“Georgie’s a fish,” Sam said. “She loves the water, but it sounds as if she’s enjoying being a park ranger.”
“I hope so. I feel like the interloper.”
“No need. Georgie doesn’t hold a grudge. She instantly forgave Brandon for staying away for over a decade.”
“What happened?”
“Long story and another one that’s not mine to tell,” Sam said. “How was your day today?”
“I wasn’t held at gunpoint, so that was a plus,” Penelope answered.
He was pleased she could joke about it.
“I called Dot today to ask her about the connection between the poachers and the animal smugglers.”
His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “What did she say?”
“Not much,” Penelope replied. “What should I say if she calls me tomorrow?”
He remembered what Sherlock said about needing boundaries. “Tell her whatever makes you comfortable.”
“You’re not going to swear me to silence?”
“What we’re doing isn’t illegal,” he said. “Dot won’t like it, but she can’t stop us.” He slowed as he spotted glowing eyes on the side of the road. The kangaroo stayed where it was as they passed. “And I understand you need to follow the rules.”
She was silent and he glanced at her.
“You’re not who I expected,” she said. “I thought you were some military cowboy who played by his own rules.”
He chuckled. “I’ve been accused of that a time or two,” he admitted.
“But you didn’t demand I rescind the suspension.”
“It’s done now. We’ve reallocated all the passengers to other vessels or refunded money. There’s nothing to do except wait it out. And with this poacher stuff happening, it gives me an opportunity to investigate.” He wanted Stonefish stopped as much as the Stokes did. Too many lives had been lost or threatened. “Why did you move up here?”
If she was surprised by the change of topic, she didn’t show it. She pressed her lips together. “My best friend told me I was a coward if I didn’t.”
Sam choked out a laugh. “You don’t look like someone who would bow under peer pressure.”
“There were reasons she called me a coward. She said it was time I took a risk again.” A soft sigh. “And then she said I could go live with her if it all went pear shaped.”
“A dare and a backup,” Sam said. “I like the sound of your friend.”
“Ceiveon would like you.”
“Does she like a dashingly handsome man, with a wicked sense of humour and who can handle a gun?”
Penelope laughed, a burst loud like a trumpet which cut off too soon and then she giggled. “Modesty is one of her highest traits.”
Sam grinned. That laugh was something else. He wanted to hear it again. “Then she’s going to love me,” Sam said. “Modest, chivalrous, and I call my mother once a week when I can.”
She chuckled. “Pity she’s already married.”
Sam snapped his fingers. “Damn it. The good ones are always taken.”
“You don’t know anything about her.”
“She’s got great taste, and she challenges and supports her friends. That’s a pretty good start.”
