Page 8 of Discovering Daisy

Hedy was again strapped into the passenger seat. As Daisy parked, she said, “Are you ready? This is our big adventure!”

But she’d already had some adventure that very day. Complete with a knight in shining armor. Wyatt was still possessing her thoughts and part of her was sorry she hadn’t run into any trouble. She would have loved an excuse to see him again.

Maybe someday soon.

She stepped out of her car and looked beyond the parking lot. A beautiful, vast blue ocean started just a few yards away and stretched endlessly toward the distant horizon. Seagulls fluttered overhead, the sound of their squawking making her smile. The air was heavy and salty.

She’d finally reached the ocean.

It was beautiful just standing in that asphalt parking lot! She couldn’t imagine how beautiful it would be once she was out on that giant boat.

Before she could forget, she pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Wyatt. Too bad he wasn’t with her, standing behind her, his arms wrapped tightly around her as they took in the view.

Maybe one day. Right now, though, she had other folks waiting for her and she needed to get to them. Apparently, they were already looking out for her arrival, because a voice said, “Daisy?”

She looked around and finally saw a handsome, mature man in a captain’s uniform approaching. With him was a woman, maybe a bit younger than him, but still older than Daisy’s twenty-three years by at least a decade.

“Yes, sir,” she said.

The man smiled politely. His dark hair was showing a hint of silver. He looked quite distinguished in the crisp white uniform. His cap was in his hands, but Daisy was sure that if he put it on, he would look even more official and debonair.

“I’m so glad you’re here. We’ve been expecting you. Did you run into any problems on the way here?”

“Just a little tire trouble, sir. But it’s fixed now.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay. I think you’re going to fit right in on the Little Star.”

A warm feeling spread throughout Daisy. She’d worked hard to be standing where she was right now. It felt good to have reached her goal. She wasn’t going to squander this opportunity.

“Thank you, sir,” she said.

“I suppose I should officially introduce myself. I know we’ve talked through email, and on the phone, but let’s make it official. I’m Captain Sam Reagan. This is my wife, Nelly.”

Nelly gave a little curtsey. Daisy smiled and waved. While you couldn’t tell it now—as Nelly was dressed as Daisy was in “Big” clothes—Nelly was a Little through and through. And it felt good to finally be in the company of someone else who understood, Daisy thought. Perhaps the two would become friends.

“It’s nice meeting you both,” Daisy said.

“Can we help you with your stuff?”

“Well, I have three boxes in the trunk. I’ll have to make several trips. They’re sort of heavy.”

“How about we have some of the crew come out with a cart and wheel them onto the ship,” the captain said.

“Yes, sir. That would be great.” She looked back at her car and then at him once again. “Are you sure my car will be okay here?”

“Sure. This lot is monitored by security personnel. This is long-term parking for employees of the various cruise lines that sail out of Port Everglades.”

“Do a lot of ships leave from here?”

“Quite a few,” the captain said. “Now, I bet you must be hungry. Come. Let’s get you something to eat.”

Daisy giggled with excitement, grabbed her lone bag from the car along with Hedy and took off with Captain Reagan and Nelly.

It was time to continue her grand adventure.

Chapter Five

Daisy awoke the following morning to find herself a bit stunned by the unfamiliar cabin.

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