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Jon adjusted the collar of his Hawaiian shirt as he went up the steps to Annie’s door. A gull landed on the deck and peered at him with black eyes before flapping off toward the water. A guitar twanged somewhere in the RV park, and the scent of barbecue chicken came from the same direction.
He’d debated about how much to dress up, but they were going to be on the water, and he didn’t want to look like a dork in a blazer and slacks. He ran his damp palms over his khaki shorts, then raised his hand to knock on her door. Before his fist fell, Annie opened the door with a bright smile.
She wore a blue sundress that matched her eyes, and her blonde hair curled around her head. Strappy white sandals with a bit of a heel lifted her closer to neck level with him. Her light scent floated his way—something sweet like vanilla.
He grasped her hand and pulled her closer. “You’re beautiful.”
“You look pretty good yourself.” She stepped into his embrace, and he kissed her.
She fit perfectly in his arms like she always had. Like she was an extension of him, two hearts forever entwined. Kind of flowery, but that’s how he’d always felt.
She eased her arms around his waist when he pulled back. “We could just stay home and enjoy being alone.”
There was nothing he’d like better, but he couldn’t wait to seeher reaction. “I want to show off my gorgeous girl tonight. And I think you’ll like what I have planned.”
“Michelle is doing a great job. I can leave without worry.” She tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow, and they went down the steps to his car.
He helped her into the low-slung vehicle and went around to his side. “Did you hear from Kylie?”
“I did. She’s having a terrific time.” Annie smiled. “How far are we going?”
He started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. “Not far.”
“Can I have a hint?”
Maybe he should have told her to be prepared to get wet, but the water wouldn’t hurt her cotton sundress. “You’ll see soon enough. How’d your investigation go today?”
“We didn’t get far, but Shainya identified one of the men who took Glenn out of the hospital.”
The recounting of her afternoon provided the perfect distraction until he turned in the drive back to the Rock Harbor marina where the charter boat awaited them. He spied the catering truck in the lot and hoped things were ready on the boat. He didn’t think Annie had noticed as she described what they’d found in Chassell. He might be able to whisk her to the boat before she got wind that it was a catered dinner cruise.
He parked as far from the catering van as he could. “We’re here.”
She gaped out her window. “We’re going out on a catamaran? What a great evening!”
He’d been second-guessing his choice as he drove here, and her enthusiasm was a shot in the arm. “Yep.”
He got out and opened her door. The strains of Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying” floated above the lapping of the waves against the hulls of the boats. The ambience was just right.
He offered her his arm. “This way, my lady.”
By the time they walked out on the dock and stepped aboard the boat, the scene was set. A white tablecloth covered a table at the starboard rail overlooking the water. Tim McGraw continued to play through the speakers Jon had brought over earlier, and a serving table laden with food separated them from the grill where the chef was preparing to cook their filets. Tiny white lights swung above their heads as Jon escorted Annie to their table and pulled out her chair.
She tucked the skirt of her dress under her and settled on the chair. “How did you pull this together so fast? You only had a few hours.”
He glanced over the table to make sure all his instructions had been followed. Trenary toast and thimbleberry jam from The Jampot waited for her to dig in. “I was motivated.”
She leaned her chin on her hand and sent a smile his way that made him lean over the table and kiss her. “What was that for?” she asked in a whisper as the song flipped to “I Like It, I Love It.”
“Tim says it better than me,” he said.
“Are you going to defer to Tim McGraw all evening?”
“Maybe. I’m not that eloquent.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “But I’m always going to be here, Annie. I’ll never let you down again. I’d rather die first.”
The teasing light in her eyes ebbed, and she squeezed his fingers. “Let’s not talk about dying. I believe you, Jon. The past is behind us. Let’s focus on the future.”
