Twice In A Lifetime by Jennifer Jakes Page B

damp, made her knees weak. Made her want to wrap herself in his arms, let his heat soak through her soul… Just like the first time she’d seen him.
    “Izzy!” He stalked toward her, each heavy step twisting her nerves a little tighter. “Come on. You’re leaving.” He clasped her hand.
    “What? No.” She tried to pull free. “We’ve talked about this.”
    His grip tightened. “And I told you—”
    “Sir, you’re not supposed to be past that line.” A policeman pointed to the dock. “You’ll have to leave. Now.”
    “Ian…” What could she say?
    “Fine.” He dropped her hand. Blue eyes burned with anger. “Have it your way. For now.” The haunting words echoed in her ears as he stomped away.
    “You all right?” The costume standby hurried over to adjust the ruffled lace sleeves on the long gown.
    “Yeah.” Izzy nodded. “Just…” She glanced at the dock, just one more look, one more memory. He was gone.
    “Izzy?”
    “Ummm. Yeah. I’m good.” She took her mark and refused to look back. Now was not the time to try to figure him out. If she didn’t concentrate, she'd get herself killed.
    “Party tonight after the shoot,” the captain said as he stepped behind her and
    wound his arm around her neck. “You coming?”
    “No. I've got plans.” She didn't, but after seeing Ian she needed to go home, have a good cry and get blind drunk. Maybe then she'd have the guts to sign the papers. Or call him.
    “Quiet on the set!” Daniel's voice echoed through the bullhorn. “Let's do this, people.”
    Izzy closed her eyes and focused on her job. Easy. Nothing she hadn't done before, yet her insides quivered in apprehension. The capt ain must have felt her tremble because he raised an eyebrow in question.
    There was no time to answer.
    “Action!”
    Adrenaline surged through her veins as she pulled away from her captor and sprinted toward the rail. In five seconds the first charge would blow. She was almost there. Four… three … she counted down the time in her head.
    Bbbwwwrroooosshh! The explosion roared in her ears.
    Dear God, it was too soon.
    A wave of heat chased behind her, hot on her exposed skin. She was still a foot away from the mark.
    She lengthened her stride, tried to reach the edge in time. If she didn't the next blast would—
    The sudden force propelled her through the wooden rail instead of safely up and over. A scream tore from her as she splashed into the water. Debris rained around her.
    Broken boards and chunks of wood peppered against her body as the heavy dress pulled her under.
    One hard kick brought her to the surface. Acrid smoke choked her lungs, burned her eyes. She couldn't see the ship, couldn't see anything.
    Ian's face flashed in her mind. If he saw the explosion, he’d be in a panic. She struggled to turn toward the dock. Christ, she couldn’t see the shore. Couldn’t see anything.
    A wave pulled her under again.
    Sea water rushed into her mouth.
    Everything went black.
     
    ***
     
    Izzy choked, swearing like a true sailor as two sets of hands grabbed her and pulled her into a tiny boat. Not dead, not drowned.
    She cracked open one eye and wiped salt water from her face.
    “Thanks, guys.” She coughed and fell in a soggy heap onto the shallow bottom.
    When had Daniel started sending the pick-up crew in costume? And why in a historical row boat?
    “Lucky yer still alive.” The crewman strained against the oars.
    “Yeah.” Izzy watched black smoke billow into the sky. Something had gone way wrong. Maybe Ian had been right. Maybe Daniel was dangerous. Maybe just as dangerous at work as he was behind the wheel of a car. The damn fool nearly killed her.
    Suddenly a large noose dropped over her shoulders and tightened under her breasts.
    “Hey,” she yelled. The men grinned as she was hoisted high into the air, and her wet dress rained sea water on them. The breath whooshed from her in a strangled scream. “Damn you! Not so tig—” She plopped onto a