Found at Sea - By Anne Marie Duquette Page 0,22
used to, made outdoor familiarity simple.
People greeted other people with the warmth he’d known in every port. Yet this woman was different. Aurora had exchanged brief greetings with several people, but remained somewhat aloof. Friendly yet uninvolved. She was certainly loyal to her own family—but they seemed far removed from her life.
What kind of woman runs away from her family—a family she obviously loves? I would have done anything to hold on to mine.
Honesty compelled him to answer his own question. She was probably no different than the kind of man who could walk away from a loving fiancée. He’d seen no other option at the time, but at least his family had understood. Apparently hers never had.
Jordan continued to study the families on their boats, the couples of all ages walking hand in hand along the harbor walk, the band playing jazz in the background. He’d never felt more alone.
San Diego Harbor
Next day, sunrise
JORDAN, AURORA AND DONNA cast off the lines of the thirty-four-foot Dealer Ship, Neil at the helm on the flying bridge. Despite the early hour, commercial and private boat traffic was heavy. Donna went up to join Neil. Aurora and Jordan stayed on the main deck as the Dealer Ship crept along through the buoyed lane exiting San Diego Harbor.
“I can see why you prefer Oceanside,” Jordan said, taking in her worn jeans and casual T-shirt. Her ponytail blew straight out behind her. “This is worse than Boston Harbor on a holiday weekend.”
She held on to the metal ladder leading to the flying bridge with one hand, the rest of her easily balanced against the boat’s movement. “Hey, just be glad the U.S. Navy docks at 32nd Street Pier and the submarines are over at Point Loma. Want some coffee? Donna already made some.”
“Sounds good.” He began to move toward the galley, but she was ahead of him.
“I’ll get it. Sugar?”
“Just black, thanks.”
Jordan stayed put, his hand on the other side of the ladder Aurora had just vacated. Donna came down from the flying bridge to join him.
“What do you think of her?” she asked.
“Interesting woman,” Jordan carefully replied.
Donna grinned. “I was referring to the boat.”
“Were you? It’s a pretty fancy rig, Ms. Diamond.”
“It’s really Padierezsky, but call me Donna. And yes, it is. Neil likes his toys. He also plays poker on it with his buddies—hence the name.”
“It’s more of a cruising vessel than a working vessel,” Jordan observed.
“Exactly. No one would ever suspect us of working a salvage case, which is, of course, why Rory asked Neil to pilot us today. So...what else do you think of her? My friend, not the ship.”
“Capable woman, obviously.” Intelligent, capable and beautiful...
“And?”
Jordan had to drag his thoughts back to the conversation at hand. “What?”
“My best friend just took half of what you consider yours. How do you feel about that?”
Not as terrible as I thought I would. He was beginning to find Aurora fascinating. Maybe as fascinating as the San Rafael. But he wasn’t about to tell her best friend that. Instead he gave a nonchalant shrug. “Half of something is better than nothing. And she’s right—the law’s on her side.”
“Nicely put. But you still didn’t answer my question.”
“Not to be rude, but Aurora’s my partner.” You aren’t. “Is there a point to this cross-examination?”
“There is. I hope you aren’t the kind of man to hold a grudge. I don’t want to see anything happen to Rory—in or out of the water. If there are any...shall we say...accidents...I’ll hold you personally responsible. I make a good ally, Mr. Castillo. I make an even better enemy.”
“Point taken.” And then some. “And please, call me Jordan.”
Donna smiled. “If you don’t mind, Jordan, Neil wants you on the bridge. I suspect you’ll be getting his version of the warning I just gave you. He’s also a good friend of Rory’s, so expect less tact and more testosterone.”
“I’m not interested in hurting women—or listening to more warnings.”
“Doesn’t matter. Neil’s the captain of this ship, and you’re the outsider. So if he wants to warn you, he’ll warn you.” Donna jerked her thumb upward. “He’s waiting.”
Jordan sighed and climbed the ladder, wishing he weren’t the outsider in this situation. Estranged family or not, Aurora sure had her own “home guard” watching out for her. But that was okay, he decided. If I get close to her friends, I’ll be able to get closer to her....
Up above, Neil Harris commanded the Dealer Ship. His casual clothes weren’t casual at all. The ironed creases