Alaskan Summer by Marilou Flinkman Read Free Book Online Page B

halibut have cheeks. It’s a delicacy.”
    Feeling a warm glow at hearing her nickname, she looked shyly at Ryan. “Sorry I had to ask. It tasted delicious, and I didn’t want John to know how dumb I am.”
    His gaze softened. “I’m sure there are lots of things I wouldn’t know about growing wheat. Sorry if my laughter made you uncomfortable.”
    “I like to see you happy. I’ll try to ask more dumb questions.” She smiled at him.
    The phone rang and the fax machine rattled.
    They had no more time to talk that day. By late afternoon, Laurette heaved a sigh of relief. The last ship had weighed anchor, and she could go home. Her stomach growled. Other than some pastry Tyler had brought back from one of the ships, she had not eaten since a bowl of cereal at five thirty that morning. She thought about all the groceries John had brought on Sunday. “Maybe I’ll cook some pork chops,” she muttered as she crossed the parking lot to her truck. “Oh, that doesn’t look good.” She changed her path and headed toward a couple on the dock. They stood where the tenders landed, and neither appeared happy.
    “Hello, I’m Laurette with Southeast Alaska Maritime. Is there something I can help you with?”
    The man turned to her. She could read the frustration on his face. “I told my wife the last tender left at three, but she insisted it was four. Now she won’t believe me when I tell her that’s our ship sailing out of the harbor.”
    “It’s so pretty, Harold. I wish you’d take a picture.”
    “It is pretty. But I’m afraid your husband is right.” Laurette kept her voice soft.
    The look of surprise that came over the lady’s face twisted Laurette’s heart.
    “I told you, Mabel, but you wouldn’t listen.” He looked at Laurette. “What can we do? Our luggage and our friends are on that ship.” He waved his arm toward the departing vessel.
    “Let me take you to the Dockside Hotel. You can stay there tonight, and we’ll get you on a flight to your ship’s next port of call. We should be able to get you on your way sometime tomorrow.”
    “Can you do that?” he asked, relief sweeping over his countenance.
    “I don’t like to fly,” Mabel stated harshly.
    “Come now, dear. It’s all we can do, and this nice girl has offered to help us.” He put his hand on his wife’s arm and led her up the ramp to the street level.
    “Do you see that building over there?” Laurette pointed to a large rustic building across the corner from the parking lot. “It’s a nice hotel where you can be comfortable until we arrange for you to rejoin your ship.”
    “Why can’t we take another boat out there now?” the woman asked with a frown.
    “It would be a very rough ride in a small boat. Plus, you would have to climb a ladder on the side of your ship to get on board.”
    The lady smiled weakly. “How do we get to the hotel?”
    “I’ll take you there. It isn’t far.”
    “I’m Harold Harris, and this is my wife, Mabel. I didn’t catch your name, miss.”
    “I’m Laurette Martel.” She had been walking slowly across the parking lot and now guided them across Harbor Drive to the Dockside Hotel. “The reservation desk is right there if you would like to sign for a room. I need to call my office,” she told Mr. Harris. Pulling her cell phone out of her pocket, Laurette called the SAM office. Ryan answered. “I’ve got Mr. and Mrs. Harold Harris here at the Dockside Hotel. They didn’t make it back to their ship before it sailed.”
    “Their ship’s on its way to Vancouver, B.C. The Harrises will catch up with it in time to pick up their luggage and go home,” he told her.
    “Can’t be helped. Should I call the airlines tonight?”
    “I’ll take care of it, and I’ll notify the ship where they are. You get them settled at the hotel. Are they going to need medicine?”
    “I’ll ask and get back to you,” she said, pushing the disconnect button.
    She waited until Mr. Harris had finished at