Page 34 of Captain's Orders
Jack, beside her, had now started crying because he didn't want to go home either, and Bea, watching her cousin sob, had begun to wobble too. By the time it had gone round the table, three of the children were crying and the adults were all looking at each other, working out who would deal with the meltdowns.
Patricia leaned forward. "Now then. None of that."
"I don't want to go home," Emma sobbed.
"When can we come back?" Jack asked.
"Oh, sweetheart." Gerald took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. "We'll see, Jack. Charters like this aren't, ah—they aren't a regular outing for the family. They’re quite expensive. We did this for Nana and me for our anniversary, and?—"
"How EXPENSIVE. Like a CAR expensive?"
"Like several cars expensive, sweetheart. So you might have to wait another couple of years."
This only made Jack cry harder. Bea, in solidarity, joined him at full volume. Noah, who had been holding his composure, now started to wobble too.
Jordan looked at the four small faces turning various shades of red and ruined around the table, and made a decision she was, frankly, surprised by.
"All right." She set her coffee down. "Who wants to come up to the bridge?"
The younger kids stopped crying simultaneously.
"What bridge?" Tyler asked. "I don't see a bridge."
"It's like the cockpit of the ship," Jordan said. "Where I operate the boat from. Whoever wants to come up can come up. You can all help me steer."
"Me!" Bea jumped out of her chair and Emma followed. Jack climbed over Mark instead of pushing his chair back. Noah let out a shriek and joined, and even the older kids, Tyler and Olivia, followed with their phones.
Dani stared at Jordan in disbelief because she'd never let a guest near the helm. The bridge was hers, the one part of this boat that was reliably free of guest interference, and she was, this morning, throwing the doors wide open.
"Captain," Gerald said, as the children swarmed towards her. "That is exceptionally kind."
"Not at all. It’s my pleasure."
"You must be looking forward to a quiet few days yourself," Caroline said. "Running a charter must be exhausting work."
"It has its moments. But I don’t deserve the credit. Dani does the heavy lifting."
Jordan caught Dani's eye and Dani gave her a smile and a small wink before turning back to refill Caroline's cup.
Gerald, who had not missed the exchange, leaned back in his chair. "Yes," he said. "You've got a good one there, Captain." He grinned. "And after a charter like this, I imagine a little wrestling might relax you."
The entire family laughed—Caroline first, then David, then Sarah, then Patricia, then Mark, in rolling waves of laughter.
Patricia reached across and slapped Gerald lightly on the arm.“Gerald, please.” She shook her head and even Tyler was grinning.
Jordan had absolutely no idea why this was funny, so she looked at Dani who had gone bright red. She was also avoiding her gaze in a way that confirmed Jordan was the only person at this table who was not in on whatever the joke was.
"Yes—well—I—I'm not much of a wrestler, Mr. Whitfield," she managed.
The laughter rolled on, harder now, but before she could enquire, Bea had taken her hand.
"Captain. Captain."
Jordan looked down. Bea was gripping her fingers with both of her hands.
"Have you ever seen a mermaid?"
"I—no. I haven't."
