South of Heaven (3 page)

“Are you okay with that?”

“Yes, I am. Dad and I discuss every decision when it comes to business. Go meet him for yourself and let him know I’ll be home in a couple of hours.”

Lindsey stood abruptly and reached out her hand. “Thank you, I promise I won’t let you down. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Thanks, but I’ve just got a few other things to handle. Go relax and take a nap if you want. You’ve got to be tired from the ride.”

“I think I’ve gotten a second wind.” Lindsey smiled.

“Fine then, you can finish washing those windows while I do some paperwork.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Lindsey grinned and left the galley.

Kendra watched her leave, admiring the view from the back side. “This ought to prove to be interesting,” she said to the empty galley. She poured another cup of coffee, turned off the pot and walked to the wheelhouse. Her eyes kept drifting out the window as she felt her face smiling.
She’s cute and not afraid of work.

Kendra couldn’t deny the young woman was very handsome but, on the verge of starting a season of fishing for reds, she couldn’t afford to be distracted. Lindsey reached high to clean the top of the window and her shirt pulled free from her jeans to reveal an abdomen rippled with muscle. Kendra moaned as her eyes fell on the edge of a tattoo.
Good Lord, please stop tempting me.

She softly chuckled and forced her eyes back to the computer screen. It had been two years since her failed relationship with Jude, and Kendra had buried her heartbreak deep in hard work. Her dad, always accepting of his daughter’s sexuality and concerned with her lack of a social life, had encouraged her to date, but Kendra wasn’t ready for more heartache. Her career was top priority and she doubted any woman would play second fiddle to a shrimp boat, even a very successful one.

 
As she washed the wheelhouse windows, Lindsey could see the captain tapping away at the computer.
Easy on the eyes and she has her act together.
She grinned as she sprayed cleaner on the glass.
She’s exactly who I need to be learning from.
The cries of gulls drew her attention from the wheelhouse as they trailed a shrimper begging for a handout. She felt the smile grow on her face as they dove to retrieve scraps tossed overboard by the deckhands.
Life appears good here, and if I can stay out of trouble, this could be a good place for me to weather the storm.

Lindsey finished with the windows and carried the spray bottle and rags into the wheelhouse. “The windows are clean, boss. What else can I do?”

“Store the cleaning stuff in the closet in the galley. I’m almost done here and I’ll drop off a supply list at a local vendor and head for home.”

“May I offer you a ride? I didn’t see another vehicle in the lot.”

“Thanks, but the shop is just a few blocks away.”

“Would you mind if I walk with you then?”

“Not at all. Just let me print out this list and I’ll be ready.”

Lindsey walked into the galley to put away the cleaning supplies. When she returned to the wheelhouse, she asked, “Do we take turns cooking?”

“I haven’t given much thought to that yet. I guess I should. I assumed I would do most of the cooking.”

“I’ve cooked for Dad’s crew for years. No one has abandoned ship or thrown me overboard, so I must be a pretty fair cook.”

“You’re pretty sure you’ll make the cut.”

“Or die trying.” Lindsey grinned. “I know shrimping and I haven’t killed anyone yet with my cooking. How can you resist that combination?”

Kendra chuckled. “We’ll see how that goes next week, rookie,” she replied as they walked from the wheelhouse. She locked the door behind her, then turned back to face Lindsey. “Let’s go.”

“Just waiting on you, boss.” Lindsey grinned.

†

They walked the short distance to the general store, just a few blocks off the harbor, and Kendra dropped off her list of supplies with a request for delivery on Friday. Lindsey noticed that the shopkeeper seemed to be eyeing her closely.

“Hank, this is Lindsey, our new deckhand,” Kendra said.

Lindsey stepped forward, her chest puffed out, and shook his hand. “Pleased to meet you, sir.” The fact that the captain had just introduced her as the new deckhand didn’t escape her, leaving her grinning at the man.

The older man chuckled. “Hank will do just fine. Welcome to Perdido.”

“Thanks. I like what I’ve seen so far.”

“I hope you’re prepared for hard work. Captain Drake’s a tyrant,” he warned, and shot Kendra a wink.

“Now, Hank, don’t go scaring off my help. We’re going to be fishing for reds soon and I need good help.”

“So I heard. Congrats. I hope you’ll put a few batches back for me.”

“I think I can fill that order.” Kendra smiled. “I’ll be by after the delivery Friday to pay the bill.”

“See you then,” Hank called. “Tell that old man of yours to stop in and see me.”

“Will do. He’s talking about taking up golf.” Kendra grinned.

“That should be interesting,” Hank added with a wave.

“Your dad’s going to start playing golf?” Lindsey asked.

“That’s what he claims. I think that just may be an excuse to drink beer.”

“That sounds familiar,” Lindsey remarked as they walked back to the boat.

When they reached Lindsey’s bike, she again offered Kendra a ride.

“Thanks, but I’ll pass. It’s just a short walk.”

“I’ll see you there then.” Lindsey pulled the helmet over her head and mounted the bike.

