Baby on Board by Lisa Ruff Page B

approached the marina, Patrick furled the sails and turned on the engine. It started easily and ran smoothly now. Whatever had been wrong was fixed. He keyed the microphone on the VHF radio and called for a dockhand to handle lines as he motored around the breakwater. At the dock, he slid the boat smoothly into the slip, reversing the engine to stop it in place and tossed the mooring lines to a young man waiting there. In minutes the boat was secured.
    “Thanks, Bill,” Patrick said.
    “My pleasure. I saw you coming in. She looks beautiful.”
    “She sails as good as she looks.”
    “You need anything else?” Bill asked.
    “No, thanks. I’ll just lock her up and put the covers on.”
    With a brief salute, Bill jogged up the dock, the radio at his waist squawking, directing him to some other task. Patrick smiled. The kid had more energy than two guys. He hoped his folks could convince him to stick around for longer than the summer.
    Patrick had just finished buttoning up the mainsail cover when he was hailed by a tall, lanky man with graying hair.
    “Patrick! How’s my baby doing?”
    “Hey, Jimmy.” Patrick hopped off the boat and greeted the older man. “I think she’s ready for her first lesson. How about if you clear your schedule tomorrow morning and we’ll take her out?”
    “That’s what I want to hear.” Jimmy rubbed his hands together and chortled. “Consider it cleared.”
    Patrick laughed. James Steele Johnson sounded like a kid on Christmas Eve. The childish glee seemed odd for a fifty-year-old man, but even the biggest boys loved getting toys.
    “Be here at eight. The wind’s supposed to hold through early afternoon, so we’ll put her through her paces and get you familiar with all the systems.”
    Jimmy looked regretfully at the sleek blue craft. “Too bad we can’t just take her out for a spin right now.”
    Patrick shrugged. “Why not? I’ve got the time.”
    “Don’t tempt me. I’ve got a dinner date this evening. I’d be scalped if I stood her up for a sail.”
    “Your call.” Patrick tightened one of the lines on the cleat and the two men walked up the dock together. “So who’s this hot date that’s coming between you and your boat? You still seeing Jill?”
    “Nah. This is someone new. You might know her. Kate Stevens, the glassblower. She has that store Fire Works over on Oak Street.”
    Patrick clenched his jaw and stopped dead in his tracks. “So, you’re candidate number two.”
    Jimmy surprised him by laughing. “That’s what her aunt called me when I stopped by there yesterday. Bachelor number two, I think she said.”
    Patrick looked away, out toward the docks, debating what to say next.
    “What’s wrong?” Jimmy asked.
    “Nothing.” Patrick bit his tongue and held his ground. He felt like doing damage to any man who touched Kate. But this man was a client. And a friend. “Have a good time,” he said flatly.
    “You sure you don’t want to tell me something?”
    “It’s nothing. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Patrick started to walk to his truck, then turned back. “Hey, Jimmy?”
    “Yeah?” The older man was still looking at him.
    “Do you know about Kate’s…I mean do you know she’s—” Patrick stumbled on the question.
    “Do I know she’s pregnant?”
    “You know?”
    “Yeah. So?”
    “So you’re still going out with her?”
    “Why wouldn’t I?” It was Jimmy’s turn to look surprised. “I like her. She’s pretty, sexy, intelligent.”
    “Do you know why she wants to go out with you?”
    “Of course. And I’m honored she’d consider an older guy like me.” Jimmy took a few steps closer. “Truth is, Patrick, I can’t have kids of my own, so it’s an opportunity to be a father. Never thought I’d have the chance.” He shrugged. “I guess I was a little shocked at first when she told me the deal, but I like Kate’s spunk. When I had a chance to think it over, I realized that I’ve got a lot to pass on to someone.