Reluctant Housemates by Linda Barrett

Author:Linda Barrett [Barrett, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9781459211452
Google: AqWq-Wao6qkC
Goodreads: 3269496
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2005-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

THEY DIDN’T REACH THE marina until almost seven-thirty, after stopping at the Diner on the Dunes to pick up sandwiches and drinks. Rachel had shown Jack the fruit and bottled water she’d taken to share with him. Woman food, he’d thought, glad he’d placed the to-go lunch order with the diner.

The docking area of the marina looked like a floating outdoor parking lot. All sizes and types of boats gently rocked in the water. Some boats were outfitted for serious fishing with captain and mate chairs elevated; some craft existed purely for pleasure, both motor and sailboats.

“I guess we’re not the only ones wanting to spend a day on the water,” said Rachel, following Jack along the pier.

Jack scanned left and right. “It’s September in New England. How many more days of good weather do you think we’ll have? No one’s going to miss taking advantage of a sunny sky. Especially not those two.” He waved at the couple in a nearby boat. “Morning, Chief. Morning, Dee. A great day to be out.”

Next to him, he heard Rachel mutter under her breath. “Darn it! Just my bad luck.”

“Well, look who’s here!” said Chief O’Brien, standing up to greet them. “Jack’s got a different Goodman with him this time. Traded David in for Rachel. Good choice, my man.”

“Hush up, Rick,” said Dee, standing at his side. “You’ll embarrass her.”

Jack glanced at Rachel’s flushed face, then saw her square her shoulders and look the chief in the eye. “No phone calls, Chief. You hear? I don’t need every ROMEO at the diner making us a topic of breakfast conversation. I’m just helping Jack with his work, and that’s all. This is a business trip—sort of.”

The chief’s brows rose to his hairline. He turned to his wife. “Who are these people, honey?”

“Never saw them before in my life,” she replied on cue, before winking at Rachel. “Come on, Rick. We’ve got things to do.”

As the older couple refocused on their chores, Jack heard the chief say, “Seems to me I’ve been in this situation before—with Sam’s boy, Matt. He had a dozen red roses for Laura, and when he saw me—poor boy—his face turned as red as the flowers. I promised not to say a word.”

“And look how well that turned out….”

Their voices faded as Jack and Rachel continued along the pier. Rachel looked straight ahead.

“Small towns can have their disadvantages,” remarked Jack offhandedly.

“I keep reminding myself about the lack of privacy,” said Rachel, “but it’s a losing battle. It really is, especially for someone who was born here. Everyone knows everything or will know it in five minutes or less. Grrr…”

“I like the personal space here, the location. The beach. I touch down in cities when I have to, but give me a coastal town any day.”

“Do you go out there all year round, Jack?” Rachel asked, nodding at Pilgrim Bay, which led to the ocean. “Even in winter?”

“If I want to be paid, I do!”

Was that a frown on her face?

“It’s dangerous work,” she said softly, confirming his impression.

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