C1

　　WithoutRemors

　　CHAPTER1

　　Enfantperdu

　　May

　　He‘dneverknowwhyhestopped.KellypulledhisScoutovertotheshoulderwithoutaconsciousthought.Shehadn‘thadherhandoutsolicitingaride.She‘djustbeenstandingatthesideoftheroad,watchingthecarsspeedpastinasprayofhighwaygritandawakeoffumes.Herposturewasthatofahitchhiker,onekneelocked,theotherbent.Herclotheswereclearlywellusedandabackpackwaslooselyslungoveroneshoulder.Hertawny,shoulder-lengthhairmovedaboutintherushofairfromthetraffic.Herfaceshowednothing,butKellydidn‘tseethatuntilhewasalreadypressinghisrightfootonthebrakepedalandanglingontothelooserockoftheshoulder.Hewonderedifheshouldgobackintothetraffic,thendecidedthathewasalreadycommitted,thoughtowhathedidn‘tknow,exactly.Thegirl‘seyesfollowedthecarand,ashelookedinhisrearviewmirror,sheshruggedwithoutanyparticularenthusiasmandwalkedtowardshim.Thepassengerwindowwasdownalready,andinafewsecondsshewasthere.

　　‘Whereyougoin‘?‘sheasked.

　　ThatsurprisedKelly.Hethoughtthefirstquestion-Needaride?-wassupposedtobehis.Hehesitatedforasecondortwo,lookingather.Twenty-one,perhaps,butoldforheryears.Herfacewasn‘tdirty,butneitherwasitclean,perhapsfromthewindanddustontheinterstate.Sheworeaman‘scottonshirtthathadn‘tbeenironedinmonths,andherhairwasknotted.Butwhatsurprisedhimmostofallwerehereyes.Fetchinglygray-green,theystaredpastKellyintowhat?He‘dseenthelookbeforeoftenenough,butonlyonwearymen.He‘dhadthelookhimself,Kellyremembered,buteventhenhe‘dneverknownwhathiseyessaw.Itdidn‘toccurtohimthatheworealooknotsodifferentnow.

　　‘Backtomyboat,‘heansweredfinally,notknowingwhatelsetosay.Andthatquickly,hereyeschanged.

　　‘Youhaveaboat?‘sheasked.Hereyeslituplikeachild‘s,asmilestartedthereandradiateddowntheremainderofherface,asthoughhe‘djustansweredanimportantquestion.Shehadacutegapbetweenherfrontteeth,Kellynoticed.

　　‘Forty-footer-she‘sadieselcruiser.‘HewavedtothebackoftheScout,whosecargoareawascompletelyfilledwithcartonsofgroceries.‘Youwanttocomealong?‘heasked,alsowithoutthinking.

　　‘Sure!‘Withouthesitationsheyankedopenthedoorandtossedherbackpackonthefloorinfrontofthepassengerseat.

　　Pullingbackintotrafficwasdangerous.Shortofwheel-baseandshortofpower,theScoutwasn‘tbuiltforinterstate-highwaydriving,andKellyhadtoconcentrate.Thecarwasn‘tfastenoughtogoinanyotherlanethantheright,andwithpeoplecomingonandoffateveryinterchange,hehadtopayattentionbecausetheScoutwasn‘tnimbleenoughtoavoidalltheidiotswhowereheadingouttotheoceanorwhereverthehellpeoplewentonathree-dayweekend.

　　Youwanttocomealong?he‘dasked,andshe‘dsaidSure,hismindreportedtohim.Whatthehеll?Kellyfrownedinfrustrationatthetrafficbecausehedidn‘tknowtheanswer,butthentherewerealotofquestionstowhichhehadn‘tknowntheanswersinthelastsixmonths.Hetoldhismindtobequietandwatchedthetraffic,eventhoughitkeptupitsinquiriesinanaggingsortofbackgroundnoise.One‘smind,afterall,rarelyobeysitsowncommands.

　　MemorialDayweekend,hethought.Thecarsaroundhimwerefilledwithpeoplerushinghomefromwork,orthosewho‘dalreadymadethattripandpickeduptheirfamilies.Thefacesofchildrenstaredoutoftherear-seatwindows.Oneortwowavedathim,butKellypretendednottonotice.Itwashardnothavingasoul,mostespeciallywhenyoucouldrememberhavinghadone.

　　Kellyranahandacrosshisjaw,feelingthesandpapertexture.Thehanditselfwasdirty.Nowonderthey‘dactedthatwayatthegrocerywarehouse.Lettingyourselfgo,Kelly.

　　Well,whothehellcares?