Chapter Three

“My goodness, you look like a miniature version of Paul,” Kevin said when Kendra introduced him to Lindsey.

“He can’t deny I’m his,” she joked back.

“He was a few inches taller and about thirty pounds bigger than you when we first met in boot camp.”

“He’s only got about fifty pounds on me now,” Lindsey answered. “He’s stayed pretty lean.”

“Hard work will do that for you.” He eyed the green duffle bag sitting beside her. “Is that all the luggage you have?”

“I’m on a motorcycle, so I had to travel light. I figured if you decide to keep me on, I can always buy a few things.”

He looked at Kendra. “Would you get her settled in the guest room upstairs and show her around?”

“Sure thing, Dad,” she replied. “Let’s go, rookie.”

Kevin smiled as he watched the two young women climb the stairs chatting animatedly. It appeared that they were getting along pretty well which was a good sign of things to come.

†

“Come on, I’ll give you a tour of the upstairs and you can unpack. After that you can join us for a cold drink.” Kendra led her to the guest room.

“I’ll be down in just a few then. Thanks for everything.”

“You’re welcome,” Kendra replied and walked downstairs.

Kevin was puttering around the kitchen adding ingredients to his spaghetti sauce. “So what do you think?” he asked when she walked into the kitchen alone.

“She seems nice enough and is confident she will work her way onto the boat next week. With her experience, I doubt she will have any problems. I just hope she doesn’t let her personal drama affect her work.”

“Did she share her story with you?”

“Yeah she did. Sounds like the woman really screwed her over.”

“I think you’ll be a good influence on her,” he added.

“Do ya now?”

“Yes, I do. You’re in a position of authority, a hard worker, and a fair boss. You know what kind of worker a woman can be, where most captains wouldn’t consider giving her a chance.”

“That’s true. She doesn’t seem to shy away from work, so hopefully things will work out. Do you need any help with dinner?”

“Nope, I’ve got the sauce on simmering and was just about to crack open a couple of cold beers.”

“I’m going to take a shower and freshen up then. Lindsey will be down once she gets settled into her room.”

†

Kendra stripped out of her clothes and walked into the bathroom to start the shower. She had managed to get everything done that morning that she had planned and would have Sunday to rest for the coming week. Maybe she would even see if her dad wanted to go fishing.

The water pelted off her skin as she leaned under the flow, relaxing her muscles. It had been a long, but productive week. The season had been a busy one so far and, if they had a good red season, she was thinking about giving the crew a couple of months off. They normally took December off and she could give them January as well before going full strength again in February. That would allow
Heaven Sent
to go into dry dock for a fresh coat of paint and general maintenance before opening for the next season. Maybe, just maybe, she and her dad could take an overdue vacation. She smiled at that thought. Her dad had barely left Perdido in the last five years. Still, she could hope.

†

Lindsey heard the water running in the shower and a smile broke out on her face. “Stop it,” she spoke to herself as she visualized Kendra in the shower.
I really can’t screw this up.
She hung up the last pair of jeans and left the room. Maybe some distance would help take her mind off the wet, naked body of the woman who would be her boss for the next few months.
Yeah some distance, and a few of those cold beers Kendra had promised her.

She headed down the stairs and went outside to where Kevin was.

“Make yourself at home and grab a cold beer from the fridge,” Kevin offered when she emerged on the back porch.

“Thanks, can I bring you a fresh one?”

He raised the bottle and turned to her. “Sure, why not,” he grinned.

When she returned with the beers, she handed him a new one.

“Thanks. Did you call your dad to let him know you arrived safely?”

“Not yet. I’ll call him later. I sort of promised him I’d get a hotel last night and drive in later today. If I call now, he’ll be suspicious.”

“You drove all night to get here?”

“Yeah, the traffic was light and the weather was great.” Lindsey smiled at him.

“I can’t get over how much you look like Paul. You even have your dad’s lopsided grin.”

“I’m sure he would say the same if he saw you and Captain Drake together.”

“I reckon we’re two peas in a pod, too. How is your dad?”

“He’s doing well. In spite of last year’s storms, we had a good season.”

“You had more than your fair share of storms last year. I hope we all get a break this year.”

“Me too. I finally convinced him to let me ride out the last tropical storm with him on the boat. It was good experience, but nothing I’m in a hurry to do again.”

“They’re never fun, but it’s safer to have the boats in open water.”

“That’s what Dad thinks too. He’s seen too many vessels crushed against the piers or washed up on jetties.”

“I’d take my chances on open water anytime.” Kevin took a long drink.

†

Kendra dressed and stopped at the fridge to grab a beer before heading out to the porch to join her dad and Lindsey. She closed the door and a photograph caught her eye. She smiled at the image of her with her dad on the beach last summer. They had done some surf fishing and he had landed a large trout. She had asked someone to take the picture with her smart phone, and had the photograph printed, and he placed it on the refrigerator. The smile he wore was one of the most cherished memories of that day.

Lindsey was laughing when Kendra stepped out the door leading to the porch. The sound of her laughter was rich and much deeper than Kendra expected from the petite woman.

