For the next two days both Tia and Leo worked like dogs getting the Pacific Pearl ready for the carpenters who were supposed to arrive on Thursday morning. By Wednesday evening, the boat’s interior cabins were completely stripped of carpet, wallpaper, and furnishings. They’d even removed most of the doors to be salvaged and a lot of the hardware. The galley had been gutted, and only one head (bathroom) was still functional. The only untouched interior space was the stateroom and its bath, which Tia had been slowly turning into her own temporary space, with her aunt’s approval.
“Well, it looks like we’re ready for the carpenters,” Leo said as they lugged the last trash bags down the gangplank. “Nice job.” He opened the Dumpster and tossed his bag into it.
“Yeah.” She hoisted her bag in after his. “Glad that it’s done.” She brushed her hands on her jeans.
“You know, for a small girl, you’re pretty strong.”
She shrugged as she adjusted the red bandana she’d tied over her hair. “You have to be strong to be a chef. It’s very physical. Chopping food, lifting heavy pots, bending and reaching and constantly moving. Not to mention you’re on your feet all day. Wimps just can’t cut it.”
“Well, good work.”
Tia heard her phone chiming with a text and, thankful for the distraction, checked to see who it was. “That’s Julie,” she told Leo as she started texting an answer. “She says Roland’s back in his private room now. Sounds like he’s feeling pretty good too.”
“Great news.”
Tia finished her text, then pocketed her phone, pointing to the galley pieces that were still sitting on the dock. “Wasn’t Jake supposed to be here by now?”
“Yeah.” Leo frowned at his phone. “But it’s after 6:00. And I’m supposed to pick Natalie up at 7:00.”
“Just take off,” Tia told him as they went back on board. “I’ll wait here for Jake.”
“You sure?”
“Positive. Julie said she won’t be home until after 8:00 anyway.”
“Okay. I’ll give Jake a call to make sure he didn’t forget.” Leo was already going down the ladder to his boat.
“Have a nice evening,” she said as he untied his boat. She didn’t know what he and Natalie were doing this evening, and for that she was grateful. The less she knew about Leo’s personal life, the happier she would be. She was also grateful that they hadn’t had a chance to really talk much in the past couple of days. It helped her to maintain the boundaries she was establishing.
“See you tomorrow,” he called as he started to row.
She waved, then turned away with a feeling of dismay. She had assumed that with the demo completed, there would be no reason for Leo to spend so much time here. Just last night, Julie’s first night at home, Tia had asked her about assigning specific roles for this renovation time.
Julie had clearly specified that Tia was to supervise the interior work (with Julie’s off-site approval, of course) and Leo was in charge of the exterior. It seemed simple enough. But as Tia went into the stateroom—which she’d made more homey with some of her personal things, more linens, several scented jar candles she’d gotten at Whole Foods, some books, and even a small vase of flowers that she’d brought with her this morning—she wasn’t so sure. Leo seemed pretty comfortable taking the lead. What if he assumed he was supposed to oversee the carpenters tomorrow?
Tia got out her phone, this time calling Julie. “Sorry to bother you,” she said quickly. “I’m still at the boat. Waiting for Jake to pick up a load of recyclables. Anyway, I know the carpenters are supposed to be here by 7:00 in the morning and I got to thinking, what if I just stay overnight? That way I’ll be here.”
“You really want to?”
Tia explained how she’d outfitted the stateroom. “It’s really pretty swanky.”
Julie laughed. “Well, good for you! Of course you can stay there. I’ve heard the security is really good there, so I’m not worried. Just be sure to lock up.”
“Absolutely.”
“Call me if you need anything.”
“For sure.”
“Okay then. Enjoy your first night on the Pearl.”
“Thanks!” It wasn’t until Tia put her phone away that she realized she didn’t have any food there. She’d have no way to prepare anything with the galley gutted either. But if Jake got here soon enough, she’d still have time to make a run to the little fisherman’s market next to the Fish Shack, where she could grab a few things before they closed at 7:00. Their prices were high and their food selection was a bit dodgy, but it would be okay for now. They even had Styrofoam coolers there too, probably for fishermen. She went outside to the foredeck, peering down the dock to see if the green pickup was anywhere in sight.
She considered just making a quick run to the market but didn’t want to risk Jake getting there and having no help to load up. Instead of getting irritated like she was tempted to do, she got out her ukulele, sat down on a deck chair, and started to play. If Jake didn’t get there in time, she would just ride the bike home to Julie’s and spend the night there. No big deal. She put her feet up on the starboard gunwale and, gazing out over the beautiful bay, started to play “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” on her ukulele.
She was just getting into it when she heard someone calling, “Ahoy!”
She jumped up to see Jake boarding the boat. “Hey, Jake.”
“Don’t stop playing,” he said. “That sounded great.”
“Oh?” Still holding her ukulele, she pointed to the junk all over the dock. “Don’t you want me to help you get that stuff loaded on—”
“The thrift store is closed now anyway.”
