It Takes Two. Joanne Michael

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СКАЧАТЬ at her a moment. “I thought the center had boats for the scientists to use.”

      “So did I,” Abby said, sounding bitter. She told Marc about the loss of the Mistral.

      “So, what you’re saying is, without a boat, you can’t do what you came here to do?” Marc asked.

      “That’s right,” Abby said.

      “And your research? What happens to it?”

      “I honestly don’t know. My grant is good for one year, and I may be able to get an extension. But it’s more than that. I’ve worked too long and too hard to get here. And now, to think it might all have been for nothing….”

      Marc heard her voice catch and swore he saw tears in the corners of her eyes. “I might be able to help you out.”

      She looked skeptical. “Really? How?”

      “Were you serious about talking to the owner of this boat?” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder.

      “Yes, yes, I was,” Abby said eagerly. “Do you know him? Do you know how I could get a hold of him?”

      Marc nodded.

      “Today?”

      “Right now, if you want.”

      “Yes, please.”

      She sounded so excited, Marc couldn’t tease her any longer. “Okay then. Allow me to introduce myself— Marc Doucette, captain, owner and first, second and third mate of the Percé.”

      “You! You own a boat—this boat?” Abby appeared flabbergasted.

      “I do, or rather, she owns me,” Marc explained. “That’s kind of how it goes with boats.”

      “And you do charters?”

      “Not normally. I’d rather haul freight to remote construction sites. Pays a helluva lot better than charters, but those pickings are pretty slim these days. And I’ve already told you the shape of the fishing industry around here. Want to come aboard and take a look?”

      “Sure, I’d love to,” Abby said.

      “Okay, take hold of the ladder rung and then pull yourself up, like this.” Marc grabbed a rung and swung himself up from the dock and onto the ladder. He quickly scrambled up, threw one leg over the rail and turned to give Abby a hand.

      “Impressive,” he said after she scooted unaided up the ladder and over the rail to stand next to him. “Welcome aboard the Percé.”

      “What does Percé mean?” Abby asked, looking around.

      “I named her after rocher Percé,” Marc explained. “One of my favorite spots in Québec. It’s this massive stone on the tip of Gaspé Peninsula with a huge natural arch in it. Rocher Percé literally translates to ‘pierced rock.’ If you get a chance, you ought to go check it out sometime.”

      “I might just do that,” Abby said, “but right now, I’m more interested in Percé the boat.”

      “Forty-four feet from aft to bow, with a twelve-and-a-half foot beam,” Marc said, unable to keep the tinge of pride from his voice. “She sleeps eight, has a full galley, head and plenty of storage space.” He pointed above them. “The bridge is completely enclosed and accessible from deck or inside. She’s outfitted with twin diesels and has all the latest GPS and navigational equipment.” Marc pounded the rail with his fist. “She could use a coat of paint, but she’s solid through and through.”

      “I wonder why you weren’t on the list of available charters they gave me,” Abby said.

      “Probably because up until last night, I had no intention of doing charter work, so I hadn’t put the word out yet. I’ve been working as a mechanic for some of the other captains. But that work’s slowing down and my other plans kind of fell through.”

      “Can I take a look around?” Abby asked.

      “Be my guest.” Marc led her through the hatch to the lower decks. A narrow stairway ended in the galley, its appliances gleaming. Marc congratulated himself on keeping everything clean and in order. He knew how important first impressions were to closing a deal. He pointed down a hallway. “At the end there’s the master bedroom and three smaller cabins. Two on the stern side and one on port, next to the head.”

      Abby walked down the hall and peeked into the boat’s small bathroom. Next, she opened one of the cabin doors and peered inside. “Would I be able to use one of these bedrooms as lab space?”

      Marc nodded. “Sure. In fact, you could pretty much move things around to suit your needs. Only place that’s off limits is the master bedroom.”

      Abby raised an eyebrow.

      “Home sweet home,” Marc replied to her unasked question. “I’m bunking here for the summer. But that’s not a problem,” he added hastily. “Actually, it’s a good deal, because whatever gear and equipment you bring on board won’t be left unattended at night.”

      “I thought you had a place in town,” Abby said, rejoining him in the galley.

      “I do. But summer rentals are a premium around here, so I decided to let it out for the season. It’s good money.”

      “Will Sylvie live here, too?”

      “No, she’s going to stay at my mother’s.”

      “Figgy will like that,” Abby said. “Now, you understand I need a boat for the entire summer, every day or at least on call.”

      Marc nodded. “Sure.”

      “That means no other charters once I bring my stuff on board.”

      “I understand. I can live with that.” He could tell Abby was warming to the idea of having a boat for her exclusive use.

      “Of course, I have some rules of my own,” he said.

      “Oh?”

      “Once you’re on board, keep in mind I’m the captain and what I say goes. If I think the conditions or situations warrant it, your plans may have to change. I won’t put us or this boat in danger. Can you live with that?”

      “I think so,” Abby said. “I have to ask you, though—”

      “Yeah?”

      “Well, you know I’m here to do research and you’ve already made your feelings on that score pretty clear. Agreeing to let me charter your boat is a huge favor. Why would you want to do that?”

      Marc shrugged. “Simple economics. You need a boat and I have a boat. You have the funding to pay for it and I need the money. Besides—” he grinned “—what’s that old saying? Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?”

      Abby smiled back at him, and he was suddenly struck by how beautiful she was.

      “True,” she said “but СКАЧАТЬ