Tides of Passion by Tracy Sumner

found Savannah again, a long, measuring study before sliding away. "Asking if you're decent. What did she think you were doing?"
    Elle laughed, a nervous titter of a laugh. "We were looking at lists of books for classes and talking. The school. So much about the school. Tireless, tireless work." Her calculating gaze darted between the two of them. "My, yes. My, my, yes."
    Savannah wanted to kick her. Elle sounded as unbalanced as Miss Vin.
    All at once, Zach frowned, drilling Savannah with a questioning glare.
    She shook her head. No, I didn't tell her .
    He looked doubtful.
    While she felt choked for air, watching him tap his hat against his thigh, each ripple of muscle highlighted by his close-fitting trousers. His soiled vest hung open, revealing a cotton shirt dampened with sweat and clinging to the ridges and valleys beneath.
    What a fine specimen of masculinity he was. Broad shoulders, a trim waist, surely a firm, flat tummy. Long legs and those magnificent fingers. How could anyone look upon a man like Zachariah Garrett and think rusty ?
    Elle leaned down and pressed a rather rough kiss to her cheek, whispering, "If you want to hide this, you'd better stop looking at him like he's a piece of chocolate cake just out of reach."
    She nodded, her gaze leaving him for the first time since he'd entered the room. "Yes, I'm excited about the picnic, too. See you tomorrow."
    Elle drew back. "Me, too. Very excited."
    Ducking to avoid receiving more advice, and hoping to reduce the stinging heat from the Constable's gaze, she fiddled with the clasp on her boot, releasing a shaky breath when she heard the parlor door close behind them.
    Moments later, just when her heartbeat returned to normal, the door opened and Zach stepped inside. He leaned against it just long enough to let his gaze glide the length of her.
    Blinking dully, she could do no more than watch in amazed silence as he crossed the room in three long strides, circled her waist, and brought her to her feet, covering her mouth with his.
    She barely had time to register the faint taste of whiskey before it was over.
    "I won't get to do that tomorrow, and I didn't want you to think I'd forgotten our agreement." His warm breath breezed past her ear, where he pressed a quick kiss before leaning down to pick up Elle's gloves from the loveseat.
    "Tomorrow," she repeated, sounding breathless and feminine, and not at all like Savannah Connor.
    He paused in the doorway, smoky eyes glittering. "Rory and I'll be by at noon to pick you up." Then he was gone, leaving only his teasing scent and a badly shaken woman.
    Tumbling to the loveseat, Savannah placed her hand over her heart and pressed down to slow its frantic rhythm.
    Rusty , she thought, and began to laugh.

 
     
     
    Chapter 5

     
    Principles are a dangerous form  
    of social dynamite .
    ~Katharine Susan Anthony
     
    Zach directed Savannah to the flat-bottomed skiff moored next to the ferry bell. The two boats docked next to it were his as well.
    When you had a brother who built them for a living and used you to test each new design, three seemed reasonable. In the early days of Caleb's career, Zach had ended up ass-over-teakettle more than once in a craft of poor construction.
    These were not too bad.
    He hid his grin behind his hand and coughed as he watched Savannah peer into the skiff with an interest-and-uncertainty-laced expression. She watched Rory scramble in and fasten his skinny bottom to a plank seat, as he had been taught to do from the time he was a baby.
    Looking back, she cast a dubious glance at the hand Zach offered.
    "Take it. I won't bite." At least not yet .
    She still looked skeptical.
    "It may be a bit slippery and your shoes aren't the most practical." The last earned him a cross look, though she couldn't seriously argue. Bright blue with white lacing and a silly little bow, her boots looked expensive, made of some kind of soft leather.
    They'd be ruined after one dip in salt water.
    "It's a bit