Page 77 of Weathering The Storm

So naturally, her paella was the best I ever had. I told her so too.

“I’m glad you like it,” she said. “I’ve been perfecting my paella for the last ten years. It’s one of Seth’s favorites. I always thought I’d make it for his wedding someday.”

“Those will be some lucky wedding guests,” I told her. Which, she seemed to take an intense amount of pride in.

I knew she was baiting me. She wasn’t exactly being crafty about it. But for some reason, I decided to bait her right back.

“Lucky groom, too.”

She went to the walk-in freezer to grab some more preserved herbs after that, but I swear I heard her sneak a private little giggle.

I meant it in passing, of course.

It’s too soon to be making plans like that. I have enough massive life changes to process right now.

But, hours later, I’m still thinking about paella, and what Seth would look like in a suit, and whether he shares his mother’s desire for him to walk down the aisle.

Maybe Irene’s one hell of a manipulator, but I don’t think so. I think I just love the thought of her son getting married, too. To me.

Though the word “boyfriend” is still new and exciting, I have to admit. “Husband” has a better ring to it. Someday.

Nick

December 22

It came just in time. The best Christmas gift I’ve gotten this year. Maybe ever.

The first partial advance on my insurance payout from theSuoja.

I drove out with Seth to deliver the guys’ paychecks today, and it was the greatest relief to be able to put some hard-earned money back in their pockets during the most financially stressful time of the year.

It stung when Perry answered the door in crutches and a cast, but Erin quickly lightened the mood by inviting us in for coffee and taking the check out of his hands.

“I want stone countertops in the shed,” she informed him uponseeing the settlement amount. “And built-in shelves.”

And all Perry had to say was, “Anything you want, honey,” with a big, unflappable grin on his face and an arm around her waist.

That’s probably what I would’ve said, too. The woman’s intimidating. She threatened to lock me and Seth in the house until we finished telling her the story of how we got together.

Orlov and Jorgensen asked how we’re doing too, but aside from that, the big question on everyone’s mind was: “So what’s gonna happen now? Are we going fishing again?”

I guess I should’ve expected it, but I’d convinced myself that they would start distancing themselves from me. The texts and calls would taper off, and they’d find work with another captain—or maybe find work outside of deck crewing altogether.

Dr. Allen has pushed back on that several times.

“Why do you think they don’t trust you?”

“Even if—eventhoughit wasn’t my fault” (See? I swear, I’m working on it) “that doesn’t mean they’d ever want to work with me again.”

“Have you asked them what they want?”

No.

I’ve been too busy asking Zach how his leg is healing—well, all things considered. Asking Jorg if he got his stitches out yet—yeah, and he’s confident “chicks are gonna dig the scar.” Asking Pyotr how things are going with Anna after the big move—pretty well, judging by his mood and the lack of detail.

I wonder if they, too, have to get on a video call once a week to process what happened to us.

But at the very least, it feels good to know I haven’t lost their trust. To know I still have a solid crew to rely on if I ever have another vessel for them to work on.