Courting Trouble (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 3) (15 page)

Reluctantly, he broke their embrace.

"I promise, Diedra, one of these days, I'm going to get you in a bedroom without any distractions."

"And no phones?"

"You got it. But—"

"Time to get a move on," Diedra said, finishing his sentence. Being in his arms felt so right and she longed for the time to savor it. Her nerve endings were strung tight. At the least gesture from him, she'd tear off both their clothes, right now.

She didn't know if becoming involved with him was a tremendous mistake, but she suspected it was. Already, he had such power to hurt her. A chance at happiness was worth taking, however, no matter what it might cost her heart. And with each additional minute she spent with him, her hopes increased a notch.

As Alec drove the car back onto the highway, Diedra snuggled up close to him, for once grateful she'd not given in to temptation and bought bucket seats. Things were definitely on the upswing. If kissing Alec short-circuited her jinx, she could be like everybody else. A laugh bubbled out from deep inside her. The very idea warmed her, giving her a sense of freedom she'd never experienced before.

She'd enjoy being like everyone else. Even if it wasn't true, it was fun to think it could be. Leaning over, she kissed Alec's scraggly cheek. "Thanks."

He glanced at her. "What was that for?"

"For kissing the frog and turning her into a princess." She ran her hand over his chest. It felt hard and strong and warm and sensual.

"That's enough, Imp. I'm trying to drive."

Undaunted, Diedra laid her head on his shoulder.

Chapter 14

It was early morning when Alec read the road sign welcoming them to Corpus Christi. How long had it been since either of them had a full night's sleep? He ran his hand over the stubble on his face and made a mental note to buy some shaving supplies.

As an attorney, he'd often spent long hours over briefs and preparing for a day in court. However, with the emotional burden in addition to the physical one, he felt more exhausted than ever before.

He willed adrenaline to pump into his body. Diedra slept soundly beside him. He leaned over to kiss her hair. It smelled like sunlight.

Sunlight? What was happening to him? His friends described him as the lean mean thinking machine. He didn't feel anything like that now. He felt like a poet.

It must be sleep deprivation.

That was the ticket. Sleep deprivation could make you hallucinate about things, like sweet dreams of Diedra walking down an aisle to join him, daisies blanketing her hair. Smelling like sunshine.

He had to get some sleep before his daydreams got him in even more serious trouble than he was already in. He needed all his wits about him. What if they found Jeff at the marina? Would Meagan be with him?

He'd stop for coffee. After a gallon or so, they'd go directly to the marina.

* * *

Two sea gulls cawed, circling over their heads, as Diedra and Alec walked down an asphalt slope. The sign post on a narrow metal building indicated it was the Ship's Store and Marina Office. Beyond and to the right of the office, Diedra saw a scattering of sailboats, fishing boats and yachts floating on glistening water. High-rise scaffolding on one large, gleaming yacht looked as though it wasn't so much designed for fishing as to allow fishermen to commune with sunburn.

As they neared the store, wind sailed in from the gulf, whisking her hair and stirring the sailboat riggings into a peaceful clanging. Gentle waves lapped at the sandy shoreline, like a soothing lullaby. The water called to something deep in her soul and she could understand mankind's fascination with exploring all the sea had to offer.

She drew in a deep breath of salt air mixed with the not unpleasant scent of fish, wishing they were here to play rather than to find Meagan.

As they entered the store, a bell jangled. While Alec went to the desk for information, Diedra explored what the store had to offer. Cement floored, the store sported row upon row of merchandise beckoning from dusty shelves. Ropes, metal fittings, life jackets. Even plastic glassware with a naval motif. She turned to join Alec.

He was talking with the manager, or whatever men who ran marinas were called. She would have expected a weathered old man, salty, perhaps missing some teeth. This man was dressed like a casually elegant golfer.

She watched Alec offer the man a credit card. "What's going on?"

"Jeff chartered a boat that pulled out this morning. They can't be more than two hours ahead of us. Sarah called here less than half an hour ago to notify Harry we were on our way." Alec nodded at the manager. "Harry tried to raise them on the radio but they must be out of range. We're renting a fast boat to go after them."

"You won't have any problem catching up with Jeff," said Harry, "especially if they're heading in the direction you believe. Too many speed markers to let them go at much of a clip. Besides, the Salty Dog is large and seaworthy, but it's not fast. The one you're getting is large, yet not big enough to slow you down."

He added, "I'm sorry about charging such a big deposit, but you understand my position?"

"Sure." Alec read the charge slip. "I see you've itemized the deposit separately, so it's not a problem."

His gaze met Diedra's with a definitely haunted look in his eyes. After a long, drawn-out pause, he asked, "What about insurance?"

She punched him on the arm. It was always going to be like this.

