Page 44 of Buck (Diver Downeast #2)

Shit, shit, shit .

What the hell was she going to do?

The last thing Bobbie expected to find this early on a Monday morning as she walked up to her boat with Reyghan on her heels, were her two brothers prowling the deck of her boat.

What the hell were they doing here?

Sure, Drew had called her the previous evening and ordered her to pack in more supplies because Monsieur Provard’s party this week was going to be twice as large as usual, but she hadn’t expected him to…what…check up on her?

She’d simply taken him at his word, and had not only packed up more goods as he’d ordered, she’d also—in the dark last night—retrieved her boat from its mooring and left it at the marina’s pier for easier loading.

Of course, once she’d hung up from Drew, she’d also immediately called Buck about the purported, additional guests.

He’d absorbed the new intel with interest, then telling Bobbie he’d get back to her—which he had shortly thereafter—he informed her that via an active calling chain, he’d forwarded the information to all the authorities who’d become involved.

Buck also let her know that the Canadian faction in particular had been downright giddy over the news; excited that Provard might have larger than normal stashes of whatever illicit substances he illegally dealt in, on hand.

They hoped they might get a lot of bang for their buck with their raid later today.

But that raid might now be in jeopardy.

What the hell were her brothers doing on the Small Dream ? She hoped it was a quick visit, and they’d soon be gone.

Lugging her first box slowly toward her boat, she put it down with a thud and addressed the disheveled looking pair. “You two are up awfully early,” she clipped.

Bobbie tried to act as cold with them as was normal for her, so as not to let the pair see how nervous she was over their unexpected presence.

Drew gave an ugly grin. “Because Provard asked for more beer than normal,” he said, which didn’t explain anything until he added, “and because you almost fucked things up last time, we decided to make this larger delivery ourselves to be certain that everything goes smoothly.”

Bobbie’s pulse pounded in her head, and she had a hard time not letting her rising panic show.

What the fuck would happen now? Border Patrol, the Coast Guard, the police… They all had their strategies mapped out. This new wrinkle could throw everything off.

Bobbie quickly ran the most likely scenario in her head, and much to her dismay, it wasn’t good. She could picture it now.

Once at Provard’s dock, the Coast Guard would hail her, then board her boat. Drew and Jeff would panic. With their drugs onboard, what else could they do but tell her to disobey the authorities, and set sail. They probably would have a weapon, and threaten her life.

It would be their only option, and once they were safely away, they’d toss their drugs overboard so there’d be no evidence when the patrol boarded.

Which meant the judges, both US and Canadian that were standing by, wouldn’t have cause to issue a search warrant for either Provard’s mansion, or the barn on Dre— On her property.

Everything would be blown all to hell.

Bobbie needed to think fast, to come up with a way to alert Buck to the new situation.

Luckily, she had more things to retrieve from her van. She’d make sure to call him as soon as she was clear of her brothers. He might be able to shed light on what Bobbie could do to stop the unfurling cluster-fuck.

“I, um, have several more cases of goods to load,” she told her unwelcome siblings as they scowled at her.

She tossed Drew the keys to the cabin. “If you and Jeff want to stow what you have, I’ll only be a few more trips.”

Drew turned to Jeff. “You take care of the…beer. I’ll help Bobbie with the rest.”

Dammit. Now he wanted to get helpful? Or was it that he sensed something might be up and he couldn’t trust her?

Drew eased off the boat, awkwardly, because yeah, he was no sailor, then he gestured for her to lead the way.

Bobbie held back the scream that clawed at her throat, and also tamped down the urge to stomp back to her van.

Walking carefully, instead, with Reyghan once again by her side, she acted as nonchalantly as possible as she traversed the length of the pier.

She didn’t even have time to appreciate that her sweet, four-legged companion had proven to be very smart, already sticking to Bobbie like glue, and not running away.

Reyghan …

Bobbie had an idea.

“You know,” she began in a speculative tone to Drew, “with you two joining me on the trip, I’m rethinking bringing my puppy. I know Jeff is extremely allergic to animal dander, so being around Reyghan for the next eight to ten hours is most likely going to make him pretty miserable.”

There was no argument for that. It was all true. Bobbie regarded Drew with innocent eyes.

Drew growled. “You and that fucking dog. But you’re right. Jeff will be a prick about it. Do you have someone who can watch the damned thing?”

Talk about being a prick. But thank goodness Drew hadn’t naysaid her assertion.

“Yes. I do, as a matter of fact. Her name is Sheila. She watches Reyghan all the time. And even though it’s very early, she normally rises with the sun, so it shouldn’t be a problem if I call her now.

” Was she talking too much? Over-explaining?

Bobbie needed to get to the point. “I’ll clear things with her, then leave Reyghan in the harbormaster’s office until Sheila gets here. Lou won’t mind.”

The harbormaster, Lou, and all his office staff already loved Reyghan.

“Call, then,” Drew grunted. “But don’t tell her we’re with you.”

Huh. Of course he was going to be cautious, considering what they’d most likely loaded onto her boat this morning.

What Bobbie needed to do right now, before she made her call, was to walk a short distance away from her brother. Not far enough that he’d become suspicious, but at a reasonable distance that made it impossible for him to see her screen; to see who she was actually contacting.

She really was pushing her acting skills this morning.

“The van’s open,” she told Drew as airily as possible. “There are four more boxes near the back that are coming with us. If you don’t mind getting started on those, I’ll call Sheila.”