　　Heturnedtolookathisguestandrealizedthathedidn‘tknowhername.Hewastakinghertohisboat,andhedidn‘tknowhername.Amazing.Shewasstaringforward,herfaceserene.Itwasaprettyfaceinprofile.Shewasthin-perhapswillowywastherightword,herhairhalfwaybetweenblondeandbrown.Herjeanswerewornandtorninafewplaces,andhadbegunlifeatoneofthosestoreswheretheychargedyouextratoselljeansthatwerepre-faded-orwhatevertheydidwiththem.Kellydidn‘tknowandcaredless.Onemorethingnottocareabout.

　　Christ,howdidyouevergetthisscrewedup?hisminddemandedofhim.Heknewtheanswer,buteventhatwasnotafullexplanation.DifferentsegmentsoftheorganismcalledJohnTerrenceKellyknewdifferentpartsofthewholestory,butsomehowthey‘dneverallcometogether,leavingtheseparatefragmentsofwhathadoncebeenatough,smart,decisivemantoblunderaboutinconfusion-anddespair?Therewasahappythought.

　　Herememberedwhathe‘doncebeen.Herememberedallthethingsthathehadsurvived,amazedthathehaddoneso.Andperhapstheworsttormentofallwasthathedidn‘tunderstandwhathadgonewrong.Sure,heknewwhathadhappened,butthosethingshadallbeenontheoutside,andsomehowhisunderstandinghadgottenlost,leavinghimaliveandconfusedandwithoutpurpose.Hewasonautopilot.Heknewthat,butnotwherefatewastakinghim.

　　Shedidn‘ttrytotalk,whoevershewas,andthatwasjustaswell,Kellytoldhimself,thoughhesensedthattherewassomethingheoughttoknow.Therealizationcameasasurprise.Itwasinstinctual,andhe‘dalwaystrustedhisinstincts,thewarningchillonhisneckandforearms.HelookedaroundatthetrafficandKellysawnoparticulardangerotherthancarswithtoomuchengineunderthehoodandnotenoughbrainsbehindthewheel.Hiseyesscannedcarefullyandfoundnothing.Butthewarningdidn‘tgoaway,andKellyfoundhimselfcheckingthemirrorfornogoodreason,whilehislefthandwandereddownbetweenhislegsandfoundthecheckeredgripsoftheColtautomaticthathunghiddenundertheseat.Hishandwasstrokingtheweaponbeforeherealizedit.

　　Nowwhatthehelldidyoudothatfor?Kellypulledhishandbackandshookhisheadwithagrimaceoffrustration.Buthedidkeepcheckingthemirror-justthenormalwatchontraffic,heliedtohimselfforthenexttwentyminutes.

　　Theboatyardwasaswarmofactivity.Thethree-dayweekend,ofcourse.Carswerezippingabouttoofastforthesmallandbadlypavedparkinglot,eachdrivertryingtoevadetheFridayrushthateachwas,ofcourse,helpingtocreate.AtleastheretheScoutcameintoitsown.ThehighgroundclearanceandvisibilitygaveKellyanadvantageashemaneuveredtoSpringer‘stransom,andheloopedaroundtobackuptothesliphe‘dleftsixhoursbefore.Itwasarelief,tocrankupthewindowsandlockthecar.Hisadventureonthehighwayswasover,andthesafetyofthetracklesswaterbeckoned.

　　Springerwasadiesel-poweredmotoryacht,forty-onefeetlong,custombuiltbutsimilarinherlinesandinternalarrangementstoaPacemakerCoho.Shewasnotespeciallypretty,butshehadtwosizablecabins,andthemidshipssaloncouldbeconvertedeasilyintoathird.Herdieselswerelargebutnotsupercharged,becauseKellypreferredalargecomfortableenginetoasmallstrainingone.Hehadahigh-qualitymarineradar,everysortofcommunicationsgearthathecouldlegallyuse,andnavigationaidsnormallyreservedforoffshorefishermen.Thefiberglasshullwasimmaculate,andtherewasnotaspeckofrustonthechromedrails,thoughhehaddefiberatelydonewithoutthetopsidevarnishthatmostyacht-ownerscherishedbecauseitwasn‘tworththemaintenancetime.Springerwasaworkboat,orwassupposedtobe.

　　Kellyandhisguestalightedfromthecar.Heopenedthecargodoorandstartedcarryingthecartonsaboard.Theyounglady,hesaw,hadthegoodsensetostayoutoftheway.

　　‘Yo,Kelly!‘avoicecalledfromtheflyingbridge.

