turn back the clock if he could. Matthew wished a thousand times over that he’d taken Jack’s comment about heartburn after dinner more seriously. If only he’d known. But then they’d eaten hot wings for dinner and nearly everyone on board had heartburn.
Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d let Annie down by not keeping Jack safe. Keeping everyone safe on ship was part of his job. His responsibility. He couldn’t help but feel as if he’d failed when it came to Jack.
The teakettle whistle blew through the silence, shattering his thoughts.
Annie bustled forward and turned off the gas.
Matthew touched her arm again. Why’d he keep touching her? “I’ve got this. Sit down before you fall down.”
She looked at him with a raised chin. Annie didn’t like him telling her what to do. Her soft blue eyes had yellow rings around the pupils. Pretty eyes made even prettier framed with thick, dark lashes. She nodded, crumpled up the paper that came with the tea and sat down.
He felt her watchful eyes burning holes into his back as he stuffed the clippings in the silver ball and tossed it into the pot. No doubt she’d jump in if he did it wrong.
Next, he dumped in hot water and settled the lid in place and then set it on the table in front of her. He slid into the opposite chair and handed Annie a mug.
“You want any?”
“Ah, no.” He was a strong coffee kind of guy and he’d already had his fill this morning. Still, he watched her pour herself a cup of the rust-colored water.
She sniffed it, took a tentative sip and then a deep breath. Waited and then another sip.
“Does it help?”
Her eyes flew open wide. “Help what?”
“Your stomach. You just threw up, remember?”
Her cheeks flushed a pretty shade of pink. “Yeah.”
He smiled, at an odd loss for words. He’d never had to try hard to talk to her before. He grabbed the paper ball she’d crumpled and smoothed it back out. The name on the other side smacked hard.
Morning Sickness Tea.
He handed it back to her. “What does this mean?”
Annie looked up like a scared rabbit, ready to dart for cover. “Look, Matthew—”
“Are you going to have a baby?”
Her eyes filled with tears, and she shrugged.
“Don’t you know for sure?” His voice sounded much too shrill.
Annie looked fierce. “Yes, I’m sure.”
Matthew sat back, stunned. “Wow.”
“Yeah, wow. Please don’t tell anyone about the baby.”
His gaze narrowed. “Why?”
Her eyes clouded over. “Please?”
He knew how badly Jack had wanted kids. He’d put on a good front with his wife and often acted as if it didn’t matter. But Matthew knew how deep Jack’s disappointment ran. And now, the guy would never see his own kid.
He sighed. “I won’t say anything.”
“Thank you.”
“But I’ll help.”
Annie’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?
Matthew stood up and paced the kitchen. He’d blurted out that offer without thinking, but it felt right. “Starting with the roof—”
“Matthew, please. Don’t do this because you feel guilty over a silly kiss. We were both vulnerable that night.”
Irritation ripped through him. Hearing her words made him feel cheap. And there was nothing silly about that kiss. Cliché, maybe, but it had shaken his world pretty good. “Will you let me finish?”
She fluttered her fingers. “Fine, go ahead.”
“Are those shingles for the roof still in the garage?”
She looked confused. “I don’t know. I guess.”
“I’d like to take care of the roof while I’m off for the next few weeks.”
“No.” She shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. I can call someone.”
Of course she was going to be difficult. “I want to do it.”
She stood, too, and went to the sink. “Just let it go.”
Matthew wanted to, but couldn’t just let it go. “Annie...”
She faced him. “I mean it. I’m not your responsibility. I can take care of myself.”
“I never said you couldn’t. I promised Jack I’d help him with the roof and I want to honor that promise.”
She stared him down.
He stared back.
This was about his promise to Jack. Not her. It couldn’t be about her. But deep inside, he knew it was all about her. He couldn’t help it. He cared. He’d always cared. And now, with a baby on the way, she’d need someone to lean on. That someone might as well be him.
“I need to do it. Don’t you get that?”
Her eyes softened. “I just—” She went pale again and pursed her lips. Her forehead broke out into a sweat.
He went to her. “Come on—you should probably lie down. We can talk about this later.”
“I’m fine.”
Obviously, she wasn’t. Stubborn woman. “I’ll carry you if I have to.”
She gave him one challenging look and then grabbed her mug and headed for the living room. She moved pretty fast for someone who needed morning sickness tea.
Round one with Annie.
He smiled as he followed her.
At least he’d won.
* * *
Annie sank onto the couch. She wasn’t about to lie down in front of Matthew, so she pulled her feet up under her and leaned against the arm. She took another sip of tea and waited for the nausea to pass. It always passed.
“Do you want me to get your pillow?” Matthew asked.
“No.” She wanted to wipe that caring look off his handsome face. And stop the jitters in her stomach when he looked at her like that.
His skin was already tanned from the sun. Lines cut across his forehead and around his eyes, but not from age. His skin looked weathered from being out on deck where the spring winds chafed. Rugged.
But he was still young, thirty-one, maybe thirty-two by now. He grabbed the afghan from the chair by the fireplace and draped it over her with strong hands that could be so gentle.
“Thanks.” Any minute now, she’d tell him to leave.
Why was he being so nice? But then, Matthew had always been nice. Jack had once told her how Matthew had nursed an injured seagull back to health. A seagull! Jack had called them rats with wings. She had a lot more than a broken wing. She didn’t want to take advantage of that kindness.
“Just take it easy.” He tucked the blanket’s edge behind her shoulder, coming much too close for comfort.
She glanced up and the sharp retort poised on her tongue died the moment she spied confusion wash across his face.
His eyes darted to her mouth.
She held her breath, powerless. The air hummed with this new awareness of each other. This awkward attraction snatched their words and they ended up staring. Remembering,