Jack Beale 00 - Dangerous Shoals

from her before she climbed over the traveler and joined him at the helm.
    “Thanks.”
    Max didn’t say anything. She just sat down, cradling her coffee in her hands for warmth.
    The day didn’t seem to brighten even as the sun rose higher in the sky. As they passed 2KR, one of the outer buoys marking the entrance to Portsmouth Harbor, the only other boats he could see were two lobster boats. Both were coming out of the harbor, while another was already working his traps near Gerrish Island. The wind was increasing and from Irrepressible ’s motion Jack could feel that the swells were too, even though visually there seemed to be little change.
    “Jack. What’s going on? Why is this happening?” her voice startled him.
    “I don’t know.” He silently cursed Daniel for coming back into their lives.
    “Do you think that after we meet Daniel today it will be over?”
    “We can only hope.”
    Max didn’t say anything else and neither did Jack as they motored on. It wasn’t long before he saw Boon Island Light on the horizon. The light is on a barren chunk of rock about six or so miles off of York, Maine. As the distance to York Harbor closed, his sense of foreboding grew. He glanced back at Max and saw that she was curled up on the seat behind him, fast asleep. Jack smiled. It was obvious that the calming motion of Irrepressible had overcome her anxiety.

CHAPTER 39
    “MAX.” HE CALLED HER NAME without looking back, his attention on the entrance to the York Harbor. The wind had picked up considerably and the ocean was getting increasingly angry as those previously benign swells were crashing on the rocks on either side of the entrance. The tide was slack, which Jack was thankful for since the river took a sharp right turn before moving into the harbor proper. With a running tide, that turn could be difficult.
    “What do you want me to do?” Max said as she stood and moved next to Jack.
    “Did you have a good nap?” he asked without turning his head.
    “I did. What can I do?’ she asked again.
    “I plan to pick up a mooring, but until we get past this turn and into the Harbor itself … Shit.” It had started to rain. “You better get below and get into your rain gear.”
    Even before he spoke, Max had already begun to work her way past him. Irrepressible slid around the buoy as Max disappeared below, leaving Jack alone at the wheel just as the skies opened up. He pulled back on the throttle and the boat began to slow as they moved into the Harbor proper.
    “Max,” Jack called out. When she appeared in the companionway he asked, “Could you get on the radio and call the harbormaster and ask which mooring we should pick up?”
    She nodded and disappeared from sight. While she was calling, Jack made a slow turn to port and cruised past York Harbor Marine Service. Since it was pouring he didn’t see any of the yard crew around. Suddenly, Max reappeared. “There was no answer, but someone at the boat yard heard me and said that we could pick up just about any empty mooring or we could tie up on their floats.” Because of their mission, Jack preferred the privacy of a mooring, and since it was early in the year, there were plenty to choose from. He turned away from the yard, spotted an empty mooring that had no other boats near it, and called Max to come out to help.
    Luck was with them, at least for now, and the rain let up slightly as Max retrieved the mooring pennant. Jack reversed the engine to stop the boat. Then he shifted into neutral and went forward, took the pennant from her, and knelt to secure it to the cleat. “Let’s get below,” said Jack, putting the final turn on the cleat. As he stood, he realized that he was speaking to no one. Max had already gone below. He stood and took one last look around just as the rain began again in earnest.
    “Well, at least the rain held off for most of the trip,” he said as he took off his jacket. He still didn’t see Max, and when there was no response he assumed that she had to be in the forward cabin. He started the cabin heater, and in moments warm air filled the boat, creating a snug, intimate cocoon.
    Max was indeed in the forward cabin. When he peeked inside he saw that she had already curled up in the forward v-berth, snuggled under a fleece blanket with a magazine. He was happy she had taken a quick break from the worries at hand.
    Jack began to feel his fatigue as well, so he returned to the main cabin and climbed into the quarter