Page 24 of Deadly Waves

“You and Jake, though,” she continued. “I thought Jake was going to drag his feet because he’s so shy sometimes. Then, out of nowhere, you’re engaged and Grady and I are the only ones floundering in the middle of the ocean while the sharks close in.”

“You’ve been spending too much time with Mandy,” Ally said dryly.

“That was a great analogy,” Mandy enthused. “As for the rest, I think you’re overreacting. Grady is going to propose. He’s been ready for a long time. Heck, he’s been ready since before Jake was ready. He just doesn’t want to push you.”

“Well, I want to be pushed,” Sophie said. “I’m totally ready to … walk down the aisle. Ugh. There’s that girly thing again.”

Ally giggled. “Are you ready to be Mrs. Grady Hardy?”

“Screw that,” Sophie replied. “I’m ready for him to be Mr. Sophie Lane.”

The women dissolved into guffaws, not stopping until a shadow moved across their seats and caused Mandy to shift in that direction. She expected to find a hovering James. Instead she caught sight of a ridiculously attractive man with dark hair and flashing eyes.

“You all look as if you’re having a good time.”

Mandy returned the man’s smile. “We are. Are you with the ship’s crew?”

“I’m head of customer relations,” the man replied. “My name is Jon Peterson.”

“Oh, it’s nice to meet you,” Mandy said, extending her hand. “My husband is James Hardy. He’s running the security check on the boat for this trip.”

“I know,” Peterson said. “I met him this morning when he was questioning hospital personnel. He seems very … intense.”

Mandy bit her lip to keep from laughing. “He certainly has a way about him,” she agreed. “Did you guys find out anything about the blood?”

“I believe they’re looking at it as an accident at this point,” Peterson replied. “If someone was hurt, we would’ve heard about it.”

“Not if they were murdered and tossed over the side of the boat,” Sophie pointed out, earning a surprised look from Peterson. “I’m just saying.”

“Wouldn’t someone report an individual missing if that happened?” Peterson questioned.

Sophie shrugged. “I think it depends on whether or not anyone knows that this individual is missing.”

Peterson was intrigued. “How does that work?”

“Well, look around,” Sophie replied, warming to her topic. She was always happy when a mystery presented itself because she was curious by nature. As far as she was concerned, anything was better than owning up to her insecurity regarding Grady. “Most of these people are traveling in groups.”

“I think that’s normal for a cruise,” Peterson said.

“Yes, but if you have a group of ten people and you’re constantly running off in groups of two or three, it would be relatively easy to gloss over the fact that one of the ten is missing because you’re not seeing everyone at the same time,” Sophie said. “Someone could be long gone and it might take hours for anyone to notice.”

“That’s an … interesting way of looking at it,” Peterson said after a beat. “Are you married to one of the Hardy Brothers Security workers?”

“Not yet,” Ally answered for Sophie. “It’s only a matter of time, though.”

Peterson’s eyes drifted from one ring finger to the next. He didn’t miss Ally and Emma’s engagement rings, or Mandy’s wedding band set. Sophie was the only one with a bare finger. “It seems to me she’s still open for offers,” he said.

Sophie balked. “Trust me. I’m not.”

“Oh, well, that’s disappointing,” Peterson said, his eyes twinkling. “I was hoping to buy you a drink later. I guess that’s my loss, huh?”

“Totally,” Ally said. “No one is open for offers, but if you’re buying, we’re all open for drinks.”

Peterson grinned at her forward nature. “Consider it done.”

“I HAVEN’T noticed anyone missing,” Tabitha said. “I heard my dad talking and know some blood was found on the deck. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

She preened under James and Grady’s attention as her friends looked on with obvious envy.