South of Heaven (16 page)

“If you haven’t noticed, he thinks a lot of you, and so do I,” Kendra added.

“Thanks, boss. I’ve really enjoyed being here and have learned a lot from you.”

“He actually has a great idea that I’d like to discuss with you once we’re settled tonight.”

“Maybe we can discuss it over dinner. I’ve got a salad made and I thought I’d put some Alfredo in to bake while we secure the boat.”

Kendra chuckled and shook her head. “See, you’re already ahead of me.”

Lindsey shrugged. “You know I’ve got to make sure we eat.”

†

Two hours later, with the boat secured for the night, they sat down to a meal. “This looks delicious,” Kendra said, smacking her lips.

“It didn’t take much to pop it into the oven, but I admit it does taste good.” Lindsey was about to take another bite when she dropped her fork. “Damn, I forgot something.” She jumped up from the table.

Kendra wondered what she was up to when she left the galley, but she returned moments later with the opened bottle of wine and two wine glasses. “Where did those come from?” she asked with a laugh.

“I swiped them from the house when I was there.” Lindsey grinned and placed the glasses on the table and began working on the cork.

“Damn, you really do think of everything.”

“Like I said, I try my best, ma’am.” She poured their wine, handing a glass to Kendra. “To weathering the storm.” She lifted her glass to the toast.

Kendra took a deep breath. “When we got home Saturday night, Dad asked me to join him for a beer when you went upstairs. He wanted to talk to me about you.”

Lindsey placed her glass on the table, and couldn’t help swallowing hard. “Have I done something wrong?”

“Oh, no, I’m sorry to make you think that. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. You’ve done everything right. Once I take ownership of the
Southern Star
, I’ll be in need of a captain to take over this boat for the local fishing. Dad suggested that captain be you.”

Lindsey was glad she wasn’t holding her glass. Surely, she would have dropped it when Kendra made the offer.

“Do you think that would be something you’d be interested in considering?”

“I hadn’t any clue that was what you were going to ask, but yes, I’ll give it some thought. Of course, I need to talk this over with my dad, before I can give you an answer. I need to know he’ll be on board with this.” Lindsey picked up her glass and took a drink.

“I would expect nothing less and there’s no need for a decision right away. I won’t get the
Star
until the new year.”

“Wow, I really had no idea you’d be asking that question.”

“Both dad and I are confident that you’d make an excellent addition to our fleet.”

“I’ll definitely give it some thought,” Lindsey answered, just as the first bands of rain arrived, pelting the windows.

†

The rain brought full darkness and it was impossible to see anything through the windows of the galley. Before the rains, they had been able to see the beacon flashing atop the other shrimp boat anchored five hundred yards away, but now even that light was impossible to see.

They decided to settle into the den area off the galley to watch the weather news while they still had a television signal. The Weather Channel was running continuous coverage of the storm, and they were relieved that Dani hadn’t grown in strength.

“She’s still a big storm,” Kendra warned, as they listened to the forecaster.

When the video loop began to play, the air filled with the howling of the wind as the feeder bands were indeed arriving in full force. Kendra looked at Lindsey’s wide eyes. “Those will come and go all night, so don’t be alarmed.”

“I’m used to the sound, but I’d never believed it would be so much more intense on the water,” Lindsey admitted.

“You’ll get used to it soon enough. Are you up for a stroll outside? I’d like to check the deck, to make sure everything’s in good shape.”

“Sure.” Lindsey took the slicker Kendra offered her.

“Just don’t get too close to the rails. I’d hate to have to fish you out of this mess.”

“I’ll be right behind you, so don’t stop suddenly.” Lindsey followed her outside.

†

The winds had subsided when they stepped outside, but the rain continued to fall. Kendra switched on a flashlight as they walked toward the freezer. The gear they had strapped to the walls of the unit was still firmly in place, and everything on deck looked to be in good shape. Kendra lifted her hand to shield the water from her eyes as she looked across the bay, searching for the other boat. For a brief second, she caught a glimpse of their beacon in the distance.

“We both appear to be fully anchored and not drifting,” she shouted to Lindsey. The winds were beginning to increase again. “Let’s head back in.” She led Lindsey back to the galley.

“That wasn’t too bad.” Lindsey hung up their slickers.

“This is just the beginning,” Kendra warned.

“So what do we do now? It’s only eight.”

“Are you up for a movie and popcorn? Kendra asked.

“Fine with me, I’ll make the popcorn and you can set up the movie.”

“What kind of movies do you like?” Kendra called after her.

“Anything but blood and gore. What’s your favorite?”

“My all-time favorite is ‘Fried Green Tomatoes.’”

“Silly question, but do you have a copy onboard?”

Kendra chuckled. “That was a silly question. I love that movie, too, and could watch it over and over, but I promise not to make you watch it more than once.”

“Deal,” Lindsey replied as she began popping the popcorn.

Halfway through the movie, the winds increased and the boat began rocking with significantly more force.

“Should we check the weather report?” Lindsey asked.

“Probably not a bad idea,” Kendra reached for the remote to switch back to the television.

“Whoa,” she cried out when the video came on the screen. Dani had dramatically increased the speed of her movement and would reach them before dawn.

