Page 44 of Nightcaps at The Beach House Hotel

When we arrived at the house, Cindy greeted us, followed by Abbie.

“Your watch dog alerted me,” said Abbie smiling down at the Dachshund.

“Abbie, meet my husband, Vaughn Sanders,” I said. “Vaughn, this is Abbie Hathaway.”

Darryl approached us, and I made more introductions.

“We’re in luck,” I said. “Vaughn has agreed to an evening sail. I’m going to order a picnic from the hotel. Any requests?”

Darryl looked at Abbie.

“How about an assortment of salads?” Abbie said.

“That sounds great. Steak salad, lobster salad, and chicken and fruit salad. That, with French bread. Okay?”

All three adults nodded enthusiastically.

“I’ll see if Robbie would rather stay with his friend, Brett,” I said, turning away from the group.

“Everyone will need a sweater or a windbreaker,” said Vaughn. “When the sun goes down, it’s cold on the water.”

In a short time, I’d dropped Robbie off at Brett’s house and picked up the dinner from the hotel. Being an owner of the hotel had the benefit of being able to order food from the kitchen if it didn’t disrupt Jean-Luc.

“Is everyone ready?” said Vaughn. “Darryl, have you done any sailing?”

“A few times out on Long Island Sound,” he said.

“Okay. I’m making you my First Mate,” said Vaughn, and I was amused by the sense of pride that flashed on Darryl’s face.

Abbie and I exchanged smiles. “I’ve sailed with one of my brothers.”

We climbed aboard the boat, and while I stowed food in the galley, Vaughn showed various features of the boat to Abbie and Darryl. “When I say, ‘coming about’, it means I’m turning the boat around and you need to watch for the main boom to swing around. In other words, ‘duck’!”

Vaughn got the motor running and turned to Darryl. “Untie the lines from the dock’s bollards, toss the bow line onto the boat, and then throw the stern line into the boat and quickly jump aboard.”

“Aye, aye, Captain!” said Darryl, going on the dock to take care of the lines. He was grinning like a schoolboy at being given this task.

I glanced at Vaughn, and he winked at me. He liked making other people comfortable on the boat and building camaraderie with the men he hosted.

With both lines and Darryl aboard, Vaughn began easing the boat out of the inlet in back of our house.

“It’s beautiful,” murmured Abbie. “I love California, but I must admit, I’m enjoying Florida more. It’s not as crowded and is more tropical in feel.

“Nights like this are special,” I said. “Lean back and enjoy the ride. It’s very peaceful.”

We gazed at the beautiful houses lining the inlet and the homes along the passage to open water.

As soon as we were out on the Gulf, Vaughn told Darryl about the next steps of raising the mainsail and the jib. Then he said, “Darryl, I’m going to give you the wheel, and I’ll raise the sails. Keep the boat on a steady course.”

After Darryl stepped behind the wheel, Vaughn made sure the boat was head to wind and then he quickly moved to raise the mainsail before cutting off the engine.

The boat immediately responded and heeled a bit.

“Ease off,” Vaughn told Darryl. “I’ll get the jib.”

I was relieved Vaughn was handling the sails. The wind was a steady breeze and once underway, we’d be moving fast.

“It’s going to be a great sail,” I said to Abbie. “What can I get you to drink? We have everything from water to red wine.”

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