Kraken Read Free

and gently put her into gear. The men on the wharf by the ferry each raised a hand in a casual goodbye, and watched as they gently puttered down the river. It was a relief to round the bend and let the scene at the tiny harbor drift into memory.
     
    Tall poplars full of spring foliage grew right up to the steep riverbank. Aiden kept a low speed.
     
    “The guys from the ferry said you were building houses over there?”
     
    “Yep. I bought some land a few years ago, and I’ve just subdivided it. You should come by and have a look.”
     
    “Oh, I don’t think I’ll be here very long. Just the weekend.” He wondered at that himself. What was he hoping for? Was it an apology he wanted? Did he want to ask Parker to take him back?
     
    “Well, it’s an open invitation. It’s on Sandpiper Point.”
     
    Will shook his head. “I’m afraid I don’t know the island.”
     
    Aiden narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure?”
     
    Will smiled. “Yes, I’m pretty sure. I’ve never been here before.”
     
    “Oh, sorry. You look like someone I used to know. My mistake.”
     
    The river abruptly widened and the open sea was before them.
     
    “You still okay there?”
     
    Will nodded.
     
    “I’m going to open her up now. It’ll be kind of loud. Tap out if you want me to slow down or stop.”
     
    The engine’s grumble was too loud for casual conversation, but to Will’s relief the motion of the boat was actually smoother now. They skimmed over the waves, through them, no longer being rocked up and down. The occasional splash sent a fine wisp of spray flying along the side, but Will sat warm and safe in his niche. He enjoyed looking at Aiden, a smile on the big man’s face, moving his body slightly to compensate for the boat’s movement.
     
    Will searched Aiden’s profile, trying to place him. Maybe he did know him. Something about Aiden’s face definitely looked familiar. Aiden turned his head and caught Will looking at him. He smiled at him as if they shared a secret. Will couldn’t help himself returning it.
     
    “Hey, we’ve got visitors,” said Aiden. He throttled back, and brought the boat to a standstill.
     
    “What? Fuck, what? What’s wrong?”
     
    Aiden knelt down and grabbed Will’s hand.
     
    “Hey, it’s okay. Just come and have a look, all right?”
     
    Aiden coaxed him to his feet. Ahead in the west the sun was touching the highest point of the island, balanced perfectly, ready to sink behind it. A splash echoed about ten feet off the starboard side. Will flinched, but Aiden held him fast against his strong, warm side.
     
    “Look.”
     
    A dark arc, a lithe, muscular segment of a circle, rose out of the choppy water surrounding the boat, and sliced back down. A gasping spray, and another slice of steel, this time with a wide flat tail powering it back down into the ocean. Dolphins. Dozens of wild dolphins cavorted around the boat. Will took a step closer to the edge. Aiden went to release him, but Will grabbed for his hand in reassurance. A smooth shiny melon rose out of the dark water with a squee and a wet release of breath. Will startled, and Aiden clasped his hands around him. Will sank back against him, sharing their heat.
     
    A dolphin leapt out of the water, so close Will thought for a second it would land on the deck. “Look!” he said, pointing.
     
    He could feel Aiden’s smile against the side of his head.
     
    “I see,” said Aiden. “Aren’t they amazing?”
     
    The splashing was behind them now, and Aiden swung him around to see the pod moving slowly off to the south. Will couldn’t stop grinning. He turned his head to look at Aiden, so happy to be sharing the moment with someone. They watched until Will wasn’t sure if he could still see them, or if it was just the whirling seabirds. He abruptly realized how close he was to Aiden, and pulled away regretfully, settling himself back in his seat.
     
    “Almost there,” said Aiden.
     
    Will nodded, and tucked