Page 171 of Knockin' Boats
“Okay,” I said quietly. “I’ll be there.”
“Thanks, Ash, you won’t regret this!”
I was entirely sure she was wrong, but I couldn’t say no to my mom.
Not even when it had disaster written all over it.
CHAPTER 36
Ash
We arrived at the marina to find a small crowd gathered under a bright yellow pavilion not far from the water.
Beneath the fluttering tent, folding chairs had been set out in rows. There was a table off to one side with food and a podium up front for a speaker.
The event hadn’t started yet. People were still milling around with drinks and nibbles in hand, talking and laughing. I could tell just by looking that this was Rick’s sort of crowd—lots of middle-aged men in chino shorts and Ralph Lauren polos that passed for business attire in the summer heat. A few women in capris and short-sleeved blouses.
Sawyer took my hand as we slipped inside. “You ready?”
“Not really,” I muttered.
But Mom made a beeline straight for us, her hand hooked through Rick’s arm.
“I’m so glad you made it!” she said, smile bright but a tad forced. “Right, Rick? Aren’t you glad they made it?”
Rick bared his teeth in what could possibly pass for a smile. Did he think it was threatening? “So great.” His eyes narrowedin on Sawyer. “Too bad you forgot your glasses, huh? I hope you can see from the back.”
“I’ve got 20/20 vision.”
“Right, right. Well, that’s helpful…to you.”
Mom looked puzzled by his weak attempt to imply Sawyer couldn’t see well enough to be a reliable witness.
She pressed on. “It’s so good to see you again, Sawyer! I remember how close you and Ash were. He really missed you when you moved to Swallow Cove.”
“Thanks, you too,” Sawyer said. “Mom still thinks about you. You should give her a call. I bet she’d love to catch up.”
Mom smiled. “Maybe I’ll do that.”
“Sawyer filed a statement against DreamBoats for an accident we didn’t cause. An innocent mistake, I’m sure,” Rick said. “Still, we probably shouldn’t be talking with a witness in the case.” He paused. “Unless Sawyer would like to amend that statement, now that he’s so close to the family? It’s probably a conflict of interest.”
I snorted. “You don’t quit, do you?”
“I can’t exactly quit. I’m under investigation because of him.”
“No, you’re under investigation because you covered up a crime.”
Rick shook his head, flinging a hand toward me. “You see what I’m dealing with? Just lie after lie.”
He stalked off, leaving Mom flustered. “I…I’ll talk to him.” She lowered her voice. “You can’t just toss around accusations like that though, Ash. You could really hurt his reputation.”
“They’re not accusations,” I insisted. “Sawyer was there. He saw what happened.”
Mom glanced sidelong at Sawyer. “I’m sure you’re trying to do the right thing. But Rick told me none of the DreamBoats had a tour that night, and he wouldn’t lie to me.”
An older man was stepping up to the podium, calling for the crowd’s attention.
“We’ll talk more after the event,” Mom said. “Don’t leave.”
