Uncharted Waters by Linda Castillo Page A

him, a little voice chimed in. Men understood things best when they were spelled out in black and white. They didn’t do well with subtle. Alison would set him straight today and let him know that he didn’t have to look out for her. That she and Kevin were doing fine, thank you very much.
    Of course none of those things explained why she’d changed outfits three times that morning before deciding on the khaki shorts and navy scoop-neck T-shirt. It wasn’t like this was a date or anything. Goodness no. Drew Evans might be a good-looking man—a fact even Alison couldn’t help noticing—but there was no way they could ever be anything more than friends. That was just the way things were. The way she wanted them to be. Evidently, the way Drew wanted them to be, too.
    â€œMommy, look! There’s the plane!”
    Because there were no cars in the parking lot thisearly in the morning, she let go of Kevin’s hand. “Don’t get too close to the water,” she said.
    â€œI won’t,” he shouted over his shoulder as he took off running toward the plane. “Hey, Drew! We’re ready to go!”
    In the predawn darkness, she saw Drew standing just beneath the wing. “Hey there, sprout,” he said as Kevin approached.
    She couldn’t see Drew’s face, but his silhouette was unmistakable. Broad, well-developed shoulders. Narrow hips. Legs slightly bowed with muscle. He wore a cap with the visor turned backward. A dark T-shirt revealed a flat belly and arms that were a lot more muscular than she remembered. His jeans were faded and snug, and the sight of his hips packaged so nicely made her look quickly away.
    â€œMorning,” he said to her as she approached.
    â€œHi.”
    He poured from a Thermos and shoved a cup at her. “Nothing fancy, but it’s hot.”
    The smell of coffee made her mouth water. “You thought of everything.”
    â€œMommy, this is so cool! The plane’s tied up to the dock just like a boat!”
    â€œI see that,” she said.
    Shoving his hands in the back pockets of his jeans, Kevin grinned. “My mommy and me made a key lime pie last night.”
    Drew stared blankly at the boy for a moment as if to ask “Why are you telling me?” “That’s nice,” he said slowly.
    â€œMommy made it for you.”
    â€œKevin!” she said sharply, but was too late.
    â€œMommy said you could come over tonight if youwant to. She’s a good cook and won’t even make you put the silverware away if you don’t want.”
    Drew glanced over at Alison and raised his brows. “I think there’s an invitation in there somewhere.”
    Alison laughed, thankful it wasn’t yet light because her cheeks were on fire. “Kevin and I wanted to...thank you for inviting us here this morning.” She walked over to her son and knelt to tie one of his sneakers. “Why don’t you invite Drew over for dinner the way we talked about it last night, honey?”
    Nodding, Kevin grew serious. “Would you like to come over for dinner tonight, Drew?”
    For an instant, Drew looked uncomfortable, glancing quickly from Kevin to Alison then back to Kevin. “Hey, that’s nice but you sure don’t have to go to any trouble.”
    â€œThe pie’s already made,” Kevin said. “It’s really good. Mommy let me lick the bowl and everything.”
    Alison finished knotting the shoelace, then cleared her throat, suddenly nervous because she wasn’t sure if Drew was going to accept their invitation. It had seemed like such a good idea the night before while she and Kevin were making the pie. Now, with Drew standing there with a scowl on his face, it didn’t seem quite so brilliant.
    â€œDon’t feel obligated or anything,” she said quickly. “I mean, it’s not like Kevin and I can’t handle a key lime pie all by ourselves. Right,