Page 29 of Sail Away with Me

Sail gave it some thought. “I think I’d like to own a charter company. Sail people around the world. That sort of thing.”

“So not tours like Dune?”

He shook his head. “No, more like trips to South America or Europe.”

“Why not do it?”

He laughed a bit. “Oh, Jack is pretty insistent I come back. He wants to retire and with me getting a bachelor’s degree in business, I can take over for my parents.”

“Doesn’t Dune own the company?”

“No, we each own a percentage. Including Tidal and Crew.”

“Wow.”

“Yep, it’s a lot. My mom has a clam shack near the other beach I told you about this morning. We can go there for lunch if you want. Then we have the tour boats, this diner, and a few other irons in the fire.”

Sail looked at his plate and was surprised to find it empty. Same with Galvin’s. Somehow, they managed to talk and eat at the same time, and it wasn’t awkward. He asked her if she was finished. She nodded and he tossed down money for the check.

When they were outside, Galvin said, “I can’t believe you have to pay for food.”

Sail half laugh, half groaned as she directed her toward his car. “We have a lot of rules in the Carter house. My parents don’t want the people of Seaport to see us and think we’re spoiled or that we don’t have manners.”

To prove his point, he opened the car door for Galvin and waited for her to situate herself before shutting the door. And to show he wasn’t eager to spend the day with her, he casually strolled to the driver’s side. With his hand poised to open the door, he looked up and down the road. Mostly, he was curious if Dune had called their dad and tattled. Sail wouldn’t put it past Jack to investigate. When he didn’t see anyone from his family, he opened the car door and slid behind the steering wheel.

“Before I give you my tour,” Sail said as he started his car. “Is there something you want to see?”

“Not really.” Galvin angled her body slightly in his direction. Sail tried not to smile and when his lips continued to turn up, he ducked his head. This girl made him giddy.

“There are a few places I want to visit,” Galvin continued. “Like I want to tour the mansions. Go to the art gallery. And even the theater. I hear it’s haunted.”

Sail nodded. “It’s one of Seaports biggest attractions in October. A lot of people will go to Salem to do the Halloween thing, and then drive or take the train over.”

“They don’t come by boat or plane?”

Sail gave her a cautious gaze. He wasn’t sure what he should say. Seaport didn’t have an airport. At least, not a commercial one.

Galvin snorted and hid her face behind her hand. Sail reached over and gently pulled her hand away. He wanted to see her smile because she was even more beautiful when she crinkled her nose and squinted her eyes in excitement.

“I’m sorry.” She waved her free hand in air and worked to catch her breath. Sail continued to hold her wrist, slowly sliding his hand into hers. Galvin looked at their hands and didn’t pull away.

“What are you sorry for?”

She shook her head a little bit. “I was trying to be funny. You know you said drive or train over. I figured with Seaport being surrounded by water, and Salem being on the water, people would boat over.”

Makes sense.

“We could go there by boat. If you wanted.”

Another shake.

“Is it because you don’t know me yet?”

Galvin bit her lower lip.

“What’s the story?”

“Would you believe me if I said I’ve never been on a boat before?”

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