Bobbie backed off a bit from her vehicle, stepping out of the way as Drew got in.

Yes.

She needed to make this quick, and believable.

She hit Buck’s number.

“What’s wrong?”

Buck picked up on the second ring, with most of the sleep leaving his voice almost immediately.

“Hi Sheila. It’s Bobbie. I have a little problem.”

“Wha…? Sheila…? Fuck. Someone’s there with you.” Buck immediately got it.

“Yeah. I’m sorry to call so early, but when I got to my boat, I found I had a couple friends who wanted to head to Canada with me today since the weather is going to be so nice. One of them, however, is allergic to dogs.”

“It’s your brothers,” Buck growled, now fully alert.

“That’s right,” she agreed breezily. “So, I need someone to look after Reyghan for me. I have to shove off, soon, but I’ll leave her in Lou’s office down at the harbor.”

Buck clearly wasn’t happy. “Goddammit, Bobbie. You need to call things off.”

“I’m just about ready to go,” she countered, hoping he’d realize that she couldn’t back out, now.

“Fuck,” he swore, then pulled himself together.

“Okay. I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.

I’ll make sure Reyghan’s taken care of, and I’ll let everyone know about the change of plans.

Shit. I’m not sure how Tex will want to deal with this, but try not to worry, Bobbie.

One way or another we’ll figure things out.

You just go along with everything your brothers say, and try to slow things down.

Drag your feet. The longer you give us to make a new plan, the better. ”

Bobbie could hear the worry in his voice, but smiled as if everything was a-okay.

“Thanks, Sheila. Will do. I’ll see you on Wednesday night when I get home.”

“Stay safe, Bobbie. Please.” Buck’s voice broke. “I love you.”

If there was ever a point when the words were ready to come off her lips, it was now, but with Drew nearby she couldn’t say them.

Shitty timing .

“Yeah. You too,” Bobbie managed, then with great reluctance, she cut the connection.

“Okay,” she told her brother, mock-cheerfully. “We’re all set. Sheila’s coming to take Reyghan.” She bent and scooped up her little dog, who, none the wiser, was yipping with excitement, thinking there was an adventure ahead.

There was, but it wasn’t one where the doggo would be involved, and Bobbie certainly wasn’t looking forward to it.

“I’ll just bring Reyghan to the harbormaster’s office,” she stated.

Drew jumped down from the van after putting the fourth of the remaining boxes on the pavement. “I’ll go with you.”

Right.

He wasn’t trusting her.

Drew might be an asshole, but he’d never been completely stupid, and because he, himself, was always scheming, he figured everyone else was, too.

Bobbie shrugged. “I know the way, but if you want to…”

“I do,” he snarled, then dogged her heels all the way to the office which wasn’t yet manned at this time of morning. Someone was always in by six, however, which was fine. It would leave Reyghan alone for less than an hour, and she’d have fun exploring.

Bobbie had been meaning to dawdle, as per Buck’s suggestion, but Drew kept snapping his fingers to hurry her along, and she had no choice but to comply if she didn’t want to raise any doubts in him.

Silently sighing, Bobbie went in through the always unlocked door, Drew at her back, and placed a happy pup on the floor. She easily located a pen and paper, scribbling a thoughtful note.

Hi, Lou, Something came up and I couldn’t take Reyghan with me today .

Everyone in the office had met and fawned over her puppy, so Bobbie wasn’t afraid they wouldn’t know who she was.

I have someone coming to get her very soon. She’s been fed, but treats are always good.

They had a drawer full.

Thanks. I owe you. Bobbie .

Drew attempted to hustle her out the door after she signed her name, but before she let herself be led away, Bobbie broke off and found a small bowl on a shelf which she filled with water in the attached lav.

Once she put the bowl down, she crouched on the floor and kissed Reyghan on the head.

“You be a good girl. Sheila will be here for you, soon.”

That last was for Drew’s benefit.

The little dog gave a full body wiggle, and Bobbie wanted nothing more than to scoop up her pup and run. But?—

“Are you done?” Drew snapped. “We need to get moving.”

Bobbie nodded, and with one last pat to Reyghan’s head, she led the way out of the office and back to the van as languidly as possible.

They each picked up a box which they carried down the pier—Bobbie, slowly again—then repeated the action until they had everything aboard and secure.

Bobbie scanned the horizon, but didn’t see any white knights coming to the rescue.

Shit.

She ignored her brothers as she set about methodically readying her boat. Eventually—without their help and wasting as much time as possible—she puttered out of the harbor, using her small motor until her craft was clear of all moorings.

Another sigh threatened to escape.

This was usually Bobbie’s happy time; hoisting her sails to catch the wind; feeling the sheets catch, and reveling as the hull began cutting through the waves. But with Drew and Jeff lurking, all she had this morning was a sour taste in her mouth.

Bitterly, she hoped for rough waters where the two non-sailors—who as far as she knew, couldn’t even swim—might get sick as dogs, but she knew that wasn’t in the cards for today. The forecast she’d checked first thing had mentioned clear skies and smooth sailing.

Too bad .

Bobbie stood at the helm and chewed her lip while her brothers sat below, brooding or whatever else they were capable of doing. Who the hell cared what they were up to?

They’d already completely fucked up the day.

Only one thing now reverberated in her head.

Exactly what the hell would happen today?

There was no way for Bobbie to know.