Free Uncharted Waters by Linda Castillo

quickly.
    â€œI know she doesn’t. I just didn’t realize it had been so long. I guess I’m a little behind on my calls. I’ll call them tonight. Satisfied?”
    â€œPromise?”
    â€œScout’s honor.” He raised his right hand.
    She tried to frown at him, but couldn’t hold back the smile because for an instant, the old Drew was back and he was pouring on the charm.
    â€œSo are you going to tell me your good news or are you going to sit there and psychoanalyze me all morning?” he asked after a moment.
    She’d been so excited about the tour—and so intent on making sure he was all right—she’d forgotten about her news. “Oh, well...I just wanted to let you know...I had lunch with Seth and Emma.”
    â€œSeth and Emma? I didn’t even know you knew them.”
    â€œI met Seth once through Rick years ago.”
    Drew stared at her blankly, and she could see that he was wondering where she was going with this.
    â€œSeth offered me a job at Evans Yachts.”
    His face went from incredulous to angry in a matter of seconds. “He what? ”
    â€œSeth offered—”
    â€œI heard you the first time,” he snapped. “I just don’t understand why he would do that.”
    Alison gaped at him, flabbergasted that he would be against the idea of her working for his cousin. “Why on earth wouldn’t he hire me? I’m more than qualified. Not to mention the money—”
    â€œThat’s not the point.”
    â€œLook, if it’s about the trouble he’s had with the boat—”
    â€œI’m glad he filled you in on that little detail.”
    â€œI know about the explosion,” she said.
    â€œIn that case, you know it’s not safe for you to work there.”
    â€œIt was an isolated incident, Drew. He doesn’t expect any more trouble.”
    â€œYeah, well, drawing from my own experience, I can tell you trouble has a habit of showing up when you least expect it.”
    â€œHe’s hired extra security—”
    â€œHe had no right to involve you.”
    She glared at him, aware that her heart rate was up, that she was angry, that she didn’t understand why he’d reacted so negatively. “You’re overreacting.”
    â€œYou don’t know the whole story.”
    â€œYeah? Well why don’t you fill me in?”
    â€œI can’t. Damn it.” He reached for the phone. “I’m not going to let him do this.”
    â€œIt’s not your decision,” she said.
    Ignoring her, he punched in numbers. She set her hand over his.
    He gazed steadily at her from across the span of his desk, his eyes hard, his nostrils flaring slightly. “Alison, it’s not a good idea for you to work there.”
    â€œI’m sorry you disapprove, but unless you can give me a good reason why I shouldn’t, I’m going to take the job.”
    He stared at her for an interminable moment, then eased his hand from beneath hers. “Did he tell you what happened to the previous administrative assistant?”
    â€œIf I recall, he married her.”
    That shut him up, but it didn’t soften the lines of worry etched into his face. All she could think was that he was too young to have such old eyes.
    â€œLook,” she said, “it’s only a couple of days a week.”
    â€œAt the Evans Yachts Building?”
    â€œAt the boat building in the marina, so I wouldn’t be anywhere near the corporate offices.”
    â€œAlison, I don’t know about this...”
    â€œSeth’s foreman is going nuts with administrative work. I mean, the man’s a whiz at building yachts, but you put him at a desk and he’s a walking disaster.”
    â€œI’m not saying he doesn’t need help. All I’m saying is that you’re not the right person to do it.”
    â€œIt’s the perfect position for me, Drew. The hours are