　　‘Yeah,Ed,whatwasit?‘

　　‘Badgauge.Thegeneratorbrusheswerealittleworn,andIreplacedthem,butIthinkitwasthegauge.Replacedthat,too.‘EdMurdock,theyard‘schiefmechanic,starteddown,andspottedthegirlashebegantostepofftheladder.Murdocktrippedonthelaststepandnearlylandedflatonhisfaceinsurprise.Themechanic‘sfaceevaluatedthegirlquicklyandapprovingly.

　　‘Anythingelse?‘Kellyaskedpointedly.

　　‘Toppedoffthetanks.Theenginesarewarm,‘Murdocksaid,turningbacktohiscustomer.‘It‘sallonyourbill.‘

　　‘Okay,thanks,Ed.‘

　　‘Oh,Chiptoldmetotellyou,somebodyelsemadeanofferincaseyoueverwanttosell-‘

　　Kellycuthimoff.‘Nochance,Ed.‘

　　‘She‘sajewel,Kelly,‘Murdocksaidashegatheredhistoolsandwalkedawaysmiling,pleasedwithhimselfforthedoubleentendre.

　　IttookseveralsecondsforKellytocatchthatone.Itevokedabelatedgruntofsemi-amusementasheloadedthelastofthegroceriesintothesalon.

　　‘WhatdoIdo?‘thegirlasked.She‘djustbeenstandingthere,andKellyhadtheimpressionthatshewastremblingalittleandtryingtohideit.

　　‘Justtakeaseattopside,‘Kellysaid,pointingtotheflyingbridge.‘It‘lltakemeafewminutestogetthingsstarted.‘

　　‘Okay.‘Shebeamedasmileathimguaranteedtomeltice,asthoughsheknewexactlywhatoneofhisneedswas.

　　Kellywalkedafttohiscabin,pleasedatleastthathekepthisboattidy.Themaster-cabinheadwasalsoneat,andhefoundhimselfstaringintothemirrorandasking,‘Okay,nowwhatthefuckareyougoingtodo?‘

　　Therewasnoimmediateanswer,butcommondecencytoldhimtowashup.Twominuteslaterheenteredthesalon.Hecheckedtoseethatthegrocerycartonsweresecure,thenwenttopside.

　　‘I,uh,forgottoaskyousomething-‘hebegan.

　　‘Pam,‘shesaid,extendingherhand.‘What‘syours?‘

　　‘Kelly,‘hereplied,nonplussedyetagain.

　　‘Wherewegoing,MrKelly?‘

　　‘JustKelly,‘hecorrectedher,keepinghisdistanceforthemoment.Pamjustnoddedandsmiledagain.

　　‘Okay,Kelly,whereto?‘

　　‘Iownalittleislandaboutthirty-‘

　　‘Youownanisland?‘Hereyeswentwide.

　　‘That‘sright.‘Actually,hejustleasedit,andthathadbeenafactlongenoughthatKellydidn‘tfindittheleastbitremarkable.

　　‘Let‘go!‘shesaidwithenthusiasm,lookingbackattheshore.

　　Kellylaughedoutloud.‘Okay,let‘sdothat!‘

　　Heflippedonthebilgeblowers.Springerhaddieselengines,andhedidn‘treallyhavetoworryaboutfumesbuildingup,butforallhisrecentlyacquiredslovenliness,Kellywasaseaman,andhislifeonthewaterfollowedastrictroutine,whichmeantobservingallthesafetyrulesthathadbeenwritteninthebloodoflesscarefulmen.Aftertheprescribedtwominutes,hepunchedthebuttontostarttheport-side,thenthestarboard-sidediesel.BothofthebigDetroitDieselenginescaughtatonce,rumblingtoimpressivelifeasKellycheckedthegauges.Everythinglookedfine.

　　Helefttheflyingbridgetosliphismooringlines,thencamebackandeasedthethrottlesforwardtotakehisboatoutoftheslip,checkingtideandwind-therewasnotmuchofeitheratthemoment-andlookingforotherboats.Kellyadvancedtheportthrottleanotchfartherasheturnedthewheel,allowingSpringertopivotallthemorequicklyinthenarrowchannel,andthenhewaspointedstraightout.Headvancedthestarboardthrottlenext,bringinghiscruisertoamannerlyfiveknotsasheheadedpasttheranksofmotorandsailyachts.Pamwaslookingaroundattheboats,too,mainlyaft,andhereyesfixedontheparkinglotforalongcoupleofsecondsbeforeshelookedforwardagain,herbodyrelaxingmoreasshedidso.

　　‘Youknowanythingaboutboats?‘Kellyasked.

　　‘Notmuch,‘sheadmitted,andforthefirsttimehenoticedheraccent.