“But we can’t leave it on the dock overnight. Julie will get fined and—”
“I plan to load it up and take it.” He pulled up the deck chair next to hers. “But I’ll have to let it sit in my truck overnight and drop it off in the morning. No big deal.”
“Yeah . . . okay.” She pulled out her phone to check the time.
“You have someplace you need to be?”
She explained her plan to make a quick run to the market for provisions for the night. “They close in about fifteen minutes.”
“You’d really eat food from there?” He made a face. “And here Leo’s been bragging up what a fabulous cook you are.”
She made a sheepish smile. “Well, it’s not exactly my first choice. But all I have is a bike and my feet, and I—”
“Here’s an idea.” Jake stood up. “You help me load my truck, and I’ll take you out for a real meal. I know a place that—”
“Look at me.” She pointed to her dirty work clothes and the bandana still tied around her head. “I’m filthy. Not fit to be seen in public.”
He grinned. “Well, excuse me for disagreeing, but I think you look great.”
“Thanks.” She rolled her eyes. “But I wouldn’t be comfortable going out like this.”
“You said you’re spending the night. Don’t you have some clean clothes or something?”
“Not really. I mean, just more work clothes.”
“I have another idea.” Jake nodded. “Even better than the first.”
“Yeah?”
“We’ll load up my truck and then I’ll run out to get us some takeout food. You stay here and relax or clean up or whatever.”
“That’s nice of you, but I still won’t have anything for breakfast,” she protested. “I should just go ahead and go—”
“I know. How about if I grab you something for your breakfast while I’m waiting for takeout?”
“Really?” She frowned. “You want to go to that much trouble for me?”
“Sure.” His smile looked genuine. “Maybe you’ll return the favor by cooking me a meal someday. Not that I’d hold you to it—although I just happen to have a legally binding contract in my back pocket.”
She laughed. “It’s a deal.”
As they worked together to load his pickup, Tia wondered if Jake had asked her to dinner for a “date” or simply as a gesture of friendship. Because she was getting so used to keeping her relationship with Leo on the level of “just friendship,” she decided it might be best to keep things that way with Jake as well. Because if he was really asking her out on a date . . . well, she’d probably have to say no. Not because he wasn’t a nice guy, but simply because her heart wouldn’t be in it.
“Okay then.” He closed the tailgate. “I should probably ask if you have any food allergies or strong dislikes or anything.”
She waved her hand. “I’m a foodie, Jake. Besides that, I’m ravenous. I doubt I’d find fault with anything you bring.”
“That’s right.” He chuckled. “You were willing to eat something from the fish bait market.”
“Fish bait market?”
“That’s what we called it as kids. A place to get fish bait and soda and chips. Anything else and it got a little scary.”
“Good to know.” She waved as she went back on board. She went to the stateroom, took a quick shower, and put on a pair of gray sweatpants, old flip-flops, and her worn Seahawks shirt. As she did, she wondered what it might’ve been like to have met someone like Jake a few weeks ago—back before Leo Parker had stepped back into her life and shaken things up.
Returning to the deck, she arranged a pair of deck chairs on the starboard side, facing the bay. Then she set a small round table between them. Realizing that it was getting dusky out there, she went back to the stateroom to get a couple of her candles, as well as the small bouquet of flowers. By the time she had it set up, it looked rather nice. Hopefully not romantic, though. She looked down at her frumpy casual clothes and decided she was safe on that account.
While she waited for Jake to return, she got out her ukulele and started to play again. It was one of those incredibly beautiful evenings. No fog, no wind, and it was beginning to look like a gorgeous sunset.
The sky was just starting to get rosy when Jake returned. To her delight, he had brought Thai food. “I got you some bagels and orange juice and stuff for your breakfast,” he said as he set the bags on a cabinet in the covered area of the deck.
“I thought we could eat outside,” she said as they loaded their plates.
“Perfect.”
“This smells delicious,” she said as she led him over to her makeshift dining area.
“This is nice,” he said as he sat down. “Great view too.”
“But of course,” she teased, “I arranged for the sunset.”
“You know, this is nearly summer solstice,” he told her. “Almost the longest day of the year.”
They visited companionably as they ate. Tia decided that Jake was definitely an easy person to be with. In a lot of ways, he wasn’t so different from Leo. Perhaps a bit more of a jokester. She could understand why the two guys were such good friends.
“Your dinner has hit the spot,” she announced after she finished her last bite. “Thank you.”
“Thanks for letting me share it with you.”
“Don’t forget that I owe you one now.” She looked out at the sky, which still had some color in it. “What a gorgeous night.”
“How about that ukulele?” Jake asked as he picked up their paper plates and dropped them in the carryout bag. “I didn’t hear much of you playing, but it sounded like you know what you’re doing.” He pulled a harmonica out of his shirt pocket. “Want to do some jamming?”
She laughed as she picked up her ukulele again. “I don’t think I’ve ever jammed with a harmonica, but it’s worth a try.”
They were just getting going when Tia heard a clunking sound down where the Jacob’s ladder hung. “Sounds like visitors,” she said.
