Finding good employees was always a challenge. Working on a charter boat meant a lot of grunt work. The pay was good, and you got to spend your day on the water, but there were also things like customers getting drunk or seasick. Weather could be an issue, and all employees needed a working knowledge of boating. Plus having to pass a drug test.
A month into the summer, nearly everyone who wanted a job had a job. Finding a replacement for Austin would take some effort.
She unlocked the front door and stepped inside. The faint scent of roses lingered in the air-conditioned air. The big bouquet—waiting for her when she’d come back two nights ago—sat on the dining room table. Harlow fingered the soft petals.
Kip was trying. After he’d apologized （again） for not telling her about Tracey and for walking out after that dinner with his parents, they’d agreed to give each other time to process, then have a big meeting next week, when they both had the day off.
She wasn’t looking forward to that, but knew it was important. She and Kip had to be honest with each other. No more secrets. She could deal with the truth, but first she had to know what it was.
Her phone buzzed. She glanced down.
Your brother quit. Just up and quit. I need to redo the schedule. Can you get back here?
She only hesitated a second before texting back, On my way.
She spent the drive trying to solve the problem. Only as she pulled into the marina did an unexpected solution occur to her.
She reached for her phone.
Can you call me right this second? It’s not an emergency but it’s important.
Seconds later her phone rang.
“What’s up?” Enid asked.
“Did I interrupt you at work?”
“Nope. I’m just leaving the boutique, and I’m on my way home. For once I’m off tonight. I’m going to throw myself on the sofa and not move until morning. So, what’s important but not an emergency?”
“You like boats.”
“You mean in general? Sure. I always have fun when we go out.”
“You’ve helped with the big charters before. You don’t get seasick.”
“No. Plus I look adorable in crop pants and a striped T-shirt. What does that have to do with anything?”
Harlow explained that Austin had quit and they were shorthanded at work. “I haven’t talked to my dad, but I know he’ll be interested in hiring you. I’m pretty sure it pays more than the boutique, plus there are usually tips we all split, and you’d be done in time for your night job. Want me to mention you?”
“I’d love that. I can crew. More money would be fantastic. I’ll clean up the puke. I don’t care.”
Her enthusiasm made Harlow wish for the money to pay for her friend’s medical school. “I’ll talk to him right now. I’ll call you when we’re done. Give me half an hour.”
Harlow hurried inside. The second she walked into the main office, she could hear her dad.
“Dammit all to hell. How could he do this?”
Something hit the wall. Harlow heard the thunk but not the sound of something breaking, which was good. At least he hadn’t tossed a lamp or a glass.
She braced herself for her father’s mood and walked into his office. He spun to face her.
“What is he thinking? You have to talk some sense into him. I can’t believe he did this to me. Just up and left with no warning. He knows better. If he thinks he’s going to come back and work here sometime in the future, he can forget it. He’s irresponsible and still a kid. Going to visit his mommy? What is he? Five?”
Harlow waited out the rant, knowing her father wouldn’t listen until he wound down a little. As Cord continued to pace and rage, his face red, his body language tense, she remembered her parents fighting when she’d been a kid.
Her mother had always kept her voice low, but her dad’s voice would steadily rise until he was yelling loud enough to shake walls. Sometimes he’d throw things, scaring Harlow and Austin. They would huddle together in her room. If it got really bad, they hid in her closet.
When the house got quiet, their mom would pull them close and tell them everything was fine.
“I know it’s tough when your dad gets mad,” she would say. “But it’s only noise, and noise can’t hurt you.”
Harlow had tried to believe her, but she hadn’t been convinced. Over time she’d learned that her father didn’t do well if he didn’t get his way, and it was smarter to let him tire himself out. Once he calmed down, he could be reasoned with, but until then, he was like a kid having a tantrum.
“He’s eighteen,” her father fumed. “I gave him a good job. I paid him more than I should, and this is how he thanks me? He’s always been a mama’s boy. I don’t know why I bother.”
Harlow didn’t point out that Austin had been crewing since he was fifteen. The only reason he didn’t have a captain’s license, beyond a six-pack, was that he’d never bothered to take the tests. He wanted to work here in the summer, but as he’d said, running the company had never been his thing.
About twenty minutes later, Cord ran out of steam. He sank into his chair and stared at her.
“We’re screwed.”
She took the visitor’s seat and shook her head. “You’re being way too dramatic, Dad. We’ll figure it out, just like we always do. Yes, we’re shorthanded, but that’s not why you’re mad. You’re mad because he left.”
Her father stared at her. “I guess. I don’t know why he did it. He stood right there, looked me in the eye and quit.”
“He’s been trying to talk to you for weeks, and you wouldn’t listen. He made appointments with you, and you wouldn’t take the time. This is on you.”
He scowled. “Anything else you want to criticize?”
“I’m not being critical. I’m pointing out what happened. And while we both know we’ll be okay staff-wise, you’ve taught me it’s always smarter to be prepared. I know who we could hire to replace Austin.”
Her father immediately perked up. “Who?”
“Enid.”
She was ready to explain why that was a good idea, but before she could start in on her list, her father relaxed, leaned back in his chair and grinned.
“Well, look at you. That’s a great idea. Enid. I should have thought of her myself. She knows the boats, she’s good with people, and she’d look hot in the uniform.” His gaze swung back to her. “Does she want the job?”
“Yes. It pays more than the one she has now. She’s saving for medical school, Dad, so the money’s important to her. She also needs to be done by four so she can get to her night job. You’ll need to keep that in mind when you schedule her. No sunset charters except on the days she’s not working at the restaurant.”
He nodded as he turned to his computer and started typing. “Easy enough. Get her in here first thing to fill out the paperwork. I’ve got a half-day charter from ten to three tomorrow. I’ll put her on that. While she’s in the office, she can give me her schedule.”
Harlow kept her expression neutral. “I’ll take care of it. Anything else?”
Her father waved toward the door. “Nope. See you tomorrow.”