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Two boats passed them. Each time one came into view, Shelby tensed beside him and leaned closer.
Remy kept his grip on the motor handle light in case he needed to let go and reach for the gun in the holster beneath his jacket. He steered wide of the oncoming vessels. With both passings, nothing happened. The boats appeared to be charter fishing boats with tourists on board, ready to catch fish.
When they reached the marina, Remy cut the engine, tied the boat to the jetty and stepped out first.
He reached down, gripped Shelby’s hand and pulled her up onto the dock. Though both feet made it to the wooden planks, her legs buckled, and she landed hard against his chest.
Remy caught and held her until she was steady on her feet. Even then, he didn’t lower his arms. He leaned back and stared down into her eyes. “Are you going to make it?”
Shelby nodded. “Just a little unsteady. Thanks.”
He grinned and lowered his arms. When he was sure she could stand on her own, he positioned himself beside her with a hand at the small of her back. “I just need to let Mitch know the boat is back, and then we can be on our way to your place.”
She nodded and walked with him to the marina building.
When they stepped inside, it took a few seconds for Remy’s eyes to adjust to the dim interior.
Several people moved about the store, selecting items from the shelves. Two men stood at the counter paying for a live bait. One of the two men was J.D. LaRue.
Behind the counter, Mitch nodded toward Remy and Shelby as they entered and crossed the room.
J.D. turned and dipped his head. “Deputy Taylor, good to see you standing on your feet.”
Shelby gave the grizzled fisherman a twisted smile. “Thank you for pulling me out of the bayou. I probably wouldn’t be here now if not for you.”
J.D. shrugged. “Someone woulda come along.”
“It could have been some of the people who left me there or an alligator looking for an easy meal.” Shelby wrapped her arms around the older man’s neck. “Thank you, J.D.”
Remy almost laughed at how red the fisherman’s face turned.
When Shelby let go and backed away, she glanced toward Mitch and the other man standing with J.D. “You’re in the presence of a real-life hero. Mr. LaRue saved my life.”
“Way to go, J.D.” Mitch clapped him on the back. “Need more heroes like you around here.”
J.D. ducked his head, his face burning a bright red. “Oh shucks, Miss Taylor. I ain’t no such thing. Just being neighborly. We got to look out for each other in the bayou.”
Shelby touched his arm. “You’re a good neighbor, Mr. LaRue.”
“J.D., ma’am. Mr. LaRue was my daddy. He’s been gone now for a decade.”
“And I’m Shelby,” she said. “Since you saved my life, I expect we’re close enough to be on a first-name basis. Besides, you’ve known me all my life.”
J.D. grinned. “That I have. I’ve known you since you were that little tow-headed girl in pigtails, goin’ fishin’ with yer daddy every Saturday. Shame yer daddy left ya’ll. But I’m glad you’re with us still.”
“Me, too.” Once again, she hugged the old man, much to his red-faced embarrassment.
When she let go, he glanced at Remy standing behind her.
“Good to see you back, Remy,” J.D. said. “You need to rent the fishin’ hut again?”
Remy shook his head, fully aware of Shelby turning to face him with a frown pulling her eyebrows low. “No, thank you, J.D. I’ve made alternative arrangements with electricity and a flushing toilet.”
“Anytime you wanna use the hut, you let me know,” J.D. said. “Not many folks are up to roughin’ it. Probably won’t be a storm like the last time you were there.”
“Thanks,” Remy said. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“J.D.,” Shelby turned back to the old man. “Do you know anyone in the bayou who might be looking for extra cash and isn’t too picky about what they have to do for it?”
