Knockdown
Page 23
Dylan’s face was ashen. Whistler continued backing up.
The fog behind us grew wispy and I got occasional glimpses of the sea. It was all clear. Dylan had chosen the right direction.
When we were a safe distance from the island, Dylan flipped off the engine. We drifted again and waited for the last of the fog to clear.
“Is this the California coast?” Nick asked.
“I don’t think so,” Takumi said. “The mainland should be miles to the east. I think we found the Channel Islands.”
“Islands?” Nick frowned. He faced the direction Takumi had. There was nothing but ocean.
Jervis left to get Makala and Boots. He sat her on his lap and fastened her lifejacket. “Okay. The fog is leaving. Take us to Santa Barbara. We’ll row Angelina to shore and find help.”
Dylan glanced at me.
“How’s she doing?” I asked Zoë.
Zoë shrugged. “She woke a couple of times in the night. Her fever is down.”
I nodded. “So the medicine’s helping? She’s better?”
“I’m not sure.” Zoe hurried to where Dylan sat with his head in his hands.
“Look, Jervis. Give me a few more hours,” I pleaded. “Let’s get the boat to Santa Cruz, the island Dylan showed you. Angelina might be lots better by then and not even need the mainland.”
Takumi came and wrapped his arm around me for support. I breathed deep and waited for the guys to respond.
Jervis glanced at Nick. They disagreed on everything, except the need to get help for Angelina.
Nick huffed. “Fine, as long as Angelina doesn’t get worse. Then all promises off.”
Dylan stood and took a step towards Nick. “You threatened to shoot me. You aimed a gun at my sister. I don’t even know why you’re up here. You have no say in anything. Got it?”
Nick’s nostrils flared.
I stepped between the guys. “There weren’t any bullets in the gun. Nick didn’t really plan to shoot anyone.”
“Is that true?” Dylan motioned for me to take the wheel.
“Yeah.” Nick hung his head.
“Well, that’s good. But threats are still threats.” Dylan glared at Nick. “Go pull the sails back up.” He turned his back on Nick. “We found one of the Channel Islands.” But which one?
Jervis spotted a yellow triangle on top of the land mass. Takumi brought up the binoculars.
“San Miguel,” Takumi yelled. “The sign says San Miguel. Who has the book?”
Jervis pulled it out of a pocket in the canvas and quickly scanned a couple of pages. “Doesn’t have water. Navy used it for target practice.” He bolted upright. “It’s known for its dangerous off shore rocks and lack of protection from storms. We need to get out of here.”
The guys went to help Nick with the jib. I headed the boat east, toward the mainland.
“Dylan, you were right about how far out we are. San Miguel is forty-five miles offshore from Santa Barbara,” Jervis said as we began to pick up speed.
“Where’s Santa Cruz?” Dylan leaned on Zoe and checked the water for rocks.
“Santa Claus?” Makala’s eyes got bright.
Jervis flipped through the pages. “Looks like about twenty miles away. Southeast.” He showed a map to me and then passed it around.
We had great wind and gentle seas. Soon we were far from the rugged rocks of San Miguel.
Makala and Boots sat next to Jervis on top of the cabin. A seal swam over to us, raised its head, and snorted. Water sprayed from its nose. Makala laughed. Boots yipped and the seal barked back, oblivious to the close call we’d just had.
“I’m going to check on Angelina.” I handed the wheel over to Takumi. For a second our fingers touched.
“That was close,” he whispered and squeezed my hand.
I nodded and went below.
Angelina was propped up on pillows. “What’s going on?”
“We ran into a little fog. But everything’s okay now. We even know where the island we’re trying to find is.”
“The island?” Angelina smiled. “Will you help me go up? I’d love to get some fresh air.”
I held on to her as we climbed the stairs.
“Sissy!” Makala squealed when she spotted her sister.
“Angelina, what are you doing out of bed?” Nick sprang to his feet.
The boat rocked. Angelina and I waited until it settled before taking another step.
Nick brushed me aside, scooped her up, and sat her on the cockpit bench.
I tucked a blanket around her.
“Sissy.” Makala bounced. “We’re going to Santa Claus Island. And see that seal? He was talking to Boots.”
I grinned. “Makala, the island is Santa Cruz.”
Makala shook her head. “No! Dylan said Santa Claus.”
Angelina chuckled. It was the best sound I’d heard in a long time.
Chapter Forty-Two
Island Time
Seagulls landed and flapped their wings on a floating bin. Another spotted seal raised its muzzle and barked at us. The day felt warmer, but the clouds were still thick. Makala skipped across the boat singing, “Santa Claus is coming to town.”
Boots chased after her, yipping excitedly. Jervis’s eyebrows knitted together as he followed Makala around the boat.