　　‘Whereyoufrom?‘

　　‘Texas.Howaboutyou?‘

　　‘Indianapolis,originally,butit‘sbeenawhile.‘

　　‘What‘sthis?‘sheasked.Herhandsreachedouttotouchthetattooonhisforearm.

　　‘It‘sfromoneoftheplacesI‘vebeen,‘hesaid.‘Notaveryniceplace.‘

　　‘Oh,overthere.‘Sheunderstood.

　　&"That‘stheplace.‘Kellynoddedmatter-of-factly.Theywereoutoftheyachtbasinnow,andheadvancedthethrottlesyetagain.

　　‘Whatdidyoudothere?‘

　　‘Nothingtotalktoaladyabout,‘Kellyreplied,lookingaroundfromahalf-standingposition.

　　‘WhatmakesyouthinkI‘malady?‘sheasked.

　　Itcaughthimshort,buthewasgettingusedtoitbynow.He‘dalsofoundthattalkingtoagirl,nomatterwhatthesubject,wassomethingthatheneededtodo.Forthefirsttimeheansweredhersmilewithoneofhisown.

　　‘Well,itwouldn‘tbeveryniceofmeifIassumedthatyouweren‘t.‘

　　‘Iwonderedhowlongitwouldbebeforeyousmiled.‘Youhaveaverynicesmile,hertonetoldhim.

　　How‘ssixmonthsgrabyou?healmostsaid.Insteadhelaughed,mainlyathimself.Thatwassomethingelseheneededtodo.

　　‘I‘msorry.GuessIhaven‘tbeenverygoodcompany.‘Heturnedtolookatheragainandsawunderstandinginhereyes.Justaquietlook,veryhumanandfeminine,butitshookKelly.Hecouldfeelithappen,andignoredthepartofhisconsciousnessthattoldhimthatitwassomethinghe‘dneededbadlyformonths.Thatwassomethinghedidn‘t‘needtohear,especiallyfromhimself.Lonelinesswasbadenoughwithoutreflectiononitsmisery.Herhandreachedoutyetagain,ostensiblytostrokethetattoo,butthatwasn‘twhatitwasallabout.Itwasamazinghowwarmhertouchwas,evenunderahotafternoonsun.Perhapsitwasameasureofjusthowcoldhislifehadbecome.

　　Buthehadaboattonavigate.Therewasafreighteraboutathousandyardsahead.Kellywasnowatfullcruisingpower,andthetrimtabsatthestemhadautomaticallyengaged,bringingtheboattoanefficientplaningangleasherspeedcametoeighteenknots.Theridewassmoothuntiltheygotintothemerchantship‘swake.ThenSpringerstartedpitching,upanddownthreeorfourfeetatthebowasKellymaneuveredlefttogetaroundtheworstofit.Thefreightergrewbeforethemlikeacliffastheyovertookher.

　　‘IstheresomeplaceIcanchange?‘

　　‘Mycabinisaft.Youcanmoveinforwardifyouwant.‘

　　‘Oh,really?‘Shegiggled.‘WhywouldIdothat?‘

　　‘Huh?‘She‘ddoneittohimagain.

　　Pamwentbelow,carefultoholdontotherailsasshecarriedherbackpack.Shehadn‘tbeenwearingmuch.Shereappearedinafewminuteswearingevenless,short-shortsandahalter,noshoes,andperceptiblymorerelaxed.Shehaddancer‘slegs,Kellynoticed,slimandveryfeminine.Alsoverypale,whichsurprisedhim.Thehalterwaslooseonher,andfrayedattheedges.Perhapsshe‘drecentlylostweight,ormaybeshe‘ddeliberatelyboughtitoverlarge.Whateverthereason,itshowedquiteabitofherchest.Kellycaughthimselfshiftinghiseyes,andchastisedhimselfforoglingthegirl.ButPammadeithardnotto.Nowshegraspedhisupperarmandsatupagainsthim.Lookingover,hecouldseerightdownthehalterjustasfarashewanted.

　　‘Youlikethem?‘sheasked.

　　Kelly‘sbrainandmouthwentintolock.Hemadeafewembarrassedsounds,andbeforehecoulddecidetosayanythingshewaslaughing.Butnotathim.Shewaswavingatthecrewofthefreighter,whowavedback.ItwasanItalianship,andoneofthehalfdozenorsomenhangingovertherailatthesternblewPamakiss.Shedidthesameinreturn.

　　ItmadeKellyjealous.

