Silver Linings by Jayne Ann Krentz

apparently planning to steal Rosey's boat and Rosey was waiting with a gun to stop him. What on earth do you suppose they'll do now?”
    “I don't know and I don't particularly care. But let's get one thing straight, babe. Next time we're in a situation like that, I don't want you trying to call the shots. You do as you're told and you don't stand around arguing with me. Clear?”
    “I knew you were just waiting until we were alone to start lecturing me.” She lifted her chin. “But I don't have to stand here and let you chew me out, Hugh Abbott. We are now back in civilization. Sort of. I can book my own flight off Brimstone and be back in Seattle in a day or two. And that's exactly what I'm going to do.”
    Hugh came to a halt and stood glowering down at her. “What the hell are you talking about? You think that now the excitement's over you can just casually go home?”
    “I don't see why not.”
    “You're supposed to be on vacation, damn it.”
    “I've got news for you, Hugh. I find life in Seattle far more restful and relaxing than life out here in the islands. Do you know that in all the years I've lived in a city I have never once walked into a house and found a man who had been shot to death? I have never had to crawl through horrid caves or spend a night in a cavern or steal a boat or point a gun at someone?”
    Hugh's expression softened in the warm sunlight. “Babe, about that bit with the gun back on Purgatory. You did a fine job of dealing with Gibbs. I was proud of you. I know you haven't had much experience with that sort of thing, but you were terrific. I mean, really terrific. And I also know what it was like for you to have to go through those caves, not once but twice. And I know stealing a boat was kind of a novelty for you.”
    “Kind of.”
    “Like I said, I was real proud of you, babe.”
    “You don't know what that means to me, Hugh.” She mocked him with a sugary smile.
    “Oh, hell, Mattie. You can't go home now. You've got to give me some time.” Hugh stabbed his fingers through his hair. “That's what this whole thing was all about.”
    Mattie could not bear the expression of chagrin and disappointment in his eyes. She glanced across the street, staring blindly at what appeared to be a small inn. “I'm sorry, Hugh. I really am. But there's no point in trying to pursue this relationship. We both know that.”
    “No, we both sure as hell do not know that.” He clamped a hand around her upper arm and hauled her across the street toward the inn. “We'll talk about it later, though. I've got to see about getting us off this island, and you probably want to do some shopping. You've been wearing those same clothes for a couple of days. And you'll probably want to take a bath, I bet.”
    Momentarily distracted by the mention of clean clothes and a bath, Mattie allowed herself to be led across the narrow street and into the tiny inn lobby. She glanced around with resignation at the nonfunctioning fan over-head, the single worn chair, and the aging copies of Playboy on the small wicker table. There was no one behind the desk.
    “Is this the best Brimstone has to offer? I've got my bank card. I don't mind staking us to something better,” Mattie whispered to Hugh.
    “Sorry, this is it. Brimstone hasn't exactly been discovered by tourists yet. Don't worry, it's clean. I've stayed here a couple of times myself.” Hugh leaned over the counter and hit the bell.
    A few minutes later a thin old man with a leathery face stuck his head around the corner. “What you want?”
    “A room for the night,” Hugh said.
    “Two rooms,” Mattie hissed.
    He ignored her, digging into his wallet for several bills. “The best one you've got.”
    “I know you. Yer name is Monk or Bishop or something, ain't it? You was here once or twice before.” The old man eyed the cash and came forward reluctantly. He was working a wad of chewing tobacco with great energy.
    “Abbott. Hugh Abbott. The lady wants a