Stranded by Dani Pettrey Read Free Book Online Page B

boy did so.
    â€œYou can do this. I have faith in you.”
    Faith. Odd choice of words for Gage.
    â€œJust follow me movement for movement. I’ll show you the way. You just have to follow.”
    Isaac sniffed and nodded, following Gage slowly back down the rock wall.
    Gage hopped to the mat and helped Isaac unharness. “You did great.”
    Isaac smiled as his mom rushed over and enveloped him in a hug.
    Darcy lifted her chin with a smile as Gage’s gray eyes locked on hers.
    â€œEveryone, five-minute water-and-bathroom break. Ben, you’re up next.”
    Ben—a gangly teenage boy—smiled broadly.
    Gage retrieved his water bottle and stepped off to the side with Darcy. He was wearing a sleeveless navy Under Armourshirt and a pair of khaki cargo shorts dusted with chalk. He looked good— vibrant, masculine, fit.
    â€œWhat’s up?”
    â€œI forgot to have you bring me up to speed on what Mullins said in the meeting.”
    He swallowed a slug of water. “Sure. Which part?”
    She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth. “All of it.”
    â€œYou weren’t paying attention?”
    â€œI was distracted by Abby and the case.”
    â€œRight.” He took another sip.
    She frowned at the edge in his voice. “I think you’d be distracted, too, if your friend were missing.”
    Gage tightened the cap back on his bottle. “You’re right.” He glanced back at his rock-climbing group waiting for him. “But I can’t talk now.”
    â€œOkay, after?”
    â€œI’ve got two more groups after this, and then I’m meeting with the excursion passengers to brief them about tomorrow. You should be there. We’re meeting at five, in the Caribou room again.”
    â€œAll right. I’ll be there.”
    He winked. “Until then.”

8
    â€œDid you find Gage?” Ted asked as she passed back through the main hall.
    â€œYeah. All good.”
    â€œMullins thought you should get a tour of the ship, and since I’m not doing anything . . . I volunteered.”
    â€œThat’s really nice of you, but I don’t want to take up your free time.”
    He smiled. “I insist.”
    â€œOkay.” It’d be good to get a firsthand tour of the inner workings of the ship.
    Ted started with the main social areas, all crammed with passengers—hundreds of people. It was nearly enough to make her feel claustrophobic. “That restaurant”—he pointed to the steakhouse—“has the best food on board.”
    â€œThanks, I’ll remember that.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
    He smiled, gazing down at her. “So . . . are you and Gage an item?”
    She laughed. “No. I barely know him.”
    Ted’s brows arched. “Really? You two seemed . . .”
    â€œIrritated by each other?”
    He laughed. “I was going to say chummy .”
    Exactly what she feared, that they’d appear closer than the loose association she’d hoped to convey.
    â€œNah, I just covered an extreme-sport event in his town.”
    â€œWell, you must have made some impression, because he stared at you all through the meeting.”
    If only it were out of attraction instead of judgment on his part. “We’re both a bit strong willed, so we tend to butt heads.”
    â€œStrong willed.” He smirked. “I’ll remember that.”
    She smiled. Ted was flirting with her, and if she weren’t so worried about Abby and so distracted . . .
    Ted was exactly the type of guy she could be interested in—tall, athletic, handsome, kind, interesting. But who was she trying to kid? She was head over heels for Gage.
    â€œSo did you know Abby, Ted?” Now that she and Ted had reached a comfortable level, it was time to start digging.
    â€œThe excursion chef?”
    She nodded.
    â€œYeah.” He took a sip of the