South of Heaven (10 page)
“We all have a package to celebrate with our families.”
“I can taste them now.” He licked his lips. “I’ll see you soon.”
†
Once the transfer was complete, Kendra called the crew into the galley. She passed out their traditional end of the week beer and delivered their paychecks. She calculated the checks based on the contracted price for the reds, and was pleased to pay her crew so handsomely.
“We had a great first week.” She watched as the crew stared at the checks she had given them. “Don’t spend it all in one place. I’ll see you bright and early Monday, and we’ll do it all over again.”
Each of the crew hugged her before leaving, several with tears pooling in their eyes. The paychecks she was able to write were triple what a normal week would have netted them.
She and Lindsey were the last to leave the boat, carrying two bags of frozen shrimp. Lindsey placed a friendly arm around Kendra’s shoulder. “I hope you’ll allow me to buy you a nice dinner while we’re in Biloxi.”
“Í have just the place in mind.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“Yes, ma’am, it is.”
“Awesome,” Lindsey replied as they walked up the hill.
Saturday morning blossomed into a beautiful day.
“Have a great time, you two,” Kevin said when Kendra told him of their plans for the day. They invited him, but he declined their invitation. “Hank and I are going to the driving range to hit some golf balls.”
“I’m glad to hear you’re going to get out and have some fun, too,” Kendra told him.
“I’ll remind you of that when I call you to pull me out of the bed tomorrow.” He chuckled.
“I’ve got plenty of muscle for backup.” Kendra nodded toward Lindsey.
“I’ll be sure to wear some pajamas to bed tonight then. I’d hate for Lindsey to see me in my boxers.”
“No offense, Captain, but I’ve seen my dad in his boxers on many occasions, so I doubt you’d give me a scare.”
“She’d probably be blinded by those white legs of yours though. I hope you’re going to wear shorts so you can start getting some sun,” Kendra teased.
“Ouch, that was a low blow.” He grinned.
She chuckled. “We’ll see you later tonight.” Kendra kissed his cheek and turned to look at Lindsey. “You ready to roll?”
“Just waiting on you, Captain,” she replied with a wink.
†
They worked together to remove the top, leaving the Jeep open to the sun and cool breeze as they drove down the coast. The beaches were dotted with sunbathers and families enjoying one of the last weekends of the summer season. Out on the water, boats of all shapes and sizes carried fishermen, and several commercial boats were heading out to the horizon.
Kendra glanced over to her shotgun seat. Lindsey was smiling, and her spiky blond hair blew in the wind as she sang to a country song on the radio.
Beautiful,
Kendra thought to herself before turning her eyes back to the road.
An hour and a half later, Kendra slowed the Jeep as they approached the harbor in Biloxi. The
Southern Star
was in port, and her eyes lit up when she saw the boat. She parked the Jeep and they approached the boat.
“You must be Kendra,” a man stated. “You look just like your dad, only prettier.”
Kendra chuckled and extended her hand. “You must be Captain Cole. This is Lindsey, one of my crew.”
He shook their hands as Kendra introduced Lindsey. “Just Johnny to you, ladies. Your dad tells me you got your Reds license this year.”
“I did and we’ve had a great first week. We filled up quickly and came in early, so I wanted to come take a look at the Star.”
“Come along then and have a good look. I was just about to make some coffee. Would you ladies join me for a cup?”
“I never pass on a cup of coffee, and I haven’t heard Lindsey say no either.”
“Make yourselves at home while I brew a pot. Go anywhere you like,” he added.
“Thanks, Captain.”
Johnny disappeared into the galley as Kendra and Lindsey inspected the equipment on the deck. The freezers, bins, and other equipment were in immaculate condition. Pleased with what they saw on deck, they went below to check out the sleeping quarters and engine room, finding them in great condition as well. When they returned to the galley, Johnny was pouring the coffee.
“Have a seat at the table and I’ll bring the coffee over.”
They took their seats and when he brought mugs of steaming coffee they settled into a friendly banter.
“So what did you think of the old girl?”
“She’s just as beautiful as I imagined. The photographs don’t begin to do her justice,” Kendra praised. “Are you still planning to sell at the end of the year?”
“I am. I’ve got a commitment to the crew to finish out this season, and then I’m going to start enjoying retirement.”
“Dad’s actually taking up golf,” Kendra told him.
“I hope to do that as well so I can spend some time outside. The wife wants to travel, so I’ll need something to do while she shops.” He chuckled.
“I wish I could talk Dad into doing some traveling. It’s hard to get him away from the water though.”
“I can understand that. We’ve spent so many years out in the Gulf, she feels like another spouse. She treats you grand on some days and leaves you frustrated on others. Kinda like a wife,” he joked.
“That’s one way of explaining it,” Lindsey replied. “I think my Dad would agree with you on that. He fishes off the Outer Banks.”
“Ah, the mean Atlantic. I’ll stick with my Gulf any day.”
“It is beautiful here,” Lindsey agreed.
“The fishing is much more reliable here. Even in slim years the profits are still good. We can sell anything we catch to the local markets and restaurants.”
“That is a plus, having the local restaurants open all year long. After Labor Day, in the Outer Banks, some of the bigger places start shutting down for the season.”
“Open all year round here, so you can always have fresh seafood.”
“You may think me crazy, but it tastes different here too,” Lindsey commented.
Kendra found herself smiling as she agreed with the assessment.
“Not as briny as the Atlantic,” Johnny remarked. “It’s still good seafood on the East Coast, but not as good as here, except for the lobster. We just don’t have great ones here.”
