The Carrier (The Carrier Series Book 1) by Diana Ryan Page B

paper off and posted another. I read it through the
glass: I farted and it really stinks .
    I burst out laughing and heard Jack reciprocate
downstairs. I realized he was throwing the boat in reverse to try to fight the
current and stay positioned next to a sign on the wall posted by the US
Geological Survey. It was time for me to continue my tour. Bursts of laughter
were still sneaking up my throat, but I tried my best to force them back down.
I would not let Jack get the best of me. I pushed my laughter deep into my
belly and put on a very serious face. I lifted the microphone to my mouth and began
talking, but every time I thought about Captain Jack sitting in his own stink,
it made me giggle a little bit.

Chapter
Ten
    Jack and I unloaded our last boat and watched
the passengers walk down the dock and out of sight. It was 6:15 and we were
both beat. We walked down into the bottom part of the boat and Jack began to
sweep the deck.
    I totaled the day’s sales after our six tours
and cut Jack half of the profits. “Well, partner, we were one hundred
twenty-five for six today! Here’s ninety-seven bucks for you!” He took it with
a smile, did a little bow, and said, “Thank you, ma’am. Now that’s more like
it.”
    We locked the Bailey to the dock and then
headed out to the parking lot together. Jack seemed awkward, like he had
something to tell me but didn’t know how to say it.
    He was looking down at his feet when he said,
“I know you’ve noticed my unexplainable good mood lately. Well...I met
someone.” I looked up at his face and saw a wide smile stretched across it.
“She’s perfect for me.” He stopped at the back bumper of his truck, turned, and
looked right into my eyes. “I’ve just never felt quite this way before.”
    “Jack...that’s great! Really, I’m just so happy
for you.” I hoped this lady was perfect for him and that Jack could find the
peace in his heart that he deserved. I put my right arm across his upper back
and gave his shoulders a squeeze. He smiled at me, said, “See you tomorrow,”
and got in his truck.
    I turned and opened my car door and saw a
shadow on my car. Someone was behind me.
    “I hear you’re dating someone,” a familiar
voice said.
    I took a deep breath and turned around slowly.
“It’s over between us, Aaron,” I said firmly. “I’ve told you that already.”
    He took a step closer to me and I flinched,
thinking about the last time we were this close. Where was Nolan? Would he pop
out of the bushes and come to my rescue?
    “Ava, I need you.”
    I tried, but couldn’t keep fear from my face.
    There was the popping sound of a car door
opening and Jack get out of his truck. “Is there a problem, here?”
    Aaron’s tone changed. “Oh,
hey Jack. No, no problem here. I was just saying hello.”
    “Ava, go on and head home,” Jack told me.
    “Thanks, Jack.” I felt brave with Jack standing
there, so before I left, I looked deep into Aaron’s eyes and said gently, “I’m
letting you go, Aaron. She’s out there somewhere, waiting for you. But it’s not
me.”
    Aaron looked annoyed. “Yeah,
whatever.”
    I got in my car and pulled away. Jack was
talking with Aaron as I left the Lower Dells parking lot. I hoped he could smooth
things over with Aaron and talk him into leaving me alone. As I passed Lower
One I thought about Nolan. I was supposed to meet him at Animal Island in an
hour and a half!
    A sudden nervousness swept over me. What was I
going to wear? Where would he take me? My brain was swimming with questions,
and the next thing I knew I was at my front door, and I barely remembered
driving home.
     My mom and dad were talking on the front
porch. They were each holding a small glass of red wine and discussing something
quietly. They looked very serious and even concerned, but unlike the squabble
from the other night, they seemed to be on the same side this time. Dad reached
over and patted Mom’s knee right as they noticed me standing before