　　Heturnedthewheeltoportagain,takinghisboatacrossthebowwaveofthefreighter,andashepassedthevessel‘sbridgehetootedhishom.Itwasthecorrectthingtodo,thoughfewsmallboaterseverbothered.Bythistime,awatchofficerhadhisglassesonKelly-actuallyPam,ofcourse.Heturnedandshoutedsomethingtothewheelhouse.Amomentlaterthefreighter‘senormous‘whistle‘soundeditsownbassnote,nearlycausingthegirltoleapfromherseat.

　　Kellylaughed,andsodidshe,andthenshewrappedherarmstightlyaroundhisbicep.Hecouldfeelafingertracingitswayaroundthetattoo.

　　‘Itdoesn‘tfeellike-‘

　　Kellynodded.‘Iknow.Mostpeopleexpectittofeellikepaintorsomething.‘

　　‘Whydid-‘

　　‘-Igetit?Everybodyintheoutfitdid.Eventheofficers.Itwassomethingtodo,Iguess.Prettydumb,realty.‘

　　‘Idunkit‘scute.‘

　　‘Well,Ithinkyou‘reprettycute.‘

　　‘Yousaythenicestthings.‘Shemovedslightly,rubbingherbreastagainsthisupperarm.

　　KellysettleddowntoasteadycruisingspeedofeighteenknotsasheworkedhiswayoutofBaltimoreharbor.TheItalianfreighterwastheonlymerchantshipinview,andtheseaswereflat,withone-footripples.HekepttothemainshippingchannelallthewayoutintotheChesapeakeBay.

　　‘Youthirsty?‘sheaskedastheyturnedsouth.

　　‘Yeah.There‘safridgeinthekitchenette-it‘sinthe-‘

　　‘Isawit.Whatdoyouwant?‘

　　‘Gettwoofanything.‘

　　‘Okay,‘sherepliedbrightly.Whenshestood,thesoftfeelingworkeditswaystraightuphisarm,finallydepartingattheshoulder.

　　‘What‘sthat?‘sheaskedonreturning.Kellyturnedandwinced.He‘dbeensocontentwiththegirlonhisarmthathe‘dneglectedtopayattentiontotheweather.‘That‘wasathunderstorm,atoweringmassofcumulonimbuscloudsthatreachedeightortenmilesskyward.

　　‘Lookslikewe‘regoingtogetsomerain,‘hetoldherashetookthebeerfromherhand.

　　‘WhenIwasalittlegirl,thatmeantatornado.‘

　　‘Well,nothere,itdoesn‘t,‘Kellyreplied,lookingaroundtheboattomakesurethattherewasnoloosegear.Below,heknew,everythingwasinitsproperplace,becauseitalwayswas,ennuiornot.Thenheswitchedonhismarineradio.Hecaughtaweatherforecastatonce,onethatendedwiththeusualwarning.

　　‘Isthisasmallcraft?‘Pamasked.

　　‘Technicallyitis,butyoucanrelax.IknowwhatI‘mdoing.Iusedtobeachiefbosun‘smate.‘

　　‘What‘sthat?‘

　　‘Asailor.IntheNavy,thatis.Besides,thisisaprettybigboat.Theridemightgetalittlebumpy,isall.Ifyou‘reworried,therearelifejacketsundertheseatyou‘reon.‘

　　‘Areyouworried?‘Pamasked.Kellysmiledandshookhishead.‘Okay.‘Sheresumedherpreviousposition,herchestagainsthisarm,herheadonhisshoulder,adreamyexpressioninhereyes,asthoughanticipatingsomethingthatwastobe,stormornostorm.

　　Kellywasn‘tworried-atleastnotaboutthestorm-buthewasn‘tcasualaboutthingseither.PassingBodkinPoint,hecontinuedeastacrosstheshippingchannel.Hedidn‘tturnsouthuntilhewasinwaterheknewtobetooshallowforanythinglargeenoughtorunhimdown.Everyfewminutesheturnedtokeepaneyeonthestorm,whichwaschargingrightinattwentyknotsorso.Ithadalreadyblottedoutthesun.Afast-movingstormmostoftenmeantaviolentone,andhisnewsoutherlycoursemeantthathewasn‘toutrunningitanylonger.Kellyfinishedoffhisbeeranddecidedagainstanother.Visibilitywoulddropfast.Hepulledoutaplastic-coatedchartandfixeditinplaceonthetabletotherightoftheinstrumentpanel,markedhispositionwithagreasepencil,andthenchecked,tomakesurethathiscoursedidn‘ttakehimintoshallows-Springerdrewfourandahalffeetofwater,andforKellyanythinglessthaneightfeetconstitutedshallowwater.Satisfied,hesethiscompasscourseandrelaxedagain.Histrainingwashisbufferagainstbothdangerandcomplacency.

