Page 19 of Must Love Alligators

“That’s a little audacious,” she told him.

“Yeah.”

“Okay, git out of here,” Ellie said, untying the boat and giving the edge a push with her shoe.

It didn’t do much but it rocked the boat slightly.

Chase and Bailey moved apart.

“Oh, and don’t let Chase drive,” Ellie said.

Bailey looked over at her.“No?Why not?”

“He can tell you.”Ellie gave Chase a smile and then waved them off.“Take your time.”

Bailey watched as the woman turned and made her way up the dock.A movement up to the right of the building caught her eye and she squinted trying to make out what it was that Sawyer Landry was chasing.

“It that an otter?”she asked Chase, pointing.

Chase followed her finger, then shook his head.“Looks like a cat to me.”

Uh-huh.That was not a cat.“It looks—”

“Do you know how to drive an airboat?”he interrupted, taking the bag with the lights and star from her and storing it under one of the seats.

“Well, yeah, that’s how we get around out there.”

“Good.You’re up, Captain Bailey.”

Suddenly she found herself being lifted with two big hands on her waist into the seat at the back of the boat.He stepped back.And stood there.

She just sat for a second after he put her down, not saying anything.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, just waiting.”

“For?

“Well, you touched me.So I figure the boat is about to capsize or one of us is going to start puking or something.”

He didn’t disagree.Or laugh.He just waited, too.

Finally, after a full minute had passed, he asked, “How long do you think it should take?”

“Every other time it’s been immediate.”

“So maybe we’re safe this time.”

“Maybe.”

“And maybe—” He stepped forward.“It’s aboutwhereI touch you.The other times have been when I’ve touched your hand or gone for your mouth.”

He was now very much in her personal space.But not touching her.She looked up at him.

“Interesting theory.”

He reached out and put a single finger on her right knee.

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