Free South of Heaven by Ali Spooner Page A

and Kendra seem to be getting along well.”
    Lindsey could feel a blush creep up her neck to her face, and she averted her eyes.
    “Did I say something wrong?” he asked sounding confused.
    “No, sir, I think your statement just caught me off guard.” She lifted her face and looked him in the eyes. “Kendra is an amazing captain. I hope one day I can be half as good.”
    “I have no doubt you can be just as amazing. You work hard and seem to enjoy being out on a boat.”
    “I don’t know what else I’d rather be doing.”
    Kevin’s chuckle made her cock her head at him.
    “My daughter told me the same thing when she graduated from high school. She could have attended college anywhere she wanted to go, but instead, she chose to hang with her old man and prepare to take over the business.”
    “So you think there’s hope for me?”
    “Without a doubt,” he smiled.

 

     

     

     

     

     
    Chapter Six
     

     

    The next three days were just as successful as the beginning of the week, and when they finished unloading their haul on Thursday, the crew cheered when Kendra told them to enjoy a long weekend.
    Friday morning, the work on installing the new equipment began, and Kendra found herself pacing as the men worked on board. She busied herself stocking the groceries with Lindsey’s help, but she couldn’t keep from walking out to check on the progress of the install.
    Kevin arrived around eleven. “Is Lindsey here?” he asked as he approached her.
    “Yes, she’s finishing up the pantry,” Kendra answered without taking her eyes off the workers. “Why? Do you need something, Dad?”
    “Yes, ma’am, I do. I’m here to take the prettiest two women I know to lunch.”
    “I can’t leave now, Dad. The men have barely begun the install.”
    “And your constant vigilance is only going to make them nervous and slow them down, so we’re going to lunch.”
    Kendra finally turned to look at him. “Okay, Dad, I get your point. Let me go get Lindsey.”
    “I’ll tell the men to call if they need you, okay?”
    “Thanks,” she replied, and went to collect Lindsey.
    They nearly collided as Lindsey was leaving the galley when Kendra entered.
    “Oh, hey, I was just coming to tell you I finished stocking the supplies. Is there anything else I can do?”
    “As a matter of fact, yes. Dad has decided he’s taking us to lunch.”
    “Lunch is always good,” Lindsey replied.
    “He thinks I’m slowing down the work with my constant vigilance.”
    “He’s probably right, so let’s get out of their hair and let them do their job.”
    “It’s two against one, so I reckon I don’t have much choice.”
    “That’s right, Captain, so let’s go.” Lindsey grinned.

    †

    After a leisurely lunch, it was obvious to Lindsey that Kendra was eager to get back to the boat to check on the progress.
    Kevin looked at Lindsey and shrugged.
    She smiled back at him, gave him a slight nod and turned to Kendra. “I have an idea. Will you take a spin down the coast with me to show me around?”
    “A spin,” Kendra asked.
    “Yeah on my bike. It’s such a lovely day for a ride.”
    Kevin smiled and nodded.
    “Unless you’re scared to ride with me,” Lindsey challenged.
    “I’m not scared, but there’s so much work going on at the boat.”
    “Work that will be completed as scheduled tomorrow if you’ll let them do their work,” Kevin reminded her. “I’ll be at home if they need anything.”
    Lindsey watched as Kendra looked first at her, then at the smile on her dad’s face. “I don’t really have much of a choice, do I?”
    “Nope,” they replied in unison.
    “Okay, but I want to be back in time to check on the workers before they leave for the day.”
    “Deal,” Lindsey replied.
    As they walked back toward the boat from the diner, Kendra started to enter the boardwalk to the boat.
    “Oh no you don’t,” Kevin said. He hooked his arm through his daughter’s.
    “Just thought I’d try,