“She’s moving quickly, huh?”

“Yeah, but that can be good, if she blows through quickly. She’s still a Cat Three storm though, so she’ll be packing big winds.”

“Like now?”

“Even worse, I’m afraid. I think I’ll take a look around the deck.”

“Want me to go with you?”

“No need for both of us to get soaked. I’ll be back in just a few.” Kendra slipped on a slicker and picked up a flashlight.

†

The wind assaulted her as soon as Kendra stepped out the door. She braced herself against it and switched on the flashlight. Over the din of the storm, she heard metal striking metal and started across the deck. She pushed forward and sea spray showered her as the waves crashed into the side of the boat.

The salty spray stung her eyes as she pressed forward. Squinting to keep it out of her eyes, she failed to see the flicker of bright metal when it hit the beam of her flashlight. She felt the searing pain on her right cheek and fell to her knees.

Kendra felt the sting of salt burning her cheek and the rush of hot blood as it poured from the cut just below her eye. She lifted her hand instinctively to her wound, and when she saw her fingers coated with blood, she cried out.

“Damn, that’s gonna hurt.” She turned her head at the sound of the door slamming and saw Lindsey rushing toward her. She lifted her hand to slow her friend and shouted out a warning. “Be careful, there’s a loose strap flying around.”

Lindsey heeded her warning and stopped several feet away from her. Kendra picked up the flashlight and crawled toward her.

“I see blood, are you okay?”

“The buckle of that strap cut my cheek, but I’m going to be okay.”

Lindsey took the flashlight from her. “Close your eyes,” she warned and then lifted the beam of light. “Your cheek is sliced open and it’s bleeding profusely. Another inch higher and you could have lost your eye. Can you make it inside okay?”

“Yes, it’s just a cut.”

“Go inside and clean your cheek, and see if you can stop the bleeding. Can you do that?”

“Yes.”

“Good. I’ll secure the equipment and make sure the strap’s secure.”

“Please be careful.”

“I will,” Lindsey promised.

Lindsey watched until Kendra entered the galley before turning back to search for the loose strap. As Kendra had warned, it was flying wildly through the air, and she understood how the injury had occurred. If she hadn’t known to look for it, the strap could have injured her as well.

She timed the flight of the strap and lunged for it as the wind slowed. She pulled the fallen equipment back into place, and buckled the strap, pulling it tight and tying the loose end to secure it further. Then, she rushed inside to check on Kendra.

Kendra was leaning over the kitchen sink, a bottle of betadine in her hand, letting loose a string of obscenities. She finished cleaning out the wound with sterile pads as Lindsey came inside. If the wound hadn’t been so serious, Lindsey would have considered smiling at the colorful language her friend was spewing.

“Let me take a look.” She stood next to Kendra.

Kendra pulled the blood soaked pad from her cheek and Lindsey winced. The buckle had sliced the meaty part of her cheek down to the bone.

“That bad huh,” Kendra remarked, when she saw Lindsey’s expression.

“You could probably use some stitches, but that’s not possible tonight.”

“No, it’s not in this weather, but I’ve got something that will work. Bring me the first aid kit from the table, please.”

Lindsey rushed back to the table, returning with the kit. “What do we need?”

“There’s a tube of surgical glue and a package of steri-strips. You’ll need to use the glue to seal the wound and secure it using the steri-strips to hold the tissue in place while the glue sets. Do you think you can do that?”

Lindsey had blanched white at the sight of the wound, but nodded her head in answer.

“Try to seal the tissue as close as possible to reduce the scarring, please,” Kendra instructed as Lindsey opened the steri-strips. “Do you have enough light here?”

“Yes, I think we’re good.” Lindsey felt her hands shaking as she twisted the cap off the glue.
I’ve got to do this right, for Kendra’s sake, so suck it up.
“Are you ready?”

“Yes. Place the glue as quickly as you can and I’ll hand you the steri-strips.”

“On second thought, could we move to the couch where you can put your head in my lap?” Lindsey asked.

“Good idea.”

Lindsey carefully used the glue to seal the wound. Kendra handed her the small strips that would hold the tissue in place. “You’re going to have one helluva shiner. Do you think you could stand some ice to prevent your cheek from swelling?”

“I can only try. Bring me a bag of frozen veggies from the freezer.”

“First, let’s get you out of this slicker. Are you dry underneath?”

“Pretty much,” Kendra answered as Lindsey helped her out of the slicker. “Unlike you, you’re soaked to the bone.”

“I’ll go change once I get you settled.”

“Why don’t we move into my cabin? It will be more comfortable in there.”

Lindsey looked at her. “You realize I need to keep an eye on you tonight, right?”

“I was hoping you would.”

“Okay. Do you have anything for pain or inflammation?”

“Just some extra strength Ibuprofen. They’re in my medicine cabinet. I can take a couple while you change out of those wet clothes before you catch a chill.”

They left the galley to enter the crew berths. Kendra walked to a door Lindsey had not realized was the entrance to the captain’s cabin, but she was glad it was there.

“Come in when you’re ready. I’ll set the alarm on the console for any weather alerts. I can hear those from my cabin.”