Page 9 of A Ferry Merry Christmas
I can’t say for sure.She typed and was about to mention she was on the ferry when her twin’s response flashed across the screen.
I have plans for later, so I’ll need to know exactly how late you intend to be.
Virginia should have known her sister would make this difficult.
With her lips tight, she typed once again, her finger punctuating each letter to the point that her fingernails bent with the action.
As I said, I won’t know that until later.
Then perhaps it would be best if you didn’t come.
Virginia rolled her eyes before she typed the question.
Is that what you want?
Silence as deafening as the two years in which they hadn’t spoken. Loud and sad. So very sad.
CHAPTER FOUR
At the captain’s announcement, Avery reached for her phone to update her brother.
There’s a problem with the ferry. Think it might be the engine, from what the captain said. The ferry stalled in the middle of Puget Sound. I’ll update you as soon as we learn how long the delay will take.
Reed’s response came only a few seconds later.
I hope everything’s okay. The ferries rarely have trouble, so I’m sure you’ll be along soon.
Avery returned her phone to her purse and checked the time. While her brother sounded hopeful, she had serious doubts she’d make their lunch. That was a minor disappointment. She appreciated her brother’s thoughtfulness, knowing their time together was his way of helping her through the loss of their grandmother.
“Will I still see Santa Claus?” Olivia, the girl with pigtails who sat next to Avery, asked her mother. Her sweet, young face tightened with concern.
“There’s still plenty of time to see Santa,” Beth assured her daughter. Her gaze connected with Avery’s, and she added in a nearly silent whisper, “I hope.”
“The thing with Santa,” Avery felt obliged to add, “is that he already knows you want an iPad for Christmas.”
“But how can he, unless I tell him?” Olivia objected.
“He just does. Remember, not every little girl or boy has a chance to meet with Santa personally. Some write letters and others tell their parents and then the moms clue in Santa.”
Olivia sighed with relief. “That’s good to know.”
Beth cast Avery an appreciative glance.
“Although,” Olivia added, “I’d feel better if I could tell him myself.”
“Of course you would,” Avery agreed.
She noticed a lengthy line had formed heading into the small cafeteria. Not knowing how long the delay might take, she decided it was a good idea to grab a snack. In her rush to get to the ferry, she had skipped breakfast, and her stomach protested with a rumbling growl.
“Since we don’t know how much time this is going to take, I’m going to buy a snack. Would you like me to grab something for you?” she asked Beth.
“No, thanks, we’re good.”
Leaving her overnight bag behind, Avery reached for her purse and stepped to the back of the queue. Immediately she was joined by the seaman she’d met on her way onto the ferry.
“Hey, we meet again,” he said.
Not wanting to encourage him, Avery didn’t respond and moved forward with the line.
