She hadn’t stayed in bed until ten o’clock since she’d been a child. Liz felt as irresponsible as one as she started the coffee. True, Luis could handle the shop and the boats as well as she, but it wasn’t his job. It was hers. Here she was, brewing coffee at ten o’clock, with her body still warm from loving. Nothing had been the same since Jonas Sharpe had arrived on her doorstep.

“It’s useless to give yourself a hard time for taking a morning off,” Jonas said from behind her.

Liz popped bread into the toaster. “I suppose not, since I don’t even know today’s schedule.”

“Liz.” Jonas took her by the arms and firmly turned her around. He studied her, gauging her mood before he spoke. “You know, back in Philadelphia I’m considered a workaholic. I’ve had friends express concern over the workload I take on and the hours I put in. Compared to you, I’m retired.”

Her brows drew together as they did when she was concentrating. Or annoyed. “We each do what we have to do.”

“True enough. It appears what I have to do is harass you until you relax.”

She had to smile. He said it so reasonably and his eyes were laughing. “I’m sure you have a reputation for being an expert on harassment.”

“I majored in it at college.”

“Good for you. But I’m an expert at budgeting my own time. And there’s my toast.” He let her pluck it out, waited until she’d buttered it, then took a piece for himself.

“You mentioned diving lessons.”

She was still frowning at him when she heard the coffee begin to simmer. She reached for one cup, then relented and took two. “What about them?”

“I’ll take one. Today.”

“Today?” She handed him his coffee, drinking her own standing by the stove. “I’ll have to see what’s scheduled. The way things have been going, both dive boats should already be out.”

“Not a group lesson, a private one. You can take me out on the Expatriate.”

“Luis usually takes care of the private lessons.”

He smiled at her. “I prefer dealing with the management.”

Liz dusted crumbs from her fingers. “All right then. It’ll cost you.”

He lifted his cup in salute. “I never doubted it.”

* * *

Liz was laughing when Jonas pulled into a narrow parking space at the hotel. “If he’d picked your pocket, why did you defend him?”

“Everyone’s entitled to representation,” Jonas reminded her. “Besides, I figured if I took him on as a client, he’d leave my wallet alone.”

“And did he?”

“Yeah.” Jonas took her hand as they crossed the sidewalk to the sand. “He stole my watch instead.”

She giggled, a foolish, girlish sound he’d never heard from her. “And did you get him off?”

“Two years probation. There, it looks like business is good.”