Page 86 of Until We Break

“Base, this is Cutter 21. I’m at the abandoned vessel. I don’t see anyone.”

A few minutes later, Gabe glided up next to me. “What do we have?” he asked.

“Abandoned ski boat.” I had boarded the boat after reporting to base. There was no sign of anyone.

“She out of gas?” He pointed to the fuel gauge.

“No.” I shook my head. The key was still in the ignition.

“Who called her in?”

“A boater passing by.” I checked for any phones that might be onboard. I looked for personal items. There was nothing. “Throw me your tow rope,” I instructed.

Gabe bundled it together and then tossed it toward me. “Want to tow her back to base?”

“Yeah. If someone reports her missing, at least she’s safe.” I attached the rope to the stern and pulled it tightly. I looked up at the cottage before hopping off the ski boat. Margot wasn’t outside. I’d hope to catch a glimpse of her. I was surprised she hadn’t come out with two Coast Guard boats near her docks.

“Want to go say hi?” Gabe teased.

“Nah. I’m good. We have plans later.” I climbed aboard my cutter.

Gabe seemed to be surveying the Blue Heron. He cocked his head. “That place could really be something, you know? If Walt hadn’t let it run into the ground just imagine it. Gas pumps would be nice for starters. What does Margot say about that?”

I peered at my friend. “About gas pumps?”

“Yeah. Turning the marina around? It’s the best spot on Marshoak to launch a boat. What if you could get a drink or shit, just pick up a bag of ice if you needed it.” He wiped the sweat from his brow.

“She’s mentioned it. We’ve talked about some of her ideas.” I didn’t want to share all the details with him. Margot’s creativityflowed in places other than her writing. With money to get started, she could take the Blue Heron where it needed to go.

“And? Why not get them done?” He made it sound simple.

I huffed. “Money. Walt wasn’t good with it and now she’s paying the price. She can’t just throw a bunch of money at it she doesn’t have.”

“Maybe you two could win the lottery.”

I paused and looked at Gabe. I laughed. I almost couldn’t stop laughing.

“What’s funny about that?” Gabe was confused.

I shook my head, chuckling. He was right. It was perfect. It was the answer to everything. I had the money Margot needed to save the Blue Heron. The lottery was under my bed in a duffle bag.

“Nothing. Nothing.” I shook my head. I still had to come up with a plan to put it in place, but it was exactly what she needed. And what I needed to get Carrie off my back.

I reached for my water and adjusted my hat. The ski boat was secure. Gabe finished tying off his stern line.

“I was thinking we should go out sometime,” he announced.

“What do you mean by that? I’m not much for the bonfire scene these days.”

“You know. Like a double date.”

I exhaled. “You want to go on a date?”

“Well, I’m not asking you out, you asshole.” He laughed.

“I’m a good date, man. Just ask Margot” I turned my hat around.

“I’ll have to take your word for it. Let’s get this boat out of here.”

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