Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Zane could see why anglers became addicted to deep sea fishing. Being out on the open water was liberating. The warm sunshine soaking into his skin. The scent of the salty ocean teasing his nostrils. The slight breeze cooling him.
And the peace.
While he and Kylie had talked off and on throughout today, she seemed to know the times to be quiet and leave him to his own thoughts.
Sometimes, he simply let them drift, free-forming in his mind.
He went from periods of blankness, just staring out at the water, to thinking of new ideas to pitch at work.
Most of all, he thought of the woman whom he couldn’t seem to push out of his head. It was as if she’d taken up residency there.
No other woman ever had. Not even Amanda.
He admitted to himself that he had been more in love with the idea of love than actually being in love.
With a clearer perspective now, he knew he hadn’t been in love with Amanda.
Hell, he didn’t think he ever loved her.
What he had loved was being part of a couple.
Thinking of building a future with someone.
Having a person by his side to share in the good and bad and all the in-between.
Apparently, Amanda hadn’t loved him either.
She had made that perfectly clear. Fortunately, his attorney had drawn up an ironclad prenup, so she didn’t make off with much.
More than he would have given her, but the money flashed to her persuaded her to sign the NDA.
She couldn’t discuss anything about their marriage.
Mention him. Or even bring up the topic of Wagner Enterprises.
Knowing he was only in the Bay for a limited time, the idea of starting something up with Kylie was unwise.
Yet no woman had tempted him as much as she did.
It wasn’t merely her looks. She was very pretty in an all-American, girl-next-door kind of way, but he’d dated women who had graced the cover of Vogue.
Part of her allure was her intelligence.
He could tell when tomorrow came, she would be a tough negotiator.
What he liked most, though, was her effervescence.
She had an optimism and pure spirit, so unlike most everyone he knew in New York.
He only got back to the Bay once a year to see his grandparents for a few days.
Zane couldn’t promise Kylie anything if they did hook up.
His gut told him if he proposed becoming lovers that she would shut him down, hard and fast.
Still, after they finished their business tomorrow, he was going to see if she were as interested in him as he was in her.
He had picked up a vibe from her and thought it was worth speaking up.
If nothing came of it, he wouldn’t be upset.
He might see her once or twice before he left, but he thought they could be civil toward one another.
Dave appeared. “We’re going to be heading back to the Bay now. Hope everyone is happy with their haul today.”
Zane certainly was. Besides his beautiful red snapper, he had caught some blackfin tuna, a few groupers, and about a dozen mahi-mahi.
“First time I’ve out-fished Lisa,” Ben proclaimed, beaming at his wife.
“Wait until we go out again in a couple of days,” Lisa said airily.
As Dave left to pilot them home and Kylie went to bring out more ice for their containers, Zane asked, “Will you go to the same spots as we did today on your next excursion?”
“Probably a few,” Lisa said. “But we’re going to spend the bulk of the time bottom fishing. Now, that’s challenging.”
He frowned. “How so?”
“We like to deep drop. Dave provides us with electric reels any time we bottom fish. It’s a great way to reel in swordfish and tilefish. Even grouper.”
“Does it cost more to do that kind of fishing?” he asked, his natural curiosity about any business aspect surfacing.
“No,” Ben replied. “Most fishing charters book by the hour. The shortest you can go out is eight hours, which is what we did today. Lisa and I always start off short and then work up to a ten- and then twelve-hour charter. We shared this one with you today, but Dave said the other two we’re taking are at capacity. ”
“How soon do you make your reservations? I’m in the hotel business, so I was just wondering how hard it might be to book.”
Lisa laughed, “I’m in charge of that. Ben would never remember.
I go into the Mayfield Charter system every January second.
That’s the first time their reservations systems is open for the new year.
While Ben goes to bed, I stay up late and read until my annual phone reminder goes off.
Then, I jump on the website. I’ve done the same for making reservations at Disney World’s Food and Wine Festival in the fall.
