Page 13 of Island Rescuer

“Thank you.” First and foremost, she was grateful that he’d been there when she needed an assist. Maybe if she pretended hard enough, she could convince herself this was all a happy coincidence. “What were you doing fishing out there today?” Like her, he’d grown up near the coast, but she couldn’t recall hearing much about his fishing preferences.

“Seemed like a good day for fishing.” He pointed to her. “I’d say I got the best catch.”

“Funny.”

He shrugged, then tilted his head toward the radio, still tuned to the emergency channel. “Hear that? They got everyone off the boat.”

“Good.” It was a big relief to know her friends would be safely back at the marina soon. They’d have to schedule a meeting for the business details they’d hoped to work out this morning. Of course, that would require communication. Her cell phone was likely on its way to the bottom of the ocean. Considering the jerk who’d been sending her messages, she wasn’t all that sad about it.

“What about us? Where are we going?” They were drifting toward the south, but she didn’t see any familiar landmarks. “I should get back to the resort.”

He only shook his head. “Bruce knows where you are. Knows you’re safe.”

Good. Her uncle would relay that to her parents. But when had Knox made that call? She hadn’t heard him speak with anyone but her. Hadn’t seen him use his phone.

“That charter went down too fast,” Knox said. “Who jumped in the water after you?”

“Someone went in?” She didn’t remember much of anything after she’d slipped. She’d gone under until the lifejacket buoyed her up. She hadn’t realized it was Knox who’d pulled her in until she was on the boat with him.

“Yes. A split-second after you fell,” he explained. “Some guy from the other boat dove right in after you.”

That was a huge risk with the fishing boat sinking and the other vessels pressing in to offer help. “I should probably figure out who that was and thank him.”

“Or not.” Knox grunted. “Were you friendly with that crew? Someone must’ve recognized you.”

She shivered as cold fear trickled down her spine. “I guess so. I didn’t see anyone until you.”

Another grunt as he started the engine and got underway once more.

“Where are you taking me?”

He didn’t reply, focused on cruising over the waves. She took a moment to drink him in while he was distracted. He wore a white and navy colorblock windbreaker over dark blue board shorts and deck shoes with no socks. His legs were braced, his hands light on the wheel, looking completely relaxed. The only evidence to the contrary was the hard set of his jaw.

When he didn’t volunteer any more information, she tried to sort it out on her own. Instead, her mind kept replaying the fire and smoke from the fishing boat. What on earth had caused that? Her gaze drifted back to the windscreen and that trickle of fear turned into a hard grip around her heart.

“Knox? Talk to me.” No response, though he must’ve heard her. “You can’t ignore me forever.”

“I haveneverignored you,” he said without sparing her a glance.

She wasn’t sure he’d meant to admit that. Though she wanted clarification, she stuck to the more pressing issue. “What do you think is going on?”

An accident or sabotage? If the damage was deliberate, was it about her? This time she was ready for the shiver and braced against it, refusing to give in. A stunt like that being about her seemed like an extreme theory and more than a little self-centered.

Accidents happened, even on well-maintained vessels. As he kept up the silent treatment, she took in the view, searching for a landmark. To port, it was nothing but ocean. Glancing starboard, she spied a barrier island in the distance. “You’re certainly taking the long way. Have I been shanghaied?”

“You’ve been rescued from an attempt on your life,” he stated baldly.

“What?” That was exactly what she didn’t want to hear. “I know you pulled me out?—”

“I know what I saw, Harper. That was a setup. Someone planted an explosive on the charter. On the day you booked it.”

“That can’t be true.” She draped the towel he’d bundled her in over her legs, rubbing away the chill. “It was a last-minute thing. You’re making a wild assumption.”

She needed it to be a wild assumption. Needed his theory to be completelywrong.

He throttled down, scanning the area for anyone who might get too close. They were still remarkably alone. Sailboats had been skimming on the wind as they passed the Charleston harbor, but that was behind them now.

Knox pulled off his sunglasses and hooked them in the collar of his shirt. “Is it wild? I think it’s the safe bet. The logical answer.”

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