Undertow Read Free Page B

appeared haggard and worn, he did not. He was rugged, but in a way that just seemed natural to him, his disheveled brown hair oddly enhancing his looks when it should have detracted from them. His muscular build was typical of the younger crew members, though the lack of cigarette dangling from his lips was definitely not. I had long joked that you couldn't work on a crabbing boat without smoking. Robbie was the only one I'd ever known who didn't partake in that particular habit.
    “Give me your hand,” he said, extending his toward me, his long arm covering a vast distance. With little hesitation, I leaned over the rail and took his hand. Feeling more secure, I climbed to the ledge and crouched down, my knees involuntarily shaking. “You'll be fine. Trust me; I won't let you fall.” His words were oddly reassuring, as was the intense stare from his chocolate brown eyes. There was a sincerity in both that I had neither heard nor seen in a long time.
    Much to my surprise, I did trust him.
    Without another thought, I leapt to the deck that had seemed to taunt me only moments before. When I landed firmly on my feet, I looked up at him to thank him. I was met with a satisfied smile.
    “Trust is something you have to have on this ship. The crew always has one another's back.”
    “Yes, well, I'm not really on the crew,” I replied playfully. “I'm really just an over-educated cook on this voyage.”
    “You must be Aesa. I heard Robbie mention you earlier. You're the captain's daughter.” His tone was respectful and curious as he spoke to me. Growing up, I was used to my father's crew being courteous to me, but it always seemed they did it because they had to. I didn't get that feeling from the man in front of me.
    “I am. It's good to know that Robbie hasn't changed at all. He never could keep his mouth shut about anything.”
    “I've noticed that,” he replied with a crooked smile. “I'm Decker. I've been with your father for three seasons now. He's a great man.”
    The smile that had been growing on my face slowly disappeared.
    “It's nice to meet you, Decker.” I extended my hand to him, and his far larger one engulfed it in a firm but appropriate shake. “Thanks for the help. I'll let you get back to work. Don't want to give my dad any reason to give you grief.”
    I turned away from him, heading toward the main door that led to the rooms below deck. Something about how highly he regarded my father irked me. I should have been proud to know that my dad was esteemed by his employees, but I wasn't. Instead, I felt like the young girl who was jealous of the career my father loved more than his family. Hearing that he treated his crew so well somehow made that sting even worse.
    As I took the stairs to the galley, I reminded myself that I was no longer that child and he was no longer that man. What life's cruel twists had done to change me had also changed him. My mind was going to constantly battle between what I'd always known to be true and what was applicable now. Maybe hours at sea with little to do would provide the time I needed to correct my thinking.
    But maybe it would only give me hours to wish I was anywhere but there.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    4
     
     
     
    I was unpacking my things when my father showed up, asking me to join him and the others in the galley for formal introductions and his briefing before we—and the rest of the fleet—set off. Desperately wanting to get my belongings unpacked and in order, but not wanting to disappoint him, I agreed and followed him down the narrow hall to the kitchen area where the whole crew was huddled in the banquet-style seating around the table. When all eyes turned to me, I felt acutely uncomfortable. I liked blending into the crowd, not standing out in it. I'd chosen Ohio State University because it was the largest in the country and had a great medical school. It was easy to hide there and be just another face. Standing there beside my father, I was very