"Redemption's Run": Chapter 20 continues

A Star Tribune serialized novel by Jane Fredericksen

Chapter 20

The story so far: The crew of True Wind leaps into action to save Kinney.

"Stay with us, Kinney," she urged. A wave of nausea surged through her and she sprinted up the cabin steps. She rushed to the edge of the boat and vomited over the side.

"Are you all right?"

Ronnie turned to see David's worried face. She wiped her mouth and nodded. "Seasick," she lied.

David did not press her.

On the opposite deck, the two boats ground together, chewing the stressed fenders. "We've got to get these boats apart," she noted.

"On it," he answered. "Matt!"

Matthew ran up the stairs. He had wrapped a rag around his swollen left temple and now resembled a pirate. "What?"

"We're moving Redemption."

Matthew nodded. He unhooked the gates and hopped onto the other boat. He moved to the ignition.

"I'm coming, too." Ronnie moved toward Redemption, but David grabbed her arm.

"Your place is here. We've got this." He jumped onto the other boat.

Ronnie uncleated the lines and tossed them to David.

Matthew worked at the ignition panel. "There's a key here, but the engine won't fire."

"We can manage," David pointed out. "We don't need to go far."

The two boats began to drift apart. David stepped to the helm, Matt to the jib sheet.

"Be careful," yelled Ronnie.

David grinned. "Like Lake Minnetonka."

"Only bigger," added Matt.

Ronnie watched them sail out. She knew they would move a safe distance and try to anchor. It would be challenging without an engine, but she had faith in her crew.

Faith. She could use a boatload more. Ronnie felt embarrassed by her own weakness, her own fear. She was normally so cool in a crisis. Why was this different?

Her thoughts fell to Kinney's ghostly face. How had he managed to tangle up her emotions so quickly? He could read the wind like no one she'd ever known, but this one had ambushed him, ambushed them both.

He had read her, though. He was right about one thing.

She couldn't say goodbye.

"Kinney," she gasped. "Don't you dare leave me, Jack McKinney. Not yet."

She wiped her eyes and hurried downstairs.

Tomorrow: Chapter 20 continues.