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“Drive around a bit more. I went north this morning after breakfast and checked things out. Now I’ll take your earlier suggestion and head south down to the docks. Probably catch a bite to eat there.”
“Boy, you’re in luck Mom’s occupied. She’d be all over you for eating a big breakfast and lunch. I thought you and I could meet at Marcie’s for dinner say around six?” He nodded his agreement. “Good. I’ll shower here so I don’t disturb Mom and Gran. Pick me up here and save some room for Marcie’s great shrimp basket.”
This time, Mike gave her the “thumbs up” and walked back over to the oceanfront. Jo assumed he’d drop SeaAnna off at her grandmother’s and then head on to the docks. She checked in with Lauren to make sure everything was OK, changed into her suit, and headed out for the beach. She hoped the salt air would clear her mind and allow her to think through things. She felt more settled about her mom for the moment, but exactly how did she feel about Chris?
ChapterNine
Dare was busy at the docks that afternoon. Even though the island was just re-opening the next day, they already had an in-shore charter booked for that afternoon. And despite the fact he’d been working every day since the storm, a lot of that time had been on clean-up and helping everyone else getting things back in order.
Now it was time to really focus on theCarefree,the boat he mated on. Captain Jeff Neal was a good guy to work for, and his boat was the pride of the Hatteras Fleet. Not only was she a beautiful boat, she was large, at fifty feet. One of the largest in the area. She had large inboard diesels and the on-board technology was state-of-the art. But a beautiful boat doesn’t guarantee success in catching fish. Captain Neal, like Dare, was born and raised on the island and knew the waters. He knew the baits, the lures, the currents, and the weather. It was no surprise that day in and day out his guests were all smiles when they pulled back into the docks late in the afternoon and proudly displayed the day’s catch on the dock floor.
As Dare polished the rails and made certain everything was absolutely spotless, he once again found himself daydreaming about the day he, too, would own a boat like this one. Jeff Neal was a good friend of Dare’s dad. They’d gone to school together. Jeff had started out mating. But he had come into some money when his Uncle Terry had passed away. Being the only male heir in the family, that helped him buy his first boat, a much smaller one than theCarefree.But it was that little boat that he made his reputation with, and from there, he just kept working his way up to larger boats and a client base that was the envy of plenty of the other captains. Dare wasn’t automatically given the mate’s position because of his dad, he had to earn it. Dare knew that he had and he was proud of that fact. A lot of the guys at the dock would like to mate on theCarefree.
Dare stood up to stretch, and noticed someone walking along the docks a few boats away from whereCarefreewas moored. As the man got closer, Dare realized with a start it was Chris Smith, the man who had decked Ron Wingate and who just might be, and probably was, Jo’s grandfather.
Dare acknowledged him as he began walking by, but then he stopped to admire theCarefree.Not surprising, nearly everyone who visited the docks noticed her and took in her sleek lines and tall tower.
“This is one hell of a boat,” said Chris. Dare stepped up out of the boat and onto the dock.
“She is that and more,” said Dare proudly. “Often been said she’s the pride of the Hatteras Fleet.”
“I can see why. But do you catch fish?”
“There’s probably not another captain who knows more about these waters than Captain Jeff Neal. So yes, we catch a lot of fish and we have plenty of satisfied customers. You may need to book a charter sometime if you can find a spot. Island opens up tomorrow and we’re already booked solid for the next several weeks.”
“Is that a fact? Jeff Neal, you said? I mated for a Captain Terry Neal once upon a time on his boat, theSeaAnna. Jon Smith, by the way,” said Chris extending his hand. “But around here I’d be known as Chris.”
Dare wiped his hands on his shorts and shook his hand. “I’m Dare Davis. But to be honest, sir, I know who you are. I know JoBell Leonard real well. We grew up together during the summers here. She told me your name after I told her about the visit you paid to Ron Wingate the other night. I was here listening to the band.”
“Ah, that,” said Chris. “That was some unfinished business from a long time ago. Jo and I had a rather unusual first meeting but perhaps she told you about that as well. It’s all a very difficult and shocking situation. Pretty hard to wrap my head around. That’s why I came down here. Took a bit of a lunch break from the roofing business to try to think about other things. So, if you don’t mind, can we stick to talking about boats?”
“No problem, Chris,” said Dare. He really had no desire to get caught in the middle of all of Jo’s family uproar, and he suspected an uproar it must have been as she hadn’t texted him since their beach walk. But they sometimes went several days without communicating when they were both really busy, so he knew sooner or later he’d get the full story.
“Would you like to come on board and take a look around?” Dare said. “I love showing her off. Jeff might be stopping by, and I imagine you’d enjoy meeting him too since you knew his uncle so well.”
“Would love to,” said Chris, and he stepped quickly on board. “Feels like home to me. Wow, this is one incredible piece of work.”
For the next half hour, Dare and Chris discussed every aspect of the boat. Their mutual love and respect for fishing and for fine fishing vessels was evident, and Chris was suitably impressed with Dare’s knowledge and his passion.
“Ever think of becoming a captain yourself? Chris asked as they stepped back onto the dock.
“It’s my goal,” Dare said excitedly. “I am really getting close on hours now and I’ve saved up enough for the testing. Probably get it sometime this fall if all goes well, and honestly, I can’t wait. Jeff and some of the others have been helpful in preparing me, but like they say, they can’t take the test for me. I’ll be ready.”
“Do you have enough saved to buy a boat?” the older man asked.
“Ha!” laughed Dare. “I wish. That’s somewhere down the line. But once you have your license, it’s for life, so guess I’ll just have to wait to hit the lottery.”
Chris smiled. “Hope you do someday, Dare. You’ll make a great captain. I’d really love to talk more about what all goes on here now. I’m sure it has changed since nineteen seventy-five. Have any time tonight?”
“Tonight would be the only night,” said Dare. “Once we get started again, well, you know, it’s early mornings and long days. By the time I get her ready for the next day, I’m beat.” He shrugged. “But yeah, tonight would be fine. What are you thinking?”
“Well, I’ve only been here what, three days? But that Marcie makes a mean shrimp basket, so could we meet there at six?”
“It’s a plan,” said Dare. “Can I have your number in case anything comes up? I’ll text you if it does, but right now that should work.”
They exchanged numbers and Chris started back to the van. He was just about to climb in when he saw a car park spaces away. He thought he recognized the driver, and he did. It was Mike Leonard.
“Fancy meeting you here,” said Mike as he got of the car. “Small island.”
