Page 44 of Knockin' Boats
“If you want Skylar to keep liking you, then I suggest you play nice with his guests. Gray and I need to get over to the boats. We’ve got a tour starting in ten minutes.”
I turned and started walking. Gray fell into step beside me.
“He’s an interesting character.”
“There’s a lot of those in Swallow Cove,” I said cautiously. “You’re going to get all types on these boat tours too. You’ve got to be able to handle some shit.”
“Hey, if I get paid, then I’m happy.” He hesitated. “Besides, I’ve been on the wrong side of the tracks most of my life. I’m used to handling shit.”
I ran a gaze over Gray. He was rough around the edges, both arms tatted up, tangled hair that hung down under his ball cap and a beard that could use a trim.
He’d fit right in with some of the country boys in the Ozarks though. Heck, even I had tattoos on my upper arm, just some decorative shit I thought was cool when I was twenty.
“You’ll be just fine,” I said. “Most folks just want a good time. Just don’t let them get carried away. You’re responsible for their safety. We don’t take that lightly.”
He nodded. “You got it.”
We reached the docks and readied the boat for launch. I’d been more relaxed today, knowing that Ash would be out on the water in his food boat. Now that he wasn’t hanging around the resort so much, maybe things could get back to normal.
Hudson emerged from his office. “You all ready to take off?”
“Yep. I was just running Gray through our safety procedures.”
“Perfect,” Hudson said with a grin. “Make sure you swing by Master Bites with this tour.”
My heart lurched. “Uh, why?”
“Because we want to support our resort partner,” Hudson said mildly, though there was a hint of annoyance underlying it.
He shouldn’t have to tell me this. Hewouldn’thave to, if that food boat was run by anyone else.
I sighed. “Right, of course. I wasn’t thinking…”
The tour group showed up just then, so Hudson left us to handle the introductions and board the two brothers, Mark and Paul, and their wives, Crystal and Renee.
Once we’d cast off, I let Gray take the wheel. He had plenty of experience driving boats. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have hired him.
I ran through the safety spiel, then took a seat in the co-captain’s chair and swiveled it in their direction.
“So, what brings you all out on this beautiful day?” I asked.
It really was beautiful, too. Not hot yet, but warm enough to be comfortable. Only a gentle breeze—until we started going faster at any rate—and sun rays dancing over the surface of the smooth water.
“It’s our thirtieth birthday,” Mark said, gesturing between himself and his brother. “We came on this trip to celebrate the big, awful, 3-0.”
Renee laughed and nudged him. “Stop it. You don’t look a day over twenty-nine.” She paused. “Well, maybejusta day over twenty-nine.”
“You’re hilarious,” he deadpanned.
“So, you’re twins?” Gray asked from his seat at the wheel.
“Not identical, obviously.”
“Thank goodness,” Crystal said. “They’re bad enough as it is. Can you imagine if they were exactly alike?”
Renee snorted. “It’s a scary thought.”
They might not be identical, but they certainly had more in common than I did with Mason. They were a similar height and size, though one of them had hazel eyes and one brown. There was no mistaking the fact they were brothers.
