Read Rip Tide (A Ripple Effect Cozy Mystery, Book 2) for Free Online Page B

that fifteen minutes of fun was swallowed up by another five hours worth of mind-numbing boredom. Fishing's not for me. Besides, if we took this sport up as a hobby, before we knew it we'd be standing at busy intersections, holding up a sign. 'Will work for bait. God Bless You.'"
    Rip smiled, rolled his eyes at me, and said, "At least you're not going to get melodramatic about it."
    "I have to pee too. And there's no way I can hold it another hour."
    Milo had retrieved the anchor I'd accidentally flung out earlier and raised the power pole. After learning of my dilemma, he pulled the boat as close to shore as he could and helped me out. Peeling wet, chest-high neoprene waders off and crouching behind a palm tree in an area full of ants and sand burrs was not as much fun as it sounds. However, the relief I felt afterward made it all worthwhile.
    After I'd rejoined the men in the boat, Milo fired up the motor and soon we were moving along the shore line at a rapid clip. I sat up front enjoying the passing scenery, the wind in my hair, abundant flora and fauna, a pod of dolphins in a feeding frenzy, and, most of all, an empty bladder. We could have just cruised around like that all day and I'd have been happy as a tornado in a trailer park. And, in case you're wondering, tornadoes don't turn their noses up at RV parks either.
    Another mile or so down the coast, we passed two whooping cranes; a mating pair from the nearby wintering flock of the endangered species. One was searching for small crabs while the other one served as sentry, keeping a trained eye on us as we sailed by. Soon after that, Milo reined back the throttle to point out a flock of the pink-colored roseate spoonbills up close to the bank. They were beautiful creatures that paid no heed to us as their platypus-looking bills swayed back and forth in the water. Milo explained that their main source of food was shrimp and, like those 'damn' flamingos', it was the iodine in the shrimp that gave them their pink color.
    I was very much enjoying the cruise and the view when the motor abruptly shut down and the boat's forward motion ceased. Lost in the moment of pure pleasure, I was caught off-guard by the sudden stop, and pitched forward off the padded cooler. My first thought was the motor had stalled. My second thought was that I was too old to be flung across the bow of a bay boat and would be sporting a battery of fresh bruises the following morning.
    Then I looked in the direction Milo was pointing and spotted a passenger-free boat rocking back and forth in the waves. It had a very similar design as Milo's boat, but much less flashy. At least that one didn't nearly glow in the dark like the Maverick .
    "I'm almost positive that's Cooper's boat," he said, sounding shaken. "It's too far from shore to be anchored." Is it the fact that Cooper came out here without us, disregarding the plans he and his friend had previously agreed upon, that has Milo so disturbed ? I wondered. Or is it something even more disconcerting?
    By Milo's expression, I felt certain it was the latter. It didn't take long for me to realize that if the boat was adrift without Cooper aboard, there was little doubt something was off beam. With a trembling voice, Milo instructed us. "Start scanning the surface of the water to see if we can locate him. The tide is rising and he may be so focused on fishing, he isn't aware his boat has drifted away."
    "Are you sure that's what's happened?" Rip asked, clearly aware of Milo's concern. "You were telling me about spear-fishing earlier. Didn't you say you usually exit the boat in your snorkeling gear out in the open water, like Cooper's boat is now?"
    "Yes, but only in shallow water where the anchor can reach the bottom. Often we tie our boats to oil rigs so we can fish in deeper water."
    "Do they actually let boats tie up to the oil rigs in this day and age when terrorism is always a potential threat?" Rip asked, dubiously.
    "Well, um, not exactly, but, um,