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“Travis said you grew up around here.” Logan seemed to be fighting a smile, though his voice was pure Carolina Lowcountry charm, smooth and warm and familiar. At her nod, a wide grin broke free. “Figured. I told Travis a local girl would know what she was doing.”
The detective cleared his throat as if he was smothering a chuckle. “If we could focus, please? I need preliminary statements.”
Lila had never been through anything like this, but the detective was polite and efficient. She’d expected to be separated from the woman as well as Travis and his backup team, but they were allowed to stay together in the tiny room as they discussed the events up on deck. Whenever the woman tried to interrupt or protest, Detective Bradley subdued her with a sharp look and a reminder that she’d get her chance to speak.
Lila hoped she didn’t have to stick around that long. She didn’t want to know about extenuating circumstances or connections to Dan or hear any excuses the woman might offer up. She wanted off this ferry at the earliest opportunity.
At some point she was going to have to give her father’s name, but she was avoiding it. Nearly done giving her account, she was interrupted by the detective’s radio crackling. A voice on the other end reported that the thief had been pulled out of the river and was in Coast Guard custody.
“Finally,” Travis muttered.
The woman shrunk down in her seat, looking miserable and defeated.
A minute later, the horn blared from the deck, announcing the ferry’s arrival at the Waterfront Park dock. Travis exchanged a glance with the detective.
“Y’all can go,” Bradley said. “I’ll be reaching out for follow-up.”
The men assured him they’d be available for further questions and Lila nodded along. She wanted off this boat. Couldn’t happen soon enough. Would there be a penalty for not mentioning her connection to the thief?
That was a problem for later.
Right now, her priorities were simple. Off the boat, back to the island, get a shower and into clean clothes. Then she could call her grandmother and tell her the ordeal was over and done. She hoped to spare Gram from Dan’s extensive list of misdeeds.
When Travis took her hand, guiding her up on deck and toward the dock, that list of priorities shifted. She’d miss this easy familiarity when he left and she wanted some time alone with him to sort out everything. To thank him.
To say goodbye.
After that, she would have to come up with some plausible explanation for Gram. That wouldn’t be easy. Her grandmother was almost as smitten with Travis as Lila was and she was likely to be upset with him for leaving. And with Lila for letting him go.
Lila didn’t want anything to tarnish Gram’s view of Travis. Somehow she would make it clear that Travis was one of the best men around. A hero in island-casual clothing. Gram would be perturbed with the ruse, but it had been necessary.
Eventually, they’d laugh about the whole mess.
At the moment, walking away from the ferry, surrounded by Travis’s heat and strength, that eventuality seemed a long way off.
Chapter 15
Travis was grateful for the support from Brett and Logan. Especially while concern for Lila consumed him. She had to be struggling, coming face to face with her dad like that. He didn’t blame her for holding back that detail. He figured in time she’d call the detective and set the record straight.
If she didn’t, he would, once he had assurances that it wouldn’t blow back on her.
Thankfully, she was in one piece and, bit by bit, she seemed to be recovering. If only his heart believed it. His chest continued to ache with the shock of her going over that railing and splashing into the black water.
Another reason to be grateful for the assistance Jess had arranged. The other two protectors created a good buffer while Travis worked to regain his composure. He was fighting twin urges to shake her and hold her close. One minute he was swallowing the demand for an explanation. What had she been thinking with that stunt? A few heartbeats later his only desire was to tell her he loved her. Not for show, but for real.
In short, he was a wreck and he wasn’t sure how longhisrecovery would take.
Seeing her go over the side, he’d nearly gone right after her. Logan had grabbed him, held firm until she surfaced. Logan had made assurances, Brett too, once he’d notified the Coast Guard about the people in the water.
“There’s a car waiting for us on the street,” Travis said. “I hate to ask it, but the insurance company would like to speak with us tonight.”
“All of us?” Brett asked.
Travis nodded. “I know it’s a hassle.” Beside him Lila hunched a little deeper into the blanket.
“Not at all,” Brett disagreed. “Give me one second.” His thumbs moved as he sent a text message. “What’s the address?”
Travis relayed it and then glanced at Logan, but the man only shrugged. “His wife worries.”
