“Nell—is it cops in general, men in general, or me in particular that worry you?”

“I’m not worried.”

“Prove it.” He stayed where he was, but held out a hand.

She kept her eyes on his. He had good eyes. Smart ones, but patient too. Slowly she stepped forward and lifted her hand to his.

“What do you plan to do with your shells?”

“Nothing.” Her pulse was galloping, but she made herself climb the sandy steps with him. “Well, nothing brilliant. Just scatter them around, I suppose.”

His hand held hers loosely, but even so she could tell it was hard and rough. He wore no rings, no watch on his wrist.

No pampering, she thought. No adornments.

Like her, he was barefoot, and his jeans were ripped at the knee, frayed at the hem. With his sun-streaked hair and tawny skin, he looked more beach bum than sheriff. It tamped down some of her anxiety.

At the landing they turned, walked along a gentle slope. Below, on the far side of the rocks, was a sunny inlet where a small red boat bobbed lazily at a rickety pier.

“Everything’s a picture,” she said quietly.

“Have you done any sailing?”

“Yes. A little,” she said quickly. “Is that your boat?”

“She’s mine.”

There was a sudden wild splashing of water, and a sleek, dark head appeared, cruising around the rocks. As Nell stared, a huge black dog leaped onto the shore and shook herself madly.

“Her, too,” Zack stated. “Mine, that is. Are you all right with dogs? Tell me now. I can hold her off and give you a fair head start.”

“No, I like dogs.” Then she blinked, looked back at him. “What do you mean, head start?”

He didn’t bother to answer, just grinned as the dog leaped up the slope in powerful bounds. She jumped on Zack, tail wagging and spewing water, and licked his face. On two short, deep barks she bunched her muscles and would have given Nell the same treatment if Zack hadn’t blocked her.

“This is Lucy. She’s friendly, but mannerless. Down, Lucy.”

Lucy got down, her entire body wagging now. Then, obviously unable to control her joy and affection, she leaped on Zack again.

“She’s two,” he explained, firmly pushing her down and shoving her butt to the ground with his hand. “Black Lab. I’m told they mellow out some when they’re older.”

“She’s beautiful.” Nell stroked Lucy’s head, and at the first touch the dog collapsed on the ground and rolled over, belly up.

“No pride, either,” Zack began, then looked surprised when Nell just hunkered down and sent Lucy into ecstasy by rubbing her belly with both hands.

“You don’t need pride when you’re beautiful, do you, Lucy? Oh, there’s nothing like a big, beautiful dog, is there? I always—oh!”