me.”
“If it hasn’t sunk to the bottom of the sound by then.”
She hunched her shoulders against the chill snaking through her body. “It’s insured if it does. Do you think we can get my purse off the boat? It’s hooked onto the side.”
“I’ll try.” He brought his boat abreast of hers, planted one foot on the ailing boat and snagged the purse. “Got it.”
Safely back in her neighbors’ boat, he handed the purse to her. “When was the last time you took that thing out on the water?”
“It’s been a few years. I haven’t been in it since I’ve been back. I meant to give it the once-over, but there were just so many other things to do.”
“That’s because you need some help.” He aimed the boat toward the shoreline.
Narrowing her eyes, she sniffed through what was probably a very red nose right now. What better way to get her to trust him than by staging a rescue? How long had Jase been snooping around the B and B and her boat dock before she’d discovered him in her yard?
“You look like you’re freezing.”
The wind raked its fingers through Jase’s chocolate-brown hair and infused his face with a ruddy glow. No pinched, red nose for him. He looked like an advertisement for some brisk aftershave.
“I am freezing. This water is not meant for a leisurely dip, especially with that storm from Alaska on its way.” She rubbed the back of her hand across her nose and pressed a palm against the small rise in her belly. Hopefully, the baby was still snug and cozy.
Jase’s eyes dropped to the movement and then shifted to stare at the land rushing toward them.
“Hang on. Not too much longer.”
“You borrowed this boat from the Kleinschmidts next door.”
“I figured they wouldn’t mind if I used it in the commission of a rescue.”
There it was again—pumping himself up as her savior. She crossed her arms, cupping her elbows and blowing out a long breath. She needed to relax. He was her savior. Why would Simon send someone out here to do his bidding for him and why would a man like this be interested in doing that bidding?
“You’re my savior because you got here faster than the other guy.”
“The other guy?” His brow crinkled as he nudged the rudder.
“Another boat was headed my way from the other side of the peninsula, the town side. I think he must’ve turned around when he saw you had the situation covered.”
“Really?” He downshifted and the boat chugged to a choppy crawl. “You’d think he would’ve come out anyway to make sure everything was okay.”
“Maybe he didn’t see me at all and continued across the sound.”
“Maybe.” He steered the boat back into the Kleinschmidts’ dock. “Can you reach the county patrol now?”
“Probably.” She dug into her bag and pulled out her phone.
Jase expertly maneuvered the boat into the dock and held out his hand to help her onto dry land. “You make that call while I secure the boat.”
Turning her back to him, she placed the call, and ten minutes later, just as Jase hopped onto the wooden dock, Nina spied the red county patrol boat heading toward her disabled craft.
“Do they need you to tow that back here?”
“No. They’ll secure it to my dock.”
“Good.” He squeezed her shoulders, still trembling beneath the blue flannel of his damp shirt. “Let’s get you inside and get you something hot to drink. Coffee?”
“I don’t drink coffee—anymore.”
“And I only drink it first thing in the morning. Do you have some tea or hot chocolate?”
“I have some chamomile tea, if you like.”
“It’s not for me. It’s for you.” He spun her around and marched behind her, his hands lightly on the back of her shoulders.
“You’re the one missing a shirt. That white T-shirt isn’t enough to protect you against the harsh elements out here.” Although she hadn’t minded the way the thin cotton had molded to his muscles. Simon had been broader and beefier than this man with his lean muscles and patrician features. But Jase didn’t come off any less capable than Simon. In fact, they both possessed a similar air of efficiency and confidence—that is until Simon changed.
Strong fingers dug into the sides of her neck. “You okay? Your back is as stiff as a board.”
“Just cold.” She traipsed up the two steps of the porch, escaping his touch, and fumbled for her keys. She shouldn’t be getting that much pleasure out of Jase’s warm touch while carrying Simon’s baby.
Not that she would ever trust Simon in their child’s life—at least not until he got some help for his anger issues.
What the hell had he been so angry about anyway?
The keys dropped from her shaking hands, and Jase scooped them up in one fluid movement. “Let me.”
He slid the key home and pushed open the door, stepping to the side.
She ducked around him, the condition of the B and B bringing warmth to her cold cheeks. She really hadn’t made much progress. It didn’t help that every afternoon a slow, sneaking lethargy stole over her body.
She waved at the sitting room with its worn wood floors and blackened fireplace. “I still have a lot of work to do.”
“That’s what I’d heard. You change into some dry clothes.” He dangled the keys from one finger. “And I’ll boil some water for tea.”
Snatching the keys from him, she pivoted away from him. And just like that she’d allowed another controlling male into her life.
She called over her shoulder, “Tea bags are in the cupboard to the left of the stove.”
“I can handle it. Get those wet clothes off and change into something comfortable.”
Nina turned, sucked in her lower lip and studied Jase’s handsome face. He seemed a little too interested in getting her out of her clothes.
She dipped her head once and said, “I still have that shotgun.”
His eyes widened above raised hands. “Yes, ma’am.”
Tossing a strand of wet hair over her shoulder, she crossed to her separate living quarters tucked behind the staircase. She’d make it quick and get out of this flannel shirt that had Jase’s fresh, manly scent in every fold.
She didn’t need any more complications in her life right now.
* * *
WHEN
