Page 43 of Buck (Diver Downeast #2)

“Mel. I’m headed off the floor for a few minutes,” she called over to her second-in-command who was replenishing a tray of raw oysters.

“Ahh. Going to have phone sex?” She held up one of the salty confections and waved it around. “You need this to get you in the mood?”

“Hah, hah,” Bobbie rejoindered. “Funny lady.”

“How many times does that make, today?” Melo asked cheekily undeterred in her teasing.

This was the first time, and Mel knew it.

Bobbie snorted. “You’re just jealous, you old married woman, you,” she quipped back. “You wish you were me.”

“Hah. Have you seen my husband?” Melo postured, unrepentant. “That man puts the ‘h’ in hot.” She touched a finger to one glute and made a sizzling sound.

Bobbie laughed. “Okay. You’ve got me there. Your hubby is pretty adorable. But so is Buck. And riddle me this. How many times have I let you disappear in the past for a nooner, my friend? And isn’t it only fair you return the favor?” She arched a brow at her bestie.

“True. True. But only when the kids are in school and I can jump him without interruption. But that’s just semantics,” she taunted.

“Go, boss-lady. Go,” Mel shooed her away with a grin.

“Far be it from me to be the one keeping you from your smoke-show. I’ll make sure the troops stay in line while you get yourself a little, little.

Or maybe a big, big” she amended with a smirk.

Bobbie sent a happy middle finger Mel’s way, then pranced off to find a private spot. It wasn’t hard. The office building was huge, and all the cubicles were currently empty.

Bringing out her phone, she finally leaned against a desk toward the back of a big room and hit Buck’s number.

“Hey, sunshine,” he answered immediately.

“Hey, yourself,” Bobbie replied. “How’s your day going?”

“Oh, you know. Same old, same old. Tabitha docked her new sub in Searsport today. She says she has to go through it from top to bottom before we can use it, but it’s really in great shape.

Sheila is working remotely on marketing strategies because Spence and I are painting all the walls in the office today, but you probably know that already, having dropped off Reyghan with her this morning. ”

Yeah . Sheila, Tabitha’s sister, was currently taking care or Reyghan while Buck couldn’t because Bobbie was actively avoiding him. Bobbie hated that. Not because Sheila was anything but perfect with her pup, but because she and Reyghan both missed the hell out of Buck and Cooper.

“Two more days, then this should be all over.” Bobbie tried not to think about what lay ahead; her boat being boarded by the authorities, getting arrested, even though it was only for show.

She’d grown a bit nervous over the past few days, wondering if Tex and his contacts could really pull off the three-pronged hoodwink they’d planned. That was beyond her pay-grade, however. All she could do was go with the flow.

“I’m just sorry I won’t be there with you,” Buck lamented.

This wasn’t the first time he’d expressed concern that she’d be alone when the authorities boarded her boat.

“Even though everyone involved, knows you’re not really guilty,” he continued, “I’d feel better if you had my support.”

“I’ll be fine, Buck,” Bobbie told him for perhaps the thirtieth time. “Tex assured me that I’ll only be in jail for a few hours until they have Provard and my brothers in custody, and that’s for my own safety. Your call, remember?”

“I remember,” he grumped. “And I’m regretting mentioning it. Maybe… Hey. What if I find out where they’re going to take you and I come pick you up?”

Bobbie thought about it for a moment, before landing on something else he might do in conjunction with that.

“What if you find out where my boat will be impounded, you get it safely moored somewhere, then come get me?” she suggested. “We can…hang out on it until we need to come back.”

“That sounds like a plan.” Buck’s tone brightened.

Bobbie understood that he really didn’t like being sidelined for any of this, but picking up her boat would at least make him feel somewhat involved.

“Good. I’m glad that’s solved.” Bobbie changed the subject. “So, you’re covered in paint right now, huh?” she quipped.

“Nope. Not me. That’s Spencer,” Buck joked. “I’m the neat brother. I don’t have any drips on me except the ones he’s ‘accidentally’ flung my way.”

Bobbie heard Spencer’s laugh in the background. “And if you don’t get off the phone and pull your weight, I’ll make sure your hair matches the new walls, as well.”

“Oooh. I’d better hang up,” Bobbie snickered. “Blue hair at your age wouldn’t be a good look.”

“Ah, he’s just blowing smoke, so no worries I’m going to become old overnight.” He snickered. “But actually, my brush is in danger of drying out, so I really should go.”

“Okay.” Bobbie needed to get back to work as well. “I’ll call you tonight, after I get home. It’ll probably be late.”

“It’s never too late to hear your voice,” he replied earnestly.

And that was one more reason to adore Buck. He was always so…accommodating.

“Bye, Buck.”

“Bye, my love,” he returned without a second’s hesitation before hanging up.

Yeah. He was something else.

The day flew by, and once Bobbie was home, she fed herself a fast meal, showered, then hit the mattress to rest her weary bones and tired feet for the following day.

The conversation she and Buck subsequently had—with both of them snuggled in their respective beds was…inadequate. Despite their teasing and dirty talk, Bobbie wasn’t satisfied. She wanted his warm body next to hers.

Even more disappointing, the savvy man seemed to sense how tired she was and cut their flirting short; once again saying he loved her before hanging up.

She felt…lonely, not for the first time in her life, that was for sure. But this time she had the power to do something about it.

Reyghan must have sensed Bobbie’s blue mood, because for the first time ever, the little dog jumped onto the bed and cuddled up beside her.

Bobbie sighed, wrapping one arm around the pup.

It would have to do.

For now.