Chapter Twelve
Avery was so intent on her conversation with Harrison that she hardly noticed the time. She honestly tried to keep up her guard, not allowing herself to be taken in by his charm and wit. Increasingly, she found it difficult. They continued with their question-and-answer session.
“Okay, what’s your favorite dish?”
“A teacup,” she joked.
“I meant food-wise. You know: Italian, Mexican, Chinese?”
“All of the above, plus Thai, Indian. And bread. Oh my goodness, it’s my weakness, along with seafood. I’m not a picky eater. What about you?”
“I’m not fond of cheese.”
“You don’t love cheese? That’s un-American. Cheese is . . . It’s a basic food group. Does that mean you don’t enjoy pizza?”
He shrugged. “I eat it on occasion.” He frowned and then asked, “Does my lack of appreciation for cheese disqualify me as dating material?”
“I’m going to have to give that some thought,” she said, enjoying teasing him.
“I have several other fine qualities, if you give me an opportunity to show you.”
“You mean like patience with this stalled ferry?”
“Yup, but I’ll admit spending time with you because of the delay comes as a bonus.”
It felt that way to her, too.
There didn’t appear to be any progress regarding the crippled ferry. Many of their fellow passengers had tried to make the best of the situation. But as time dragged on, the mood had started to change with the lack of any further information.
“Okay, my turn,” she said. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
Harrison didn’t hesitate. “I want to continue my career in the Navy, take some college classes, and learn what I can about being a leader. I believe within the next couple years I might have the opportunity to become a master chief.” He paused and glanced at her.
“I hope within a few years to marry and start a family.”
Knowing Harrison planned to continue his Navy career gave her pause.
She looked away as she mulled over his answer, and James caught her attention.
Like everyone else, he was understandably restless and fidgety.
He didn’t seem able to stay in one place for any length of time.
He kept circling the outside deck a number of times, and always with his phone in hand.
When Captain Douglas’s voice finally came with an update, James hurried back inside. The waiting area that had been filled with voices of frustration and discontent instantly went silent.
“I have good news to report. The necessary part has been located and is on its way.”
For a moment, the room went silent and still before bursting into chatter, filled with complaints. Avery understood and, like everyone else, was upset.
“You mean to say they didn’t even locate the part until now?” James cried as he rammed his fingers through his hair. He looked both despondent and angry at once. And he wasn’t the only one.
Although the captain’s voice was nearly drowned out, he continued.
“The part will be delivered shortly. Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience, but I promise the fix will be an easy one, and we’ll be on our way as soon as possible.”
“I need to get off this ferry!” James stood and cried out in desperation.
“Listen, we all do!” a man close by shouted back, his voice raised in anger.
“You don’t understand—” James argued.
He was cut off by a dozen others all shouting at once.
“What makes you think you’re more important than anyone else?” was one of the questions Avery heard.
“No one wants to stay on this ferry a minute longer than necessary. The last thing we need is someone like you thinking they’re more important than anyone else.”
“Yeah, buddy, I have a wedding . . .”
“My family is waiting.”
“I could lose my job because of this.”
The barrage of harsh comments continued, to the point that James appeared to go pale. He slumped down in his seat, bent over, and buried his face in his knees.
Feeling bad for James, Avery considered explaining the situation. She stood, but before she could speak, Harrison placed his hand on her arm, stopping her. “Nothing you say will do any good.”
“People don’t get it,” Avery said. “Don’t you think everyone would be more sympathetic if they knew about his wife?”
“I doubt it,” Harrison countered. “This is an angry crowd; no one is going to listen to reason. Everyone wants off this ferry.”
“Surely there’s something that can be done?” Avery felt terrible for James, who so desperately needed to be with his wife. Her heart went out to him. Harrison was right, though. This crowd wasn’t likely to care one way or another. Not in their present mood.
Harrison grew quiet, as he appeared to be thinking. “From what the captain said, the fix will be here soon. That means there will likely be a speedboat or some other means of water transportation coming to the ferry, right?”
Avery nodded, as she followed his train of thought. “And if there’s a speedboat due to arrive, then it will need to return. You think it might be possible for James to ride back?”
“Exactly,” Harrison said, grinning.