　　‘Won‘tbelongnow,‘Pamobserved,justatraceofuneaseinhervoiceassheheldontohim.

　　‘Youcanheadbelowifyouwant,‘Kellysaid.‘It‘sgonnagetrainyandwindy.Andbumpy.‘

　　‘Butnotdangerous.‘

　　‘No,unlessIdosomethingreallydumb.I‘lltrynotto,‘hepromised.

　　‘CanIstayhereandseewhatit‘slike?‘sheasked,dearlyunwillingtoleavehisside,thoughKellydidnotknowwhy.

　　‘It‘sgoingtogetwet,‘hewarnedheragain.

　　‘That‘sokay.‘Shesmiledbrightly,fixingevenmoretightlytohisarm.

　　Кеllуthrottledbacksome,takingtheboatdownoffplane.Therewasnoreasontohurry.Withthethrottleseasedback,therewasnolongeraneedfortwohandsonthecontrolseither.Hewrappedhisarmaroundthegirl,herheadcameautomaticallydownonhisshoulderagain,anddespitetheapproachingstormeverythingwassuddenlyrightwiththeworld.Orthat‘swhatKelly‘semotionstoldhim.Hisreasonsaidsomethingelse,andthetwoviewswouldnotreconcilethemselves.Hisreasonremindedhimthatthegirlathissidewas-what?Hedidn‘tknow.Hisemotionstoldhimthatitdidn‘tmatteradamn.Shewaswhatheneeded.ButKellywasnotamanruledbyemotions,andtheconflictmadehimgloweratthehorizon.

　　‘Somethingwrong?‘Pamasked.

　　Kellystartedtosaysomething,thenstopped,andremindedhimselfthathewasaloneonhisyachtwithaprettygirl.Heletemotionwinthisroundforachange.

　　‘I’malittleconfused,but,no,nothingiswrongthatIknowabout.‘

　　‘Icantellthatyou-‘

　　Kellyshookhishead.‘Don‘tbother.Whateveritis,itcanwait.Justrelaxandenjoytheride.‘

　　Thefirstgustofwindarrivedamomentlater,heelingtheboatafewdegreestoport.Kellyadjustedhisruddertocompensate.Therainarrivedquickly.ThefirstfewwarningsprinkleswererapidlyfollowedbysolidsheetsthatmarchedlikecurtainsacrossthesurfaceoftheChesapeakeBay.Withinaminutevisibilitywasdowntoonlyafewhundredyards,andtheskywasasdarkaslatetwilight.Kellymadesurehisrunninglightswereon.Thewavesstartedkickingupinearnest,drivenbywhatfeltlikethirtyknotsofwind.Weatherandseasweredirectlyonthebeam.Hedecidedthathecouldkeepgoing,buthewasinagoodanchoringplacenow,andwouldn‘tbeinanotherforfivehours.Kellytookanotherlookatthechart,thenswitchedonhisradartoverifyhisposition.Tenfeetofwater,asandbottomthatthechartcalledHRDandwasthereforegoodholdingground.HebroughtSpringerintothewindandeasedthethrottlesuntilthepropellerswereprovidingjustenoughthrusttoovercomethedrivingforceofthewind.m.XiaoShuo530.Com

　　‘Takethewheel,‘hetoldPam.

　　‘ButIdon‘tknowwhattodo!‘

　　‘It‘sallright.JustholdhersteadyandsteerthewayItellyouto.Ihavetogoforwardtosettheanchors.‘Kay?‘

　　‘Youbecareful!‘sheshoutedoverthegustingwind.Thewaveswereaboutfivefeetnow,andthebowoftheboatwasleapingupanddown.Kellygavehershoulderasqueezeandwentforward.

　　Hehadtowatchhimself,ofcourse,buthisshoeshadno-skidsoles,andKellyknewhisbusiness.Hekepthishandsonthegrabrailallthewayaroundthesuperstructure,andinaminutehewasontheforedeck.Twoanchorswereclippedtothedeck,aDanforthandaCQRplow-type,bothslightlyoversized.HetossedtheDanforthoverfirst,thensignaledforPamtoeasethewheeltoport.Whentheboathadmovedperhapsfiftyfeetsouth,hedroppedtheCQRoverthesideaswell.Bothropeswerealreadysettotheproperlengths,andaftercheckingthatallwassecure,Kellymadehiswaybacktotheflyingbridge.

　　Pamlookednervousuntilthemomentthathesatbackdownonthevinylbench-everythingwascoveredwithwaternow,andtheirclothesweresoakedthrough.Kellyeasedthethrottlestoidle,allowingthewindtopushSpringerbacknearlyahundredfeet.Bythattimebothanchorshaddugintothebottom.Kellyfrownedattheirplacement.Heoughttohavesetthemfartherapart.Butonlyoneanchorwasreallynecessary.Thesecondwasjustinsurance.Satisfied,heswitchedoffthediesels.

