Read Online An Island Christmas by Nancy Thayer - Free Book Online Page A

himself against her, and began to lick her chin. Automatically her hands went to his soft thick fur. She stroked him absentmindedly. “John West said they haven’t been able to make contact with the boat anchored at Great Point. They’re sending one of their own boats over to check it out. It’s possible it’s not Ed’s boat. It’s possible George and Archie are on their way back to the Madaket Harbor now—although nothing shows up on the Coast Guard radar.”
    “Is Archie a good sailor?” Sebastian asked.
    “He’s not very familiar with boats,” answered Felicia. “But he’s a good strong swimmer,” she added, trying to reassure herself.
    Nicole set steaming mugs of tea in front of Jilly and Felicia. “Should we call the police?”
    Jilly’s laugh was more of a shriek. “Yes, because George and Archie probably got drunk in a local bar, got into fights, and got tossed into jail.”
    The front door opened and male voices boomed into the house. For a moment, everyone froze. Then, all at once, they crowded into the hall and raced down to see who was there.
    “Hello, everyone! Is that coffee you’re drinking? I could use a hot drink.”
    George and Archie stood there, warm, happy, and rosy-cheeked in their parkas and gloves, nothing wet, nothing dripping, nothing torn, nothing bleeding.
    With a sob, Jilly cried, “Where the hell have you been?”
    Behind George, Archie winked at Felicia.
    “Having an adventure, my dear, having an adventure!” George roared heartily. He strode into the house with the air of a conquering hero.
    Archie followed more quietly, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth.
    “Really, George, we’ve been worried sick. We’ve called the Coast Guard and the hospital and Ed Ramos doesn’t know where his boat is—”
    “It’s safe and sound over on Great Point.” George peeled off his waterproof jacket and wool cap. The dryness of the air made his gray hair stand up as if electrified.
    “But what happened?” Jilly demanded.
    George shook his head. “Believe it or not, we ran out ofgas.” He glanced at his future son-in-law. “It’s not Archie’s fault. I should have known to check the fuel gauge. Fortunately, we were close to the beach, so we paddled in, anchored the boat, and walked home.” He practically crowed the last words.
    Jilly’s hand flew to her chest. “ Walked home? In this weather? That’s over fifteen miles!”
    “And much of it was a trudge through heavy sand,” George said proudly. Less boastfully, he added, “We did catch a ride with a guy coming into town from Wauwinet Road.”
    “But, Dad,” Felicia spoke up, “why didn’t you call to tell us you’d be late, or to ask for a ride?”
    George looked sheepish. “We left our cells here. Didn’t think we’d need them, and you two were over on the Cape. Once we hit paved road and were off the damned sand, we hit our strides, and frankly, I didn’t want to stop walking.”
    Felicia glanced at her mother, who managed to express anger, relief, and affection at the same time.
    “Did you ladies have a good time shopping?” George asked.
    “Don’t you ever, ever go off like that again without taking your cell phone!” Jilly said, her voice shaking. She shot an accusatory glance at Archie. “I would have thought you, a seasoned hiker, would have more sense!”
    Before Archie could respond, George put his arms around Jilly and pulled her to him in a tight embrace. Hekissed the top of her head. “It’s totally my fault, Jilly. I’m so sorry if I worried you. I promise I’ll never go off without my cell phone again.”
    Sebastian suggested, “Let’s have a drink to celebrate the safe return of the explorers.”
    They gathered in the living room. Jilly phoned the Coast Guard to report the safe return of the two men. Felicia hurried into the kitchen to prepare a board of cheese, crackers, sausages, and chips for the hungry hikers. As she worked at the counter, she felt two arms circle her