Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 123435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
I crinkle my forehead. “How’s that?”
“Shirley and I just closed on a house down here.”
“You did? Congratulations.” My brain is scrambling to connect those two dots. What my sailing ability has to do with them purchasing a house in New Zealand. “Are you leaving the Bay?”
“No, no, but we will be splitting our time going forward. Half the year in Auckland, the other half in Avalon Bay. Shirley loves it down here, and the house we found is breathtaking. It’s on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Just magnificent. We want to do some sailing while we’re here. Cross the Tasman to Australia, explore the Gold Coast, see the Great Barrier Reef. Which means I need someone to bring the Surely Perfect over.”
I’m startled. My gaze immediately travels beyond the French doors to the sailboat at the dock before I remember she’s not the boat in question. The Surely Perfect is at the yacht club. And he wants someone to sail her?
“Bring her over?” I echo. “You mean to New Zealand?”
“Yes. Gotta hire someone to sail her. Shirley and I were discussing it last night, and she says, why not Tate, he has his captain’s license. And I thought about it and realized, yes, why not? That boy could handle a solo voyage in his sleep.”
I feel winded. I flop onto a kitchen stool, shrimp skewers forgotten on the counter. “I don’t know about in my sleep,” I say slowly. “But … yeah, I could probably manage it. How long would a journey like that take?” I’m playing it cool, but this would be a massive undertaking.
“It’s a long way, no doubt. You’d be leaving from the Port of Miami, and according to the folks I consulted, if you’re averaging eight to ten knots and the weather permits, you could do it in two months—I would help you chart out a course that makes the most sense for you. The wife and I are returning to the Bay next month and we’ll be here through the holidays. Planning to return to Auckland in January,” Gil continues, “which means we’d need her down here by New Year’s. So, realistically, you could set sail in September if you wanted. Take three months. Four, even. It’s entirely up to you.”
I shake my head, dazed. “Are you serious right now?” I demand.
He laughs. “Quite serious. And, of course, you’ll be paid accordingly.” He proceeds to name a sum that makes my head spin. It’s enough to put a down payment on a sailboat of my own. Not a Hallberg-Rassy, but definitely something higher end.
“You’ll also have a credit card for expenses, so if you need to restock any supplies when you make port, it’ll all be covered. Your only concern will be getting our girl from point A to point B.”
“Can I think about it?” Obviously, I want nothing more than to shout out yes! But I can’t just drop my entire life and sail to New Zealand. I have a job, responsibilities. Especially to my family. I hate letting Dad down. And I literally just agreed to run the dealership alone so my parents can take September off.
“Take your time,” Gil says. “You can let me know the weekend we get back. If it’s a no, that still leaves us plenty of time to hire somebody else. There’s a company we can use that hooks you up with a captain. But we’d prefer to see you do it. I know you’ve always wanted to do a major crossing, and, selfishly, I’d rather pay someone I like and trust than a complete stranger.”
“Wow. Thank you, Gil. I mean it. I really appreciate the opportunity.”
“Of course, son. And don’t forget to take the Lightning out for a spin.” He chuckles. “You’ll thank me for it later.”
CHAPTER 21
CASSIE
Aaron: Hey stranger.
I stare at the screen, my stomach dropping. I’m parked in front of the post office and was about to get out of the Rover when his message came in. Aaron’s been trying to get together all week. I keep turning him down, claiming to be busy with my mother. Which isn’t exactly a lie; since she got in, she’s monopolized all my time. Still, I can’t deny it’s been a relief to have a legitimate excuse to avoid hanging out with him. The moment Tate and I started hooking up, I all but forgot about Aaron. That makes me kind of a jerk, I know that. It’s just so difficult to tell him I’m no longer interested.
But I also can’t keep putting him off. He’s going back to New York next week. I don’t want him spending his last week sitting around waiting for me.
Unsure how best to phrase it, I text Peyton instead.
Me: I need to tell Aaron I don’t want to see him anymore, but I need to say it in a nice way. Suggestions?