Takumi and I snuggled on the bench across from Angelina and Nick. We watched the sea off the left side. It had been a long night, but I didn’t want to miss the first view of our new home.
Dylan squinted. “Where are the binoculars? I think that’s it…”
A small dot of land appeared in the distance.
“Tell me again what’s so great about this ‘Santa Claus Island’?” Zoë stood sandwiched between the wheel and Dylan.
Dylan chuckled. “Well, for one thing, it has fresh water. And it’s really big. Best of all, there are no cities.” He showed her a page in the book. “Look at all the little bays we can anchor in.”
“No towns, means no doctors,” Nick mumbled.
“Stop it. I’m feeling better.” Angelina laid her head on his shoulder.
Steep rocky cliffs dotted with scruffy brush and small trees became visible. “There’s not a palm tree in sight,” I complained.
Dylan heard me. “Come on. Look at these pictures.” He passed around the tour book with photos of sandy beaches and calm water inlets. “We made it to the island. We might even want to stay here until things get back to normal.”
I wondered what normal was going to look like, but it was nice to see Dylan smile.
A seagull squawked on a floating log near us. Boots barked and the bird took off. The little dog wagged his tail and almost seemed to grin.
We sailed by a narrow bay. The water was as still as glass. This was more like my vision, but without the palm trees. The next bay was wider and even more picturesque. A gentle incline rose from the beach and a few scruffy, piney trees dotted the skyline.
“You better watch out. You better not spout.” Makala danced around the deck.
The song was getting old.
I searched the coastline. My parents might be here, somewhere, waiting. We were a few days late, but they’d stay around. I imagined running into their arms. I could almost see the smiles on their faces. I checked my cell, but there was still no service.
Then I remembered that they didn’t know about Cole. Mom would be hysterical. She’d blame Dylan and me. I slid from Takumi, wrapped my arms around my knees, and rocked back and forth. What words could I say that might make her feel better?
Takumi tried to pull me back to his side, but I needed to move, to stop thinking. I hurried to the wheel. “Let me drive.” I nudged Dylan aside. He glared, but went to sit with Zoë.
I pointed back at the inlet we’d just passed. “What was wrong with that bay? It seemed perfect.”
Dylan held up the map. “I wanted to check this out first. Prisoners Harbor. It’s the most popular spot on the island. Dad didn’t say where to meet, but I
bet this is where he’d come first. And we need to ask someone where we can find fresh water. The book doesn’t say.”
Dylan ran his fingers through his hair. “We need a way to check the depth before we drop anchor. Any ideas?”
Jervis gave Makala to Angelina, dug down in the storage under his seat, and came up with a light nylon rope. “We could mark this and tie a weight on the end.”
“What about one of these?” I picked up a loose brick from under the barbecue. A few broken ones had holes going clear through them.
The guys stretched the rope along the deck. Zoë marked the line with nail polish every three feet until they had marked off thirty feet. Then they tied the brick to the end of the rope.
“Let me know when we’re close to twenty feet,” I said. “We don’t want to worry about low tides.”
“Look.” Takumi handed the book back to Dylan. “Is that your bay?”
Dylan studied the picture in the book and then the shore line. “I think so. It’s hard to tell.”
I decided to check it out. The once sandy beach was muddy, rocky, and littered with debris. But it was the same large sheltered bay. Dylan began pacing from one side of the boat to the other. Takumi climbed on top of the cabin then back to the rail. We were all ready to be there.
Makala continued singing the Santa song, Makala version.
“Can’t we motor?” Zoë stuck her fingers in her ears and glared at Makala.
“I don’t want anyone to know we have diesel. The boat’s enough of a target as it is.” I adjusted the wheel to miss a chunk of floating dock. “Dylan, will you get on the bow and watch for me?”
Dylan handed me the binoculars. I leaned on the wheel and aimed the glasses at a clearing on the shore. It was dotted with colorful and camouflaged tents. Scattered across the beach were kayaks, dinghies, and a small motor boat. A partially sunken sailboat floated a ways off the shore. At least a dozen people climbed out of their tent and started toward the beach.
My heart raced. Were my parents among these people? Would they become friends? We’d have to be cautious.
I checked their faces as best I could. None looked familiar. I willed the boat to go faster. I kept scanning the people gathering on shore, but didn’t find anyone that resembled Mom or Dad.
I asked Takumi to take the helm and moved to the rail. Back and forth, across the beach and up on the shore I searched. There was no sign of them. After a while, I let the binoculars drop and hang around my neck. It was no use. My family wasn’t there. I handed the glasses to Takumi and took back the wheel. Makala bounced and waved at the people gathering. Whistler slowly glided along. There wasn’t even a ripple on the water.
“Hello!” Makala yelled across the bay.
