Read Online South of Heaven by Ali Spooner - Free Book Online Page A

up a batch for supper? We still have some slaw left over and I could fix some fries to go with.”
    “That sounds great, Dad. I’ll bring a batch home when we’re done here.”
    Harvey carried over a bucket filled with fish. “Captain Kendra told us you needed some bait for your crab traps. You want me to set this up on the pier for you?”
    “That would be great, Harvey, thanks.”
    “Did you have a good harvest this morning, Captain Drake?” Lindsey asked.
    Kendra watched her father beam with pride. “Four dozen of the prettiest blues I ever did see.”
    “Do we need to add some bait to your traps?” Kendra asked.
    “Nope, they’re good until tomorrow. I’ll just hang the bucket off the pier for today. They will be good and ripe by tomorrow.”
    “That they will,” Kendra agreed wrinkling her nose for effect.
    Kevin chuckled. “I’ll leave you to it then. See you back at the house.”
    Kendra saw her dad step onto the pier and pick up the bucket of fish, strolling slowly down the pier. Then she watched as the crew went into action. Harvey secured the nets while Lindsey slipped rubber boots over her shoes to begin rinsing off the equipment and deck. Tim and the others loaded the filled bins onto the waiting truck, returning with empty bins for tomorrow’s run.
    Kendra strolled back to the wheelhouse to record the day’s catch and tidy up the boat. Once the crew was done for the day and on their way home, she’d take the boat to get it fueled and ready for tomorrow.

     
    Lindsey watched her captain walk to the wheelhouse. With a deep sigh, she tugged at the thick hose and turned on the water to rinse off the equipment. She had just finished rinsing the sorting table when Charlie dropped the empty bins in the holder.
    “You definitely win the wet T-shirt contest,” he teased with a chuckle.
    The cool water had splashed up from the table to soak the front of her shirt and she felt her nipples harden as he drew attention to them. She felt a devilish grin form on her face as she turned the hose on the unsuspecting young man with a laugh.
    “Hey,” he yelled, and ran out of reach of her hose.
    Harvey broke into a laugh. “You’re right, Charlie, Lindsey looks much better in a wet T-shirt than you.”
    The good-natured Charlie grinned at her. “I reckon I did deserve that soaking, but you better watch out when it’s my turn to rinse off the deck,” he warned.
    “What was that? You want more?” she teased back, and threatened him with the squelched hose.
    “Truce,” he cried out, and raised his hands in surrender.

     
    Kendra watched the exchange through the window of the wheelhouse and couldn’t help but smile at the playful fun her crew was having. She prayed they would keep those high spirits for the weeks to come.
    “All done for the day, Captain,” Harvey reported as he leaned on the doorframe to the wheelhouse. “Is there anything you need help with?”
    “You can toss me the lines as you take off. I’m going to fuel up before heading home.”
    “I’ll tag along and help if you don’t mind,” Lindsey said. She was standing next to Harvey.
    “That’s fine with me. You can secure the lines and we’ll get going.”
    “Aye, aye, Captain,” Lindsey replied with a grin, before turning to follow Harvey.
    When she saw the lines secured on deck, Kendra backed the boat from the slip and started toward the fueling dock.
    “Mind if I join you?” Lindsey asked as she poked her head into the wheelhouse.
    “Please do,” Kendra answered, nodding toward the empty seat.
    Lindsey slipped into the seat beside her. “We had a great day. didn’t we?”
    “Yeah we did,” Kendra answered without looking at her. “Three more of those and we’ll be set for the week.”
    “That sounds exciting. I bet you can’t wait until the boat is outfitted for reds.”
    “I’ve waited all my life for that.”
    “Must feel really good to be so close to your goal.”
    “I don’t think the entire impact