Spooning Daisy by Maggie McConnell Read Free Book Online

officer, Dr. Adam Bricker—”
    Adam Bricker? Why did that name sound familiar?
    “—And it would please me immensely to be of service to you, Miss . . .”
    “Daisy,” she answered, attempting a smile at his officer-and-a-gentleman demeanor.
    “Miss Daisy? It sounds like I should be driving you .”
    “It’s not Miss Daisy . I mean, Daisy is my first name.” She sighed. “Daisy Moon. Landlubber.”
    His smile was disarming. “So why would a landlubber be on a slow ferry to Alaska when a jet can get you there in three hours?”
    “First of all, landlubber extends to the air as well.” She paused, thinking she ought to save some of her problems for the next poor schmuck who stumbled across her path. But Dr. Bricker’s expression was so warm and inviting, his concern genuine, his demeanor commanding, his shoulders broad, his uniform so very white and starched . . .
    “The thing is, I’m sort of moving to Alaska and I have my SUV packed with stuff, and”—Daisy rolled her eyes as if she couldn’t believe what she was spilling—“there are no roads to where I’m going. Only ferry and planes. So here I am. On a slow boat—sorry, ship —to Otter Bite.”
    “Sounds like you’re in for some pretty vicious otters—”
    Daisy laughed. As if she hadn’t a care in the world.
    “—and judging from that shiner, it looks like you’ve already encountered one.”
    Daisy’s right hand flew to her cheek, then just as quickly returned to the rail. “Actually, this happened because of something I otter not have done.”
    Adam chuckled. But he had been right about the otters in Otter Bite—or at least one of them.
    Upon first hearing the name, she had expected Bite to be Bight , but fifty-some years ago the residents of the tiny bay community chose a play on words after a sea otter bit an inebriated Vincent Ostrovski during a fight over a fish. What started as a joke, the Otter Bite website explained, ended with an official name change.
    Dr. Bricker pulled back and appraised Daisy. “So what brings a charming young lady to a bend in the coast where the otters most certainly outnumber the people?”
    “That, Doctor, is a long and not very interesting story.”
    “I doubt it’s not interesting and as for being long, we have five days before we make Skagway.”
    There it was again, that disarming smile. “Actually, four days. I’m getting off at Haines.”
    “Then we otter not waste a minute. You can start your very fascinating tale at dinner tonight.”
    Daisy inched back.
    “I’m an officer and a gentleman,” Adam said.
    “I’m sure, but—”
    “You’re married. Of course. Please forgive—”
    “No,” Daisy said in a rush. “I mean, I was involved, but I’m not now. It’s just been a little difficult getting back into, y’ know, life .”
    “It’s only dinner.”
    “Yeah, well, the last man I went to dinner with is suing me.” Did she really confess that?
    “Now I’m hooked.”
    Still hesitant, Daisy silently sped through the worst-case scenario. It was a large ferry with space for 134 cars and 931 passengers—the largest of the Alaskan fleet, in fact. Daisy had made sure of that when she booked passage; she wanted a lot of buffer between her and the deep blue sea. Surely, if dinner was a fiasco, she could avoid Adam for the duration of the trip, even remain in her cabin if need be—it was the best cabin available, with a queen bed and a sitting area and an outside window. Not bad accommodations for hiding out—if it came to that.
    “Tell you what, Daisy,” Adam said when Daisy hadn’t answered. “If you decide to grace me with your presence at dinner, I’ll be waiting in the lounge at”—Adam slid back his jacket sleeve for a consult with a watch that looked like a Rolex—“eighteen hundred. In the meantime, why don’t I escort you safely back to your cabin. Unless you prefer standing in the rain.”
    Soot-colored clouds were assembling like an invading army. On her cheeks,