Page 16 of Their Reluctant Catch

“I’m fine,” I lie. “I haven’t had a panic attack since I landed, so that’s something.”

Her sigh of relief carries through the line. “That’s good, Anna. That’s really good.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, leaning back in the chair. “It’s a start.”

By the time I head downstairs, the house feels quieter, more settled. The faint smell of coffee draws me to the kitchen, where Diana, Elliot, and another man sit around the table. The man is older, his hair silver and his face weathered, but there’s a sharpness in his eyes that immediately puts me on alert.

“Savannah,” Diana greets me. “This is Jack. He’s part of the family.”

Jack stands, extending a hand. His grip is firm but not crushing, and his smile holds a hint of mischief. “Good to meet you.”

“You, too,” I reply, taking a seat as Diana sets a slice of cherry pie and a steaming cup of coffee in front of me.

The pie is, quite honestly, to die for. The coffee is rich and dark, perfectly cutting through the sweetness.

“So”—Jack leans back in his chair—“what brings you to our little corner of the world?”

I hesitate, not wanting to go into detail. “Needed a change of scenery,” I say vaguely, then take another bite to keep from saying more.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jack shift forward slightly, his mouth parting like he’s about to ask something else—something deeper. Before the words come out, a sudden wince flickers across his face. He presses his lips together, settling back in his chair without another word. If I didn’t know better, I’d say Diana just saved me from an interrogation with a well-placed kick under the table.

We stick to safe topics after that—Elliot and Diana trading mild gossip about Main Street business hours and the weather, Jack chiming in with dry commentary. I smile when it’s expected, answer what I must, but keep myself tucked behind my pie and coffee, letting them do most of the talking.

“Thank you,” I say sincerely. “I enjoyed the coffee and the pie.” The company? Well, let’s not dive into that.

Jack doesn’t say anything, merely watches me with those sharp eyes that miss nothing. He’s not hostile, more like he’s assessing me. I’m not used to being studied like a problem to be solved. The way he leans back in his chair, arms loose, but with a tension that says he could pounce the second he chooses... yeah, I don’t love that. Feels like I just failed some kind of test I didn’t agree to take.

He’s intense. Way too intense.

Also unfairly attractive—for an older guy. The kind of man who’s dangerous if you’re not careful. I’m very careful.

So, yeah—let’s not dive into the whole company thing.

Diana is nice, though.

“You’re welcome.” Diana’s smile widens.

I glance at Elliot. “I’d like to check on my rental car. Diana said you would take me?”

Elliot pushes back his chair, rising smoothly. “Of course.”

* * *

Todd

The air smells faintly of salt and seaweed as Colton and I walk down the dock to theSea Spirit. Two days have passed since we’ve been out to sea. First, errands kept us stuck on land, and then Savannah happened. Now, it’s too late in the afternoon to head out, but we can at least check our gear and make sure everything’s ready for tomorrow.

Colton strides ahead, his shoulders tense like they always are when something’s weighing on him. He pulls open the hatch to check the motor, then freezes mid-motion.

“Shit,” he mutters.

I lean over. “What?”

He steps aside, pointing to the puddle of oil pooling at the bottom of the compartment.

I let out a low whistle. “That’s not good.”

Colton shoots me a glare. “No shit, Sherlock.”

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