A twinkle appeared in his blue eyes. "Waal..." He picked up the coffee cups and walked over, setting Kerry's down and folding his big hands around his own as he took a seat next to her. "One thing Ah done learned about my kid-she does something, it's got a reason," he said. "She ain't the frivolous type."

That forced a chuckle out of Kerry. "Uh, no. That's very true."

"So, if she wants us to mix up, Ah figure we'll all survive it,"

Andrew said. "Don't you worry, Kerry. Ah know you had a tough time the past few days. n.o.body's gonna make this a bad night for you if Ah can help it."

"Thanks." Kerry smiled at him with quiet affection. "But I think it's been tough for all of us. Bud didn't have any picnic out there."

"No," Andrew said. "That's true enough. He done all right though. Coulda been a lot worse. Them fellas on that there boat were mean folks."

Kerry sipped her coffee. "Mean people really suck."

"Yeap." Andrew put his cup on the small table and leaned forward, letting his elbows rest on his knees. "h.e.l.l of a thing to go on during your R and R," he said. "You two should go find some quiet spot for a bit now."

"We are," Kerry said. "We're going to spend a few days at the cabin. We figure we can't get into too much trouble there."

Andy snorted softly.

"Yeah, I know. I suggested Niagara Falls, and Dar said it'd probably stop flowing while we were there and we'd get blamed."

Kerry sighed. "I think we're fated for that sort of thing."

"Waal," he reached out and patted her knee, "least you know if you get into trouble, you got family to call on to help you out."

Kerry blinked at him, then exhaled. "That's true." She nodded.

"That's kind of new for me."

Andrew nodded back, his expression serious. "Ah know that, Kerry, 'cause it's the same thing Ah had with my own folks," he said. "When Ceci and Ah ran off, they scratched me off the front page of the Bible, so Ah know what it feels like to have your own kin turn their backs on you."

"It sucks."*359 "Yeap," Andy agreed. "It does that. Took me a long time to get past it."

"But you did."

"Yeap," he said again. "Ah come to realize you can't figure n.o.body else's att.i.tudes. All you got control over is your own, so Ah got mine and just put them all out there." His eyes met hers. "Ah ain't talked to my folks in thirty-some years."

Kerry leaned forward until they were almost knee-to-knee. "Do you ever feel guilty about that?"

"Some," Andy admitted. "Ah was close with my ma," he said.

"But Ah knew the hating wasn't on my side, and living mah life with Ceci made it worth all the trouble."

Kerry took his hand and squeezed it. "Thanks." He winked at her. She grinned, then found herself pulled to her feet as Andrew stood and offered her a hug, which she accepted willingly. "You rock."

"You're not so bad yourself, k.u.mquat." Andy patted her on the back and released her. "Don't you worry about me and the boys.

'Bout time we flushed that old mess down the bilge anyhow."

"Okay." Kerry smiled. "Now all I have to worry about is whether or not everyone likes fish."

"Kerry," Andrew put a hand on her shoulder, "you spend the time putting what we did down the hatch, you like d.a.m.n near anything that ain't crawling or made of sandpaper."

"Ew."

"Wanna hear about what live crickets taste like?"

"No."

"How 'bout worms?"

"No!"

DAR WALKED TOWARD the docks, having settled their bill with the hotel and picked up a few last minute things for their outbound trip. The hotel, she was sure, was more than glad to be rid of them, especially since they'd comped their room and only charged them for a few incidentals. Dar found herself just as glad to be vacating it, and had graciously left a decent tip in the room.

As she turned the corner that led to the waterfront, the sound of loud engines made her pause, and she stopped as she saw the big red and white Coast Guard cutter idling into a slip. Dar leaned a hand on the wall and looked at it thoughtfully. She could just walk on past it and get on the Dixie, but her sense of curiosity was getting the better of her and instead she angled her steps toward the boarding ramp the crew was muscling into place.

A tall, blonde officer trotted down the ramp, his steps slowing as he got to the bottom and spotted Dar coming straight for him, 360*

making eye contact just to remove any doubt that he was the object of her interest. He stopped at the base of the ramp and waited, twitching his shoulders straighter as Dar closed in. "Ma'am?"

