Page 70 of Wait for Me

I get it. Still…

The elevator door opened.

People were walking back and forth, some carrying binoculars. There were multiple doors leading here and there—at least two going outside and two more leading to the lounge where Logan had originally planned to take Jonas.

Above their heads, the intercom broadcast something. “To your left, you can see seals jumping onto small icebergs. If you look through your binoculars, you might be able to see mountain goats climbing up and down the side of the mountains.”

Marie stepped to one side of the hallway. She knelt down so that she could be at eye level with Jonas.

“We’re going to send Dad outside to check the wind and weather, okay?” Marie said. “We don’t want to get sick if it’s too cold outside.”

Jonas nodded.

“So we’re going to wait in the lounge. There’s a door we can send Dad out. You can help me close the door, and then we have to open it again to let Dad in.”

Jonas rolled his eyes.

“What?” Marie asked.

“You’re making a very big deal out of this, Mommy.”

“I am? Safety first.”

“Are we going outside or not?” Jonas’s voice was breaking up.

“We will make a decision based on the information that Daddy is going to gather for us.”

Jonas looked puzzled.

Oh dear.Logan squatted down. “Like Mommy said, safety first. Would you prefer I check outside or shall we send Mrs. Ping?”

“Send Mrs. Ping. She’s nice to me.”

Mrs. Ping laughed. “I don’t spoil him ever.”

“I’ll go if you wait in there.” Marie pointed to the lounge. “Find a table, Jonas. Save me a seat. Can you order hot chocolate for me?”

“They have hot chocolate?” Jonas asked.

“Inside.” Logan wasn’t sure if it was true or not. He was also sure they could take their cups outside. But whatever.

“If the coast is clear, we’ll go outside now and drink hot chocolate later,” Marie said.

Reverse psychology or what?Logan tried to keep a straight face.

“I want hot chocolate now.”Jonas tugged at Logan’s good arm. “Let’s go, Daddy.”

Ice cream and hot chocolate.

That’s all Jonas needs.

Chapter Thirty-Three

The first person Marie saw outside on the deck was Zaid. She looked around to see if Aliyah’s entourage were there, but no. She wondered if Abdul would have liked to see the glaciers too.

The ship was cruising very slowly. The sunny day made everything look bright. A chilly breeze swept across the deck, and made her nose feel cold, but otherwise Marie liked the weather.

She could hear echoes of glaciers breaking off in the distance.

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