The Deputy's Perfect Match

He extracted a bottle of water from the cooler. He unscrewed the cap. “Swish out your mouth and spit it over the side.”

Latasha left her fishing pole. “It’s okay, Evy,” She patted Evy’s back. “I’ll take care of you.” She sounded like a little mother.

Evy’s arm went around the child’s waist. “I’m supposed to be taking care of you, Latasha. Not the other way around.”

Latasha smiled. “We’ll take care of each other.”

“Sorry to be such a landlubber,” Evy whispered to him.

“It’s okay. Really. Most of us on the Shore have been out on the water since we could walk. You’ll get used to it.”

Evy’s eyes clouded. The supercompetent librarian didn’t like feeling inadequate.

“Once we get underway back to shore, it won’t be so bad.”

“I don’t want to cut short the children’s fun.”

Mr. Keller shook his head. “These small fry have been baking in the sun long enough. Time to get back for lunch.”

At his words, Evy moaned.

Charlie eased onto the seat beside her. “Did you eat anything this morning before we left?”

She shook her head.

“An empty stomach is the worst on the water.”

Evy looked at him as if she didn’t believe it.

“No, truly. Once you eat something, you’ll feel—”

She groaned. “I may never eat again.”

“Crackers. Baby steps before you decide to starve yourself forever.”

“Fine.” She put a hand to her head. “But can we stop talking about food?”

“Whatever you say.”

Evy’s mouth curved up. “I reserve the right to remind you of that later.”

He laughed. “Good to know you haven’t lost your sense of humor.”

She made a face. “Just my appetite and my pride.”

* * *

Evy held on to Charlie’s arm for support as they stepped onto dry land. Weaving, unsteady on her feet. If only the ground would stop moving.