Killer Confections8 Delectable Mysteries(34)

Which made me wonder––did anyone see me go overboard?

My stomach lurched. Not from the churning waves, but from the terrifying question––how did I end up in the ocean? Did a heavy gust knock me over the railing? Or did someone push me?

An important question that needed an answer. But it would have to wait until I resolved the more pressing issue.

How the heck would I get back to shore?

The Sea Jinx continued to motor toward the bay and away from me. The only people who might notice my absence were Steve, who was undoubtedly intent on getting his passengers safely back to the pier, and the tipsy Australian whom I’d promised a Mai Tai refill.

My face felt wet from the salt water splashing my chin, combined with the salty tears rolling down my cheeks. I wiped my eyes with my damp fist. This was no time to feel sorry for myself.

If only I had my cell with me. I could have used my iPhone to call for help and the GPS to find my way. And maybe I’d finally have time to finish the e-book I was reading while I waited for help to arrive.

I shook my soggy curls. The salt air must have invaded my brain. I clasped my hands together and prayed to whichever Hawaiian god could turn off this massive spigot of rain.

I wasn’t sure if any of the local gods heard my plea, but the rain halted as abruptly as it had begun. The ominous storm clouds shifted apart and a brilliant full moon shone upon the dark water. The man in the moon had never looked so appealing.

A faint noise caught my attention. I squinted and spotted what looked like a small boat heading in my direction. Hallelujah.

I would be rescued in minutes. Unless––

Suddenly I realized the boat aimed directly at me. I waved my arms back and forth and shrieked louder than a stadium full of Justin Bieber fans. Within seconds, the roar of the motor ratcheted down to a purr.

The lights on the twenty-foot vessel blasted me in the face and I screamed again. The boat shuddered and stopped less than six feet away.

I heard someone yell, “Man overboard.”

Technically, he was wrong, but this didn’t seem the time to go all women’s lib on him.

“Help,” I yelled. I paddled and thrashed my way to safety. No one would ever compare me to Michael Phelps, but I reached the side of the boat without anyone having to dive in and rescue me.

A long hairy arm reached out. I grabbed on to a calloused palm and gratefully let its owner yank me into the boat. Unfortunately, he wasn’t completely successful in his mission.

Maybe it was time to lay off those cream-filled malasadas.

With my torso stretched across the interior of the boat and my legs dangling over the side, the men decided more assistance was in order. They each grabbed one of my arms and successfully hauled me aboard.

Not a minute too soon. The sound of an enormous fish bouncing its snout against the side of the boat startled us. I stared as the grandson of Jaws displayed a set of teeth that would have scared my dentist into retirement. He flipped his sleek body around, and with one last flick of his fin against our boat, swam away.

I lost it. I stuck my head over the side of the boat and heaved everything I’d consumed that day. Including those macadamia nut pancakes.

One of the men handed me a handkerchief from his shorts pocket. “You are one lucky wahine.”

I threw him a weak smile as I wiped my face. “I’m luckier than I was a few minutes ago. You saved my life.”

“Probably. You were this close to being that fella’s dinner.” His wizened face cracked into what probably represented a smile for him. He reached into a small cabinet and handed me a thin blanket. “Here. The water temp isn’t that cold, but we don’t want you going into shock.”

I was already shivering so I gratefully wrapped the wool blanket around my sodden body.

My other rescuer started the engine and we headed toward the pier.

“By the way, my name is Glenn Hakanson,” said the man sitting next to me. He pointed to the gray-bearded man at the wheel. “And that’s Phil. Now who are you and how in the blazes did you end up in the ocean?”





Chapter 25





I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to run into the fishermen before they ran into me. It turned out that Glenn and Phil had been so successful hooking a big fish that they’d stayed out later than usual and then got caught in the sudden storm. I not only bonded with the men but also with their other chunky passenger. The dead tuna glared at me as if he held me personally responsible for Glenn and Phil turning him into someone’s ahi dinner.

As we motored toward the pier, I noticed a large boat that looked a lot like the Sea Jinx heading in our direction. Someone must have noticed my absence after all. Glenn got on the radio and within a few minutes, he’d connected with Steve. They decided the fishermen would deliver me directly to the pier, which they considered a safer option than handing me off at sea. I was in favor of anything that lessened the odds of me landing in the ocean again.