any of that coffee left?”
“Fresh pot.” The little woman with the care-worn face and hair dyed a rich brown to cover all of the gray ran a washrag over the counter. “Good morning, Dave. No charters today?”
“Not until later.” He helped himself to a cup of coffee and sat on the stool on the other side of the counter from Sal to sip the steaming brew. As the hot coffee traveled down his throat, the warm rich aroma swirling around him, Dave could almost pretend all was right in his world.
“I made some fresh biscuits for breakfast. Care for some?”
Sal always made more than she and Olie could eat, and, as with every morning, Dave accepted her hospitality. “You know I love your biscuits. Please.”
She lifted a basket covered in a bright red-checkered cloth from behind the counter. When he reached for a biscuit, she pushed the basket toward him. “Oh, please. Take all of them. Your guest might like some.”
Dave stared across at Sal. “Thank you.”
“Oh, give up, Sal. You know you’re dying to ask who she is.”
Sal’s face reddened. “I wasn’t going to ask, but since Olie opened his big mouth... Who is she? Someone we know?”
“No. She’s an old friend I knew from back in my service days. She was here a couple months’ back.” Dave took one of the biscuits and jammed it in his mouth, hoping the inquisition stopped there.
Sal stared at him a moment, giving him a chance to elaborate.
Making a big show of chewing, he didn’t.
After a moment she nodded. “Well, I’m glad to see you interested. I was beginning to think you had sworn off women.”
Having just taken a sip of the hot coffee, Dave practically spewed. “Wait a minute. Who said I was interested?”
Sal smiled like the proverbial cat that had swallowed the canary. “Honey, when a man carries a woman into his yacht and she doesn’t leave all night...” Her face reddened again. “Just because Olie and I are old, doesn’t mean we’re naive. Please.”
Olie slapped him on the back. “Me and Sal figured it was about time you got back in the dating scene.”
Dave stood, a little angry and a lot disconcerted to be having this conversation with the two people he’d come to care for like surrogate parents. “Anything else you two deciding on my behalf? It might help me to be forewarned.”
Olie scratched his chin. “Well, Sal thinks I need to talk to you about protection—”
Heat radiated up his neck. “I’m out of here.” Grabbing the basket of biscuits and his cup of coffee, Dave headed for the door. “Next thing I know you’ll be telling me all about the birds and the bees.”
“Oh, no, honey.” Sal rested her hands on her hips. “We figure you know all about that. But sometimes a man needs reminding about other things.”
“I’m not hearing this. Please stop talking.” He ran for the door, sloshing hot coffee on his hand.
“Have a nice day with your lady friend,” Sal called.
The echo of Olie’s chuckles followed Dave out the door.
What had gotten into those two meddling, well-meaning old people? He was happy as a confirmed bachelor.
His footsteps slowed as he approached the battered yacht that had seen better days a couple of decades before.
What did he care what his home looked like? The engine had never run smoother and he was working on the exterior as he got time. Now that the summer season was waning, he’d have more time to work on his special project. As soon as his guest moved out.
Biscuits, coffee and the boot. She couldn’t stay. He liked his peace and quiet and certainly didn’t want to get caught up in a felony looking for some people to arrest.
He still couldn’t get over the fact Gabe hadn’t arrested her, knowing she’d broken into a business and stolen confidential information.
Still shaking his head, he stepped onto the boat and descended the steps into the living area.
The couch was empty. Had she gone? His pulse quickened as he glanced around the cabin. Then he heard the water running in the bathroom and he let go of the breath he’d been holding, annoyed that he’d been strangely disappointed thinking she’d gone without saying goodbye.
As he set about the task of plugging in the coffeepot and measuring out coffee, the door to the bathroom opened.
Still wearing the shirt she’d borrowed, she now had on the black leather pants and boots and she’d pulled her hair back into a neat ponytail. Somehow, in the makeshift outfit with no makeup on her face and nothing fancy about her hairstyle, the woman still managed to look gorgeous.
He dragged his gaze away. “Coffee will be ready in a minute.”
“Don’t make any for me.”
Good, more for him, since he hadn’t slept worth a damn and Tazer would soon be leaving. Dave poured water into the device and set it on brew.
“I don’t drink coffee, but I’d love a Coke if you have one.”
“There’s one in the refrigerator, help yourself.” And, it was a can and could be taken with her. “Is there somewhere I can drop you off today?”
“I could use some clothes and a few personal items and a good computer.”
“I’m sure your friends will help you out.”
“I can’t be seen in the daylight with them. Someone could be watching them.”
He crossed his arms. “Do I look like a chauffeur?”
“No, of course not. But I can’t be seen too much in public.” Nicole smiled, her face lighting the room, her lips twisting into a wry grin as she handed him a list of items and five one-hundred-dollar bills. “I need you to pick up these items for me.”
Dave stared for a moment, clamping his jaw tight to keep his mouth from dropping. “Do you always carry that kind of money around?”
She smiled. “A girl has to have her mad money.”
“I thought mad money was limited to cab fare home.”
“Not when you’re in my business.”
“No, thanks. I’m not your gofer.” He tried to hand her the list and the money, but she backed away.
“I’m not any happier than you are, but it seems my options are limited. I’m staying here.” She glanced around the tight confines of the cabin, refusing to look him in the eye. “Surely you have a computer I can use until Thomas or Valdez can get me a faster one.”
“Why would I need a computer? I captain a charter boat.”
Her
