Page 75 of Marrying the Nanny

Down the ladder, which was actually full tread stairs, he inspected the cabins. There were five in all. One was a deluxe stateroom with picture windows across the bow and an adjoining head. Two others held queen beds and the smaller two held bunk beds. Linens would be delivered and laundered with the resort’s sheets and towels. One more short ladder gave access to the engine room, which was spotless enough for surgery.

Above deck, a retractable awning over the aft deck provided a dry place to dine and view wildlife during inclement weather or lounge in the sun when it appeared. The storage for safety equipment was stowed in a lower deck area off the crew quarters. The stern was equipped with a diving platform since the coast of BC was considered one of the best cold-water diving areas in the world. Trystan was working on getting the word out about that as well as the rest.

When Reid came back from viewing the helm, Trystan was unloading diapers, toys, tools, work clothes, flats of canned soup, and other dry goods that Emma had requested.

“We’ll need the truck. He bought himself a desk and chair.”

“Where’s he going to put it?” Reid asked with exasperation.

“Hell if I know.”

Logan approached in the Storm Ridge, docking it behind the Storm Front. Reid moved to catch the lines and secure it.

“I wanted to hate her on principle because she’s not mine, but she’s a beaut. Want to see for yourself?” Logan offered the key fob.

“We need a round table. Got beer?”

“Lots. What’s up?”

Reid went aboard and Trystan followed, closing the door as he came in. Logan went to the fridge, glancing between them with concern. “Baby okay?”

“Storm’s fine.” Reid twisted the cap off the bottle Logan handed him. They all clinked necks, then arranged themselves around the saloon. Reid lowered onto the settee, Logan took the armchair, and Trystan hitched himself onto a stool at the island.

Reid took the padded envelope from the inside pocket of his jacket, handing it to Logan with the letter it had contained. “Emma found that in Tiffany’s things. I sent a scan to Harpreet to see what else she can learn. Haven’t heard back yet.”

Logan held it so Trystan could read over his shoulder as he came to stand next to him.

As Trystan finished reading, he asked sharply, “Where’s Storm?”

“At the house with Em. She’s fine.”

Logan turned the envelope over, looking for more clues than the return address.

“It sounds like she wants to be part of Storm’s life,” Trystan said, taking a big draw of beer.

“That’s how I read it,” Reid agreed.

“It doesn’t mean she should get her,” Logan asserted. He threw the envelope onto the side table, then splayed his knees and braced his elbows on his thighs, brown longneck dangling from his loose fingers. He stared broodingly at it.

“I’m not willing to hand her over, either,” Trystan said. “Not until we learn more about her and her situation. Even then… We need to make some decisions.”

“I have,” Reid said. “I’ve asked Emma to marry me.”

Chapter Thirteen

For a minute, there was only the rock of the boat and the muted slosh and suck of the water caught between the hull and the dock.

As the air grew thick with tension, Trystan folded his arms. “Really.”

“We have a rule, man.” Logan sat back. Neither showed a shred of humor or approval.

Reid didn’t entirely care if they approved. His mind was made up. This ship was sailing. The only question was whether they intended to climb aboard.

“Think about it,” Reid said. “Emma can stay in Canada and raise Storm.”

“Like a green card thing?” Logan narrowed his eyes.

“It’s not temporary. We’re getting married for Storm’s sake, so she has parents. We want it to work.”

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