Page 51 of Halstead House

My legs wobbled when we got out of Ana’s car and walked toward the docks. It took massive self-control to keep up with the others. Marshall and Steven were already standing near the small shack with two women, waving at us as we approached. I couldn’t return their smiles. Some of the day staff were there too, and I studiously avoided their greetings.

Ana placed a hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay? You look a little sick, and you had nothing to say on the drive over.”

I licked my parched, white lips. “Uh...”

“Do you get sea sick?” she asked, a frown tugging her lips down.

Oh, how I wanted to grab onto that excuse with both hands, but honesty won out. “I don’t think so.” How was I to know?

“Well, do you need to go back to the house?”

“I can’t.”

She tilted her head and furrowed her brow. “Explain.”

“I...” I shook my head and tucked my hands into the pockets of the shorts I’d put on. “It’s nothing. I’m being silly. I’m fine.” I attempted a smile. My lips were too frozen to know if I’d succeeded or not.

Ana didn’t seem convinced. “This doesn’t have to be another therapy session.”

“Oh, no.” I laughed nervously. “It’s just that I’ve never been on a boat before.” Hey, a way to be honest without giving it all away. Hooray.

Her face relaxed a bit. “I can see why you’d be nervous. Don’t worry, you’ll like it. Your hair looks great, by the way. Very islandy.”

I fingered a few pieces of the hair that were hanging free around my shoulders. “Thanks. I tried to do it how you showed me.”

The truth was that I’d left my hair down in hopes it would hide the horrified expressions I was sure to make as we got underway. It was my plan to let the ever present island breeze whip my hair around and keep my face hidden.

Lucas came striding up the boardwalk at the same time that Ana and I joined the rest of the group. He looked wonderful in a t-shirt, shorts, and a baseball cap—warm and approachable. My stomach swooped at the sight before sinking even further at the reminder that I needed to keep my inconvenient feelings for him tamped down. That was a dead end road.

For his part, Lucas looked confident and actually happy, a smile on his face and his eyes welcoming. This was the Lucas I’d seen pictures of on the internet. I had a sudden vision of how he must be when he traveled around conducting business and attending social events. How would it be to have that charisma focused at you? I’d never know. My stomach heaved harder. I was now entering Barfsville.

“I’m so glad you’re all here,” Lucas said. “The boat is this way.” He turned and motioned for us to follow him down to the water.

The boardwalk quickly gave way to a floating dock. It rocked back and forth as we stepped on, forcing a giggle out of Ana as she gripped the railing. I gripped it too, but without the giggle.

Lucas stood next to the boat entrance, legs spread wide to keep his balance, one hand on the boat railing itself and the other reaching out to assist anyone who needed it. A few people took his hand, but most didn’t. I almost broke out of my terror sweats when small Ana tried to make the leap onto the boat, but it suddenly shifted and Lucas caught her arm, saving her from a very wet experience. Next it was my turn. He reached his hand out to me. Although I was taller than Ana by several inches, I was too shaky and scared to try casually jumping on board. I took his hand, warm in contrast to my icy fingers, and somehow convinced myself to climb onto the floating morgue.

“Where are the life jackets?” I said to Lucas as soon as he landed on board next to me.

His eyebrows pulled together. “Life jackets?”

“Yes,” I replied, my voice airy with worry, “those things that keep you afloat if the boat goes down.”

“I’m sure the captain will tell us when he gives us the safety talk.” He passed me and walked to the middle of the boat, where he turned a slow circle. “Welcome, everyone. Let’s have some fun. The food and drinks are all paid for, so help yourself. The tour lasts about an hour and a half.”

Everyone but me clapped. I found a space on the side where I could sit and wrap my arms around a railing. I tried to do it in a way that said I was casually resting there, but I didn’t know a lot of people who relaxed by hugging a railing hard enough to form a permanent indentation in their forearm.

The loud rumbling of a motorcycle engine broke through the chatter as a flashy bike careened around the corner and parked near the ticket shed. A scruffy-looking man, who appeared to be in his mid-sixties, hopped off and took his time sauntering down to the boat. He climbed aboard and came to stand next to Lucas, toothpick swirling around in his mouth as he eyed our small group.

He proceeded to give the least helpful safety speech I’d ever heard. It basically consisted of, “If the boat goes down, hope you can swim,” after which he chuckled and disappeared into the pilot house.

“Did he say where the life jackets are located?” I asked Josie. She shook her head. I chewed on my lip and tried to play it cool.

“Are you nervous on boats?” she asked kindly.

“Oh, no, I’m fine.” I tried to laugh lightly.

Josie exchanged a glance with Derek, who was sitting next to her, but they were kind enough to not push. Still, their dubious expressions hadn’t escaped me. After a few moments they stood to go find a drink, and I didn’t blame them for leaving my side. It was that or sit by the ghostly pale, sickly looking china doll, who was hugging the railing as though she expected the boat to go ‘boom’ at any second.

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