Page 59 of Sunset Tides
“A tour of what?”
“The islands.”
“But not on a plane, right? I don’t fly.”
“I know,” he said innocently. “It’s on a boat. A sailboat.”
“Oh.” That didn’t sound so bad. She turned to look out the window. Perhaps she should have worn pants, though. Boats were windy, it was still quite cold and her sweater was more of an accessory than something to keep her warm.
Oh well. “That sounds nice.”
He smiled, eyes fixed on the road ahead of them.
They drove to Deer Harbor and Lucy spotted their ship as soon as they descended the dock. It stuck out amongst the fishing boats and small yachts, its gleaming white hull glistening in the sun.
It didn’t look like a modern sailboat, but more like something out of a pirate movie. It had to be at least a hundred feet long, with two enormous wooden masts standing vertically at either end.
The canvas sails were folded down, and everything, from the floor to the bannisters to the lifeboats, was outlined with brilliant, shining wood.
When they got closer, she could see the spoked wheel at the head of the ship.
She jabbed Rob in the side. “Do you think that’s real?”
“The ship?”
“No, that!” she whispered, pointing as subtly as she could. “The steering wheel.”
They got into line behind two other couples waiting to board. “Yes. It’s called the helm.”
She wagged a finger at him. “Ah, right. You’re a yacht boy. You know all the official names of things.”
“I’m just getting you ready for your next career,” he said.
She laughed, and a man in a blue and white captain’s hat waved them forward. “Come on, come on. Don’t be shy! I’m Captain Kurt. I’ll be the one guiding you tonight.”
He turned and grabbed two long flutes of champagne, handing one to each of them.
“Nice to meet you,” Rob said.
“I like your hat,” Lucy added.
Captain Kurt beamed. “Thank you! Come on board, take a look around, and find your table. You can place your dinner order with a member of our fine staff downstairs.”
They nodded and walked onto the ship.
“Oh la la,” Lucy said, peering at the menu Rob had picked up. “Where should we go first?”
“Anywhere you like.”
They strolled the length of the deck, sipping on champagne as Lucy peered over the side every few feet. “It’s further down than I thought. Every time I look, it seems like the water is further away than the last time.”
“Were you considering making an escape?”
She shrugged. “It’s never a bad idea to have an exit in mind.”
“Fair point,” he said, shaking his head. “Though the water is a little cold.”
“That won’t stop me,” she said confidently, trying to ignore the goosebumps on her arms and legs.