“Huh?”
She pointed to where Leo’s head was just emerging above the gunwale. He looked even more surprised than they were. “What’re you doing here?” he demanded as he stepped onto the deck.
Something about his tone made her want to challenge him, but instead she answered calmly, “Having dinner. What are you doing here?”
“I was taking Natalie for a boat ride and I thought I’d check to see if—”
“Help me aboard,” Natalie called out in a weak-sounding voice. “Before I fall in.”
Leo whipped around, going over to pull Natalie up and onto the boat and helping her to stand.
“Oh my.” Natalie was swaying slightly. “I don’t feel too well.”
Tia could tell something was wrong with Natalie. Maybe she’d been drinking.
“Tia!” Natalie stumbled over to her, holding on to her. “Please, help me to the bathroom.”
Tia glanced at the guys, but they looked just as lost as she felt. Without saying a word, Tia rushed Natalie through the gutted main cabin, to the stateroom, and into the head there. They were barely in the little bathroom space when Natalie fell down in front of the toilet and started to vomit violently.
Feeling sorry for her, Tia held Natalie’s hair back, telling her it would be okay. Finally she dampened a washcloth for Natalie to clean her face with as she sat on the closed toilet lid.
“Are you better now?” Tia asked with concern.
“I, uh, I dunno.” Natalie looked up with running mascara.
“Did you drink too much at dinner?”
“No.” Natalie barely shook her head. “That’s not it.”
“Do you think it’s food poisoning?” Thanks to culinary school, Tia knew that food poisoning was a real threat to any restaurant.
“No, that’s not it.” Natalie’s voice was so soft Tia could barely hear her.
Tia took the washcloth, rinsed it out in cool water, then gave it back.
“Please, don’t tell,” Natalie whispered.
“Don’t tell that you got sick?” Tia was confused.
“No.” Natalie looked at Tia with frightened eyes. “Promise you won’t tell.”
Tia didn’t know what to say, but Natalie looked so pathetic, she agreed. “I promise. What’s going on?”
“I got seasick.”
“Seasick?” Tia blinked.
“On Leo’s little boat. I could feel it coming, but I was trying to hold on.” She started to cry now. “I’ve never been good on boats.”
“But you went to that sailing camp.”
“Yeah. I took so much Dramamine on that trip that I was sick for a whole week afterward. And the seasickness has gotten worse as I’ve gotten older.” She put her hand to her head. “In fact, I feel it coming on now. Is this boat moving?”
“We’re at dock,” Tia told her.
“I gotta get off.” Natalie threw down the washcloth and stood. “Help me.”
As Tia put an arm around Natalie, she could feel her shaking. She hurriedly escorted her through the main cabin, down the gangplank, and onto the dock. “Here you go,” she said quietly. “Just take some deep breaths and try to calm yourself.”
“Thank you,” Natalie gasped.
With an arm still helping Natalie to stand, Tia waited until she calmed down. “Better?” Tia asked.
“Yes. I think so.” Natalie looked at her with grateful eyes. “You’re a good person, Tia.”
“Thanks.”
“Please don’t break your promise. Do not tell Leo about the seasick thing, okay?”
“I’ll just let him think it’s food poisoning.”
Tia wasn’t sure what to say now.
“Will you go get him for me?”
“Yeah. But how are you going to get home? I mean, you guys came by boat.”
Natalie glanced over to where Jake’s pickup was parked. “I’ll handle that. You just get Leo and tell him that I’m pretty sick, okay? That’s not a lie either.”
“Okay.” Tia went back to the boat, finding the guys seated in the deck chairs, enjoying the last streaks of color in the sunset. “Natalie’s really sick,” Tia told them. “She’s on the dock now.”
“On the dock?” Leo jumped to his feet and took off.
Jake turned to Tia. “What happened?”
“She was throwing up,” Tia told him.
“Uh-oh.”
“Yeah. It wasn’t pretty.” Tia tried not to remember the stench in the stateroom head. She would sanitize it later.
“Had she been—”
“Jake?” Leo was calling. “Can you help us?”
Jake and Tia ran over to the other side where Leo was helping Natalie to Jake’s truck. “Hey, Jake,” Leo said. “Do you mind giving Nat a ride home? We think that would be quicker than rowing back across and getting my Jeep and driving her. I’ll go too.”
“Uh, yeah, sure.” Jake gave Tia an apologetic look. “Sorry to—”
“No, I understand,” Tia said. “Thank you for the lovely dinner. Remember, I owe you one now.”
Jake grinned. “That’s right.”
“Get better,” Tia called to Natalie as they all got into the pickup. She watched as they drove away, then returned to the boat to clean up the dinner things and put her ukulele away. It was sort of a strange and abrupt way to end what had been a surprisingly pleasant evening. She didn’t mind much, though. Not that she was glad Natalie had gotten ill. But the whole thing with Jake, while enjoyable, was a little unsettling. Although she knew the reason why, she didn’t really want to think about that right now. Besides, unfortunately, she needed to clean the head.