storm surge

STORM SURGE



MELISSA GOOD





Ebook by



PDAFiction.com





PART 1


THE SUN PEEKED over the horizon, lighting up an already coral pink sky with the bland yellows of morning. It’s rays spread over the flat calm water, faint ripples brushing only lightly against the hull of a motor yacht bobbling quietly at anchor.

A seagull circled overhead, its white wings outstretched to catch the slight breeze as it watched the water’s surface carefully, hoping for an easy breakfast while the air was still comfortable, before the sun started really heating things up.

Inside the boat’s cabin, it was equally quiet and peaceful. The main living space was dark and cool, sprinkles of light coming in past the curtained windows to illuminate a blue and tan interior and splashing over the body of a half asleep woman meandering around the counter into the kitchen.

Blond, sun bronzed, and dressed in a sleeveless shirt that came to her mid thigh, the woman stopped to yawn and stretch, rubbing her eyes as the boat rocked a little and she leaned against the counter, waiting for it to stop.

Eventually it did. “Hope that wasn’t some dude with a couple of waveriders and a six pack.” Kerry paused to peek out one of the windows, drawing aside the curtain to let the light in, before she ambled over to the small refrigerator and removed a bottle of juice from it.

“Did you just say you wanted a six pack for breakfast?”

Kerry turned and leaned against the kitchen counter as she watched her tall, dark haired partner climb the steps from the forward cabins into the living area. “ Have you ever seen me have beer for breakfast?”

“Always a first time.” Dar squeezed into the kitchen area with her and ducked her head down, taking a drink from the bottle Kerry offered her. “Besides, it has grain or wheat or whatever in it, doesn’t it?”

“Hm.” Kerry took a sip from the bottle herself. “You know, it’s probably healthier than those Frosted Flakes you’re about to pour in a bowl, matter of fact.” She bumped Dar with her hip. “Glad it’s Sunday?”

“Always.” Dar leaned back and gazed around the interior of the boat. “Sometimes I think my parents had the right idea.”

“Living on the boat?”

“Mm.”

Kerry felt the motion as the sea rocked gently under her. “Well, now that you got that satellite dish installed and we can get TV and internet….”

“Slow internet.”

“Still.”

“It’d be tough on Chino.” Dar mused. “Think we could teach her to use the head?”

Kerry took another swallow of juice. “She’s a Labrador. Anything’s possible. I keep expecting to walk into my office any day and see her sitting at my desk sending email.”

Dar chuckled. “Maybe we should try taking her out on one of these overnights first.” She eased past Kerry and went over to the door that led to the back deck. “I’m going to kick over the engines to charge the batteries.”

“Want me to bring your coffee up there?” Kerry called. “I may jump in before breakfast.”

“In my coffee? Fabulous. Bring it up then.” Dar winked at her on the way out the door, letting it close behind her as a shaft of bright sunlight appeared and then disappeared.

“Punk.” Kerry chuckled to herself, as she put her bottle down and turned to the coffee pot, hearing the rumble of the diesel engine and the vibration of it through her feet as Dar settled it into idle. She whistled softly under her breath as she scooped fragrant ground beans into the basket, and poured water into the machine.

She turned as the coffee started dripping, and headed down the steps into the front part of the boat. She ducked into the comfortable master cabin and pulled off her shirt, trading it for a one piece swimsuit. “Living on the boat. Hm.”

Kerry regarded her reflection in the wall mounted mirror and paused to imagine what that would be like. “It sounds good.” She informed herself. “But I think I’d miss the broad band.” She wrapped a towel around her neck and went back up into the main cabin, where the coffee was almost finished dripping. “Not to mention Starbucks.”

She took two cups, appropriately milked and sugared, and emerged onto the back deck to find Dar loitering there, bathed in the early sunlight of a late August day. “Rats. I wanted to climb the ladder with this tray in my teeth.”

Dar tipped her head back and watched as her partner set the tray down on the outside counter. “Nice morning.” She commented. “Want to go down near Pennecamp later for a few dives?”

“Sure.” Kerry handed Dar her coffee, then took the seat next to her with her own cup, putting her bare feet up against the transom and enjoying the pretty day.

It was warm, and humid, expected weather for the time of year, and on the