Page 15 of His Secret Gift

“Oh.” My hair is back in a low ponytail, but some pieces are still blowing in my face. I try to calm them. “Sorry. I’m usually a medium.”

He rummages through a stack close by before handing me four or five changes of clothing. They are white polo shirts and khaki shorts, just like he’s wearing.

“Thanks.”

Denver then turns and waves me to follow. “I’ll show you your quarters.”

“Thank you.”

As we walk, I can’t believe the size of the yacht. In my mind, I was picturing something much smaller. I couldn’t imagine one person using or even needing such a large vessel.

“Impressive, right?” He says with his head turns over his shoulder.

“Yeah.”You could say that.

The room he shows me is quaint and plain. The wooden walls are not adorned with any decoration, and the sheets and comforter are bone white.

“It’s… nice.”

Denver bumps his shoulder with mine. “Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it.”

I glance up at him and smile.

However, our moment is cut short when a voice on the intercom requests my presence in the bridge.

Worried, I give Denver a look.

“It’s okay. Captain Bryant probably just wants to go over a few things with you. Jack can be a very particular man, so the more you know about his preferences and dislikes, the better.”

“I see.” But before we go, I check myself once over in the mirror and wonder what the hell I got myself into taking this job.

Chapter 5

Memories – Jack

It’s finally time to go, and all my employees, new and old, are all hustling and bustling in preparation for our departure. I’ve done all I can, so I decide to take a little snooze on the deck.

I close my eyes and enjoy the reflection of green the beaming sun causes.

The calming sounds of the rushing waves don’t hurt either.

Thankfully, this time, I don’t dream about Harper.

But when I wake up an hour or so later, Denver, one of my favorite deckhands, is sitting nearby.

“Oh, you’re up, sir!” he says. His lanky back is bent over, and his elbows are on his knees.

“What time is it?” I ask after yawning.

He checks his watch. “Quarter after two.”

“Got it.” I sit up and put my sunglasses, which were laying by my head, on. “I assume that means we’re taking off soon?”

He nods. “Yes, sir. Captain Bryant is just wrapping up a meeting with the new steward.”

I groan. “Why can’t we call her a stewardess? That’s what she is, isn’t it?”

His eyes squint, and he lifts his shoulder. “I don’t know. I guess it’s just out of style now. You know, like how you don’t call female waiters ‘waitresses.’”

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