It Takes Two. Joanne Michael

my guest.” Marc led her through the hatch to the lower decks. A narrow stairway ended in the galley, its appliances gleaming. Marc congratulated himself on keeping everything clean and in order. He knew how important first impressions were to closing a deal. He pointed down a hallway. “At the end there’s the master bedroom and three smaller cabins. Two on the stern side and one on port, next to the head.”

      Abby walked down the hall and peeked into the boat’s small bathroom. Next, she opened one of the cabin doors and peered inside. “Would I be able to use one of these bedrooms as lab space?”

      Marc nodded. “Sure. In fact, you could pretty much move things around to suit your needs. Only place that’s off limits is the master bedroom.”

      Abby raised an eyebrow.

      “Home sweet home,” Marc replied to her unasked question. “I’m bunking here for the summer. But that’s not a problem,” he added hastily. “Actually, it’s a good deal, because whatever gear and equipment you bring on board won’t be left unattended at night.”

      “I thought you had a place in town,” Abby said, rejoining him in the galley.

      “I do. But summer rentals are a premium around here, so I decided to let it out for the season. It’s good money.”

      “Will Sylvie live here, too?”

      “No, she’s going to stay at my mother’s.”

      “Figgy will like that,” Abby said. “Now, you understand I need a boat for the entire summer, every day or at least on call.”

      Marc nodded. “Sure.”

      “That means no other charters once I bring my stuff on board.”

      “I understand. I can live with that.” He could tell Abby was warming to the idea of having a boat for her exclusive use.

      “Of course, I have some rules of my own,” he said.

      “Oh?”

      “Once you’re on board, keep in mind I’m the captain and what I say goes. If I think the conditions or situations warrant it, your plans may have to change. I won’t put us or this boat in danger. Can you live with that?”

      “I think so,” Abby said. “I have to ask you, though—”

      “Yeah?”

      “Well, you know I’m here to do research and you’ve already made your feelings on that score pretty clear. Agreeing to let me charter your boat is a huge favor. Why would you want to do that?”

      Marc shrugged. “Simple economics. You need a boat and I have a boat. You have the funding to pay for it and I need the money. Besides—” he grinned “—what’s that old saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?”

      Abby smiled back at him, and he was suddenly struck by how beautiful she was.

      “True,” she said “but are you sure you want to strike a deal with the devil?”

      “As long as the devil’s paying, you bet.”

      “I can definitely pay.” Abby quoted him the price budgeted in the grant.

      The amount was fair, Marc thought, though probably less than what he could make from day or weekend trips. Still, it would be a steady, guaranteed income. “Dr. Miller,” he said, offering her his hand to shake on the deal, “you got yourself a boat.”

      CHAPTER FOUR

      BACK ON TRACK! Everything was back on track and Abby couldn’t have been happier. She felt like skipping down the dock but managed to resist the temptation. She could not, however, keep the grin off her face.