ability to pretend to be interested in goiters waning, Kelsie was giving serious consideration to hiding below deck when the drone of an engine caught her attention. Unlike most of the noises she’d heard out there, this one didn’t appear to be in any hurry to pass. In fact, the small vessel seemed to be headed straight for them.
As it neared, it slowed. And over the groan of the engines backing down, she heard her name. But she couldn’t have…especially not in the somewhat shaky tones of that very familiar voice.
What…the…
By now a crowd of wedding guests had gathered on the starboard side of the yacht, but Kelsie only had eyes for the man standing in the very center of the creaky, unkempt fishing boat, clutching the ladder to the flybridge like his life depended on it. Under a bright orange life vest, he wore a suit, not unlike the one he’d worn to the opera.
“Sawyer?”
“I stood on the banks of that river for half the day today, Kelsie,” he called over the smack of water against the hull. “And I tried, but I couldn’t do it. Not until I asked myself what I’d do if you were out in the water, and the truth is, I’d go to you in a second. And that was when I realized that you were out here, and that I owed you a date.”
A ripple of murmurs shot through the guests.
“Any chance you’ll let me on that boat of yours?” he asked.
She crossed her arms. “Swim.”
A chorus of gasps echoed from the yacht deck. Jana leaned close. “Is that the opera guy?”
From Kelsie’s other side, Chad made a strange noise in his throat. “That is the opera guy.”
“I’m not swimming,” Sawyer said over the lap of water against the hulls.
“What’s this about an opera guy?” Kelsie’s mom asked.
“Nothing,” Kelsie said. To Sawyer she yelled, “We’ll talk later. This is my sister’s wedding.”
“My wedding. Good point,” Jana said. “The opera guy is allowed onboard.”
“Thank you,” Sawyer said, not that he looked particularly relieved.
Kelsie spun and nearly ran into Chad, then quickly brushed off his steadying arm. He and Sawyer could have each other. She’d be below deck…behind a locked door.
Moments later, a knock sounded. Like Kelsie hadn’t seen that one coming. “Are you still speaking to me?” he called through the door.
Sawyer. He’d actually done it. She couldn’t believe it. Warily, she crossed the small cabin and opened the door, finding her sister and parents crowding the space behind him. A stupid rush of emotion crowded her throat, leaving behind an irrational lump.
“You’re not wet,” she said. “That wasn’t part of the deal. In fact, I’m pretty sure the terms were swim.”
He gave a hapless shrug that was hampered by his life jacket. “Yeah, but as you pointed out, it’s your sister’s wedding. And she insisted I come aboard in a more traditional manner, so who was I to argue? Now about us…”
“I might be speaking to you,” she said. “But only because I’m curious as to why you’d brave your hydrophobia to talk to me.”
“I’d love to answer that, but…” He jerked his head, gesturing to the line of people behind him.
She’d need a miracle to get rid of them. “Jana, Mom, Dad, this is Sawyer.”
Her mom and dad exchanged glances. “The opera guy?” her mom asked.
“Actually,” Jana said, “she said he was a sex guy.”
“He’s not any kind of guy!” Kelsie shouted, mortified.
Sawyer held up a hand. “Wait a minute. I’m definitely a guy,” he said weakly, “but more of a land mammal.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Kelsie muttered. “Sex guy,” in front of her parents. She’d have to kill her sister. Later.
“Happy wedding day,” Sawyer said to Jana, who was standing there in a three thousand dollar gown and practically drooling over another man. “I’m sorry about the intrusion.”
Kelsie grabbed Sawyer’s hand, pulling him into the room with her. “Can you excuse us a moment?” Without waiting for an answer, she closed the door. And locked it. “Is this better?” she asked. “No worries about falling overboard.”
“Yeah, as long as the boat doesn’t sink.” Some of his color had returned, at least. But was he turning green?
“You don’t get seasick, do you?”
“How the hell would I know that?”
She laughed. “Would you like a drink?” Her hands shook. Her knees shook.
“I’m going to need one in a minute. But first I’d like to ask you something.” He took a deep breath, then her hands. “Kelsie—actually, wait a minute. I need to do