Chapter Twelve #2
“This ferry breaking down is highly unusual,” Earl said. “We’re all frustrated and miserable and the captain isn’t likely to make allowances for you unless you can convince him this is a matter of life and death.”
James nodded. “My wife has had a difficult pregnancy . . . This is our first baby, and she’s alone and terrified. So am I.”
Earl listened. “Got it.” Next, he glanced at Avery and Harrison. “I did what I could. The best of luck to you.”
“Thank you,” Avery said, grateful for Earl’s efforts. She was willing to let his previous attitude slide, seeing how helpful he’d been.
The three remained standing on the car deck for several minutes before the captain appeared.
“Lester Douglas,” he said, by means of an introduction. He immediately got to the point. “Earl says you have extenuating circumstances to leave the ferry. Let’s hear it.”
James swallowed hard as if his throat had gone dry. “My wife is in labor.”
“Here? On the ferry?” His eyes widened with the question, and he seemed surprised that this was the first time he’d heard of it.
“No, no, she’s in Seattle. I need to get to her. I explained to Earl earlier this hasn’t been an easy pregnancy and she’s alone. We don’t have any family in the area. Her mother is due to fly here, but not until after the first of the year.”
The captain listened intently.
“I understand someone is delivering the part to repair the engine. I was hoping—praying, actually—that you would let me return with that boat.”
Captain Douglas considered the request, his mouth tight as he mulled over what were sure to be the consequences.
Avery could almost see the other man’s mind whirling. “You must understand that if word gets out that I let you leave, there is likely to be a riot. From what the crew is telling me, tensions are riding high, with a lot of people furious about the situation.”
“That’s true,” James said.
Avery appreciated that James wasn’t willing to downplay the ugly mood of those trapped on the passenger deck.
“Sir, please, this is dire. I need to be with my wife.”
“You say your wife is alone,” Captain Douglas said, studying James closely.
“Not exactly . . . A neighbor is currently with her, but she has to leave for a family function in an hour or so.”
“Good, then she has someone at her side for now.”
“That’s true, but she needs me. I’m her husband, the father of her child.” He looked at Avery and Harrison as if they would help him explain how crucial it was for him to return with the speedboat.
“Has she been admitted to the hospital?” Captain Douglas asked next.
“Not yet . . . but . . .”
The captain stopped him. “I’m sorry, son, I can’t allow a single passenger to depart while so many others are just as desperate to get to Seattle. Your leaving would be grossly unfair to everyone else.”
The device attached to the captain’s hip made a squeaking sound. He jerked it off his belt and pushed a button.
From the brief conversation between the captain and the crew member, Avery learned that the speedboat had pulled up alongside the ferry. The fix had arrived. That was good news. Hopefully the ferry would soon be on its way and James would be able to be with his wife.
The captain left abruptly and the three of them started up the stairwell to the passenger deck.
“It won’t be long now,” Avery said, hoping to reassure James.
“Right,” he said without a lot of enthusiasm.
Once they returned to the passenger deck, Avery noticed people lined up against the windows, watching the part be delivered. A cheer rose, followed by a burst of applause. It seemed the mood instantly lightened.
Avery relaxed, too. Like everyone else, she was eager to get to Seattle.
With the end of this debacle in sight, Avery sent her brother a text, letting him know it wouldn’t be much longer now.
She’d been pleasantly surprised that Reed had hung around town to greet her and help her make the uphill trek to his condo.
Coincidentally, her brother had also found a companion to help pass the time. He seemed to be enjoying himself.
James stood at the window with several others, watching excitedly as the speedboat pulled away. A cheer rose once again.
Thinking it would be only a matter of minutes, Avery noticed a few people return to their cars. Others gathered their items together, preparing for the departure.
But then another forty minutes passed and the restlessness returned.
By all that was right, they should be underway by now.
The information they had received was that it would take only a few minutes to install the part.
Yet the ferry remained dead in the water.
No one needed to tell Avery or anyone else that this easy fix apparently wasn’t so easy.
Something wasn’t right.
People started mumbling among themselves, pacing and looking anxious, asking questions no one could answer.
Before long, Captain Douglas’s voice came over the intercom.
“Unfortunately, I have discouraging news.”
A cacophony of discord and frustration echoed through the waiting area.
“As many of you noticed, we received what we hoped would be an easy fix. It has since been determined there is more than this single problem. The engine crew is working diligently . . .”
Whatever else the captain had to say was drowned out by the loud boos and curses. As the roar of discontent slowly dissipated, James’s phone rang.
Looking desperate, he grabbed it with both hands.
Avery watched as James listened. He instantly went pale and looked at Avery and Harrison as if he didn’t know what else to do.
“What is it?” she asked, moving to stand next to him.
“That was our neighbor,” he said. “Lilly’s water broke and they’re heading to the hospital.”