Done that twice with our daughter, and you have to get on the site fast and be quick with your selections. ”
Zane found this fascinating and told the couple, “I just got to town yesterday, so I was lucky that this trip had an opening. Met Kylie at a dinner with friends last night, and she suggested I go out on today’s charter.
” He leaned in. “I’m afraid she’ll tell me not to worry about paying or give me some kind of friend discount.
May I ask how much you paid? I want to put in my fair share for the day. ”
“Mayfield prices are competitive with others along the Coast,” Ben revealed.
“Twice, years ago, we tried out other charters. Going on them just proved to us how knowledgeable Dave is. He knows the best spots, plus he’s just entertaining to be around.
You couldn’t meet a nicer guy. Why, we’ve even had dinner with him and Pat several times over the years once we return to shore. ”
He assumed Pat must be Mrs. Mayfield.
Ben said, “The price we pay is worth it. It’s something we look forward to all year.
We save and get our money’s worth.” He paused.
“Since today was eight hours out on the water, it was fifteen hundred. The price jumps up about three hundred if you go out for ten hours and then jumps again, accordingly.”
“It’s all-inclusive, though,” Lisa pointed out. “We could rent a boat of our own, but why? Dave provides everything from the fuel and equipment to prime places to fish to entertainment. And Kylie is just as knowledgeable as her dad.”
Zane knew that while that cost meant nothing to him, it would represent a huge savings for a couple such as this. Over the course of the day, he’d learned that Ben was a high school biology teacher, while Lisa worked as a secretary for an insurance firm.
“I guess I hit the jackpot then, going out on a Mayfield charter.”
Kylie had returned and heard his comment. “Let Dad know. He’ll be pleased that you enjoyed yourself so much.”
She left again, and Ben said, “It’s also important to tip, Zane. Don’t leave that out.”
Hiding a smile, he said, “Thanks for letting me know.”
They came into port, and everyone helped carry the containers to a small stand at the top of the pier. Dave and Kylie got to work on cleaning the fish and packaging it.
“Since you’re from out of town, what do you do with yours?” Zane asked the Wilsons.
“Oh, there’s the nicest couple in town,” Lisa says. “They run the Driftwood Diner. They let us drop off whatever we catch on a run at their house. Tomorrow, we’ll eat lunch at the diner. Neville will do amazing things with the fish we’ve caught.”
He couldn’t help but beam and revealed, “You’re talking about my grandparents. They are pretty special. Gran is doing the same for us with what I caught today.” Zane glanced to Kylie. “If you’re not tired of being around fish, I know Gran and Gramps would love to have you come to dinner.”
She met his gaze. “I’d like that. Thanks for the offer.” She picked up his red snapper. “Are you sure you don’t want Karl to mount this for you?”
Ben had shared how he’d had one of Lisa’s biggest catches mounted, and it now hung in their den, over the fireplace. While he was happy about his catch, he couldn’t see a mounted fish going with the décor in his New York apartment.
“No, Gran loves red snapper too much to waste it that way.”
“Okay,” she said, getting to work on it.
“I’ll let her know we’re back and that you’re coming for dinner,” he said, moving away to make the call. “Hey, Gran. I’m bringing home some fish. You’re going to be happy at what I caught.”
“I’m just excited to have fresh fish to fry up, Zane. I made some coleslaw to go with it, plus a pot of black-eyed peas. And I’ll be sure to have some hush puppies, too. I know how you love them.”
He sighed. “You’re describing a little bit of heaven on earth. Do you mind if I bring Kylie Mayfield home for dinner?”
“Not at all, honey.” Gran chuckled. “So, you’re consorting with the enemy now?”
Obviously, she referred to their business tomorrow.
“Come on, Gran.”
“Just teasing you. Yes, feel free to bring Kylie. Do you know when you’ll get here?”
“She and her dad are cleaning the fish now. I don’t think it’ll be too much longer.”
“See you soon then. Bye.”