　　‘Icouldfightthestormallthewaydown,butI‘dprefernotto,‘heexplained.

　　‘Soweparkhereforthenight?‘

　　‘That‘sright.Youcangodowntoyourcabinand-‘

　　‘Youwantmetogoaway?‘

　　‘No-Imean,ifyoudon‘tlikeithere-‘Herhandcameuptohisface.Hebarelycaughtherwordsthroughthewindandrain.

　　‘Ilikeithere.‘Somehowitdidn‘tseemlikeacontradictionatall.

　　AmomentlaterKellyaskedhimselfwhyithadtakensolong.Allthesignalshadbeenthere.Therewasanotherbriefdiscussionbetweenemotionandreason,andreasonlostagain.Therewasnothingtobeafraidofhere,justapersonaslonelyashe.Itwassoeasytoforget.Lonelinessdidn‘ttellyouwhatyouhadlost,onlythatsomethingwasmissing.Ittooksomethinglikethistodefinethatemptiness.Herskinwassoft,drippingwithrain,butwarm.Itwassodifferentfromtherentedpassionthathe‘dtriedtwiceinthepastmonth,eachtimecomingawaydisgustedwithhimself.

　　Butthiswassomethingelse.Thiswasreal.Reasoncriedoutonelasttimethatitcouldn‘tbe,thathe‘dpickedherupatthesideoftheroadandhadknownherforonlyabriefspanofhours.Emotionsaidthatitdidn‘tmatter.Asthoughobservingtheconflictinhismind,Pampulledthehalteroverherhead.Emotionwon.

　　‘Theylookjustfinetome,‘Kellysaid.Hishandmovedtothem,touchingdelicately.Theyfeltjustfine,too.Pamhungthehalteronthesteeringwheelandpressedherfaceagainsthis,herhandspullinghimforward,takingchargeinaveryfeminineway.Somehowherpassionwasn‘tanimalistic.Somethingmadeitdifferent.Kellydidn‘tknowwhatitwas,butdidn‘tsearchforthereason,notnow.

　　Bothrosetotheirfeet.Pamnearlyslipped,butKellycaughther,droppingtohiskneestohelpremovehershorts.Thenitwasherturntounbuttonhisshirtafterplacinghishandsonherbreasts.Hisshirtremainedinplaceforalongmomentbecauseneitherwantedhishandstomove,butthenitwasdone,onearmatatime,andhisjeanswentnext.Kellyslippedoutofhisshoesastherestcameoff.Bothstoodforthenextembrace,weavingastheboatpitchedandrockedbeneaththem,therainandwindpeltingthem.Pamtookhishandandledhimjustaftofthedriver‘sconsole,guidinghimdowntoasupinepositiononthedeck.Shemountedhimatonce.Kellytriedtositup,butshedidn‘tlethim,insteadleaningforwardwhileherhipsmovedwithgentleviolence.Kellywasasunreadyforthatashe‘dbeenforeverythingelsethisafternoon,andhisshoutseemedtooutscreamthethunder.Whenhiseyesopened,herfacewasinchesfromhim,andthesmilewaslikethatonastoneangelinachurch.

　　‘I‘msorry,Pam,I-‘

　　Shestoppedhisapologywithagiggle.‘Areyoualwaysthisgood?‘

　　Longminuteslater,Kelly‘sarmswerewrappedaroundherthinform,andsotheystayeduntilthestormpassed.Kellywasafraidtoletgo,afraidofthepossibilitythatthiswasasunrealasithadtobe.Thenthewindacquiredachill,andtheywentbelow.Kellygotsometowelsandtheydriedeachotheroff.Hetriedtosmileather,butthehurtwasback,allthemorepowerfulfromthejoyoftheprevioushour,anditwasPam‘sturntobesurprised.Shesatbesidehimonthedeckofthesalon,andwhenshepulledhisfacedowntoherchest,hewastheonewhowept,untilherchestwaswetagain.Shedidn‘task.Shewassmartenoughforthat.Insteadsheheldhimtightlyuntilhewasdoneandhisbreathingcamebacktonormal.

　　‘I‘msorry,‘hesaidafterawhile.Kellytriedtomovebutshewouldn‘tlethim.

　　‘Youdon‘thavetoexplain.ButI‘dliketohelp,‘shesaid,knowingthatshealreadyhad.She‘dseenitfromalmostthefirstmomentinthecar:astrongman,badlyhurt.Sodifferentfromtheothersshehadknown.Whenhefinallyspoke,shecouldfeelhiswordsonherbreast.