A young boy waved back.
Jervis and Nick tested the depth from the bow by dropping the brick and line off the side. When the brick hit bottom at twenty feet, they raised the anchor in the air.
“Drop it!” I waited a few moments for the anchor to settle, then turned the boat into the wind. Takumi and Dylan lowered the main sail and brought in the jib.
We were anchored.
We’d made it. Jervis swung Makala up on his shoulders and cheered. Boots yipped and yipped. Takumi kissed me. Makala continued waving her arms and yelling hello to the group on shore. “Maybe they’ll throw us a welcome party?” Jervis winked.
I grinned back. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”
Makala called to Angelina. “Can I wear my pink dress to the party?”
Angelina shook her head. “Jervis, stop teasing her.”
Jervis, Takumi, and I chuckled.
I glanced around at Whistler’s crew. When had they become so important to me? When had they become like family? Now we’d made it to the island, would we split up? Would we find our families? Who would stay on the boat? Who would go to the mainland? Tears welled in my eyes. Takumi pulled me into his arms. “Look at me!” He brought my face up to his and wiped my eyes. “We made it. We can get off the boat. Be happy.”
I took a deep breath. He was right.
Takumi kissed me again and for a moment there was only us. Then I felt everyone on deck watching.
“We might even find a place to be alone,” I whispered.
Takumi grinned. “And a lake or waterfall to bathe in.”
“You’re right.” I pushed away and hunted for signs of a stream. Dylan said there was fresh water. I’d be clean. It had been weeks. I grinned and bounced up and down.
There was more movement on shore. The people who had gathered to watch us scrambled away from three burly men who hiked from the high bank above. A woman ran and snatched up a toddler who was playing in their path.
The largest of the three men yelled, “No one comes ashore until the Doctor says it’s okay.”
“Doctor?” I swiveled to find Angelina.
She was beaming.
“Thank you, God.” Nick closed his eyes.
Jervis jumped up and down with Makala still on his shoulders. “Your sister’s gonna be fine.”
Makala squealed and grabbed his hair.
Dylan and Zoë danced on the bow.
Takumi swung me around and around. All of a sudden I knew what I had to do. I wiggled out of Takumi’s grasp and started taking off my clothes.
Takumi’s eyes bugged out and he yelped, “What are you doing?”
Wearing only my bra and panties, I climbed over the boat rail, and stood on the edge. My arms swung high into the air. I crouched and leapt for the sky.
I managed only one summersault before I hit the water. But it was a good dive.
“Yeah, Toni!” Angelina yelled. “That was awesome.”
Nick whooped. Makala and Jervis clapped and yelled.
Takumi hurried to shed his pants. Dylan grabbed Zoë’s hand. The applause turned to laughter as Takumi, Dylan, and Zoë cannon-balled off the boat and joined me.
It wasn’t fresh water. It wasn’t as warm as I’d hoped. But it would do.
Takumi’s sculptured chest emerged from the depths. I splashed his handsome face and laughed.
Oh, yeah. It would do just fine.
End of Book One
To be continued…
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many special people have influenced the creation of this novel. I’m especially grateful for my talented writing group, Writers in the Rain, and my writing partner, Dennis. These gifted authors helped and encouraged me in so many ways. You are the best. Thank you, Fabio Bueno, Eileen Riccio , Martina Elise Dalton, Angela Orlowski-Peart, Suma Subramaniam, and Dennis Robertson.
Cathy Durning, thank you so much for sharing with me your passion for my story at a time when I needed it most. Kyra Freestar, thank you for your editing insight. Susan Siegmund, your creative coaching sessions helped me to see where I was going. Thank you to the staff at Evernight Teen for choosing my novel and for all the work you’ve done to make it better.
I’m so very appreciative of my dedicated friends Cyndee Lampe and Gail Wohlford, who read my chapters week after week, asked great questions, and urged me forward. A big shout out to Frank Wohlford for teaching my husband and me everything we know about sailing. It’s a gift we can never repay.
My dear friends, Mary Avzaradel, Chris Caplis, Barbara Davey, Karen Jones, and Judy Livingston, thanks for your support, suggestions, and enthusiasm for my novel.
My favorite nephew and author Jason Beem. You inspired me with your awesome novel, Southbound. I’m holding you to your promise of your voice for an audio book for Knockdown.
Almost last but not least, a giant hug goes out to my children and Whistler’s crew, Justin, Mikiko, Jenna, Jon, and Brittney. You read my many rough drafts and liked them! For this, and all the different ways you shine in the world, I love you. If you think you see yourself in one of the characters, well…
Lastly, I want to thank my husband and my captain, Gary, who sails my boat and who has always supported my dreams.
www.brendabeem.com
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Table of Contents
Copyright
DEDICATION
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS