Page 40 of Always Be True: Tino
Chapter 11
As predicted, Sunday morning had dawned gray and overcast. At least the rain had held off so far, but there was a definite chill in the air. That hadn’t prevented the two of them from enjoying the long ride out to Friday Harbor on the ferry or from wandering around the town together. It was now late afternoon, and they’d finally ended up back down by the water sipping big cups of hot chocolate as they watched the boats out in the harbor.
When the big ferry appeared off in the distance, Tino checked the time. Unfortunately, it was right on schedule. “We have about half an hour left before we need to be on board.”
Natalie sighed and wrapped her hand around his upper arm and leaned her head against him. “Where has the time gone? I swear we just got here.”
She was right. Despite the gray day, they’d had fun wandering up and down the streets and checking out all the shops. Along the way, he’d picked out a silly T-shirt for Ricky, a pretty set of earrings for his mother, and a custom-made hair clip for Natalie. She’d been complaining about the effect the damp air was having on her already-curly hair, but that was just his excuse for picking out a small present for her. He liked the idea of her thinking of him every time she used it.
Natalie had insisted on buying him a small blown-glass whale to remind him of the pair of gray whales they’d seen breaching out on the water on the way to the island. Everyone on the ferry had rushed to the windows to watch the huge animals slowly making their way northward in the Sound. While everyone else raved about seeing the whales, he’d taken more pleasure in seeing Natalie’s huge smile and her eyes shining bright with excitement.
Now their time together was winding down, and he hated having to leave the island behind. The idea of dropping Natalie off at her place before returning to his own place alone held no appeal at all.
Although he suspected he knew what her response would be, he offered her an alternative plan. “If you’re not in a big hurry to get home, we could always hang out awhile longer and have a nice dinner here on the island before we catch the later ferry run.”
She was already shaking her head, but at least she didn’t look happy about it. “I wish we could stay, but I really should get home earlier than that. I have a report I need to finish polishing for an early meeting in the morning, and a few other things to do tonight to get ready for the week.”
No surprise there. One of the things he liked best about her was how seriously she took her responsibility to the foundation and the projects it took on in the area. If Natalie said she needed to work, it was nothing less than the truth and not just an excuse to end their day together as early as possible. And while that only made him want to spend more time with her, he wasn’t going to push.
Natalie pulled out her cellphone and handed it to him. “I want another shot of us before we have to board.”
They’d already figured out that the selfies turned out better if he took them, thanks to his longer arms. “Let’s stand so that the ferry is in the background.”
As Tino was trying to get the angle right, an older couple stopped to watch. The man held out his hand. “I’d be glad to take the picture for you if you’ll do the same for us.”
“Great idea!”
After snapping several shots in rapid succession to make sure he got a good one, the man traded cameras with Tino, who returned the favor.
“Check to make sure you’re happy with how they turned out.”
“Thanks, they all turned out good,” the woman said with a happy smile after flipping through the pictures. Turning to her husband, she added, “Terry, once we’re on board, I’ll send these to the kids to let them know we’re enjoying our present.”
He wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Our kids gave us an Alaskan cruise for our fiftieth wedding anniversary. My bride and I leave from Vancouver, B.C., tomorrow afternoon. We flew in early to do some sightseeing around Seattle before we go.”
Natalie gave them one of her thousand-watt smiles. “Congratulations! Fifty years together is an amazing accomplishment. What’s your secret for a happy marriage?”
His wife didn’t hesitate. “It’s simple. Marry the right person in the first place. It worked for me.”
“She always says that, but I’m really the lucky one.” Terry gave his wife a quick kiss. “We should go get in line to board. Nice meeting you two.”
As they made their way down to the dock, Natalie held onto Tino’s hand. “Somehow I doubt luck has anything to do with it.”
For his part, Tino wasn’t so sure he agreed with her about that. After all, if his mother hadn’t happened to see the article in the paper about the need for volunteers, if he hadn’t been willing to go to keep Marlene happy, and if Natalie hadn’t almost backed into a bucket of paint, the two of them might not be standing here together now. Sounded like good luck to him.
“Guess we should be going, too.”
He reluctantly started toward the line forming to walk onto the ferry. At least they still had the scenic cruise back to the mainland and then a long drive back home before he had to kiss her goodbye.
He’d see her again on Tuesday after practice, even if only for a few minutes. And then, at long last, it would be Wednesday and dinner at her place.
Just the two of them. Alone. Behind closed doors.
He couldn’t wait.