“Let’s talk to him,” Avery said, anxious to come up with a solution for James.
“We’ll need to get the captain’s permission, of course,” Harrison continued, thinking out loud, “but once he hears the circumstances, I have to believe he’ll agree, don’t you think?”
“I don’t know why he wouldn’t.” Avery was excited. Harrison’s idea might well work.
Avery moved to the empty seat to the right of James and Harrison took the one to the left. Harrison spoke, keeping his voice low.
“James, listen, Avery and I have an idea.”
The expectant father raised his head. “Will it get me off this ferry?”
“It just might,” Avery told him and squeezed his arm.
They had his full attention now. “Then tell me; I’m open to just about anything.”
Harrison glanced around to be sure others weren’t listening in on their conversation. “Perhaps it would be best if we spoke outside, where there aren’t a lot of ears.”
James hurried to his feet. “Okay. Sure.”
The three of them moved to the outside deck. Avery wasn’t prepared for the icy wind that buffeted against her. Seagulls floated in the breeze above them, and the angry dark clouds mirrored the mood of those impatiently awaiting rescue. She held on to the railing while Harrison explained their plan.
“Whoever delivers the part will likely return to Seattle once it’s on board, right?”
“Right,” James echoed. It was then that he understood. His eyes widened and he nodded with enough vigor to nearly send his glasses flying. “But how—I mean, who will I need to talk to about this? It isn’t like I can become a stowaway without anyone noticing.”
“The captain would be the one to grant permission, we think,” Harrison said.
James appeared more than ready to do whatever was necessary to find a way onto that boat. He started for the door that would take him back inside the ferry when he paused. Looking unsure, he said, “Come with me.”
Harrison shared a look with Avery as if silently asking her if this was a good idea or not.
“We should,” she said. “There’s power in numbers, and we have to get the captain to listen.” At least she hoped that was the case.
Once inside, Harrison led them to the stairs that descended to the car deck, which was mostly deserted now. Those who drove onto the ferry had apparently grown restless, cold, and bored sitting inside their vehicles.
“Do you know where we will find the captain?” James asked, looking around the car deck.
Avery had no idea why Harrison had taken them belowdecks when it was highly likely the captain would be on the bridge.
“We don’t have access to the captain,” he explained. “Our best bet is to find one of the crew and have him convince the captain to meet with us.”
“Down here?” James asked, spreading out his arms and circling around. All any of them could see were empty cars lined up bumper to bumper.
“No, there,” Harrison said, pointing to a doorway that stated CREW ONLY.
Relief showed on James’s face as he sighed and nodded.
The three approached the door. James hesitated. “Should we knock?” Not waiting for a response, James politely tapped the door.
No one responded.
Harrison tried next, pounding against the door with his fist.
Avery nearly groaned when Earl Jones, the crew member that they had dealt with earlier, angrily threw open the door. When he saw the three of them, he rolled his eyes as if to say he’d had enough of their eternal griping.
“What now?” he demanded.
“We need to see the captain,” James explained impatiently. “It’s a matter of utmost importance.”
“And why is that?” Earl challenged.
“I need to get off this ferry,” James said.
“Listen, buddy, get in line with everyone else.” He was about to close the door in their faces.
“Wait,” Avery cried. “You don’t understand.” Irritated by Earl’s attitude, she did her best to control her temper. To be fair, the entire crew had been dealing with complaints and hostility for the last two hours. What he didn’t understand was that with James there were extenuating circumstances.
“My wife is in labor,” James cried. “I need to be with her.”
Earl remained silent for several long moments. Avery feared he was about to turn them down flat and insist they return to the passenger deck.
She sighed with relief when he said, “Wait here.” He closed the door and left them standing in the cold. James paced impatiently for what felt like an eternity.
Avery was about to give up when Earl returned. “Listen, I tried my best.”
This didn’t sound promising. Avery was sure they weren’t going to be given a chance when he continued. “The captain agreed to give you five minutes to make your case.”
“Thank you,” James said, perking up. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.” The relief in his voice was evident.
“You aren’t allowed on the bridge.”
Avery already knew it was highly unlikely they would be escorted there.
“Captain Douglas will join you in a few minutes. You need to understand he has a lot on his plate.”
“I do, I do,” James assured him.