Twice in a Lifetime by Marta Perry Page B

Coast Guard, isn’t he?” He slid onto the seat, hoping he could get through this day without making a fool of himself.
    “They both are.” She bent over a locker and came up with two life vests, tossing him one. “But sometimes I think Adam has saltwater in his veins. It’s not enough for him that his work is on the water—his play has to be, too.”
    She moved to the seat behind the controls, tugging her ball cap down over her forehead. With white shorts showing off her tanned legs and that well-worn Cooper River Run T-shirt, she didn’t look much like the Atlanta businesswoman he’d originally thought her to be.
    “Do you want me to do anything?” Assuming there was anything here he could do.
    “Just sit still.” Moving with easy grace, she cast off the lines. In a moment the boat pulled away from the dock.
    Georgia concentrated on steering them through the maze of boats in the marina, and he concentrated on her, impressed by her competence. He just liked watching competence. This wasn’t about Georgia.
    Lying to yourself doesn’t help, he thought. When Miz Callie had suggested he have a look at the island property, he’d quickly agreed. Then he’d discovered that her plans included having Georgia take him there by boat.
    If he could have found a way out, he’d have taken it. Georgia Bodine was too disturbing to his peace of mind. Every time he thought he had a grip on who she was and how to deal with her, she showed him another aspect of herself. And he was beginning to like all aspects of Georgia
    Lee Bodine.
    This trip was business, he reminded himself. All he had to do was keep it on that plane, and he’d be fine.
    Georgia didn’t speak again until they were clear of the marina and out into the channel. Then she gave him a questioning glance. “You don’t seem very comfortable on the water. I always thought there was a lot of boating in the Boston area.”
    Not in his neighborhood, where an open fire hydrant provided the most water he’d seen. “I never got into it, unless you count the swan boats on the Common.”
    “I’ve seen pictures of them. They look like fun.”
    “Not like this.” He lifted his face to the breeze. “I didn’t realize we had to go by boat to see your grandmother’s property.”
    “Consider it a bonus,” Georgia suggested. She pointed off to the side ahead of them. “Look. Bottlenose dolphins.” He leaned forward, watching as two sleek gray dolphins arced through the water, wearing their perpetual smiles as
    if they were enjoying themselves.
    “It looks as if they’re keeping pace with us.”
    “They probably are.” Georgia’s face glowed with pleasure. “They’re very social.”
    Her expression moved him. She was in her element here. “You love this.”
    “Who wouldn’t?” She gave a sigh of pure pleasure. “I never miss a chance to get out on the water.”
    “Then why did you leave?”
    She shrugged, turning so that the bill of her cap hid her face from him. “I went where the job was, that’s all.”
    He had a feeling that wasn’t all. But he didn’t want to know, remember? He didn’t need to get any closer to Georgia than he already was.
    The boat slowed slightly, and she pointed again, as if showing him the sights would keep him off the subject of her personal life. “That’s an osprey’s nest on that post. They don’t seem bothered by all the boat traffic.”
    “Wish I’d brought a camera. Your grandmother has Lindsay fascinated with the coastal wildlife. She’s always asking questions I can’t answer.”
    “I could take her out sometime. Or you could take her on an organized tour to Capers Island. Kids love that.”
    “Capers Island?” Once again, he was sounding ignorant of his new surroundings.
    “It’s a state heritage preserve, one of the few untouched barrier islands. What my grandmother has planned for her
    property is going to be similar, except that she owns just part of an island.” She swung the boat in a wide