Page 88 of Weathering The Storm

The engine cranks. Stalls. Cranks again when I give the key a second turn.

For a minute, I worry I’m about to have to take the damn engine apart again. I have no idea what we could’ve done wrong.

But finally, it starts.

The engine turns over with a powerful growl. Rolling thunder that travels through the structure of the boat and vibrates under the soles of my feet. The anxious anticipation in my chest unravels, and I let out a startled laugh as the guys down on deck pat each others’ backs and celebrate—Perry and Jorgensen sounding like a couple of gulls while Orlov gives us a silent thumbs up.

“Now we’re in business.” Seth claps my shoulders, squeezing them affectionately. “Way to go, Captain Lundvall.”

“It was a team effort. I can’t take all the credit.”

“You’ve worked your ass off for this. Let me compliment you, Nicky.”

My father, the first Captain Lundvall, smiles as he takes us both in. I get the distinct impression it’s not because of our first start on theMerlin.It’s because he’s the only one on board who knows what I’ve got tucked away in the left side pocket of my cargo pants.

We give it fifteen minutes or so before heading back down to the engine room and confirming everything looks to be running properly. There are a few small leaks to address later, but other than that, we’re in good shape. This time next week, we’ll be in the thick of troubleshooting the electrical instead.

There’s plenty of sunlight left when we meet on deck and call it quits for the day. It’s only around five, and it’ll be another three and a half hours before it goes down.

“We’re heading over to Amalie’s,” Jorgensen says. “Coming with?”

I feel a little guilty that Seth looks like he wants to go out with everyone. Hell, I do too. But theMerlinisn’t what I want to celebrate.

“There’s one last thing I want to finish up first,” I say. “We could meet you there in a bit?”

“Only if you promise to kick his ass at darts when you get there,” Perry says, mimingI’m watching youat Seth.

“I’ll have you know, I’m more determined than ever to beat my last winning streak,” Seth says.

“I’ll destroy all you kids when you get there,” my dad says. He’s in for a shock when he finds out how good Seth is, but for now, that effectively redirects the attention onto him.

The guys’ faces all light up. Captain Paul Lundvall has stories upon stories, and a reputation around Dutch that precedes him. Safe to say, he’ll have an easy time keeping our friends entertained for as long as necessary.

“Thanks everybody,” I say as they leave us with a handshake, a pat on the back, and a few scratches between Squid’s ears. “I couldn’t have done this without you guys.”

My dad pulls me into a hug before he goes, his eyes roving briefly between the two of us. “Don’t work too late, you two.”

“I’ll make sure he doesn’t,” Seth says, returning my dad’s hug and smile.

And then Dad’s stepping off the boat, and it’s just the two of us at the dock. Watching the others walk away.

“What else did you wanna do tonight?” Seth asks. “Seriously, you’ve put in a ton of work. It’s okay to relax, you know.”

“Just… come with me,” I say. Too jittery to come up with an excuse.

Seth raises a brow when I take his hand, pulling him along to the bow.

“Oh.” He smiles as he sits beside me. “So youdowanna christen the engine room first?”

I laugh through my nose, grabbing a couple of beers out of the cooler I left out here for the guys. My hands tremble as I pop the caps off and hand one to Seth. “Maybe I just wanted a minute alone to thank you. For everything. We might not have gotten this thing running without the whole team, but none of this would’ve happened at all if not for you.”

He clinks the glass necks together, his eyes softening. “You know it’s the same for me, right? I’d be a whole lotta nowhere without you, Nicky. I wouldn’t be happy, that’s for sure.”

Fuck. I can feel my heart beating everywhere. In my throat, my ears, my stomach, my twitchy arms and legs.

When I take a sip of beer, the bubbles nearly make me throw up from how tight my chest is. Squid trots over and sticks her nose in both of our faces before she flops down and chews on the sole of Seth’s boot, so I run my fingers through her soft fur and look out at the water. Trying to calm myself like the placid surface, reflecting the dusky hues of the late afternoon sky.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out.