“That’s true. Nothing like a good Maine lobstah,” Lindsey spoke in her best Maine accent.
Kendra took a sip of coffee and steadied her voice before speaking. She sent up a silent prayer that Johnny didn’t have a contract on the boat yet.
“Have you had any offers on the Star, yet?”
“I’ve had several interested parties, but nothing solid yet. Are you seriously interested?”
Kendra grinned. “Yes sir, I want this boat. Will you take a down payment today?”
“I’d love to feel like she’s being kept in the family. I’ll take whatever you can afford to put down, and I’ll have my lawyer draw up a contract.”
Kendra took a check out of her pocket and handed it to him. She watched as his eyes lit up when he saw the amount of the check.
“Are you sure you can afford this now?”
“I’ve been saving up for years,” Kendra assured him.
Johnny extended his hand. “We have a deal, young lady. Let me go write up a receipt and I’ll be right back.”
When she turned back to the table, Lindsey was watching her. “You certainly made his day.”
“No, he made mine, by accepting the offer.”
“Congratulations, my friend, she’s a beauty and will be perfect for fishing reds.”
“Yes, she will. I can’t wait.”
Johnny returned with the receipt and got contact information from Kendra. “I’ll let you know when the lawyer has the sales contract written up.”
“Sounds great. I’ll look forward to hearing from you and thanks for the coffee.”
“My pleasure, ladies. Have a great rest of your weekend.”
“Let’s go celebrate,” Lindsey told her as they stepped back onto the pier.
“Pinch me first, so I know I’m not dreaming.”
Lindsey reached over and pinched her arm. “You just bought a boat.”
“Yeah, I did,” Kendra answered, grinning wide.
†
They arrived at one of the casinos and settled in at two slot machines. Lindsey ordered two beers, and when they arrived, she held out her bottle. “To the new owner of the
Southern Star
,” she toasted, and Kendra tapped her bottle.
“How does it feel to own two shrimp boats?”
“Amazing. I still can’t believe all this is happening.”
“You’ve worked hard for years and it’s paying off. What do you plan to do with
Heaven Sent
?”
“I’m still working on that plan. She’ll definitely stay in the family and will fish for the smaller shrimp. That I do know.”
“Will Harvey take her over?”
“No, he’s got no ambition to be a captain. Besides, he’s too good a first mate to lose, and he’ll be needed on the bigger boat.”
“You’ll work it all out.”
Kendra’s good luck continued when she hit a jackpot of four hundred dollars only two hours after they arrived.
“I think I’ll quit while I’m ahead. Go ahead and play as long as you like, I’m going to walk around for a bit.”
“I won’t be here much longer. This baby is getting ready to hit,” Lindsey predicted.
“Good, because I’m getting hungry and you promised me dinner.”
“We forgot all about lunch, so you have a right to be hungry. You sure you don’t want to eat now?”
“No, we’re good. The restaurant doesn’t open for another hour.”
“Cool. I’ll track you down in just a little while then.”
Kendra cashed in her winnings and strolled around the casino. She found herself in the dollar slot section and, even though she had decided not to play more, she found herself taking a seat and inserting a five-dollar bill. On her third pass, the machine lights started flashing and the dollars began adding up. She sat and stared at the machine as a five-hundred dollar win showed up on the screen. She hit the payout button and walked to the cashier.
“You’re back already?” the woman asked.
“I guess this is just my lucky day,” Kendra grinned, and handed her the slip.
“I’d say so,” the woman replied as she looked at the slip. “How would you like the bills?”
“Hundreds, please.” Kendra smiled as she watched the woman count five bills.
“Congratulations. Will I see you again?”
“No, ma’am, I’m not going to press my luck.”
“Smart move. Too many times I see folks get greedy and play it all back, hoping for another big pot.”
“Not me,” Kendra replied. “Thanks.”
She placed the bills in her wallet and turned around to see Lindsey smiling at her.
“Did you hit another jackpot?”
Kendra smiled. “I put a five in a dollar machine and won a five hundred dollar pot. How’d you do?”
Lindsey held up her ticket. “Four hundred for me. I think we’d better take our money and run.”
“Agreed,. Come on, you have a dinner to buy.”
“Lead the way, boss.” Lindsey grinned and followed her from the casino.
†
Kendra parked the Jeep in front of Mary Mahoney’s and climbed out.
“I know it doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the food is to die for. Back in the day it was a bordello, and today it’s one of Biloxi’s premier eateries,” Kendra said.
“I trust you to pick out the best spot.”
“Good, and I’m glad you hit a jackpot. I’m really hungry now.”
“You can eat to your heart’s desire ma’am. I’ve always got plastic if I run out of cash.”
Once seated, a tuxedo-clad server approached them. “Good evening, ladies, what may I offer you to drink?”
“Would you like a bottle of wine?”
“That’s good with me,” Kendra replied.
“What would you recommend?” Lindsey asked the server.
“We have an excellent Riesling.”
Lindsey nodded.
“I’ll give you ladies a moment to peruse the menu while I prepare your wine.”
“So, Kendra, what do we want for appetizers?”
“Definitely some fried crab claws.”
“Sounds good. Would you also like to share a shrimp cocktail?”
“That would be awesome.”
“Do you have any recommendations for entrées?”
“You can’t go wrong with anything on this menu. I’m going to have the filet and fried shrimp.”
“I was thinking the filet and the fish of the day, especially if it’s grouper,” Lindsey said.