Chapter 321
Chapter 321
Becca couldn’t contain her shock. “We’re going fishing?”
He gave her a sly shrug. “Could be. You said you loved all things ocean.”
She picked up her pace to keep up with him as he walked double time toward the gangplank. “I did, but I never said anything about fishing.”
Glancing at a few white tubs along the dock filled with fish guts and blood, she swallowed back on her breakfast. “Oh my God, I think I’m going to be sick.”
He laughed, taking her by the hand to pull her up the ramp onto the boat. “That’s chum, but it’s not for us. We are just spectators on this jaunt.”
“Your idea of fun is to watch people fish?”
“No, silly. Not to watch people fish, but to watch the largest fish in these waters.” Jaylon smiled, watching the surprise bloom on her face.
“Well, mammals, actually,” he continued. “Whales aren’t fish. They’re warm-blooded and nurse their young.”
A large grin took her mouth and she laughed out loud. “Whale watching? For real?”
He nodded. “Why else would I wake you at such an ungodly hour? It takes two hours from here to get to Block Island. We can whale watch on our way there and then spend the rest of the day enjoying one of the most beautiful places in New England.”
Becca stepped onto the deck of the boat and looked out into the harbor. The water was so dark and blue. “What?”
She turned as he moved beside her to look out at the water as well. “This is perfect, Jaylon. Really.”
“Just wait.” He kissed the side of her head, moving his arm around her waist.
The boat pulled out of New London harbor and started the two-hour journey to the island. The water was calm, with barely any chop, and they made good time. About halfway, the captain called from the upper deck, pointing toward the port side.
Three dolphins jumped in a perfect arc, almost synchronized in time with the boat.
“It’s an old wives’ tale that dolphins are a sign of luck and that three in a row like that is an omen the universe is watching and approves,” Jaylon stated with a nod.
“Approves of what?” Becca asked with a small grin.
He pulled her in for a kiss. “Of whatever it is you’re doing at the time.”
She tucked herself under Jaylon’s arm and smirked. “You made that up.”
He kissed her hair with a chuckle. “Yup. But it sounded good.”
With a sigh, she watched the horizon and the expansive water as the dolphins played. “They look so free and happy. I wish we could swim with them.”
“We can. All we need to do is dive off the boat. The captain will stop for us if we want. It’s our charter.”
She shook her head. “Isn’t the water too cold yet? I know it’s June, but it’s notoriously nippy even in the dog days of summer.”
He smirked. “Dog days, cat days. We’re shifters, Bec. It won’t affect us like it does humans. One of the perks of being dual-natured. Plus, dolphins are super intelligent. They recognize us as one of their own from the animal kingdom. They won’t shy away, and they don’t see you as a threat or as prey. We use that particular perk back home. It has made our tours the best in the business. The sea life always shows up to play.”
A gray shadow passed beside the boat, its curved fin breaking the surface. “Uhm, Jay—is that what I think it is?”
He nodded. “Yup.” He nudged her toward the boat’s railing. “Still want to swim free and happy?”
She elbowed him in the ribs. “Not funny. I thought you said sea life didn’t see us as prey?”
He laughed. “I didn’t mean sharks. They have their own rules, kind of like vampires.”
“Yeah, well. Let’s just say I never want to be face to face with either of those species.”
“Who does? But what about that species?” Jaylon pointed ahead about fifty yards to a bumpy shadow in the distance.
“Oh my God! It’s a humpback!”
As if on cue, the whale’s fluke broke the surface and then slipped beneath the waves again. All was still, and Becca held her breath, waiting. Then, with a massive wave, the mammoth breached the water, its dark body twisting in midair, giving them a full view of its white-lined belly before diving into the depths again.
Tears pricked Becca’s eyes along with the salt spray from the enormous animal’s display.
“Pretty good, huh?” Jaylon asked, pulling her close to his side. “Best day ever.”
“It only gets better from here, babe.”
She exhaled, tightening her arm on his waist. “I don’t know how you’ll top that.”
He smiled against her hair, giving her temple a kiss. “Give me a chance, and I promise you won’t regret it.”
The boat docked a short while later, and as they maneuvered into its slip, Becca smiled, taking in the picturesque view.
“Welcome to Block Island,” Jaylon said.
Becca took in the boats in the marina, the one moored off the shore, and the sweep of beach and country road ahead. “It’s beautiful.”
“This is called Old Harbor.” He gestured toward the dock. “C’mon. I want to show you everything.”
He slung their overnight duffel onto his shoulder and helped Becca off the boat. A porter directed them to the street side, and Jaylon flagged down a taxi. The cab took them down the rocky coast, finally letting them out at a little cottage off the beaten path, on a deserted stretch of beach.
“I thought we could make this base camp and take things from here, maybe a bike ride to the village, or we could spend the day alone on our own little piece of beach.” He gestured to her. “Lady’s choice.”
Becca looked at the entire serene scene and inhaled. “I’d vote for the beach and maybe even get a chance to see a few more dolphins, but I don’t have a swimsuit.”