Beachcombing

Chapter 11 Intervention

"Da, when will we be near Prince of Wales Island?" Rainy asked studying the letter in her hand.

"Later next week. Why? Something special in that letter?" He knew it was only a matter of time before her interests in little girl things would pass and the attentions of the opposite sex would grab hold of her.

"Oh, no, this isn't about me. I'm working on a surprise for Bam."

Billy chuckled dragging his hand down his beard. "If it's a surprise for Bam, it had better be a good one. He's been in a foul mood of late."

"I'm going to try and rectify that with a little fun. Could you spare him for a day next week?"

Billy contemplated their schedule. "I think I can spare him for a day when we reach Prince of Wales Island as long as I don't lose any of the others."

"Perfect! Everything is going to be just perfect."

Rain returned to her little corner of the Integrity and scribbled off a letter to Mercy. She took great pleasure in playing cupid especially for him. Her bond was the strongest with him although she loved all her brothers fiercely. He didn't treat her as the baby of the family but as her own unique person. Although their difference in age was vast, she understood him better than anyone else and could read his mind like a book.

Bachelorette Mercy,

I can no longer stand idly by and watch my brother pine for you. He's miserable so I have decided to put him out of his misery and intervene on his behalf, and without his knowledge.

We are scheduled to be in Prince of Wales soon. I hope this message will arrive in time for you to find it and meet him at POW next Saturday. With a little help from the family, he thinks he is picking up a special package for delivery from the harbour master's office. Congratulations, you're the package. Not sure of our ETA but I'll see if my Dad can radio ahead.

Signed, sealed and soon to be delivered,

The Bachelor's Sister
Rain
XOXOXO

Rainy could hardly wait to reach their next stop and leave her note on the community board for Mercy. She would have to be sly so that her brother wouldn't suspect anything so she waited for him to return to the Integrity before she feigned an excuse to leave her note on the board as well.

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A tired Mercy made her way as always to wherever the community board was located at every coastal town she visited. It had been awhile since she had found a letter and her spirits were dragging. She almost missed spotting the envelope with her name on it as she was looking for his familiar script. Today she found two envelopes. She opened his first.

Mercy,

I feel like I am the moon chasing the sun only to meet in that fleeting part of the day known as twilight.

I keep looking for you hoping for a glimpse of your smile, the sound of your voice and the touch of your hand.

I'll meet you under the stars tonight. I'll be the guy standing alone looking at our moon and hoping you are doing the same.

I will find you.

Bam

The second letter could hardly be from him. The penmanship was too perfect and the pink envelope was not characteristic of him. Mercy opened the envelope with great interest and quietly laughed to herself. It was a letter from his sister, the one she had met while waiting for him the day of their picnic.

As Mercy read the letter, the words danced in her heart. She knew she liked that girl when she met her. But now, how to get to POW before her scheduled departure was the challenge. She headed back to the dock and began working her charm trying to find one captain that would take pity on her and take her to POW the next day. As luck would have it, she found a skipper that was willing to barter a home cooked meal for the transport. Although her culinary skills were rough at best, she agreed to the barter. She would prepare something from whatever he had in his small galley.

The next morning she arrived promptly to the boat with her pack in hand. She was grateful for the ride and it was a fairly easy barter. He showed her to his small galley kitchen as she dug through his meager food items. Her attempt at cooking was like a bad episode of Chopped. He had some staples so while he cast off, she set about making lunch for the skipper and his mate.

As the lunch hour neared, she had managed to make pancakes from scratch and instead of maple syrup, she used the heavy sugary syrup from a can of peaches she found stashed in the back of his galley.

She took two plates topside and each  took turns navigating and eating. "This is what this boat needs, a woman." The skipper swiped the last of his pancakes through the sugary peach concoction. "Missy, you sure you don't want to stay on as our cook."

Mercy giggled. "I'm flattered but I have a date with destiny."

The skipper smiled. "Destiny must be one lucky fella. Ya' know I used to be a young buck once myself."

"I think I'm the lucky girl." Mercy gave the skipper a peck on the cheek. "I can't thank you enough for the ride."

"Young lady, you are always welcome aboard my boat if you'll make me peach pancakes again." His first mate nodded in agreement.

"It would be my pleasure, Captain."

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The Integrity chugged its way towards Prince of Wales. Rain had gotten everyone to buy into her charade. Bam was already convinced he was picking up a special package as soon as they docked. He was really more interested in hitting the local community board first to see if Mercy had been through Prince of Wales and left him a letter. The pick up of the package was secondary in his mind.

The harbour mastered signaled to Mercy that the Integrity was getting ready to dock. She was as nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. She watched him disembark  from behind the tinted windows of the harbour master's tower. She immediately recognized the mane of hair and that swagger of a walk. The harbour master asked Mercy if she wanted to surprise him and sent her to hide in his office.

Mercy paced the floor as she heard the sound of his footsteps coming up tbe ramp. The door opened and the little bell signaled his entrance. Her heart raced knowing that the only thing that separated them now was a door.

He was polite as always introducing himself and explaining that he was there to pick up a package. She leaned her ear against the door hearing his familiar voice.

"Check with my secretary," he said pointing to where Mercy was hidden. "I'm sure she can help you." The old man smiled broadly knowing he was reuniting the young couple.

Bam thanked him and headed for the office. Mercy watched as the door knob turned and in he walked. He was hidden behind his dark shades and announced, "I'm here to pick up a special delivery package."

Peaches and Herb-Reunited