albatross without anyone seeing or hearing him. He could have snuck onboard and laid in wait. Or boarded when he knew Kendrick was alone. The incoming surf would have washed away any evidence of his approach.”
    “Meaning the killer could have been a set netter and not a drifter?”
    “Exactly.”
    A gunshot split the air over their heads.
    Garrett shoved Sonya to the ground and covered her with his body, but not before she caught sight of Aidan on the opposite side of the bank where the creek sliced