"It's covered. Just need your initials on this spot and your signature on the contract and it's all taken care of."

"Good."

Alec rubbed his arm and she hoped she'd managed to bruise it. He signed his name in all the places Harry had indicated and accepted keys and directions to the boat slip.

As they left the store, Diedra asked, "You know how to drive a boat?"

"Sure. Nothing to it."

Diedra came to an immediate halt. She heard something in his tone. "Have you ever driven a big boat?"

"Well, not exactly. But it can't be much different from a ski boat."

"Why am I not reassured? I just hope you can figure out what you're doing." She allowed him to take her hand and lead her onto a pier.

"There wasn't anyone who could take us out, Diedra. I did ask."

She nodded. What choice did they really have? "Do you have maps?"

"I've got charts and the boat's equipped with all sorts of electronic goodies. Harry said she practically drives herself."

They went down several steps leading to a boat dock. The clanging riggings were loud close up but the sound was pleasant. Diedra said, "Just be prepared to kiss me if anything goes wrong, okay?"

Alec grinned and pulled her into his arms. "You got it." He delivered a shattering kiss. She knew her toes were curled and she suspected her hair was as well.

Chapter 15

When Alec released her from his embrace, he pointed out their boat. Crisp white with a wide nautical blue stripe around its middle, the boat looked very much like a little boy dressed up like a sailor.

They walked toward it. When she reached the bow, she ran her hand over the hull, almost shocked to feel cool, smooth fiberglass. Whatever had happened to wooden boats?

She saw the name mounted on the back side, "Enchanted Lady." How appropriate. The boat was sleek and alluring.

Alec helped Diedra climb aboard. He started by giving her a hand, but when she slipped on the moist fiberglass , he actually lifted her. Obviously, Enchanted Lady had been washed that morning. Small droplets of water still stood in corners and on the windshield.

It looked as though Alec appreciated the yacht as much as she did. At least that's what she took his male version of cooing to mean. He stood at the helm, running his hands over various knobs, gauges and other instrumental means of torture, acting as if he'd died and gone to man-toy heaven. Men were such suckers for doohickeys.

She had a tough time making out all the words he said, but did manage to pick up a few. Auto pilot, VHF, depth sounder, radar, sonar.

Good heavens. Was this a boat or a UFO?

When he muttered something about a lollipop, she decided he'd finally lost it. But when she asked, he explained that was a term used for a souped-up yacht with all the bells and whistles.

While he was otherwise occupied, Diedra set off to explore the boat. She opened the little doors leading below.

It was delightful. She almost felt like a little girl playing house. The boat had a small kitchen, with a refrigerator, microwave, "L" shaped booth and table. Peeking into the far room, she found a "V" shaped room, complete with a double bed. Now this was boating.

She turned and saw Alec had joined her. "When did boats start resembling houses? Can you believe there's a kitchen down here, dining room, bathroom with a shower and even a bedroom?"

"I think powerboats have always been like that. At least as far back as I can remember."

Diedra blushed. "I don't think I've ever actually been on a boat before." She ran her hand over the teak accents on the walls. "This is really nice."

"Yeah. I've always wanted one. Remind me when we get back to town to look into it."

When they got back to town. He foresaw a future with her around for at least long enough to remind him about a boat. She smiled and whispered, "Okay," all the time willing her heart not to become too hopeful.

Before leaving on the boat, she tried Meagan's number again. When she got no answer, she dialed the herb shop to check on Heather.

"Healthy Herbs, this is Kelli."

"Kelli? What are you doing at the shop?"

"Heather called in the sisterhood to help deal with all the customers."

That was odd. "Is the store that busy?"

"Didn't Heather tell you about the newspaper article on herbs and your love life?"

"No, she didn't."

Kelli first asked about Meagan, but when Diedra had no news to share, Kelli took a few minutes to explain what was going on at the shop. Diedra's heart leaped when she realized everything Heather and her many sisters were doing to help when she most needed it.

"I don't know how I can thank all of you."

"You could make a donation to the charity of your choice," suggested Kelli.

Kelli had been hitting up everyone she knew for donations to the horse rescue charity she worked for, so Diedra said, "Ah, how about the North Texas Equestrian Rescue?"

Kelli laughed. "I thought you'd never offer."

"I probably should be mad at Heather for not telling me what was going on, but I realize why she didn't. Please thank Heather and everyone for me. Believe me, I appreciate everything ya'll are doing for me. And tell her to call me if she has
any
other problems."

"Now that the sisterhood is involved, everything really
is
under control. Thistle even ordered more supplies from your distributor."

Diedra was duly impressed.

"Don't worry about the shop," added Kelli. "We'll be here until you've found Meagan and are ready to return."