Her words warmed a cold spot inside him. “If that’s true, it’s only because I had good people around me. You and my grandma. Your Gram.”
“Still, I’m really proud of you for doing everything you set out to do.”
He smiled against her hair. “Thanks.”
For someone who’d been so uncomfortable moments ago, Shelby suddenly felt more at peace than she’d been for a long time. She let the sweet feeling wash over her. Maybe this was the forgiveness Gram had been urging her to find all these years.
“Or maybe it’s just those strong, young arms that have you wrapped tight as a burrito.”
Gram’s voice invoked a smile. She’d always been president of the Gray Briggs Fan Club.
Shelby thought of Gram looking down on them right now.I guess you must be pretty happy with yourself right now. But don’t be getting any ideas.
Though, yes, those strong, young arms did feel awfully nice—and not just the warmth. A niggle of guilt threaded through her. These were not the arms she was supposed to be thinking about or wishing for.
But while his warmth might not be a matter of survival, who could blame her for wanting to ease her discomfort? At least now she’d be able to sleep, rocked by the gentle sway of the boat.
Shelby shifted in her sleep, snuggling deep into the delicious warmth, and drifted off again. Her alarm was going off but she ignored it. She was so tired. And it was the middle of the night. But the buzzing grew louder.
Go away.
She whimpered, reaching once again for that deep state of oblivion.
“Shelby. Shelby, wake up.”
“What...?” She pried her eyes open to darkness. And that buzzing. It wasn’t her alarm.
She was on the boat with Gray. And judging by the direction of his voice, she faced him now. Her head rested on his arm, her face pressing into his neck. And her knee—Ack!It was tucked between his legs.
She jerked it away, putting a few inches between them. The boat rocked in response.
“Someone’s coming.”
That buzzing was getting louder.A boat!She sprang upright and blinked against the docking lights cutting through the darkness. The spreader lights revealed the craft as a pontoon.Caleb.He must’ve gotten her message after all.
“Looks like we’ve been rescued.” Gray stood and began stowing the life vests.
There was no reason to flag Caleb down as he was already heading directly their way. She crossed her arms against the breeze and waited.
“You okay?” Caleb called over the water.
“We’re fine,” she said. “Did you bring gas?”
“No, your message cut off so I didn’t know what happened. I’ll just tow you in.”
She didn’t have to see his expression. His tone informed her he was unhappy to find her stranded with Gray.
Caleb turned the pontoon and backed toward the front of the boat, then shut off the motor. “I’m throwing you a line.”
The rope landed inside the boat with a thunk. Gray grabbed it and knotted it to the bow cleat.
Once it was secure Caleb called, “Hang on.” He towed the boat toward the pontoon, and as they grew closer, even the darkness couldn’t hide the irritation on Caleb’s face.
Which probably accounted for Gray’s silence.
“I wasn’t sure my voicemail went through at all. We haven’t had much of a signal.”
Caleb said nothing more as he towed them closer. When the boats connected, Gray stepped onto the pontoon and held out a hand for her. Then she took the line from Caleb and secured it to the pontoon while Gray settled at the stern.
