Page 15 of Adrift

“I also used to be scared of dogs. You just need to get to know the right dog.” I scratch Penny again.

“Penny’s safe,” says Captain Sam. “She’s never been aggressive to anyone. I wouldn’t allow that kind of dog on my vessel.”

I extend my hand to Brianna. “Haley Brewster, chief stew. Nice to meet you.”

Brianna shakes my hand in a delicate grasp before pulling it back. “It’s nice to meet you. I was just talking to the captain about how excited I am to be working on the Candy Rock.”

“Rock Candy,” the captain corrects her.

“Right.” She gives a little smirk. “And I was saying how draining traveling is. So if you can just show me to my room, I’m going to take a nap.”

“A nap.” My eyebrows shoot up. “I see. We have a lot to get done before the owners come on board. Shayla, the second stew, and I have been working since we boarded.”

“That’s nice. But I’m tired, and trust me, I’m not good when I’m tired. I just need a good eight hours and I’ll be ready to go.”

“Eight hours is a nap?”

“Yes, I’m a terrible napper, so I need eight hours.”

I glance at the captain; his arms sit crossed over his wide chest, his lips firm, and I get it. He’s saying it’s my department, my call, without saying anything.

I take a big breath in and out. “Brianna, the interior is a team, one that works together. And I know you’ve got jet lag. I’ve got wicked bad jet lag too. But the way through it is to stay up. If you go to sleep now, you’re going to be up all night.”

“That’s fine, you can put me on nights.”

“Well, you’re the third stew, so you’re going to be doing mostly laundry and housekeeping. And that’s a position I need awake on mids. Let’s go find your cabin, get you changed, and I can show you the laundry room.” The middle of the day is the busiest on a yacht.

“Laundry room?”

“Let me at her.” Shayla’s arms and legs are flailing about like a windmill, but she’s not actually moving, so I’m almost certain Brianna isn’t in any physical danger.

I want to train her, have her be an asset to the small team we have, but other than locking her in the laundry room and praying she actually does something, I don’t see how I’m going to get any work out of her. And worse, she’s hurting Shayla’s productivity already.

“Go take a nap, Brianna,” Shayla mocks.

Brianna cocks her head and heads down the main stairs. I spent almost an hour getting her into her cabin with Shayla.Which clearly isn’t going to work. Tonight I’m going to ask Shayla if she wants to move in with me. I was looking forward to having my own space, but it’s not going to be worth it if I have to work so much harder during the day to make up for Shayla’s frustration from rooming with Briana.

Seriously, it’s a super good thing the captain already told me about her being related to the owners, or I would have put her up for dismissal already. Less than three hours after she’s come onto the boat and I want her gone already. And it isn’t ever going to happen.

Shayla drops her hands at her sides and huffs, “You need to do something about her, boss lady.”

I nod. “I know.”

Shayla is glaring at me.

“Do you want to work on one of the smaller suites? We have to have two of them ready by tomorrow. And if you happen to take a little rest...” I shrug.

“I’m going to do the aft portside one. But I’m not resting. Though I am going to lock the door. Radio me if you need me.” Shayla nods and takes two steps toward the stairs, then pivots, grabs the large tote of cleaning supplies, and heads to the aft cabins.

The main salon is almost done. Really, there are a dozen more things I want to do. But most of them I can finish when the owners are on board. First, I need to let the captain know what’s going on.

Fresh cup of coffee in hand, I knock on the bridge door. “Captain?”

“Come in.” His tone is deep and vibrates through me.

“I thought you might be out of coffee. I haven’t seen you come down the stairs.”

“You’re an angel. Thank you.” He lifts the mug to his lips. “But you’ve got enough on your plate.”

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