Gabriellawas painted on its stern. “TheGabriella?”
“My brothers and I named her after our mother.”
Nice.He helped her down the ladder, and she glanced around. She thought it was called a cabin cruiser because there was some kind of enclosed living space below. “Do you have a whole kitchen and dining area down there?”
A sly smile stole across his face. “All that and more. There are a couple of sleeping spaces too. One is under the hull, and the benches turn into a surprisingly comfortable bed.”
She laughed. “I should’ve known…”
As Jayce untied the boat and started up the motor, he winked at her. They backed out into the open river. Then he pushed the lever forward, and they cruised past several other docks and private boats.
“You have a sweet setup here,” she said.
“All the more reason to move in with me.”
“I thought we agreed it was too soon.”
His smile faded. “I don’t know about that. Timing is a funny thing. You know Rory and Amber, your hosts?”
“Yeah…”
“They’ve been living together since the day they met.”
Her confusion must have been apparent. “What do you mean? Did they have some sort of roommate arrangement made for them before they moved in?”
He laughed as he steered them into open water. “Not intentionally. To hear them tell it is a lot funnier, but from what I understand, it all started in the building next door to the B and B. There’s a husband-and-wife management team for the apartments. She rented the only vacant place from the wife at the exact same time as he rented the same apartment from her husband. Neither manager could decide which potential renter should have the apartment, so they simply stated that possession was nine-tenths of the law and waited to see who reached it first.
“There was a mad dash down the stairs, with Amber in the lead until Rory vaulted over the railing, but they burst through the door of the apartment at the exact same time. Then they were stuck. Whoever left first was giving up possession.”
“So neither one could leave?” Kristine giggled, picturing the conundrum they must have been in. “But they live together next door now. How did they get from one place to the other?”
Jayce shrugged. “I’m not clear how they managed to buy such pricey real estate together, but I know they lived in the little apartment while they fixed up the building next door. I guess it was in rough shape. But with a lot of love and hard work, it became the B and B you’re staying in.”
Kristine’s mind wandered as they left the harbor and sailed out to open sea. She loved the smell of the salty ocean air and the cool spray whenever they hit a wave. Boston wasn’t so bad. Some people certainly liked it. Liked it enough to fight over a tiny apartment and then wind up with something infinitely better. Maybe sometime she’d ask Amber how that had happened.
Kristine had never been much of a fighter. Which was odd sincefighterwas part of her job title and description. But something was telling her she needed to deal with Donkey Pizzle once and for all. Sure, the mansion was probably well-defended, but her mother had confirmed exactly how stupid these criminals were.
Once Kristine and Jayce were out of the harbor, he set the controls and left the wheel. He strolled over to her and rubbed her arms. “You look so serious. What’s on your mind?”
She smiled automatically to reassure him. “Everything’s fine. I’m just going to miss you, that’s all.”
He pulled her into a hug and caressed her back. “I’m not going to argue with you, you know. We may just be getting to know each other, but I can tell when I’m fighting a losing battle.”
“Please be patient with me. I have the feeling that something will change eventually.”
Jayce chuckled. “My mother always says that the only constant is change. If you don’t like something, just wait it out.” He sat down and moved over to make room for her to scoot in beside him.
“Your mom sounds like a wise woman.”
“She is. I want you to meet her. I know she’ll love you, and I think you’ll like her too.”
Kristine shrugged. “She must be incredible if you named your boat after her. If things work out with us, I imagine we will meet eventually.”
“Why wouldn’t things work out between us? What aren’t you telling me?”
Kristine snuggled into his side and rested her head on his shoulder. She knew he’d be upset if she were to tell him the truth, but honesty in a relationship was important. If their relationship couldn’t survive honesty, then what did they have?
“Jayce, you’re not going to like this. I’m going after Donkey Pizzle. Right now, while my mother is up here and safely occupied, I have a window of opportunity.”
