Romancing the Boat (Survive the Romance #3) - Cami Checketts

Chapter One

Tagg Gunnell walked out the front doors of the beautiful Angel Falls Retreat overlooking the quaint town of Lonepeak in a picturesque mountain valley in Colorado. He whistled as he walked, feeling the brisk May morning air against his face. Though he noticed every detail, he knew not to let his eyes dart around for his target.

Chet Finley was a suspected trafficker. Tagg’s assignment this week was to track him and determine his level of involvement. He needed to know if Chet might lead them to more well-trenched traffickers or organizations, or if he was working on his own. From what he had observed so far, the man was on a getaway with his wife enjoying the beauty and quiet of the mountains of Colorado and this scenic resort in the off-season. Sadly, Tagg had dealt with the lowest of human refuse and had seen well-respected people hiding trafficking affiliations.

He jogged after Chet as the man took off on one of the many hiking, biking, and jogging paths behind the resort, giving the man plenty of space so he wouldn’t know he was being followed. In the winter, these paths were part of the ski resort. In the summer, Tagg would bet they were crowded with bikers and hikers, but they were quiet in the chill of an early morning in May. Too quiet. The entire town and resort were too quiet for the job Tagg needed to do—blend in and get info. If only Tanner was with him. He wouldn’t look like such a weirdo. He was here on his own in a quiet valley to do what? Hike every minute? Go to yoga or Zumba classes and get spa treatments? How awkward.

Tanner was gone this week doing an adventure-type reality show to earn half a million dollars. Tagg’s assigned week for the show was next week. He was excited about the prospect of adventure, earning some money, and a change of pace from the trafficking battle. He loved what he did, but it was draining. Especially when he saw firsthand atrocities that should never happen to anybody, but especially not to innocent children.

For his week, he would be assigned to assist and protect a woman trying to earn half a million for her charity. It was some big adventure outing, financed by a billionaire. Tagg didn’t have time for dating. He found himself intrigued by the chance to spend time with the opposite sex, as well as earn money so he could donate to and keep working with anti-trafficking organizations.

He slowed his pace; he was catching up to his prey. From Chet’s heavy footsteps and even heavier breathing, it was apparent that he wasn’t used to this steep of an incline. As Tagg fell back, he zoned in on the sounds around him, mostly birds chirping and small animals scurrying around. Several minutes passed and Chet’s loud slams into the earth faded in front of him. Before Tagg could continue following Chet, he heard light footsteps approaching from behind. Should he let the person pass or speed up again? This newcomer would be a good distraction from Chet figuring out that Tagg was trailing him. He slowed his speed to let the person come between them on the trail.

Glancing over his shoulder, he felt his jaw drop open. A lean, angelic woman appeared, jogging easily toward him. No, that wasn’t jogging. It looked more like skipping. She had long blonde hair, deep brown eyes, and the sweetest smile he’d ever seen.

He felt his entire body light up as he stopped in his tracks to stare.

“Beautiful morning to you,” she called, gifting him with a smile as she skipped on past. “Enjoy the gift of this day.”

Tagg stared in awe. She was incredible … and she had no shoes on … and she was skipping up the path. What kind of woman was this? An angel? He’d just been given a gift beyond this beautiful day.

As she disappeared around the corner, ugly darkness darted through him. She was going to skip right into a suspected trafficker’s path. She was too beautiful, ethereal, perfect in Tagg’s eyes. A man like Chet Finley would definitely put her on his list.

Not happening. Not on Tagg’s watch.

He sprinted up the path after her. He reached her in seconds and she turned to him in surprise. Her smile was still there but slightly dimmer, questioning.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

He tried to act natural and chuckled. “I just had to ask about … the