"Captain." Dar inclined her head. "Mind if I ask you a question?"

"No, ma'am, go ahead," the officer responded. "What can I do for you?"

Dar collected her thoughts a moment. "We were out in the storm last night," she began.

"And it was a rough one," the captain commented. "We were out there ourselves. I trust you got in safely?"

Dar nodded. "Yes. But we radioed in a distress call for a boat we saw out there. I was wondering if you were the ones we talked to, and what happened."

The man c.o.c.ked his head to one side. "We had quite a few calls," he said with an apologetic grin. "What time was it?"

"Late. Eleven, maybe. Out to the southeast of here." Dar's eyes flicked to the man's nametag, then back to his face.

"Ah," the captain murmured. "Yes, I remember the call. Tell you what, let's go check the logs." He turned and led the way back up the ramp with Dar at his heels. "I don't want to give you the wrong information."

As she followed the captain on board, Dar gave a friendly nod to the scattering of Coasties busily working. They entered the bridge, and the captain ducked inside the communications room and picked up a book. He brought it out and thumbed through it as she stood there watching.

"Ah." He leaned on the book. "Yeah, here it is. 11:32 local. Are you the Dixieland Yankee?"

Dar chucked. "Well, I own her," she drawled. "She's a little bigger than I am."

The captain glanced at her and grinned. "Sorry." He glanced back down. "SOS reported in with lat.i.tude and longitude. We went to those coordinates, Ms...?"

"Roberts."

"Roberts. But unfortunately, I have to tell you we didn't find any boat there to rescue," Captain Culver told her with an apologetic look.

Dar was momentarily stunned. "Ah," she murmured. "You didn't find anything?"

"Well," the captain lifted his hand, "to be honest with you, we didn't spend a lot of time looking. The storm was about on us and we were pitching like n.o.body's business. We didn't see any boat and our spotlight didn't pick up any debris, if that's what you mean."

"Mm." Dar inhaled. "Well, I understand, since we were being*361 tossed around last night, too. We were glad to see the marina."

"Good job to get in safely," the captain complimented. "Were they friends of yours?"

Dar shook her head. "No. Just a fellow boater in trouble."

"After we finish here, we'll take a run out there and see if we see anything," the Coast Guardsman told her. "And if you're in the area I'll...ah..."

Dar glanced at him as he hesitated. "Yes?"

He blinked. "Oh, sorry." He rubbed the back of his crewcut in mild embarra.s.sment. "Your necklace caught my eye. I've never seen a woman with one of those before."

With what? Dar's brow contracted, then she looked down at herself. "Oh," she murmured. "It's my father's," she told him with a faint smile. "No, they haven't let women into the program."

The captain grinned. "Gotcha. We'll let you know if we find anything. Will you be in port for long?" He closed the book and folded his arms across his chest, watching her.

"We're leaving tonight," Dar replied. "But we'll be around.

Give us a holler."

"Absolutely." Captain Culver held out a hand. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Roberts. Have a safe trip."

Dar clasped his hand, then allowed him to guide her out of the bridge and down the ramp. She left the cutter behind and walked on down the dockside, deep in thought. Had they all drowned? She was hard pressed to admit anything but relief if that's what had happened. It put a closure on the incident, didn't it?

Or did it? Wouldn't DeSalliers' friends, his family, want to know what happened? Wouldn't they come searching, trying to find out? Wouldn't there always be questions, following them?

Dar sighed as she paused to watch the waters of the marina ripple past. Then she shrugged, and started walking again. If questions came, then they did. She had questions of her own, and after all-they'd been in the right through the whole mess, hadn't they? So, if someone wanted to investigate, well... she'd cross that bridge when she came to it. Right now, she had other things to do and places to be, and that was that.

"HEY, KERRY?" CHARLIE spoke up as Kerry was pouring another round of wine. "You interested in changing professions? I got a job for you if you are. This is some first rate chow."

Kerry seated herself, giving Charlie a smile as she acknowledged the compliment. "Thanks, but no. I'm happy with the job I have."

"You sure? Hospitality business's got great benefits," Charlie persisted.

