Page 82 of Wild Wolf

"People are full of surprises," I said. "Do you need a ride home?”

"Actually, I'm not sure if I want to go back home. I need to get the window fixed where Oren broke in. I don't really feel like staying alone tonight.” She sighed. "I guess I could get a hotel room.”

If I wasn't mistaken, she was fishing.

"Plenty of room on the boat. We could put you up for a night.”

She lifted an intrigued eyebrow. "Boat? What type of boat?”

I grinned.

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"You said this was a small boat," Taryn said, standing on the dock, looking at theAvventurain awe. “Nothing fancy.”

"I may have undersold it," I replied with a grin.

I escorted her across the passerelle.

Buddy barked and bounced excitedly at the prospect of a new guest. With his nose against the glass, wagging his tail, he could barely contain himself.

Taryn had that effect.

I pulled open the salon door and held the little Jack Russell back as he tried to pounce. Taryn knelt down and loved on the little guy.

Buddy ate it up.

I escorted her inside and set her up in a below-deck stateroom.

"I feel like I'm about to embark on a cruise.”

"Around here, anything is possible," I said. "I'm up on the bridge deck aft if you need anything."

She smiled and gave me a hug. In a whisper, she said, "Thank you again.”

The hug lingered for a moment. I didn't mind. I didn't mind at all.

We broke apart, and she slipped into her stateroom.

I left and climbed the companionway to the main deck. JD had already disappeared. It was late, and the sun would be coming up soon.

In my stateroom, I peeled out of my damp clothes, stepped into the shower, and washed off. The hot water felt good, and I took a Hollywood shower before climbing into bed and settling in for the evening.

The storm still raged, rain pelting down, thunder booming. The boat rocked with the tempest. Gusts of wind whistled.

I turned on the news to catch updates on the weather. The tropical depression wasn’t a named storm, but it was going to dump on us just the same.

Another deafening clap of thunder rattled windows and shook bulkheads. It wasn't long after that when a gentle knock at my hatch announced an unexpected visitor.

"Come in," I said.

"Are you asleep?” Taryn asked, poking her head in.

"Not yet.”

"I can't sleep. I guess I’m still amped up about everything,and the storm is not helping.” She paused. “If I’m disturbing you, we can talk later.”

“No, not at all.”