Page 74 of Adrift

“Let me help you out.” Zane reaches for me.

“Thanks.”

He lifts me out and carries me to a new log that’s next to the fire.

Dante is stirring the coals, but next to our little fire ring is the long pit the guys dug yesterday. Easton is tending another fire, and there’s a trellis leaning over it, one side covered in palm fronds.

“While I slept, you guys made a whole meat-smoking setup?”

Zane puts me gently down next to the log.

“Your breakfast, my lady.” Dante hands me the coconut bowl. Crab meat, coconut, and a little pork.

“It smells amazing.” I pick up a little with my fingers.

“Wait.” He hands me a small wooden spoon.

“Where did this come from?”

“Calvin carved a set last night, while he kept watch. Full moon and all.” Dante sits down next to me. “How’s the leg?”

“Good. I should be perfect by tomorrow.” I pat my leg and hope I’m not lying.

“You’re perfect now.”

I groan.

“What, too much?” He nudges my shoulder.

“How do you feel?”

“I’m getting better, but it’s going to take time. You know I can never repay you for coming to get me.” He kisses my cheek. “You’re something else. I’m going to run these down to the water and wash them out.”

I watch him go. Easton and Zane are stringing up little bits of meat using what I think is seaweed? I turn back to the ocean. The wind is blowing softly, and it hasn’t heated up too much yet. It’s a good breakfast even if we weren’t shipwrecked. Moreover, the spoon is perfect. But it makes me wonder: if Calvin is whittling spoons and the rest of the guys are smoking meat, do they really think we are going to get out of here?

I put the bowl on the log next to me. Dante’s not back yet. I hobble over to the other fire. “What can I do to help?”

Easton picks me up before he answers. “You, young lady, can stay off this ankle and get better.”

Zane hollers at my back. “If you watch the fire over there, we could use Dante’s expertise at smoking meat here.”

Zane gets me. I need something to do.

Easton lowers me to my feet. “We just need you nice and healthy for when the rescue boat comes.” He holds on to my shoulders. “How does your ankle feel today?”

“Good,” I answer, but I’m kind of lying because the little trip over to the other fire has it throbbing.

For the next few hours, I keep the cooking fire going until they have a full process set up for the smoking of the meat. It’s not long before Calvin joins me. It’s not enough sleep, but I get it. We’re used to being sleep-deprived in our business.

“I brought you your shirt,” he says. “You don’t want to get burned.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“That’s Daddy to you.” Calvin’s cheeks are red as he says it.

“Yes, Daddy.” We share a stare. And then I laugh. Because the zinging in my core is something I don’t want to think about right now. “I like the spoon.” I hold it up.

“Thanks. If the moon is out tonight, I’m going to try making a fork and something Dante has requested, like a I have a full-blown workshop.” He shakes his head. “Can I get you something?”

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