Page 26 of Changing Tides

“What’s so funny?”

“Let me ask you a question. Are you a good princess, like Princess Leia?”

“Nope. I’m a mighty warrior, like General Leia,” she declares.

“She told you,” Anson says as he walks past us.

“That’s very cool.”

“Well?” Leia asks impatiently.

“Well?” I ask.

She huffs. “Are you good or bad?”

“I’m a good captain, like Cap’n Crunch,” I assure her.

She smiles, and two dimples pop out from her chubby cheeks. “Can I come on your boat?”

“Permission to come aboard granted,” I say as I move to the side.

She lets go of Nana’s hand and prances up the walk. Then, she looks back at me and extends her tiny hand.

I take it and help her down onto the deck.

Our company mascot—my parents’ golden retriever pup—scurries over to say hello to the newest guest.

“It’s a puppy!” Leia squeals.

“That’s Minnow. He’s my co-captain. He helps me sail the boat.”

She giggles as the pup pounces up and down, licking her face.

“I think he likes you,” I say.

“He’s so cute,” she says as Minnow knocks her over onto her bottom.

I pick the puppy up by its scruff, and it wiggles, trying to get back to her.

“Settle,” I command, and he instantly calms.

I set him on the bench in the back of the boat and tell him to stay before turning back to our visitor.

“Wow, this is a big one,” she says as she runs over to the wheel, where Parker is seated. “Do you have a pirate ship too?”

“A pirate ship? No. Cap’n Crunch doesn’t own a pirate ship. I do have a sailboat though,” I reply.

“Can you take me on the sailboat?”

She’s an adventurous little thing.

“Maybe one day.”

“Today is one day,” she responds.

Parker chuckles. “She’s got you there.”

Nana comes aboard and begins to unload wrapped sandwiches from the picnic basket I set on the table.

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