Page 39 of Wild Tides
Slowly, the boat docked, the giant gangway falling to connect the boat to shore. The captain cut the engines, and we couldfinally hear it. Delicate music floated on the night air, tantalizing with its wispy notes.
It drew me forward, and I heeded the call, leaving my blanket and coffee behind to walk the dock and approach the ferry. The musicians had set up on the forward deck. At first, the walk-on passengers eager to disembark hid them, but as the ferry workers released them to head to shore, the mash of bodies cleared.
My chest tightened at the sight of him – not surprise, but from the way my body seemed to betray me every time he was near. Recognition first, longing after, like a reflex I couldn’t unlearn.
He leaned against a tall stool, strumming gently as he crooned the lyrics to “Dancing Queen.” Lee. He’d dressed for the occasion. I didn’t even know he owned a tux. His white shirt was crisp against the black jacket and slacks.
A handful of musicians accompanied him on guitars, ukeleles, and at least one tambourine.
The observers seemed to hold their collective breath as the song finished.
Lee held my gaze, and my heart melted. He’d risen to my silly challenge beautifully. He’d more than earned his laptop back. Not that it had traveled far. I’d tucked it into the bottom drawer of his desk in his office.
“Violet Fenwick, will you go to the Sweetheart’s Dance with me? Call it a second-chance prom. Or better yet, your birthday present.” He projected his voice so it boomed across the distance between us, easily drowning out the foot traffic as ferry passengers crossed. His eyes twinkled.
A small smile flirted with the corner of my mouth. I hadn’t been the only one thinking about rewriting the past. It wasn’t Homecoming, but the town’s annual Valentine’s fundraiser was an excellent substitute.
Now Gran’s insistence on a second dress made sense.
I’d wanted him to stake a claim without regard to town gossip. Tonight, he’d made my girlish dreams come true. The light in his blue eyes told me he wanted a shot at making the grown-up ones a reality too.
“Yes, Lee. I’d love to.”
A cheer went up from our spectators, and I laughed, wiping surreptitiously at the moisture gathering at the corner of my eyes. The musicians disembarked, and the ferry staff began unloading cars.
Lee approached, more handsome than I could have imagined in his suit. The dark fabric emphasized his broad shoulders. I rested my hands on his lapels, smoothing them between fingers that trembled.
“Where did you get this?” I focused on the white fabric until I felt I could look at him without drowning him in sappy tears.
Lee crowded closer, thethunkof his boot echoing on the dock as he walked me backward until I pressed against the ferry terminal wall, sheltering me with his bulk. Maybe he sensed the emotion I was trying to contain. “My closet.”
He pulled back just enough to take in the black dress that hugged my breasts, revealing a generous slice of cleavage. “You look gorgeous, by the way. I’m glad there was something you liked among the things I picked out.”
“I thought you let the shops choose?”
“Oh, no, Cupcake. I wouldn’t trust that to just anyone.” His voice was calm, even gruff, but the low rasp of it skated along my nerves. Finding the raw places I tried to hide.
“When did you have time?” I’d posted my musical challenge only that morning. I figured he’d grab his instrument from his closet and hit the ferry docks, not plan a whole promposal.
His grin was a white slash in the growing shadows. “Yesterday.”
Shock held me immobile. That was what I got for trying to outwit him.
“But that was before I issued my latest ransom challenge onWhat’s New, Friday Harbor.”
“But not before I knew I wanted to ask you to the dance.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Never forget, I plot murders for a living. Plotting for the living is a piece of cake.”
He swayed toward me, sending heat crawling up my throat. If he kept looking at me like that, I’d unravel long before I was ready.
“Are you implying I’m an amateur, Murphy?”
“Not at all, Vi. You had me in a full panic until you insisted I check for lost and found posts.”
“I had to get at least a little revenge.” I pinched my fingers together.
I shivered, and he gathered me close, arms wrapped around me, tugging me into the shelter of his big body. I told myself it was just Lee being Lee, but it betrayed a new intimacy between us. One I craved. With his touch, the ferry passengers and townspeople faded to nothing.
“Does this mean I get a clean slate?” His voice dropped low and rough, sending a curling heat through my body.
