“Yeah?” He fastened his seatbelt. She did the same. “I keep wondering if I should downsize, but I get a lot of use out of all the space. I like to go camping, and I can fit my tent, fishing poles, and, most importantly, Moe in here.”

He was very attached to the nearly one-hundred-pound hound.

“Will Moe be joining us tonight?”

He nodded. “Is that okay? He’s already on the boat, but I can drive him home if that’s a problem.”

“No way. I’m the guest here! It’s Moe’s sailboat.” She smiled, even though she was a little nervous about remaining upright on her unsteady wedges with Moe running around. Maybe she should have gone more casual.

He parked his SUV in the small lot outside of the Cranberry Cove Harbor and held her arm as they made their way down the dock.

“This is it,” he said a trifle shyly, standing beside a gorgeous schooner. He stepped aboard, lending his hand to Renee.

She grasped it, and he pulled her toward him. She lost her footing and ended up crashing into his chest. It was big and hard, the perfect size to rest her head on.

“Sorry!” Her cheeks heated. “Bad call on the elevated footwear.”

He smiled. “Well, they’re sexy as hell.” His gaze blazed a trail down her body to linger on her pink-painted toes. “I gotta say, you look amazing tonight.”

“Thanks.” She stared down at her feet, suddenly grateful for the wedges and their unpredictability.

He opened the door that led to the boat’s cabin, and a speckled dog leapt out to greet them.

Thankfully, Moe wasn’t the jumping type. He simply leaned his body against Renee, pleading for a pet.

“He’s going to act like no one gives him any love.” Dan rolled his eyes. “Don’t believe him for a second. He’s an attention hound who is particularly fond of pretty women.”

Her heart sank with the sudden implication, and she blurted, “Do you entertain a lot of pretty women on your boat?”

He cleared his throat, “No, no…I… Well, you’re the first one to come on this boat. I bought it when I moved to Maine. Meggie…um, that’s my late wife’s name… Meggie and I always talked about buying a boat in Seattle, but we never got around to it.”

Renee nodded. “I see.”

“Can I get you a glass of wine?” He eagerly changed the subject. “I’d love to show you around. It’s a small but mighty vessel.”

He poured her a glass of sauvignon blanc before showing her the tiny kitchen and living area, full bathroom, and modest bedroom. The floors were mahogany and he’d made the entire space feel inviting. The sofa had navy cushions and a flannel blanket draped over it. A leather framed photo of Moe on a fishing dock somewhere hung on the wall.