Read Online Wrecked by Elle Casey - Free Book Online

at counters on the far side of the high-ceilinged space.  After people checked in, they left their bags with the agents and walked up a ramp that led them out of the reception area, presumably to where the boat was waiting.
    The Petersons and Buckleys stood in a group, staring at the mass of people in front of them.  
    “Okay, everyone, let’s get in line!” said Frank enthusiastically, a big grin plastered on his face.  
    Sarah rolled her eyes, watching as her brother grabbed a cart of luggage and started pushing.  Jonathan tried to do the same, but he wasn’t making much progress.  His cart was really loaded down.  Candi moved over to help him, and together they wrangled it over to the nearest line.  Angela and Candace followed directly behind them.  Glen had his nose buried in a cruise brochure and didn’t realize he was being left behind.  Sarah strolled behind the group, wishing she wasn’t with them.
    “Dad, come on!” yelled Jonathan.  
    Sarah looked back and saw Glen glance up at the sound of his name, lost.  Seconds later, realization that he was alone dawned on his face.  
    He hurried over to join them in line.  “Oops, sorry about that.  I was just reading the technical brochure.  Did you know that this ship was recently retrofitted with new Wärtsilä diesel-electric generators to reduce fuel consumption?”
    Everyone but Jonathan stared at Glen with empty looks.  “Oh, yes, I did read that.  It’s exciting.  I wonder if we’ll be able to tell any difference.”
    Glen chuckled.  “It’s not likely, son, since we’ve never been on a cruise ship before.”
    “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”  Father and son shared a smile.
    Sarah couldn’t help but stare at them.  They were like aliens in her world.  A kid who got along with his dad like that?  The look on her face said it all – that is just not natural.  
    Sarah looked over at Candi and noticed a mutinous expression on her face.  She’d been watching Sarah carefully.  Candi looked over at Sarah’s father, barely disguising her dislike before looking back at her father.
    “Cool, Dad.”
    Mr. Buckley smiled at his daughter.  “So, Gumdrop, what’s the first thing you’re going to do when we get on board?”
    “I don’t know.  Maybe explore a little bit?”
    “Actually, Gumdrop,” interrupted Kevin, “you have to stick around your room and get ready for the muster.”  He wiggled his eyebrows up and down at her and smiled.
    “Muster?  What’s that?”
    Jonathan jumped in to answer. “The muster drill is when all of the people who are onboard the ship respond to the call, which is seven short blasts of the ship’s horn followed by one long blast, to report to their lifeboats with life jackets on.  It’s like a practice run for a sinking ship situation.  International law requires that it be conducted within twenty-four hours of departure.  The captain of the ship is required to instruct the passengers on the escape routes and use of life vests,” he paused a millisecond to take a breath, “and you have to stay totally silent during the drill so you can hear what the captain is saying.”  He smiled at the group that was now standing around him with their eyes glazed over.
    “Okaaaay,” responded Candi.  “Thanks for that very complete answer.”
    “You’re welcome,” responded Jonathan cheerfully.
    Kevin chuckled under his breath. 
    Sarah pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose, as if she were fighting off a headache.  “Seriously, Jonathan, you need a hobby or something.”  He couldn’t be more textbook nerd than he was.  She didn’t know whether to be fascinated or irritated.
    The adults turned their focus to checking in the families, their turn finally coming up.  Once that was done and all the bags identified and stowed away with the agents, they followed the crowds walking to the ship.
    Candi kept glancing back towards the bags with a concerned look on her face.
    “Don’t