He wandered back to the others, watching with fascination at how fast the knives flew and the skill both Mayfields used in preparing the fish for consumption. Five minutes later, all fish had been placed in zip lock bags and secured in a smaller container, liberally covered with ice.
“It was nice meeting both of you,” Zane told Ben and Lisa. “Why don’t you let Kylie and me take your fish for you to my grandparents and save you a trip?”
“Thanks, Zane,” Ben said. “Let them know we’ll be in at eleven-thirty tomorrow for lunch.”
“Will do.”
He waited while Kylie washed her hands thoroughly and told Dave, “I appreciate your allowing me to go out on today’s charter. I didn’t arrange with Kylie beforehand to pay, so I’d like to do so now.”
“Not taking your money, son. I know today was about you getting to know us before starting the business talks tomorrow. We had room for you, which is rare, so we were happy to take you out and show you what we do. I think maybe you should also ride the ferry to Tidewater over and back at least once before the two of you get down to business.”
Zane hadn’t thought about doing so. “I will. Thanks for the advice—and your time today. I think I may be a deep sea fishing convert.”
“Then I hope you’ll book a charter for next summer,” Dave said genially.
“As far as tomorrow goes, Kylie has the full authority to agree to any deal the two of you make.” He glanced at his daughter, smiling.
“My girl is the smartest in the family. She’ll give you a run for your money.
Once you two agree, I know you’ll have Wagner lawyers involved.
We’ll also have our lawyer from town get involved. Name’s Pryce McMahon.”
Kylie joined them, carrying Zane’s container. He took it from her, and Dave said, “Go on, honey. I’ll do the cleanup here and on the boat.”
“You sure?”
“I said it. I meant it.”
Again, Dave reminded Zane of his own father.
“Got it. See you tomorrow, Dad. I’ll update the family on what plays out. Remember, I’m picking up the pizza.”
“Later, gator,” Dave said to his daughter. “And nice meeting you, Zane.”
Kylie walked with Zane to the parking lot next to the harbor, telling him, “I can’t go to your grandparents like this. I’m stinky. Sweaty. I need a shower and a change of clothes. You do, too,” she informed him. “I’ll head home and get cleaned up and then come over.”
She looked around. “Where’s your car?”
“I don’t have one. I walked here from the diner this morning.”
“Then let me drop you off. No sense in you carting that heavy container all that way.”
It took less than five minutes to reach his grandparents’ house. Zane got out and picked up the container. “I’ll see you in an hour.”
He dropped the fish off with Gran, both his and the Whites’, and she raved about the snapper. Zane headed straight for the shower. He’d already worn the two pairs of shorts and T-shirts he’d brought with him, so he dressed in a polo and slacks. Returning to the kitchen, he asked if he could help.
“Help by staying out of my way,” Gran told him, ordering him from the room.
He wandered into the living room, where Gramps was watching a baseball game.
“I’ve been banned,” Zane said, taking a seat on the couch.
His grandfather grinned. “I kinda like it. I never cook a thing at home. The kitchen is Nellie’s realm. All I do is make coffee.” He paused. “I hear Kylie Mayfield is coming to dinner.”
“I thought it would be nice to ask her,” Zane said carefully. “I enjoyed her company on the charter today. No, to be honest, I more than enjoyed it.”
Gramps nodded sagely. “I won’t ask where you’re going with this.
It’s your business, not mine. But watch yourself, Zane.
Kylie is a great gal. We like her family.
They’re an integral part of this community.
I don’t want to see her hurt.” He hesitated.
“And I hate to say this—because I know you’re negotiating on behalf of Alexander’s company—but you need to give the Mayfields and this town a good deal, son. ”
He met his grandfather’s gaze. “I understand, Gramps. And I’m going to be more than fair in my dealings. I promise.”
Neville Wagner rewarded him with a smile. “That’s my boy. You’re a good person, Zane.”
The doorbell rang, and he rose. “I’ll get it.”
Zane headed to the front door, eager to see Kylie. He wanted tonight to be fun and relaxing.
Business tomorrow would take care of itself.