“Are you seeing him tonight?”
“He’s camping for another week or so,” she said, draining the last of her tea. “And I should go. Harry’s texted me twice, and Gary Jr., Suki, and Gigi want to have a talk about their cottage.”
Elaine left cash on the table and stood, slipping her wallet back into her bag. “They say when they’re moving to Toronto?”
Anna frowned and shook her head. “After Christmas. I’m in total denial at the moment,” she said, shoving her arms into her raincoat. “How the hell am I going to manage being a long-distance grandmother? You’re going to have to help me watch my wine consumption.”
“Well, if it’s any consolation, I think Romy’s heading for a divorce.”
“Oh, Elaine, I’m so sorry.” She opened the passenger door and climbed into the truck.
“I am too, but I had a feeling it wasn’t going to work. Romy had to indulge her need for a father figure. I’m just sorry the man she chose turned out to be chronically attracted to wooing his graduate students.”
Anna rolled her eyes and buckled her seat belt. “Any chance she’ll come back to the island and work for the Brazen Hussy Floating Bordello company?”
Elaine laughed as she put the truck in gear. “If I can get her here for a visit, we might be able to pick her creative brain a bit. Between the two of you, the insides of our boats ought to be gorgeous.”
Anna smiled. She spent so much time in sailboats and refurbished fishing boats that she could already picture what the interiors might look like. She glanced at her best friend, happy their crazy idea might end up being not so crazy after all.
Her week continued the theme of Getting Stuff Done. Gigi and Gary Jr. were perfectly able to divide the use of the cottage on their own, but they wanted her to sit in on their discussion. Anna suspected they hoped she would volunteer in some capacity to help with future rentals, but she made it clear she’d be available for emergencies—and opinions—only. She had to sit tight on her maternal inclination to smooth the rough edges.
She also had to sit on the urge to call Daniel. She’d give him a full week, and if he hadn’t called or emailed, she would initiate contact. There were some things she wanted to say.
Chapter Sixteen
Monday morning school traffic was at its peak when Anna parked her truck at the marina and dragged her wide-strapped canvas work bag from the passenger seat. Rain was beginning to come down in earnest, and there wasn’t a visible line separating the gray of the sky and the gray of the water. She zipped her hooded slicker to her chin and waved to the guys standing in the office before taking the wood ramp to the docks, eager to see what her next project entailed. Having two custom jobs this time of year was unusual, having two complete re-fittings was rare, and getting to work with her sexy neighbor was a total bonus.
The two-masted ketch purchased by Liam’s clients had been moved from storage and was now moored at the furthest berth. Its once red exterior had faded to a splotchy pink. She could see someone who might be Liam loading bags onto the boat’s deck.
Her belly fluttered in anticipation. They’d had a brief phone conversation once he returned from his camping expedition. Neither had volunteered much detail about their respective trips. Today, they’d be confined in tight quarters, possibly for hours, giving them plenty of time to cover the past two weeks, and what needed to be done with the boat.
There would be time to get on to more personal things too.
Liam came up from below decks, his bearded face framed by the hood of a bright yellow slicker. He gestured for Anna to toss her bag and dropped it into the space behind him then stepped into the cockpit and extended his hand across the gunwale.
“Welcome aboard the Blood Vessel.”
Anna followed him down the short ladder and into the main cabin. She pulled the hood of her slicker off her head and went to undo the snaps when Liam gave a low, appreciative whistle.
“Sunshine agrees with you.” He brought his nose close to her hair. “I swear you still smell like the beach.”
She smiled. Yes, sunshine did agree with her, as did beach walks, infinity pools, and flying first class. “I swear I’ve showered since I got back. Maybe it’s the hotel shampoo I pilfered. Looks like camping agrees with you. I like the new facial hair.”
Liam grinned and scratched at the side of his jaw. “We’ll see how much longer I can keep this up. It’s kind of itchy.”
“May I?” she asked, gesturing to his face.
He leaned in, lifted his chin, closed his eyes, and tried to purr. It came out more like a tortured growl.
Anna rubbed her fingers along his jaw. “Nice kitty.”
“So, you had a good time?” He stepped to the side and bent over to remove a few measuring tools from the box.
“I did.” She kept the tone of her response even-keeled and moved the conversation back to his trip. “And you? It wasn’t too cold for sleeping under the stars?”
Liam straightened, his head almost grazing the ceiling of the tight quarters. “Good thing my gear was rated for below freezing because it rained and snowed and everything in between. But the mountains were stunning, and I even got to walk on a glacier.” He pivoted, grinning, and looked for a clear surface for his sketchbook and measuring tools. “Would you mind emptying the cupboards and counters? I brought some heavy-duty trash bags. And we don’t need to be precious about it. We can just heave the bags onto the deck as you fill them. Or I’ll do it.”
“You want me to go
