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Chapter 4: Cooperation
Blue sky, sun and low swells were a welcome relief from the night’s storm.
Brie, her hands curled around a warm cup of coffee fresh from Miss Ann’s galley, sat on the foredeck, back against the salon windows, enjoying the ride while considering her next steps. Arial on the wheel. Diesels purring away below. Brie felt safe, content with the world.
Rounding the Port Angeles breakwater, they could see someone waiting for them on the visitor’s float. Brie, standing on the bow letting Arial’s mooring-line instructions sink in, thought, “Good, maybe he can help.”
“It’s Tommy,” Brie said when she recognized him. “Arial, did you know Tommy was here?”
“Nope. I’ll nudge in close enough so you can just hand him your line. I’ll pull the stern in once he’s secured the bow.”
“Tommy! Tommy! So good to see you.” Brie handed him the line, pleasure sweeping over her at seeing her old colleague.
Tommy was smiling, clearly pleased as he turned the line around the cleat.
Tommy gestured to Arial to bring Miss Ann to a full stop. And to Brie, “Quickly now — you need to lower those fenders. They’re too high to protect from the float.
“Good to see you, too, Brie; step lively now. Don’t want to ding Miss A’s beauty.”
