One Smooth Stone. Marcia Lee Laycock

bent to untie the ropes securing the boat to the dock, then leaped onto the deck as it began to drift away. Drew turned the key and the engine rumbled instantly. He maneuvered the craft out of the harbor, and before Alex realized it they were out in the open, the bow cutting cleanly through the water.

      “Alex, over here.” Kenni waved him toward her. He moved slowly, joining her just as she took a step down into the hold. She smiled up at him. “Come on in.”

      Alex peered down the short staircase. He couldn’t see anything beyond her, just a dim space. He felt the color drain from his face as he took a step back and shook his head, his fingers massaging the raised white line on his neck.

      “I’ll stay up here,” he said.

      Kenni frowned slightly. “Okay. Sure. I’ll be right up.”

      She returned a few minutes later carrying four life jackets and a windbreaker, which she held out to him. “You might find it cool.” Alex pulled it on and buckled the life jacket over it, pulling the straps tight. When he was done she smiled at him as she slipped into her own life jacket. “Good. Now if you fall in, we won’t lose you.”

      “I can swim,” he countered, wishing he hadn’t sounded so defensive.

      “Great. But the water’s a little cool for swimming, out this far.”

      She must think I’m a dolt. He watched her move easily along the deck, helping George unwrap and hoist the rigging.

      Drew cut the motor and tacked into the wind. “Here we go!” he yelled as the sails filled. “Watch your head, Alex.”

      The boom swung toward him as the sail billowed out. The boat tilted and Alex grabbed for something to hang onto. Kenni was suddenly by his side again.

      “Do you want to sit up front or back here?” She waved at a low bench in the stern.

      He chose the stern. Once seated he tried to relax by watching the sails billow and snap. The boat cut the water smoothly, a fine salt spray reaching them now and then. After a while he stopped watching the sails and watched Kenni instead.

      She was obviously enjoying herself, a slight smile playing on her lips. She’d pulled her long honey-colored hair into a ponytail, making her look a lot younger than she did at the office. He noticed she had a kind of turned-up nose lightly sprinkled with freckles. Her eyebrows had a reddish tinge, but her eyelashes were long and swept up with a flutter as she lifted her eyes to the sky. He’d watched her for quite a while before she seemed to notice. When she did, the smile spread.

      “How do you like it so far?”

      Alex shrugged. “Are we going somewhere, or just around in circles?”

      “Didn’t George tell you? We’re heading for my parents’ beach house. Only a few miles up the sound, but we probably won’t get there ’til late this afternoon if this wind keeps up. Dad likes to take advantage of a day like this.”

      “So you’re the boss’ daughter.”

      “Well, he’s one of the bosses, yes.”

      “And you’re following in his footsteps?”

      She shook her head. “No. I have no ambition to be a lawyer. I like doing the research though, digging out the details and finding out about the people behind the cases.”

      “Cases like mine?”

      “Yes, but...actually I got roped into your case.”

      “Oh? How so?”

      “George. He hates doing that kind of research. I owed him one.” She sat straight. “But...well...I didn’t mean that your case wasn’t interesting. In fact, I was hooked from the first time I opened the file.”

      “Why?”

      She turned to face him more directly. “Because I could relate. In-between all the facts and figures, the names and addresses, the dates—I could read between the lines. Before long I’d put together the whole picture. And I knew what to expect.”

      “Really. And am I what you expected?”

      She tilted her head slightly, then nodded. “Pretty much.”

      “And that is….”

      “A hard nut with a soft streak. Someone who’s been hurt a lot by a lot of people, but still wants to be a decent person, only—maybe he doesn’t exactly know how so he hides.”

      “Got me all figured out, hey?” Alex felt a biting pain as he clenched his jaw.

      Kenni’s reply was soft, but firm. “Yes. I think I do. You’re also claustrophobic. I can guess where that comes from.”

      Alex snorted. “And how did a girl from the Ivy League get to be so savvy?”

      “Because I....” she hesitated. “I’ve learned to read people and the details of their lives. It’s surprising what you can learn from just a bunch of facts and figures.”

      “Right.” Alex’s sneer was mocking. “Well, maybe you’d better try reading between the lines some more. I think you lost the thread along the way.”

      He pushed himself off the bench and strode away. Thinking his stomach might need to flush out the bile he headed for the rail. He was glad for the spray that cooled his face as he took a few gulps of air. Wish I could get away, off this boat, away from these people. I should never have come to Seattle, never started this. I should’ve known what it would do to me. He was staring at the deep green surf below them when he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see George grinning at him.

      “Feeling a little queasy?”

      Alex glanced back at Kenni and caught her watching them. She turned away quickly.

      “I’m fine.”

      “It might help to go below for a bit.”

      “I said I’m fine.” The loud pitch of Alex’s voice made Drew turn toward them.

      “Okay.” George held up his hands, palms out. “Just offering friendly advice. I know what it’s like to be seasick.” He leaned on the railing. “We’ll be heading in closer to shore soon. The chop won’t be so bad then.”

      Alex patted his pockets and muttered a curse. “Don’t suppose you’d have a smoke?”

      George’s eyebrows hunched together. “No, I don’t.”

      Alex gripped the thin railing. They both turned at the sound of Alex’s name to see Drew beckoning to him. Alex wanted to ignore him, but knew he had no excuse for being that rude. He left George at the rail and moved toward the older man.

      “Would you like to take a turn at the helm?”

      “What?”

      “Take the wheel.” He stepped back, motioning for Alex to take his place. Alex hesitated for another moment, then reached for it. He felt the pull on the rudder instantly and grabbed on with his other hand.

      “Just keep her tacked into the wind and hold her steady. She’ll do the rest.”

      Alex planted his feet more firmly. He liked the feel of it, liked the power he felt as the boat surged under him. He suddenly realized he was in control. A wrong move and he could spill them all into the sea. He grinned to himself. What would Miss Kendra Adams think of me then? Maybe it would be something she’d expect me to do. After all, she’d read between the lines. He was wondering how much it would take to make this thing flip over when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

      “Feels good, doesn’t it?” Drew Adams was smiling, but Alex had the feeling he’d read his mind.

      Drew looked up at the billowing sails. “Feels like you’re in control, like it’s all up to you.” He dropped his eyes back to Alex’s. “But it’s all an illusion. Believing we’re in control is