Laura turned sideways to visit. “I love NewSussex. If we weren’t so settled in Seaview, I’d make the move.It’s much smaller, and there’s never as much happening as it’s hardto get to. There’s a twice daily ferry service, so anyone visitinghas to really plan ahead before making the trek.
“There are a few small shops and restaurants,a few B&B’s, a small hotel and some rental cabins. I’d say thepopulation is under a thousand or so permanent residents, but thepopulation increases dramatically during the summer months. It’s adelightfully small town, village really, with a very restful pace.Runs on island time.”
Payson smiled dreamily, “Sounds like aperfect destination for a cozy winter weekend.”
“It really is; we come a few times everyyear. There’s not much happening in winter, but the basics are openand it’s mostly tourists just like us looking to watch the stormsroll in while staying cozy inside.” Laura snuggled up against Frankas they approached.
Payson noted Frank watching every adjustmentMaddy made to the boat as they approached, ready to jump in if sheneeded help. Laura whispered something in his ear and he abruptlymoved his gaze, remembering he didn’t have to jump in and helpanymore. Remembering he’d taught his family well.
Maddy looked back and motioned to Payson andthe others, “Ok passengers; sit your butts down and out of my wayuntil we’ve docked.”
Payson abruptly moved back to her seat asdirected. Aiden had been surfacing from the cabin but turned backto stay out of the way when he heard his sister’s stern voice.Ronan pulled on the charcoal gray wool sweater he’d been using as apillow and headed out of the cozy enclosed area to help Chase catchthe dock.
Standing beside Chase, the two banteredpleasantly, gesturing as they remarked on the other boats in themarina. As they pulled in closer, Chase tossed out the bumperswhile Maddy slid into the visitor slip like she was parking asports car. Ronan hopped out and walked swiftly to the front of theboat, grabbing the bow line and tying up to the cleat. Chase didthe same with the aft cleat. Nice system. You could tell theMcAllisters, plus Chase, had always been a boating team.
Complimenting his daughter’s excellentdocking job, Frank couldn’t handle sitting idle anymore and hoppedup to help Aiden load everyone up with their bags and coats. Notwanting to be a total freeloader, Payson took her fair share.
Frank passed her Ronan’s and her own bags andcoats, “Head on up the dock, then Inn de la Mer is right next tothe marina, that blue building,” he pointed until sheacknowledged.
“Got it. You and Laura heading up yet?” Sheslipped on her coat and swung Ronan’s backpack over hershoulder.
“Nah, we’ll tidy up a bit in here first. Youyoung folks can get settled, and, if it suits your fancy, check outthe shops and we’ll join you in an hour or two. No cell service onthe island, so we’ll just poke around until we find you.”
Laura piped in, “You each have your own room,except Maddy and Chase will share, of course. Already paid for, sojust let them know your name and they’ll show you to your rooms.We’ve stayed there before; they have a wonderful library lookingout over the water you may want to relax in.”
Payson smiled, “Sounds like exactly what Ineeded. See you around.”
Thrilled, she headed to the back of the boat.She was about to climb out with confidence, as Ronan had showed herwhen they departed, only to find the dock wasn’t quite what she’dimagined. There was an awkward wooden bar running down the sidewhere the lines were tied on.
“Uh…” she stood open-mouthed, unsure how toproceed. Did she step over it or on it? It shouldn’t be thatcomplicated. Why was this minute detail of boating so oddlyoverwhelming? Last time she just stepped across then hopped intothe boat, but this time she had to somehow step up and over?
Aiden stood behind her, “Come on already,” heteased.
Payson stood to the side and watched as, armsfull, Aiden hopped right over, despite the awkward wooden barthing. Eyes wide, she tried to not panic. Ronan understood and tookpity on her.
Speaking as if to a wild and terrified wolfabout to lash out, he held a hand out and soothed, “You’ve gotthis. Hand me the bags and coats first.”
Payson obeyed. He set their belongings on thedock next to him. With one foot on the dock extending over the barand the gap, and the other foot on the edge of the boat, he tookher hand. “Use the bench and step up onto the side of the boat,then put your other foot up on the dock on the other side of thebull rail. It’s not as far as it looks. I’ve got you.” Rememberinghow firmly he held her before, she trusted him and did as he asked.Not as scary this time, but still not her favorite pastime.
Clutching her hand in his own, Ronan balancedtheir bags over his opposite shoulder and refused her help. “Youfocus on walking; I’ll carry the bags.”
She shook her head at her own trepidation asshe walked overly cautiously down the dock. “Thanks; I feel likesuch an idiot. I just can’t shake the fear that I’m going to slideright into the Atlantic.”
…
Ronan let her set the pace. “You’re not beingparanoid; I’ve seen people slip right in if they’re not payingattention. The docks are a solid sheet of ice. It’s good to becautious.” Smiling, she seemed to feel a bit less silly about hercaution. He glanced back, noting Maddy and Chase were not farbehind.
His parents had sealed up the boat anddisappeared into the cabin. Which was rocking rather rhythmically.Smiling, he tried not to imagine what they were up to in there.There was little doubt their relationship was thriving, despite howrocky things had been 10 to 15 years ago. With a houseful ofteenagers, both working long hours to save for college at the time,things had been tense more often than not. They’d even hinted atthe big D a few times during that tough period.
Aiden always on the verge of committing amajor felony with Chase right at his side. They’d taken Chase in asone of their own while his own father had been too busy drinking tonotice his son was taking rebellion to dangerous heights.
Ronan was the opposite but hadn’t been mucheasier on his parents. He kept his nose clean but must have worriedthem with how hyper-focused he’d been, totally self-centered andignoring life around him. Maddy was doing great in school, knockingcollege credits out of the way to save on tuition down the road,but was dating a serious asshole.
He should have realized what was going onwith his twin sister, as he’d been friends with her assholeboyfriend since childhood, but he figured she could handle herself.Which, she did when things had gotten unsafe, but maybe if he’dbeen paying more attention, he could have stopped things beforeanyone got hurt.
Shaking his head, he tried not to relive thepast. Start fresh. No hard feelings between anyone. He’d returnedto a happy, settled family. Not that Aiden was showing any signs ofsettling down, but he was at least established in his career.
Walking up the ramp, Ronan glanced over atPayson. She was already checking out town, an eager smile on herface. So gorgeous, her auburn hair was tangled from the wind, hergreen eyes wide and filled with wonder. She couldn’t have ended upalone in Seaview without some serious drive, building her ownantique shop from the ground up.