　　‘It‘sbeennearlysevenmonths.DowninMississippionajob.Shewaspregnant,wejustfoundout.Shewenttothestore,and-itwasatruck,abigtractor-trailerrig.Thelinkagebroke.‘Hecouldn‘tmakehimselfsaymore,andhedidn‘thaveto.

　　‘Whatwashername?‘

　　‘Tish-Patricia.‘

　　‘Howlongwereyou-‘

　　‘Yearandahalf.Thenshewasjustgone.Ineverexpectedit.Imean,Iputmytimein,didsomedangerousstuff,butthat‘sallover,andthatwasme,nother.Ineverthought-‘Hisvoicecrackedagain.Pamlookeddownathiminthemutedlightofthesalon,seeingthescarsshe‘dmissedbeforeandwonderingwhattheirstorywas.Itdidn‘tmatter.Shebroughthercheekdowntothetopofhishead.Heshouldhavebeenafatherrightaboutnow.Shouldhavebeenalotofthings.

　　‘Youneverletitout,didyou?‘

　　‘No.‘

　　‘Andwhynow?‘

　　‘Idon‘tknow,‘hewhispered.

　　‘Thankyou.‘Kellylookedupinsurprise.‘That‘sthenicestthingamanhaseverdonetome.‘

　　‘Idon‘tunderstand.‘

　　‘Yes,youdo,‘Pamreplied.‘AndTishunderstands,too.Youletmetakeherplace.Ormaybeshedid.Shelovedyou,John.Shemusthavelovedyoualot.Andshestilldoes.Thankyouforlettingmehelp.‘

　　Hestartedcryingagain,andPambroughthisheadbackdown,cradlinghimlikeasmallchild.Itlastedtenminutes,thoughneitherlookedataclock.Whenhewasdone,hekissedheringratitudethatrapidlyturnedtorenewedpassion.Pamlayback,lettinghimtakechargeasheneededtodonowthathewasagainamaninspirit.Herrewardwasinkeepingwiththemagnitudeofwhatshehaddoneforhim,andthistimeitwashercriesthatcanceledoutthethunder.Later,hefellasleepatherside,andshekissedhisunshavencheek.Thatwaswhenherowntearsbeganatthewonderofwhatthedayhadbroughtaftertheterrorwithwhichithadbegun.</div> 有的人死了，但没有完全死……

　　无尽的昏迷过后，时宇猛地从床上起身。想要看最新章节内容，请下载爱阅小说app，无广告免费阅读最新章节内容。网站已经不更新最新章节内容，已经爱阅小说APP更新最新章节内容。

　　他大口的呼吸起新鲜的空气，胸口一颤一颤。

　　迷茫、不解，各种情绪涌上心头。

　　这是哪？

　　随后，时宇下意识观察四周，然后更茫然了。

　　一个单人宿舍？

　　就算他成功得到救援，现在也应该在病房才对。

　　还有自己的身体……怎么会一点伤也没有。

　　带着疑惑，时宇的视线快速从房间扫过，最终目光停留在了床头的一面镜子上。

　　镜子照出他现在的模样，大约十七八岁的年龄，外貌很帅。

　　可问题是，这不是他！下载爱阅小说app，阅读最新章节内容无广告免费

　　之前的自己，是一位二十多岁气宇不凡的帅气青年，工作有段时间了。

　　而现在，这相貌怎么看都只是高中生的年纪……

　　这个变化，让时宇发愣很久。

　　千万别告诉他，手术很成功……

　　身体、面貌都变了，这根本不是手术不手术的问题了，而是仙术。

　　他竟完全变成了另外一个人！

　　难道……是自己穿越了？

　　除了床头那摆放位置明显风水不好的镜子，时宇还在旁边发现了三本书。

　　时宇拿起一看，书名瞬间让他沉默。

　　《新手饲养员必备育兽手册》

　　《宠兽产后的护理》

　　《异种族兽耳娘评鉴指南》

　　时宇：？？？

　　前两本书的名字还算正常，最后一本你是怎么回事？

　　“咳。”

　　时宇目光一肃，伸出手来，不过很快手臂一僵。

　　就在他想翻开第三本书，看看这究竟是个什么东西时，他的大脑猛地一阵刺痛，大量的记忆如潮水般涌现。

　　冰原市。

　　宠兽饲养基地。

　　实习宠兽饲养员。网站即将关闭，下载爱阅app为您提供大神璇玑的璇玑之心刃·冷血悍将

　　御兽师？