362*

Kerry sucked on her fork. "Well." She pretended to mull the idea over. "Let's see: in my current position, I can walk into my boss's office, shut the door, and get a kiss that sends my stockings flying out the window. Can you beat that?" she enquired with a completely serious expression.

A tiny squawking noise from her right made her look in time to see Dar caught in mid-chew, her blue eyes widening in startlement as everyone turned to stare at her. "Ooh," Kerry murmured. "I've never seen you blush like that before."

Dar swallowed and shook her spoon at her partner. "I'm gonna make you blush in a minute, Kerrison," she warned. "I'll tell them what you like to do with i..fmpf."

"Dar!" Kerry covered her partner's mouth. "Bad girl! Not in front of your father!"

Andrew started laughing, his low rumbling breaking the moment.

Dar nipped Kerry's fingers, making her yelp and remove her hand.

"Lord." Andrew chuckled. "If you two ain't something."

"Yeah?" Dar turned her head. "Remind me to tell you sometime about Kerry's views on parental s.e.x."

Kerry covered her eyes. "Jesus, Dar, I'm going to kill you," she uttered in a hoa.r.s.e squeak.

Bud, who had been silently eating his dinner since his arrival, chortled softly at that. He was still obviously stiff and sore, but he'd remained peaceable during the meal, his usual acerbic comments absent Cautiously, Kerry peeked out from behind her hand, trying to ignore the twin pair of twinkling blue eyes. Dar poked the very tip of her tongue out at her, and Kerry made a grab for it, s.n.a.t.c.hing her partner's nose instead and tweaking it. "Troublemaker."

Dar pointed at herself in feigned innocence, then at Kerry.

"You started it."

"Kerry, I gotta admit it I can't beat that benny pack." Charlie shook his head, his bearded face crinkling into a grin. "And I wouldn't wanna try."

Kerry leaned her flushed cheek against her fist. "I know. I asked for that." She poked Dar's shoulder. "But thanks for the compliment. I've always enjoyed cooking, and I especially like doing it for people who appreciate the results."

"Hey, I appreciate it," Dar interjected.

Kerry smiled. "I know, honey. That's why I always do it for you."

Everyone chuckled and Kerry relaxed, relieved that the evening hadn't been nearly as uncomfortable as she'd imagined it would be. They were all cl.u.s.tered around the small table, enjoying*363 her fish and vegetables as the boat rocked gently, the windows open to catch the cool evening breeze. She'd lit candles to save the drain on the Dixie's batteries, and in the background Dar had a light, peaceful, New Age CD playing.

She smiled to herself as she thought of the surprise she had for Dar, something she'd held in the back of the small freezer and earlier had put in the refrigerator to thaw. "Ready for dessert?"

Kerry inquired.

"Does it involve chocolate?" Dar asked immediately.

"Heh." Kerry got up and went into the galley. She put an already brewed pot of coffee on the counter, along with cream and sugar.

"So, Andy, Dar said you're living out on a boat now?" Charlie asked, breaking the brief silence.

"Yeap," Andrew agreed solemnly. "'Bout pulled my shorts out when Ceci up and figgered she wanted to live on one, after all them years kicking me to get off 'em."

"Hard to believe," Bud contributed in a low mutter.

"She still doing her painting?" Charlie said.

"Definitely," Dar answered. "She's got a workshop set up in the living s.p.a.ce, right around there." She indicated the similar area in their boat. "Only it's bigger."

Charlie put his fork down. " You got one of these things?" he asked Andrew in surprise. "What the h.e.l.l'd they pension you off with, excess Sandinista funds?"

Andy chuckled, refusing to take offense. "Naw." He reached over and tugged a lock of Dar's hair. "Mah kid took care of it."

Charlie and Bud both looked at Dar, and she shrugged modestly. "Not really. My Aunt May left me a trust fund when she died; I signed it over to them." She glanced at her father. "It was their choice how to use it," she said. "I never felt like anything was owed me anyway, especially after she left me the condo and this thing. "

Charlie whistled under his breath. He looked at Andrew. "Bet you're glad she didn't end up a swabbie, ain't you?"