“We made it,” three women announced together. “So sorry. Marcy forgot, until we were on our way, that she got motion sickness last time she was on a boat.”
“Ladies, you’re right on time.” I waved them over to sign the forms. “Let’s get your signatures. Then we need to get out on the water.”
With forms filled out, life vests on, and safety instructions completed, we pushed away from the dock. The weather was perfect and the fish were jumping. I couldn’t have asked for a better day.
“How long will we be out here?” Marcy asked. “I don’t think that Dramamine is working.”
“Oh, Marcy, go sit inside and have a cold drink. We’re almost to our spot and the water’s flat, so you should feel better when we stop.” I smiled to Marcy as she wobbled off the deck.
A few minutes later, I cut the engine and dropped the anchor. The men were already up and baiting their rods while the women joined Marcy inside.
“Does anyone need help?” I asked. “It doesn’t look like it from here, though.”
“We’re good. It’s not our first time fishing in the ocean, but the women will need help.” Todd cast his line.
I went below to check on Marcy. “How are you feeling now that we stopped?”
“A little better. I think I’ll stay inside for a while.” Marcy leaned back on the couch and closed her eyes. “Take these two out of here, please.”
I looked to the other two women, whose names I hadn’t gotten as we rushed out.
“I’m Jade, by the way. We didn’t get a chance to do introductions in the office.” I slid my sunglasses on top of my head.
“Hey, I’m Cindy and this here is Karen. We don’t really want to fish. We just wanted the men to think we did,” Cindy laughed. “We need you to keep our little secret, Jade.”
“No problem, I’ll just tell the men you’re taking care of Marcy.” I put my sunglasses back on my face. “If you get hungry there’s some food in the frig and a deck of cards in the drawer by the head.”
“Wait, Jade,” Cindy called out, laughing. “What is the head?”
“Oh my God, Cindy, it’s the bathroom. Pay attention. Jade told us that before we left the dock.”
I joined the men on the deck for some fishing. We were on a break when several jet skis came from out of nowhere.
“That’s not going to be good for fishing,” Todd shook his head. “It was just getting good too.”
Unless there was another yacht docked somewhere out of site, they had to come from Cloud Nine, the only place even close to where we were anchored. I waved to the jet skis to move out of the area.
“Looks like they’re leaving, but it could be too late.” Todd stood to look out on the water. “Should we move to a new spot?”
Seriously, do they care about anyone besides themselves?
“It’s probably time to move to a new spot anyway. I’d like to get closer and ask the jet skis to stay back.” I went topside and started the engine. “Todd, can you pull in the anchor?”
We moved closer to them. I was about to wave them over when I noticed Asher and Sawyer on the jet skis with a woman on the back of each one.
“Let’s get out of the area. Those gentlemen are new owners of a nearby island and they may not know the guidelines yet.” I turned the boat and headed in the opposite direction.
I saw Sawyer’s face the moment he realized it was me on the bridge. He gave a half-wave then sped away.
“Looks like they got the idea,” Todd called up to me. “Let’s try this spot for the last hour.”
“Sure, you’re the customer, so your choice.” I cut the engines. “Let’s see what we can catch.”
Less than an hour later, the men were sunburned and tired. They requested we head in early. The women hadn’t come up on deck once, so I knew they’d be in agreement with leaving.
“Hang on, guys,” I called out as we headed back in.
The ocean was smooth and clear, until smoke filled the air around us.