Beachcombing

Chapter 4 For the Love of Rain

Mercy waited patiently at the dock for Bam to arrive. She lugged an oversized picnic basket with her undecided what she should have packed. It probably would have made sense to asked him what he liked to eat but something told her this date wasn't really about the food but more about the company. She wasn't usually nervous about dates but this one would be their first and last date as she was leaving for her journey around Alaska.

"Excuse me." The voice behind her was female. "Are you Mercy?" The petite young girl asked her.

"I am. How do you know my name?"
Mercy eyed the brunette that stood before her. She was young and thin and very pretty.

"My brother described you perfectly. He said to look for the prettiest girl on the dock and you fit the bill. My name is Rain." She extended her hand to shake Mercy's hand.

"Bam is going to be a little late. He got stuck helping my brothers deliver some equipment in town. He sent me to keep you company until he gets here."

"Your brother is a thoughtful man."

"He is." Rain fiddled with the bracelets on her wrist.

"So Bam says he pulled a mermaid from the ocean."

Mercy laughed. "His description is much more beautiful than reality. He plucked me out of the mud on the beach as the tide was starting to come in."

"That sounds just like him." Rain giggled. "He's quite the knight in shining armour. Respecter of the danger."

"But not so innocent. I had to agree to go out with him before he actually pulled me out of the muck."

Rain shook her head in agreement. "All of my family are master barterers."

"I'll remember that," Mercy replied.

"Do you like my brother?" Rain was never one to beat around the bush. She was most protective of her older brother and she never had a problem grilling her brother's dates.

"Um, I just met him yesterday but I find him interesting." Mercy thought it was funny to have her date's sister give her the once over.

"He's got a good heart. I wouldn't want someone to toy with it."

Mercy let out a deep breath. "Rain, I leave at the end of the week. This will probably be my first and last date with your brother. I won't have time to do anything but enjoy your brother's company today if only for a few hours."

"That's good to know but if anything changes, just know he means a lot to me."

"Gotcha. How did you get so wise?"

"I have five brothers. I've been through every heart break multiple times. I've learned to size up the character of a woman quickly."

"And what do you think of me? " Mercy held her breath waiting for her response.

"I like you. I think you have good intentions. And my brother was right, you are beautiful."

Mercy and Rain turned to hear Bam signal his arrival. "How have my two favorite women been getting along?"

"Perfectly." Rain hugged her brother. "It was nice to meet you Mercy. I hope to see more of you in the future."

"It was nice to meet you as well Rain. Something tells me that you and I would have been great friends if we had met sooner."

As Rain finished saying goodbye, she whispered to Bam. "I like her."

He whispered back. "So do I."