Page 50 of The Seven Rings
She moved to the rail, breathed in the night. “Do you think I’ll ever get used to it? I hope I don’t. I hope it always takes my breath.”
“You may get used to it, but that doesn’t mean you’d take it for granted.”
“I couldn’t.” She turned, smiled at him. “The same goes for you. I may be getting used to having you haul furniture or just being here when I need you. But I don’t take it, or you, for granted.”
“Here’s where I want to be. You’re why I want to be here.”
She stood, her back to the sea, and the moonlight streaming.
“Sonya, it’s only been a few months, but…” He trailed off as he heard Owen’s voice.
“Jesus, Lafayette, I’ve got it.”
“But?” Sonya prompted.
“Here’s where I want to be,” he repeated.
He reminded himself it wasn’t the time or the place to say more.
He stepped to her, kissed her, soft, gentle. “You’re why I want to be here.”
Chapter Seven
Shortly before noon, they arrived at the marina with three dogs, a cat, a cooler of drinks, and enough food to sustain humans and pets for a serious sail.
“With all this, Owen,” Sonya said as they started to unload the truck, “you might need a bigger boat.”
“I think she’ll handle it.”
When he gestured, she followed his direction. “Well, she’s a beauty, and I should’ve expected no less.”
With her catch-all bag on her shoulder, Pye tolerating the leash, Cleo tipped down her sunglasses. “A wooden sloop. You went old-school.”
“Classic.”
He’d painted it navy blue, a rich choice with the gleaming teak decking. The brightwork shined.
Cleo pulled out another bag while Sonya wrangled two dogs and took yet another bag. Jones stuck with Owen as he and Trey hauled out the cooler.
Once they’d transferred everything, Sonya looked around.
“You built her.”
“Had some help.”
“Slave labor.” Trey tapped his chest.
“And my brother, our uncle Mike. At thirty-eight feet I can sail her solo, but there’s room for crew. Galley down below if you want to stow the food before we cast off.”
“We’ll do that.”
Belowdecks, Sonya turned to Cleo. “Not just a galley, a little lounge.”
“Look at the equipment. Classic build, and state-of-the-art electronics. Pooles don’t stint.” She opened a door. “The head’s so cute it doesn’t feel right calling it a head.”
Sonya looked in, saw clean, saw white and wood and chrome, including a small shower.
“That’s one minor concern off my list.” She opened another door.
