“Make mine a latte and you’re on.”

We both try to give him money, but he waves it off and disappears out the front door. I can’t help it; I watch him going, admiring the view. Broad back, narrow hips, and a butt that might, with enough exposure, banish my bad Werner memories.

“Those boys,” Jem says, shaking her head. “Cutest things on two legs, and the manners! And that one’s smart, too. So,” she says. “Romance, right?”

My mouth falls open.

“Rachel,” she says. “You and your mom want romance books. That was my question. What did you think I was asking?”

But it’s pretty obvious, and she doesn’t bother to hide her grin.

15

Brody

“When do you have to be back?” I ask Rachel, when we’ve made the rounds of the shops in town and climbed back into the truck.

“No particular time,” she says.

Our rounds in town went really well. People loved the idea of hosting an event on the boat. Kiona of Five Rivers Arts and Crafts said she could do beginning weaving and had friends who might be interested in basketry and simple jewelry-making. Nan from Rush Creek Bakery said she didn’t know what services she could provide, but if I was interested in having her prepare baked goods or sandwiches for the outings, she was all in. (I said hell yes.) The day spa signed up for two different events, chair massage and reflexology. They said no to mani pedis because precision’s tough on a boat, and I was relieved. And the game store said they had a bunch of simple games that would work even with a breeze.

When people expressed wariness about partnering with me—the game store even brought up my hostile reviews—Rachel stepped in and talked me up. She said I kept the boat clean and well-maintained, was a careful, responsible skipper, and quick on my feet. She told the story of how I’d defused a fight (not getting into the details of how it started), and said I was friendly and easy to work with and that they shouldn’t be fooled by how little I talked. That was where they came into the deal! she said cheerfully. And there were really positive reviews, too. She pulled out her phone to show them.

Looking at myself, like that, through Rachel’s eyes?

I almost didn’t recognize myself.

I wondered if that was how people felt after getting makeovers.

“Makeovers on the boat would be really cool,” I told Rachel.

“Tricky not to stick an eye pencil in the wrong place,” she pointed out. “And the mascara’s a nightmare.”

“See. This is why I keep you around.”

I’m feeling pretty damn pleased with myself, I have to say. My calendar is full of events, basically through the end of tourist season.