image of ––”
“Let it go, Doc.” He slapped his best friend on the back. “Let’s go fishing.”
Dan Collins jumped onto the deck and whistled. “Okay, my new best friends, my name is Dan Collins, this ship is my baby. Here’s the drill for the day. The tackle and gear are on the bottom level. I’ll let you know when it’s safe to drop a line. You don't need to cast. Just drop the line. Those hooks can cause a nasty scratch so be careful when you bait up. If you cross a line you move, the line you crossed doesn’t. We are going after White Marlin, Kingfish, and Wahoo, but you might get bites from Sailfish on the tackle we have. If you snag a bite, let everyone know by yelling, ‘Fish on’. Everyone who has nothing on the line will clear out of your way. These fish are powerful and hard to land. All of you look in good enough shape, but if you tire out, let someone else reel them in for a while. They will fight and fight hard.” He rubbed his hands together. “What else? Oh, latrines are through the main cabin to the right. Galley is on the other side of the main cabin to the left. Plenty of food for you to eat in there, but I’m not playing servant. I have beer, water, and soda in an ice chest downstairs and there are frozen mango and strawberry daiquiris in the machines on the main level. Believe me, the heat will sneak up on you. Remember, shade is your friend.” He turned to Joseph. “I’ll need someone to cast off when I get her fired up.”
“I’ll take the bowlines.” Zane headed to the front of the ship.
“I’ve got the stern.” Justin headed to the back of the craft.
“Well, look at that, an instant crew. Explore the boat, we’ll be in fishing waters in about an hour.” Dan laughed and headed up the ladder to what Jacob assumed was the bridge. He scanned the deck until he found his oldest brother. The sneer that crept across his face was enough to send a shiver of apprehension down his back.
“He is up to something,” he said to Jason, who was standing next to him.
Jason grunted. “He can’t blow up the boat.”
“You sure about that?” Jacob asked as he headed down to the beer. It may be early, but if he was going to be blown to smithereens by his own brother, he was going to do it with a buzz on.
Joseph scanned the men on the deck of the ship. If he’d been forced to admit it to anyone, he’d have to acknowledge that today had been a total kick in the ass. Chief had caught the biggest Wahoo and both Dixon and Drake had landed a Kingfish, but the battle of the day was his. He’d snagged a sailfish and had reeled that bastard in all by himself. It took over two hours of give and take. They hauled him onto the deck, took a picture, and let the son of a bitch go. They released all the fish. They weren’t going to eat them, so it was the right thing to do. As the men stowed their rigs, he cleared his throat. Every eye turned his direction. Even Dan Collins stopped talking, which hadn’t happened all day.
“Thank you for inviting yourselves to my vacation. I’ve had a great time and I hope you have, too. Three more days left on the island. I know you’ve been wondering when—or if—I’d be taking a shot at you.”
“Definitely when,” Double D said together.
“Okay, stop that.” Joseph pointed to them. “I was coming down here with Ember to renew our vows since we found out we’re pregnant. So, knowing that you gentlemen would not want to be left out, I have included each of you in the vow ceremony. As I speak, the ladies are being hand-delivered invitations, which they believe are from their husbands, to renew their vows on the beach with Ember and me tomorrow night.”
Chief crossed his arms and stared at Joseph. “How is this retribution?”
“Ah, well… I’ve purchased Ember a ring to give to her when we renew our vows. In addition, the invitation they received indicates you have done the same thing.”
“What?” Dixon and Drake spoke in unison again.
“Again, stop that shit.” Joseph smiled at each of them. “They have fittings for their dresses tomorrow. The children will have a part in the