Beckoning Spirit (A Romantic Paranormal Short Story) Read Free Page A

recollection of her fib sent heat creeping into her cheeks. “Ah, yes. My sick relative.” She hated to admit she’d lied, but there didn’t appear to be any way around it. “I made that up. I was desperate to get on the ferry and thought the man in the booth could speak to the captain who might take pity on me. Obviously it didn’t work.”
    Kipp’s open smile reassured her. “That proves you’re a woman who will try anything to get what she wants. I guess you’re just not a good enough liar.”
    “Guess not.”
    “So, why are ya paying me seventy-five dollars to ferry you over in this God-awful weather? What’s so important it couldn’t wait until tomorrow?”
    Before she could answer, another wave rose out of the ocean like a phoenix. Kipp cranked the wheel but was unable to avoid smashing into it. The impact was similar to hitting a brick wall. Devin slipped off the seat. Landing on her knees, she seized the chair and held on for dear life. In their hurry to board, she’d forgotten to ask for a life jacket. Her cold hands slipped from around the chair and she felt herself start to slide.
    With one firm grip on the wheel, Kipp stretched out his other arm. “Take my hand!” His eyes flashed with authority.
    She grabbed for his hand and then managed to scramble to her feet and lunge toward him. After flinging herself into his protective arms, she buried her face in his shoulder and clung tightly when another column of water crashed into the boat, spraying them both with frigid sea and salt.
    “Awesome!” Kipp squeezed her and laughed like a jackal.
    She could have flown over the side of the boat if not for his quick reflexes. A tiny moan escaped her throat.
    “Are ya okay?” he asked.
    She nodded, unable to find her voice for a moment.
    “Are ya sure? You look a bit peaked.”
    She blew ten pounds of pressure from her lungs. “I just saw my life flash before my eyes is all.”
    He chuckled again. “You’re safe with me, and we’re almost to our destination.”
    Kipp’s confidence was attractive. When she assured him she was okay, he removed his arm and returned his focus to steering the fishing boat through the rough water. Standing beside him for the remainder of the trip, no more words were uttered, but he grinned at her every once in a while.
    What was the connection to this man? Why did it seem to be destiny that they meet today, of all days? How could she explain her quivering heart and raging hormones when he stared at her? Things like this only happened in the romance stories she wrote. Didn’t they?
    When the Serafina finally docked on the island’s shore one and a half hours after leaving Boothbay, the storm had been left behind on the sea. The sky above Monhegan was thick with clouds, but the rain had not arrived yet.
    Devin was more than anxious to get her land legs back. She slipped off the big rubber boots and disembarked.
    After plodding up a dirt road, she waited under the shelter of a tin-roofed shack and watched Kipp secure his boat to the dock. When he joined her a few moments later, she handed him seventy-five dollars.
    “Thank you for bringing me over. What time should we meet back down here?”
    “Have ya lost your mind, girl? Ya don’t think we’re going back tonight, do ya?”
    Her eyes enlarged. “Well, yes, I do. I didn’t expect to be staying. I didn’t bring a bag or a change of clothes. The rain hasn’t even come. Maybe the storm will bypass the island.”
    “I’m afraid you’ll have to do with what ya have on,” Kipp stated. “That storm is coming and it’s moving fast. It’ll hit Monhegan within the hour. Have ya got a place to stay? A relative or a friend to bunk with?”
    She peered into the sky. The sun was trying to peek out from behind a gray cloud. “I still think there’s a chance it’s going to pass over us,” she said with hope.
    “Nope. I know what I’m talking about. We’re not going back onto the boat.” He stared at her with steely