Chapter 20
Luna arrivedin the galley before Beckett. She was showered clean, dewy damp, and wrapped in Beckett’s great great-great-great grandmother’s quilt.
Sarah was sitting in one of the booths, stacks of paper in front of her. She looked up. “Oh, good morning, come have a seat. Dan!”
Dan appeared around the corner. “Hi, um, Luna, I’m Dan, we met when I gave you the radio?”
Luna smiled. “Also when you helped Beckett dart me with a sedative.”
He grimaced, “Oh, um yeah.”
Sarah raised her brows. “I told him you were going to give him hell about that. I’m Sarah.” She held out a hand.
“I would, they definitely deserve it, but also they saved my life, so it’s hard to give them the grief they deserve. Instead Beckett and I have agreed that going forward — no tranquilizer darts.”
Dan chuckled, “Hear that, baby? Beckett’s girl forgave him for the dart. I told you. What do — um, Nomads, like to drink for breakfast?”
Luna said, “We prefer to be called Waterfolk, and I’ll have dolphin milk if you have it.” She plopped down in the empty booth. “But if you’re out of dolphin milk then coffee. Three scoops of sugar please. And do you have chocolate?”
Dan grinned. “Now see, I did not know you had a sense of humor. We’ll have fun me and you.” He disappeared into the kitchen.
Sarah said, “That’s awesome Luna, you made him falter. That’s pretty rare.”
Rebecca clattered down the steps.
Sarah said, “Happy Birthday Rebecca!”
“Why thank you kindly. Are we going to celebrate later? Dinner?”
Sarah nodded.
Dan stuck his head around the corner. “Party! Party! Party!”
Rebecca said, “Hi Luna, you’re up? I’m Rebecca.” She held out her hand and they shook.
Luna said, “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks, you’ll have to come to my party of course. It’s literally the only thing happening.”
Sarah said, “Our new friend Luna here, caused Dan to become speechless earlier.”
“Seriously?” Rebecca smiled widely. “I’m going to sit and enjoy the show, but also, Luna, I want to ask you a million questions—”
Dan returned with her coffee and a plate piled with cheesy eggs and 6 pieces of toast. “Rebecca how about you let her eat first?”
Luna dug into the food, shoving heaping spoonfuls of eggs into her mouth.
Dan said, “Plus, I have questions first, starting with, how many miles a day can you paddle?”
Luna chewed a bit and swallowed it down. “Spring, with a blustery side-pushing wind? Or Fall, with a current pushing from behind?”
Dan grinned. “I don’t know, average.”
“Forty miles.”
“Forty miles? Forty, that’s your average?”
“Depends on the current, the wind, my mood, and my family—” She faltered for a second. “Everyone around me, how fast they’re going. But yes, forty miles. Easy.”
“Easy?” Dan leaned back. “You’re a freaking ocean god. Sarah, do you hear this? We have a superhero on the ship. Can you take me out Luna, show me how?”
Beckett came down the steps, beaming. That was Luna. Here, eating breakfast. Wrapped in his quilt. He said, “Dr Mags checked my hands, said they were better. The bandage is smaller.” He held them up and wiggled his fingers as he slid into the booth. He wrapped an arm through hers. She nestled her head onto his shoulder.
He asked, “You good?”
“Well let’s see, I feel better. I’m clean, dry and alive. You. And there’s a birthday party tonight, plus my new friend called me an ‘Ocean God,’ so, yes. But especially you.”
He kissed the top of her damp forehead.
