Page 43 of Rekindle My Heart

Chapter 11

Erica put her car in park. It stopped the motion of her vehicle but did nothing for the sloshing of acid in her stomach.

Her phone rang, and she flinched even before she saw her mother’s face pop on the screen.

“Breathe.” Now was not the time to deal with her mother, but Ruth Randall would keep calling if she didn’t answer. She exhaled and forced a smile before clicking the button. “Hi, Mom. What’s up?”

“Mrs. Walsh let her cat out again. Poor Mittens is scratching at the screen door. That cat is in heat.” She whispered the last word.

Erica turned off her engine. A sigh slipped out and her back slouched against the seat. “Have you tried asking her to keep her cat inside when she’s in heat?”

“She should know better than to let it run wild.” She huffed. “Are you stopping by today? I need to get the fall decorations out from the attic, and your father can’t climb the ladder with his bad knee.”

Erica pinched the bridge of her nose. “I can’t today, Mom. But I’m off on Wednesday and will come by and help you.”

A loud sigh came from the other end of the phone. “I thought you had the weekend off? What are you doing today that you can’t come help your parents?”

The guilt washed over her. “Sorry, Mom. I have plans today.”

“Well, don’t keep me in suspense.”

She bit her lip. Don’t say it. Don’t. “I have a date. I’ll be on the river all day.”

“Oh. I hope you wear that little yellow dress. You know the one I bought you when we went to the mall last month?” Her mom’s voice brightened. “Anyway, just wear something cute. Not those God-awful cargo shorts you love.”

Her mom could smell a chance at grandbabies in the future. Slow your roll. Not happening, Mom. At least not today. She looked down at her button-up shirt over her swimsuit and, yes, her cargo shorts and shrugged. “Mom, I have to go. I’ll come by on Wednesday.”

“Okay. Have fun and be safe. I look forward to hearing all about your date when you come over.” Her voice turned sad. “Your sister used to share with me.”

And there it was. All this time, and she still couldn’t make it through a conversation with her mom that she didn’t bring up Sarah.

“Bye, Mom.” She disconnected and slipped her phone, keys, and wallet into her pockets. Grabbing her towel, she locked her car and headed toward the dock.

Thoughts of her sister reverberated in her head. No way in hell she shared everything with their mother. If she had, Mom wouldn’t think her baby girl was a perfect angel. She and Ryan knew the wild side of Sarah.

As she stepped up to the huge, glistening cabin cruiser, one last thought of her sister hit her. Sarah would have worn the cute, flirty dress. No doubt, she’d seduce information out of Travis Stevens.

Sure, Erica could flirt a little. Very little. Her flirting skills were lacking. She worked with mostly guys, and they thought of her as just another crew member.

Girly dresses and flirting weren’t Erica’s style. An alternative plan formed in her mind. If Ryan could try and work his way inside by appearing shady, maybe she could as well.

She bit her fingernail. It sounded stupid even to her own ears. Spy work? Her? Right. She had no training in police work. Heck. Like she could convince anyone she could be corrupt. Erica, Miss Goodie-Two-Shoes back in high school, still went by the book.

Even if she could pull it off, it would only work if Travis Stevens was the man behind the corruption in Ashwood.

The man in question appeared on deck. A wide smile spread across his face. Perfectly straight teeth sparkled as bright as the morning sun on the water.

“Right on time.” He reached a hand down as she climbed on board. As her fingers clasped his, she was struck by how soft his hands were. No calluses. She envisioned him having weekly manicures. Curling her hands in a ball, she shoved her rough hands with her unpainted fingernails in her pockets.

“Thanks for the invitation.” She followed him up the stairs to the upper deck. While he did a pre-cruise check, she scanned the beautiful view. They couldn’t get a better day for mid-September. The river was a deep blue this close up, and the sun sparkled on the water like diamonds. A warm breeze brought in the last remnants of summer as a few boats glided through the water.

“It’s not every day I get to hang out with a stunning female firefighter. Can I get you something to drink before we set sail?” Travis stood at the helm.

She shrugged off the compliment with a laugh, but a zip of apprehension danced up her spine. This slim, slightly nerdy tech genius in board shorts and aviators gave off an air of relaxed control. He was a complete stranger. Maybe Ryan was right, and being in the middle of the river with him wasn’t a smart move. She forced a weak smile. “Water, please.”

Their hands brushed as she took the bottle. No zing of awareness or flutter of attraction filled her either time they touched. No warning bells rang in her head either. A relieved sigh slipped from her lips. She was being silly. He was a millionaire, if not a billionaire. She was perfectly safe. Stupid Daniel, putting fear in her brain.

He fired up the engine and backed the boat from the slip. She looked over the edge, the only way out now. She took in the scenery before her gaze locked on the man captaining the yacht. He looked so at home at the helm.