Page 2 of The Deadly Shallows

“Anybody else unsure?” The words slithered through his coffee-stained teeth.

His question was met with stony silence.

THREE

WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

Brooke zipped her walking jacket, the temp hovering at fifty-one. Her family would crack up if they saw her wearing a jacket on what they’d view as a warm day back home in northern Colorado. But she’d adapted to Wilmington’s weather and swore her blood had thinned.

She spotted Gabby across the street and waved. The red light shifted to green, the walk symbol flashed, and Gabby crossed over. “Good morning.”

“Good’s two coffee cups away.” Brooke worked a kink out of her neck. It’d been a long night, but they’d made three saves—well worth the aches and pains.

Gabby jogged in place, her knees nearly hitting a ninety-degree angle. “Down to the Riverwalk?” she said.

Brooke rubbed her mittened hands together. “You’re entirely too peppy. The sun isn’t even up.”

“You’re the one who suggested the earlier run,” Gabby said as they jogged down the sloping sidewalk leading to Wilmington’s gorgeous walkway along the Cape Fear River. Birds chirped among a cascade of insect hums in the marsh grass lining the path.

“I’m meeting someone for breakfast before the graduation ceremony.”

“You aren’t surfing with us?”

By us Gabby meant herself; her fiancé, Finn; and her brother, Noah.

Brooke took a steadying inhale. Noah Rowley. He was even more addictive than riding the winter swells.

But any hope she’d had for that relationship flatlined weeks ago. She’d fallen hard for the kind, handsome man, but he clearly hadn’t fallen for her. And she couldn’t keep going with the status quo. As much as it would break her heart, it was time to move on. She sniffed back the pinch of tears pricking her eyes.

Thankfully, Gabby was too busy ruminating to notice—her brows deeply furrowed.

“No.” Brooke finally answered her friend’s question. She cleared her throat, knowing Gabby would be beyond bummed, but it was time.

“Can I ask who you’re having breakfast with?”

“Always the investigative journalist.” Brooke chuckled. The lady couldn’t help it. It was woven into her being.

“Sorry.” Gabby offered an impish grin. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“I know.” Brooke smiled back. “But that would be cruel. I can see the curiosity is killing you.” She took a steadying inhale and released it slowly. “I’m having breakfast with Dave Keller.”

“Hmm . . . Dave Keller?” Gabby eased her pace. “The name is familiar . . . but I can’t place it.”

“He’s a friend of Brad and Jason.” Her Coast Guard “brothers.” She’d been paired with the two rescue swimmers since her first flight-medic duty. They wouldn’t steer her wrong.

Gabby pursed her lips as she did when mulling something over.

Brooke shook her head, unable to smother a smile. Gabby was a mess, but she’d figure out where she’d heard Dave’s name soon enough.

Casting her gaze across the Golden River—as folks in Wilmington called it—Brooke scanned its dark-hued surface, searching for eyes. Nearly every morning she saw at least one alligator, often more. It was something she still hadn’t gotten used to, and she’d been stationed in Wilmington for years.

“Church.” Gabby snapped, making Brooke jump as they rounded to run the Riverwalk’s nearly two miles again.

Gabby tightened her ponytail. “Was he the guy Jason was introducing you to after service on Sunday?”

“Yes.” Maybe if she left it there Gabby would too, but she knew better.

Gabby’s breathing increased along with their stride. “What about Noah?”