Page 36 of A Ferry Merry Christmas
Heart and soul, he loved Beth and Olivia, but deep down he’d convinced himself they would be better off without him. They’d met while he was taking night classes at Seattle Community College. The minute he saw her, he knew she was everything he’d ever wanted. When Beth had agreed to marry him, he’d felt like the luckiest man alive. He’d been determined to be the best husband and father there was. God knew he tried. The picture he had in his mind was of a man who took care of his family, who made the most of life. A man with a construction business, building homes for families, creating communities. Those dreams were dust.
He longed to be a man like Grant Walsh, Beth’s father.
When he’d met Beth’s parents and siblings, he realized this was the kind of family he’d hoped for them to build together one day. He admired her father, looked up to him, wanted to emulate him.
“Daddy, Daddy,” Olivia said, coming to stand in front of him, placing her hand on his.
He managed a weak smile when he glanced up at his beautiful daughter, his heart so full of love it was hard to hold back tears.
“What is it, pumpkin?”
“Can you come sit with Mommy and me again? I liked it when you were closer.”
Logan’s gaze drifted over to where Beth sat, her back stiff, her disappointment in him coming off her in waves of discontent.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, feeling defeated and utterly miserable.
Olivia didn’t pout or complain. Instead, she gave a sad shake of her head and returned to her mother.
Feeling low and dejected, Logan watched her go.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Avery was so intent on her conversation with Harrison that she hardly noticed the time. She honestly tried to keep up her guard, not allowing herself to be taken in by his charm and wit. Increasingly, she found it difficult. They continued with their question-and-answer session.
“Okay, what’s your favorite dish?”
“A teacup,” she joked.
“I meant food-wise. You know: Italian, Mexican, Chinese?”
“All of the above, plus Thai, Indian. And bread. Oh my goodness, it’s my weakness, along with seafood. I’m not a picky eater. What about you?”
“I’m not fond of cheese.”
“You don’t love cheese? That’s un-American. Cheese is . . . It’s a basic food group. Does that mean you don’t enjoy pizza?”
He shrugged. “I eat it on occasion.” He frowned and then asked, “Does my lack of appreciation for cheese disqualify me as dating material?”
“I’m going to have to give that some thought,” she said, enjoying teasing him.
“I have several other fine qualities, if you give me an opportunity to show you.”
“You mean like patience with this stalled ferry?”
“Yup, but I’ll admit spending time with you because of the delay comes as a bonus.”
It felt that way to her, too.
There didn’t appear to be any progress regarding the crippled ferry. Many of their fellow passengers had tried to make the bestof the situation. But as time dragged on, the mood had started to change with the lack of any further information.
“Okay, my turn,” she said. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Harrison didn’t hesitate. “I want to continue my career in the Navy, take some college classes, and learn what I can about being a leader. I believe within the next couple years I might have the opportunity to become a master chief.” He paused and glanced at her. “I hope within a few years to marry and start a family.”
Knowing Harrison planned to continue his Navy career gave her pause. She looked away as she mulled over his answer, and James caught her attention. Like everyone else, he was understandably restless and fidgety. He didn’t seem able to stay in one place for any length of time. He kept circling the outside deck a number of times, and always with his phone in hand.
When Captain Douglas’s voice finally came with an update, James hurried back inside. The waiting area that had been filled with voices of frustration and discontent instantly went silent.
