Desperado Dale (Scenic Route to Paradise)
Page 15
Merry let out a whoop. “Grandpa! You and Bean are going to get remarried? It’s been like 50 years or something… You’re going to get remarried?”
Mac shook Bernie’s hand firmly. “Yes, I would be honored to officiate.”
“Fifty years? Oh no, not that long! Its been only 48 years. So, yes and we’re done arguing!” Bernie told them. “We’ve always been madly in love and we’ve wasted a lot of time, you know. You take some advice from me; I’ve lived a few years. Don’t spend all your time disagreeing. Love each other! Laugh! Have lots of kids and don’t argue over choosing their names at birth and especially, middle names. It just isn’t worth it.” Bernie took a deep breath. “I’m glad we didn’t have any sons! Bean was determined to name our first boy after Benedict Arnold… Can you imagine? She can get the strangest ideas into her noodle!
“By the by, did you see her travel cookbook she is writing? Odd! The world is falling apart and she begins to write a cookbook? I’m hoping she doesn’t take out my mother’s ginger cookie recipe… She threatened to, you know. Bean wants to make the whole cookbook foreign. I think it’s important to keep that cookie recipe in there. But never mind; just don’t spend a lot of time arguing, throwing dishes and grumbling. It’s not healthy and life is too short!”
Grinning wildly Merry said, “We’ll never argue over middle names! I assure you, Grandpa Bernie.” He nodded.
Merry understood her grandfather perfectly but Mac had difficulty following the old man’s discourse. Throw dishes? He tried conjuring up a competition where a married couple would toss pewter plates, like his own set of dishes across the table. Would one eat the food first or should the plate be tossed and then loaded with the meal? How would the housekeeper react? Mac shook his head trying to understand.
“It will be quite a surprise to your mother Toni when we arrive at D’Almata remarried! Yes sir!” Bernie declared as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation. He added, “You know why we call her Toni don’t you? Bean named her Marie Antoinette! Marie Antoinette! I had nightmares about the poor child until she ran off with that hippy, your father. But never mind, at least he wasn’t French!”
Mac looked at his wife for a response. Unperturbed, Merry said, “Oh, Grandpa it will be a happy surprise and all of these children too.”
Bernie nodded. “Well, if you’ll excuse me. I’m going to go propose to Bean and then have some breakfast.” He turned and headed down the companionway.
She saw that Mac was alarmed. Merry patted his arm. She giggled, yet again and said, “He isn’t senile. Trust me on this. Bernie and Bean have always been a bit eccentric if not adventurous - although they would deny being either, I’m sure.” She smiled into Mac’s face.
He is exhausted! Exhausted but handsome.
“So what to do with these orphans! I was sorry for poor Nerah to be separated from Tina,” Merry said. Mac had watched Bernie disappear below deck but now he turned his eyes toward Tino and the skiff. He took Merry’s hand; they both recalled Nerah’s tears in the galley when she finally understood her mentor’s plans.
“Our people from D’Almata are spread out across the globe... mostly in ports but I think we can find homes for the little people. Our history is rife with orphans,” Mac replied.
Tino was coming back now. Zeff had pushed the boat back into the surf. Tina, a tiny figure as seen from the sloop, stood in the wet sand waiting for her bridegroom. The sun was up behind them and the landward water reflected orange and purple.
Putting Mac’s hand on her tummy, Merry laughed and said, “We haven’t been married six months and you’re already the papa of 20... And by the New Year, you’ll be Daddy of one more... unless I’m carrying twins.”
Book #5 ~ Scenic Route to Paradise
The fifth book answers questions while taking the reader on the final romp concluding the scenic route to D’Almata…