Page 68 of Until We Break

I shook my head. “You should. She’d appreciate the business and it’s not that bad.”

“You sure? Maybe I’ll swing by on patrol today and check it out. I could say hi.”

I laughed. “You do that, man.” I cranked the engine. I needed to get out on the water. “Catch you later.”

Gabe shot me a quick salute and I cruised out of the slip and through the creek into the sound. I was barely between the buoys when my phone rang. I answered it before looking at the number on the screen.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Mom.” It wasn’t like her to call this early. “How are you? You’re up with the seagulls.”

She laughed. “I’m just sitting here with my coffee, thinking it’s been a really long time since I’ve seen you. You haven’t been by for dinner in weeks.”

I winced. “Yeah, I’ve been wrapped up in some things.”

“Sounds like you’re on the boat now.”

“I am.” I turned to sweep the channel. “Morning patrol. You know how that is.”

“I do. So what do you think about dinner tonight?” she asked.

“I can’t tonight. I have plans.”

“Okay. What night can you come? You tell me and I’ll make some of your favorites.”

I laughed. She was good at bribing with a homecooked meal. “Can I call you back, Mom? I’ll pick a day. I promise. I’ve got to go now.”

“Have a good day, hon. Don’t forget to call me back,” she warned.

“I’ve got it. Bye, Mom.” I hung up and steered out of the inlet. It hadn’t crossed my mind until she called, but maybe it was time I introduced Margot to my family.

Margot

Istood back and watched the family who had taken their boat out for the late morning toss big inflatable tubes in the water, while their children hopped on. I waved when they careened out of the creek. The kids were already screaming for their dad to go faster. I smiled and turned to walk inside, I had cash in my hand from the ramp use fee.

“Nice mornin.’”

I jumped. I spun slowly. I tilted my head to the side. “It is.”

The fisherman with the ballcap reached for a piece of cut bait off the fish cleaning table. He didn’t look at me while he threaded it on the end of his hook.

“What are you fishing for?” I was afraid to ask him anything. We’d never spoken. I took a step toward him.

“Trout,” he answered.

I nodded as if I knew the difference between a trout and any other kind of fish.

“Any luck?”

He cast the line far into the middle of the marina’s waters. “Nope.”

“Okay. Well, good luck. You know with the fishing. The…umm…the trout.” I walked backward, almost stepping off the side of the pier, then quickly turned toward the cottage with a smile on my face. I didn’t know what had just happened, but I knew it was something good.

I looked up when I heard the crunch of gravel. Shit. It was Dean. He pulled up, stopping a few feet in front of me.

“Good morning.”

“Hi. What brings you out?” I asked.

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