The sun was high overhead so she tilted her face to the sky and closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth on her skin. Between the house and the restaurant she hadn’t had much downtime recently. Maybe a few hours of leisure was just what she needed.
She tuned in to the cries of nearby sea gulls and the sound of the wind cutting across the sea. The rumbling engine, lapping water, and gentle dipping motion had a soothing effect.
She drew in a breath of salty sea air and let it out, mentally disconnecting with life on land as the boat whisked her away from it. Just for today she’d leave her worries behind and surrender to the wind’s wiles.
When she opened her eyes, Connor’s gaze was fixed on hers. His lips were turned up, as if he sensed—and approved of—her thoughts. Feeling the moment of connection, she returned his smile and looked out to the horizon. They were passing through the inlet that led to the open sea.
Once they left the shelter of the bay, the wind kicked up, the waves ruffling the water’s surface. There were other boats out and about. Sailboats and fishing boats, people out enjoying the beautiful summer day.
A few minutes later Connor moved out from behind the wheel. “Ready for some sailing?”
“Absolutely. Anything I can do?”
“Why don’t you just observe today? A lot can happen, and quickly. The only thing you need to know about is the boom.” He gestured to the horizontal pole under the main sail. “It can come flying across the boat, and you don’t want to be in its way.”
“Got it.”
He raised the mainsail, and it started flapping like crazy in the breeze. Next he raised the front sail and went about securing it. He obviously knew what he was doing, and she watched closely in case she got the opportunity to help next time.
Next time?
She brushed the thought away—no worrying allowed today.
Connor continued adjusting both sails, and the boat began moving. He checked the wind direction with the ribbons that were tied to one of the cables.
She was content to watch him work with the shifting wind. Sailing wasn’t a lazy man’s sport, she could see that. But Connor wasn’t lazy. He seemed to love the work. His muscles flexed and shifted with his movements. He checked on her from time to time, making sure she was content, a smile lingering around his lips.
Eventually Maddy decided to recline on the bench and enjoy the ride. They were sailing toward an island he knew of. Connor had packed a picnic lunch, and she already found her stomach growling, but the sun warmed the back of her eyelids and the motion of the boat lulled her.
“Maddy?”
Her eyes opened, blinking against the harsh sunlight.
Connor hovered over her, his form silhouetted by the sun. “We’re here, sleepyhead.”
Maddy eased upright, feeling sheepish. “I fell asleep. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He turned to grab their supplies. “I’m glad you were able to relax.”
She followed him off the boat, looking around. The boat’s sails were down, and they were already tied off at an old wooden pier. There wasn’t a single soul in sight. The island was small enough that she could see both ends from their position at the end of the dock.
He helped her off the boat, and she freed him of the picnic blanket.
“Where are we exactly?”
“Not too far from Fort Fisher. Just a little scrap of land an old friend showed me a while back. Good fishing here too, but I’m more interested in food right now.”
“That makes two of us.” She checked her watch, surprised to see she’d been asleep for over an hour.
The old pier creaked and swayed under their feet. The water beneath them was shallow and clean, little fish flittering around. The pier ended on a narrow strip of sand, not wide enough to be a public beach. It extended toward a slope covered with seagrass, scrub brush, and low-growing coastal plants.
When they stepped off the pier Connor kicked off his sandals, and she followed suit.
“This place is deserted,” she said as her feet sank into soft white sand.
“It’s a private island.”
Maddy raised her brows. “Who owns it?”
