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“You may ask and I am.”
“You look mighty fine for getting banged up so bad not that long ago,” Pierre said. “It’s a miracle.”
“It feels like one sometimes.”
“Are you from around these parts?” Alphé asked. “I mean, you must live right around here. This island belongs to your people, correct?”
“That’s true,” Maggie said. “I live right over there. See that evil eye? That’s my dock.”
“I love that evil eye,” he said. “It stands out even from way out here. It’s helpful in times of fog.”
“And what about you?” Alphé asked Katrina in a low voice.
“I’m just passing through,” Katrina said, staring at him.
“I’m glad our paths crossed, then, if you’re temporary.”
He was so—what was the word? Breathtaking wasn’t enough. He was like a Greek God, like Poseidon, or was it Italian? Neptune, he might be more like Neptune. Feeling like a gauche teenager, stumbling over her words, trying to answer him, but wanting to make an impression, wanting to get more out of him.
“I mean, I’m here to stay, but I just got here a few hours ago.”
“Ah! That’s great. I remember you from the marina,” he said. “The hair.”
She lifted a lock of it up and shook it. “Yes, it’s a nuisance.”
“It’s beautiful,” he said, his expression serious. “I’ve never seen hair that color before.”
“Will you have lunch with us? We have tons of leftovers,” Maggie added, suddenly seeing a spark between the fisherman and Katrina and wanting to facilitate it.
“I would love to, but I’ve gotta get some fish in my nets. I’ll be around here again tomorrow, however.”
“Watch out for sandbars,” Maggie said.
“I will, definitely. But maybe I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Maybe,” Katrina said. “I plan on being right on that dock.”
He tipped his hat and smiled a melting smile at Katrina and then an innocent one at Maggie and waded through the water to the boat, climbing back in. He pushed away into the channel with a long oar, started his engines, and they chugged off, Alphé Beaumont waving to Katrina.
“Wow,” the women chorused, laughing.
Maggie threw Katrina a towel to dry her legs. “That guy is so handsome.”
“I’m actually hot,” she said, snickering. “This is the kind of guy you have around here, I’m definitely not leaving.”
“I’ve never seen the man,” Maggie said. “I would have remembered that face.”
“That face and that body. I can’t believe this, but I have a crush on that fisherman. I’ve always liked brainiacs, too.”
“And how has that worked for you?”
“You know exactly how it’s worked. Awful. Maybe I need to change my MO. I can’t wait to see him tomorrow. If he doesn’t come by, I’ll be crushed.”
“Let’s get back to the cottage. I’ll call Gus and ask him if he knows Alphé the fisherman.”
“Why would Gus know him?”
“He’s the dockmaster. He knows all the fishermen. Now you have me all excited for you! Come on, Brulee, get in the boat. We have some sleuthing to do.”