“Is Dad entertaining you with his humor?”

Lindsey wiped a tear from her eye. “He was just telling me about some of the antics he and my dad had shared when they were in Vietnam.”

“I can only imagine what they got into together.” Kendra slipped into her favorite rocking chair.

“We were scared as hell most of the time, but we found ways to keep our minds off the fighting, when we weren’t knee deep in some river or belly-crawling through the jungle.”

“I can’t imagine what it was like being in the war. Dad doesn’t talk about it much.”

Kendra watched a change come over her father’s face. The smile from his laughter faded and the wrinkles formed a scowl. She figured his thoughts had drifted back to the jungle.

“We saw a lot of bad shit go down, and most of it we try our damnedest to forget. Even the darkness didn’t bring much respite from the constant fear of sniper fire or ambushes. Many of us drowned our thoughts in drugs or alcohol, but it was only temporary relief.” She watched as he shook his head, and returned the memory to the back of his mind. “That was long ago in a land far away from here.”

Lindsey seemed to sense he needed a diversion. “Your dad told me you might show me around town in the morning.”

“That will take about thirty minutes,” Kendra joked. “We can take a quick spin and then I thought maybe we could take the boat out for some fishing, if Dad’s up for it. What do you say old man? Ten dollars for the biggest fish?”

“Make it twenty and you have a deal,” he challenged, the bright smile returning to his face. He turned to Lindsey and asked, “You in?”

“You bet I am. I have to warn you though, fish fear me,” she declared, her face deadpan serious.

“Oh you two are so going to owe me money tomorrow,” Kendra promised.

“We’ll see about that.” Kevin chuckled. “I’m going to finish up dinner while you two figure out how you’re going to pay up tomorrow.” He grinned and walked inside the house.

“I love how the two of you interact,” Lindsey commented. “Has it always been the two of you?”

“Pretty much. Mother walked out on us when I was twelve.”

“That had to be hard on you.”

“It was hard on both of us at first, but then we grew even closer, and with time we realized life would go on and we’d make each other happy.”

“We lost mom two years ago to a massive stroke.”

Kendra watched the pain fill Lindsey’s face.

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“It hurt at first, but eventually the pain began to fade. We worked harder and longer hours, so by the time we got home, we were too exhausted to think about anything but food, a hot shower, and a comfortable bed.”

A comfortable silence fell between them. The soft creaking of the cane bottom rocking chair filled the silence, relaxing Kendra until she felt her eyes grow heavy. “I’m going inside to check on Dad. Do you want another beer?”

“Thanks, but I’m good for now. I’m going to call Dad to let him know I arrived okay.”

“I’ll give you a few minutes of privacy then.” Kendra nodded and went into the house. As she opened the door, she turned and watched as Lindsey pulled out her cell phone and stepped out into the yard, walking toward an old twisted oak.

“How’s it coming in here?” Kendra asked when she stepped into the kitchen.

“The sauce is mighty tasty and I just put the bread in the oven. As soon as the noodles are ready, we can eat. I’ve got a cold salad in the fridge,”

“Do you want me to go ahead and set the table?”

“I’m a step ahead of you.” He grinned nodding toward the table.

“That’s nothing new.” She walked to the sink and poured the last bit of warm beer down the drain. She looked out the window and saw Lindsey walking across the yard as she spoke to her dad. Kendra smiled as she watched Lindsey pace back and forth.

Kevin looked at his daughter when she stopped talking and glanced out the window to see what she was watching. He could feel the chemistry building between the two, even if they were still unaware of the growing attraction. Some fathers would be disturbed about their daughters being a lesbian, but he had always known that Kendra was different and would never be satisfied with a man. He was disappointed she would never be a mother, and he a grandfather, but his brother had several sons and grandsons to carry on the family name. All he wanted was to see her happy.

“You two seem to be hitting it off well.”

Kendra jumped at the sound of his voice. She had been watching Lindsey more intently than she realized. When he spoke, his voice startled her. She battled to keep the flush from rising to her cheeks.

“She seems eager to learn and doesn’t appear to shy away from work. I tried to send her up here earlier for a nap when I found she had driven all night, but she insisted on helping clean the boat.” Kendra felt a smile forming on her lips as her thoughts returned to the T-shirt creeping up Lindsey’s stomach as she stretched to wash the top of the windows.

“I would think it’d be nice for you to have another woman on the boat.”

“I have to agree with you there. The men are great, but when it comes to cooking and cleaning, they sometimes fall short. Lindsey says she loves to cook, so that in itself will be a great help.”

The timer on the oven sounded, and when Kevin turned to retrieve the garlic bread, Kendra glanced back out the kitchen window to find Lindsey walking toward the house. Even though she was slightly shorter than Kendra, the confident way Lindsey walked was really attractive.
I could definitely get used to watching her move.
Kendra watched closely as Lindsey stepped onto the back porch.

“Will you bring the salad from the fridge?” Kevin asked.

Kendra was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t acknowledge that she had heard him speak.

“Earth to Kendra.”