Reluctant Partners

boat. This time Kaylee, her three-year-old daughter, had come with her. The darling blond-haired little girl stood at the railing, looking like a beacon in her bright orange life jacket.

She hopped up and down and waved frantically when she caught sight of Allie. “Allie, Allie! Mommy, look, Allie!”

Jane turned and her face registered a smile of recognition, though Allie couldn’t help noticing that she appeared strained even from a distance.

“Ahoy, you!” Jane called as she came to the railing and rested her hand on the top of Kaylee’s head. “Oh my gosh, the Dragonfly looks fantastic!”

Cooper busied himself tying off the lines, so Allie descended the ladder and hopped onto the dock. She joined Jane on the Princess II.

“Hi, there, flipper!” she said to Jane’s daughter, who was the light of Jane’s life. Allie privately thought that Kaylee was the only thing keeping Jane sane, given the oaf she was married to. Allie picked up Kaylee and held her aloft as the child squealed in delight, then gave her a hug and set her down.

“Where did you disappear to?” Allie asked Jane. “I thought you guys were down for the whole weekend, and then suddenly you were gone. I hope nothing’s wrong.”

“Actually, something’s right, or about to be,” Jane said with cautious optimism. “I haven’t wanted to talk about it, but Scott and I are getting divorced. In fact, it will be final in two weeks.”

“Oh, Jane, I’m so sorry.” Although really, Allie wasn’t sorry at all. Scott Simone was a monumental jerk. But any divorce was difficult. Separating spouses had to admit defeat and failure of their marriage, which probably had started out with great hopes and expectations. “What about Kaylee?” It would be just like Scott to fight for custody, simply to be hurtful.

“I have full custody, thank God. Scott asked for one weekend a month. Can you imagine?” She lowered her voice and whispered in Allie’s ear, so Kaylee wouldn’t hear. “That’s all he wants to see his daughter. Ten-to-one he won’t even want that, and it’ll be just as well. Kaylee will be better with no father than one who clearly doesn’t put her first.”

Allie couldn’t agree more.

Jane resumed talking in her normal voice. “We came down here last weekend for one last-ditch effort to work things out, to see if we could remember why we’d gotten married in the first place. But when Scott punched out Max Remington, that was it for me. He was insanely jealous of any male who even talked to me, no matter what the circumstances. It was only a matter of time before he started hitting me instead of the supposedly flirting men.”

“So Max wasn’t flirting?”

Jane looked embarrassed. “Well, he was flirting a little. I suspect a man like Max Remington simply can’t help himself. When he’s near anything female, he flirts. It oozes from his pores.”

Jane’s gaze flickered to behind Allie, where Cooper still puttered around. “I’m dying to know what’s going on. Can you stay for lunch? The Princess II is all mine now, to do with as I please. It’s the sum total of my settlement.”

Allie was appalled. Scott Simone had been worth millions.

Jane laid a hand on Allie’s arm. “No, it’s what I wanted. Full custody of Kaylee is the only thing that mattered to me. I don’t want Scott’s money.”

“But how will you live?” Allie asked. “You aren’t going to sell the boat, are you?”

“I’ll keep it if I can. At least it’s a roof over our heads, and I have a little cash to tide me over until I can find a job. I’m fine, really.”

“All right,” Allie said. “But if you need anything, I’m right next door.” At least for three more days.

Allie returned to the Dragonfly, where Cooper had found himself a deck chair and was looking pretty satisfied with himself.

“I thought you said we have a lot of work to do.” She nudged his Top-Sider with her foot. “We at least need to lay in some provisions for tomorrow. I assume you want something a little fancier than cold cuts for your brother.”

“Can we do fancy?” he asked. “I’ve made a lot of bold promises, but quite honestly I’ve been planning to hire someone to do the food and drink.”

“I got it covered,” she said with a grin. “If Miss Greer can spare Sara, I’ll ask her to help. We’ll knock your brother’s socks off.”

Cooper returned her smile, but suddenly his face froze as something caught his eye behind her.

“What?” Allie asked, whirling around, and that was when she saw him. The very brother in question, as if she’d conjured him up by mentioning him.

Allie could have picked him out of a lineup-even a lineup of corporate lawyers-because he looked just like Cooper. A bit taller and rangier, perhaps, but he had the same blue eyes, the same prominent nose, same yuppie weekend-casual wardrobe.

As he strode purposefully toward the Dragonfly, his eyes took in every detail as his brain processed them-evaluating, assessing. His mouth firmed, as if he didn’t like what he saw.

“Cooper.” He gave a stiff wave.

“Oh, God,” Cooper said under his breath. “Here we go.” He looked briefly at Allie, silently begging her not to spill the beans.

She’d already made the decision that she wouldn’t tell Derek the real story of how she and Cooper had come to be working together on the boat. In fact, she would let him be captain-for-a-day. She would handle food-and- beverage duty, and let his brother see for himself that Cooper had made a wise decision, that he was living the good life.

Cooper met his brother on the dock while Allie hung back, doing her own assessment. “Derek.” The two men shook hands. Not very warm and cuddly. But then, not all families were raised to be huggers. She cautioned herself not to make any snap decisions about Derek Remington, as she’d done with Cooper.

“Where’s Sylvia?” Cooper asked his brother.

“Unpacking at the B and B. She’ll join us later.” Derek’s gaze roved over the Dragonfly. “So, this is what dragged you away from your home, your family and a six-figure income. The way you described it, I thought it would be bigger.” He glanced up and down the dock, taking in the other boats, probably comparing the Dragonfly to her neighbors. His gaze settled briefly on the Princess II. Probably the pleasure craft was more to his taste.

Allie silently vowed that by the time Derek returned to New York, he would be ready to turn in his resignation at Remington Industries and sign on as a deckhand working for Cooper.

“This is the Dragonfly,” Cooper said proudly. “Isn’t she the most gorgeous thing you’ve ever seen?”

Obviously not, as he made no reply.

“Come on board,” Cooper said with a tad less enthusiasm. “I’ll show you around.”

As Derek stepped aboard, his critical gaze fell on Allie, who waited politely to be introduced. He eyed her with interest, probably trying to guess who the hell she was.

“Derek, this is Allie Bateman, my…” He stopped, clearly not wanting to lie outright.

Allie decided to do it for him. “I work for Cooper.”

“In what capacity?” Derek asked, shaking her hand, his smile distant.

“I’m his fish-finder,” she said, and Cooper slapped his hand over his mouth to stifle what she hoped was laughter. “Best in the business. I’m also a gourmet chef, and I prepare all the meals for our passengers.”

“Ah. You can get me a cold beer, then.”

“Yes, sir. Right away.” Gawd, he did everything but snap his fingers at her and say, “Chop chop.” And she’d thought Cooper was arrogant.

Fortunately, Otis had moved what little food and drink had been in the old fridge to the new one, so she was able to lay her hands on a cold beer.

“So, who is she really?” Derek asked, his body language reeking with disapproval.

Allie stopped when she realized they were discussing her. She stood there, frozen, not sure whether she should retreat, interrupt them, or eavesdrop.