“Let me drive you.”
She placed a hand on his arm. “Thank you for the offer, but I’d like to walk.”
With the heat of her hand still warming his arm, she strode down the street. He bit his cheek to stop from calling her back, surprised by the disappointment swirling in his stomach.
Sam had enjoyed talking to her.
He couldn’t wait to do so again.
He just hoped she was genuine.
Chapter 7
Penelope should have spent hours staring at the ceiling when she got home last night. Her conversation with Sam should have kept her mind whirring with thoughts, but it hadn’t. Instead, she’d arrived home and fallen asleep only moments after her head hit the pillow.
She didn’t want to consider the reasons why.
It had been nice to have some company on her midnight sojourn, though she did have a moment of fear when she noticed the dark figure on the street, until she’d recognised Sam.
Then she’d been comforted in a strange way. She’d not been afraid of walking at night while she’d been up here, but he’d been like a bodyguard. It had been far too tempting to accept his offer of a cup of tea and a drive home, but it was a little too intimate, too fast.
Besides, she had more than enough to worry about with the gun-wielding poachers.
Sam had more or less confirmed something more was going on in Retribution Bay and today she wanted to call Dot to discuss it. She needed to know about it so she could be prepared.
Penelope dressed in her uniform of polo shirt and shorts, and made some toast for breakfast before heading to the office to check in. Declan entered her office before she even sat.
“How are you today?” he asked.
“I’m well, thank you.”
He scowled. “Do you need to talk to a therapist? We’ve got a number you can call.” He shoved a card at her and she took it.
“I’m fine, Declan, but thank you for your concern. I’ll take the boat out again today because I didn’t finish the monitoring yesterday.”
“You don’t need to go out so soon, if you’re not ready.”
“Truly, I’m fine. I want to go out. I doubt the men will be back.”
“Of course, but if you do see them again, call it in.” He didn’t seem happy as he walked out.
Definitely something else going on. Georgie walked in. “I heard what happened yesterday. Are you all right?”
Penelope could appreciate people’s concern, but the question was becoming repetitive. “Fine.” She slipped past Georgie and shut the door. “But I want to ask you about something.”
“Go for it.”
“What really happened last month with Matt?”
Georgie stepped back. “What do you mean?”
“I know he was kidnapped, which had something to do with animal smugglers, but everything else is rumours.”
Georgie twirled her fringe around her finger. “I don’t know how much I can tell you.”
“Could the men yesterday be involved?” Penelope asked, getting to the crux of her question.
Georgie’s eyes widened. “Maybe. Did Dot say anything?”
