Page 41 of A Ferry Merry Christmas
“Anything?” Kellie asked after he scanned through several texts.
“Not yet.” This was unbelievable. In all his years of living in Seattle, not once had he heard about a ferry breaking down and passengers required to wait for hours before being rescued. While it might have been miserable for Avery, he was having a great time.
“I don’t understand why they don’t simply bring out another ferry and transfer everyone to that instead of all this rigmarole,” Kellie said.
Reed understood her frustration. “It isn’t that simple. That would be next to impossible with all the vehicles on board. The only solution is to get the repairs done while on the water.”
“I feel so bad for those trapped. It’s been hours.”
“I know; I feel terrible, too.” He could only imagine the frustration.
“I mean, it’s going to be dark before they arrive,” Kellie mentioned, looking up. Dusk had settled over the dimming sky. Within a few minutes it would be completely dark. In the winter months, especially this close to the solstice, night started at around 4:00 or 4:30.
Just then, Reed heard a ping, letting him know he’d received a text. He reached for his phone again and saw that it was from his sister.
Wahoo, the fix is in. If all goes well, we should dock within the next thirty minutes.
Reed shared the text with Kellie.
“At last,” she said with a sigh.
“Did you hear anything from your brother?” Avery was far better at sharing updates than Kellie’s brother was, he noticed.
“Not yet,” she said, glancing down at her phone to be sure.
Tucking Kellie’s arm in his elbow, he said, “It looks like this nightmare is about over. Let’s head to the ferry terminal.”
Kellie’s eagerness matched his. They hadn’t gone more than a few steps when Kellie paused, slowing her gait. “You mentioned the lunch reservation was for you and your sister, right?”
“Yes.” He wasn’t sure where this was leading.
“I wonder if your sister was able to get anything to eat on the ferry.”
Reed had assumed Avery would have been smart enough to read the situation and buy her lunch. Then again, no one expected the repairs to take as long as they had.
“I don’t know if she did or not.” Kellie had a good point. He decided to ask Avery. His fingers moved rapidly over the phone keys.
By chance were you able to buy something for lunch?he asked.
Her reply came back within seconds.No! Everything was sold out before I could. I had a bit of popcorn, but that was it. I’m starving. Hope you have early dinner plans for us.
Reed shared Avery’s response with Kellie.
“I bet my brother didn’t have anything to eat, either,” she said.
“I didn’t make any dinner plans,” Reed said. “Did you?”
She shrugged. “Not really. The reason I asked is because I was thinking it would be great, once they arrive, if the four of us went out to eat.”
“That would be great, except . . .”
“Except?” she prompted.
“Two things,” he said. “We’re unlikely to get a reservation so late in the afternoon, especially this close to Christmas. And,” he added, “if by some miracle we did, we wouldn’t be able to give the restaurant a time.”
“Good point,” she agreed, sounding discouraged. “I guess we can wait and see how things shake out. I think it would be fun for your sister to meet my brother. Harrison is a terrific guy, and from everything you’ve said about your sister, I think they’d get along famously.”
They continued their walk toward the ferry terminal, their pace slowing as if they realized their fun, adventurous day was about to come to an end. The inside of the terminal was packed with people milling about, most disgruntled by the delays and making their feelings known. A camera crew from a local television station was interviewing those waiting for the stalled ferry. News had spread quickly that theYakimawas sure to arrive soon.
