Page 44 of Whispers of Redemption

“You made a checklist on your phone?” She dropped her sunglasses and eyed him over the top of the rims. “What am I saying? Of course you did.”

“It’s the only way details don’t fall through the cracks!”

“But you still forgot your towel,” she pointed out.

“Yeah, well...” He trailed off, unwilling to admit that he’d known in advance that she’d be at the beach party. The thought of spending time with her today had distracted him, affecting his normal fastidious level of preparation.

She scooted over to make room for him, and he sat down on the blanket next to her. Angel immediately left her water dish to come over and sniff him. Wade sat stiffly under her scrutiny. “At least she’s not growling at me this time,” he observed.

“Yeah, maybe she’s starting to like you a little,” Cassie suggested, removing her sunglasses. “Either that, or she’s figured out that you might be a good source of gourmet dog treats.”

“Funny.”

Satisfied that Wade posed no threat, Angel lay down at the top center of the blanket, her small doggie eyes moving back and forth between them.

“That was a good game,” he said. “You’re a talented athlete.” She’d already lain back down with her eyes closed. He took the moment once again to admire her long, shapely legs and the very visible curves that rose above and below her slender waist.

“I know,” she responded. Then she popped one eye open and grinned at him. “I guess if I’m being honest, you’re not so bad yourself, Riley.”

He flopped onto his stomach and angled his head to face her. “Wow, I hope you didn’t break anything giving me a compliment like that. I’d say you had a much easier time dishing out the smack talk during the game.”

“It’s my gift,” she teased, a twinkle in her green eyes. Then she gave a little shrug. “I’m very competitive.”

“I’ve noticed.”

They were quiet for a while, surrounded by the rhythm of the waves and the sounds of laughing teens and music playing.

Then he said, “You know, Hugo and I went to see Olga yesterday afternoon. We wanted to give her an update and ask her some questions about Brett, whether she or Zack noticed anything unusual about his behavior when he comes for packages. Turned out she’d already been updated by you.” He’d kept his gaze straight ahead, but out of the corner of his eyes, he saw her turn to look at him.

There were another few moments of silence. Then she said softly, “Sorry.”

For some reason, he wasn’t sure why, this time he wasn’t angry at her for breaking protocol. “It’s all right,” he sighed. “I think I’ve given up trying to stop you from helping with this case.”

“Good,” she sat up. “Because it would be pointless anyway.” She dusted sand off her hands. “Can we forget about Olga for a while, though?”

“Sure,” he said.

“Wanna go for a ride?”

“Huh?”

She gave Angel over to the care of Ani and moments later, he found himself standing beside Cassie as she rented a Jet Ski from the small beachside rental shack. They snapped on their life jackets and followed the worker to a bright yellow and blue Jet Ski.

Wade started to climb into the driver’s seat and she laid a light hand on his shoulder. The soft touch sent fiery sparks shooting over his skin where her fingertips brushed him. “What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, one copper brow lifted.

“I was gonna—”

“I don’t think so,” she said, and pressed him gently back before settling herself into the driver’s position.

“Maybe I’ll just get my own,” he started to say.

“Oh c’mon, ride with me. It’ll be fun!” She waited while he climbed on behind her. Then she punched the throttle and he barely had time to wrap his arms around her waist before they rocketed off over the waves.

Wade did not like the fact that he was not in control. She rode fast. Faster than he felt comfortable. He leaned left and then right as they turned, skimmed, and bounced over the water’s surface while she laughed out loud.

“Hang on!” she shouted over the roar of the wind. They headed straight toward a ski boat flying across the lake. He was about to object when she veered off and started crisscrossing back and forth, jumping over its wake. All he could do was try to calm his breathing and hold on for dear life.

Then with another rush of adrenaline, they were back to flying over the crests of waves at more than seventy miles per hour.

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