JACK

I roamed the Inn, seeking someone with whom I could chat and break the monotony of being so far inland that my blood no longer flowed with the salt sea air. Pushing the main kitchen doors opened I was accosted with the usual flurry of activity there.

"Captain! G'day, mate!" Andy shouted from the far corner.

"How are you this fine day?" I strolled behind the metal counter and watched him work, his hands a blur of movement as his blade quickly chopped an onion that my eyes burned.

"Bloody great. You?"

"Fine, fine my man." I glanced around, spying Riley sitting at her desk inside her office. Andy looked up. "Is she seriously occupied?" I asked quietly.

"No more than usual, mate."

Inside her office I was a bit surprised. Riley was staring at a dark computer screen, her posture slouched, a tear in her eye. "My little dear?"

Her face brightened. "Jack!"

One perusal of her expression and I could sense the oppression of her thoughts. "Come, walk with me, Riley."

She sighed and stood, leaving the kitchen ahead of me. "Where would you like to walk? We need coats if you'd like to walk outside, you know."

"Actually, I was hoping that you would show me that left tower I hear so much about."

"Sure. Left tower it is."

We sat at the window seats, looking outside for a long moment. "I do like this place. It reminds me of my favorite cabin . . . on the Surprise. Only out there," I leaned toward the huge windows and grinned, "is not the ocean."

Riley chuckled. "No. You miss the ocean, don't you?"

"I do, my little dear. Very much."

She sighed and leaned against my shoulder. "Soon. When will the ship be completed?"

"The builders tell me late summer. My plan is to head south, take in the Carolina coast then cross the Atlantic south of the equator."

"Late summer. Is that what you were hoping for?"

I leaned back, my head resting against the cold glass. "Well, it is faster than in my time, but I was hoping for a speedier construction. I leave this afternoon for Maine. I will review the plans and talk at length about scheduling." Riley sat straight, turning a concerned look on me.

"Jack. It's December twentieth. Please tell me you'll be back in time for Christmas."

It was not my intention to rush the discussions, but her disappointment was grave. "I will." I smiled. "But you will have so many people here; I fear you wouldn't miss me if I did not return on time."

Her mouth dropped. "Jack! How can you say that? Of course we'd miss you. Besides, it's not looking like too many people are coming. Hando's thinking about taking Mere someplace warm before it gets too hard for her to travel. Terry's in London. Doc's got a new love in his life and spending the holidays with her. Lachlan never knows what the hell his schedule is going to bring. Who knows about Nat. And Colin? Christ, I have no clue what he's up to."

"Now now, sweet Riley. You know they will be here for you. You are the anchor for this family now."

"Pfttt! John's the anchor, he's the papa bear these days. But Jack," she leaned close and whispered. "Truth is . . . I'm really afraid that John and I have ruined everything. Ever since we got married, it seems like the family is scattering to the four winds, falling apart."

I laughed and took her into my arms. "That's foolishness. More and more of us are moving closer to the east coast. Closer to you and John." Her face slowly opened, blazing a huge smile. "What is it?"

"Darcy's here, Jack."

I do not subscribe to such things, ghosts and superstitions are a difficult path for a captain, but under the circumstances, I grinned. "Is she now? She must miss you, Riley."

A quiet giggle escaped her chest. "I think it's you she's missing Jack. Can you smell her perfume?" Her eyes were glued to the emptiness behind me. I sniffed. God's teeth! I could have sworn that I had in truth caught a whiff of lovely Darcy. "It is your suggestion that makes me believe so," I chuckled.

"Close your eyes, Jack. She's wrapping her arms around you."

I did close my eyes, but it was not at Riley's instruction. It was due to the warm, delightful sensation that had taken my imagination. The perfume intensified and I felt warmth brush across my cheek. Heard a whisper. Simple. Two words. 'Do something', my imagination demanded. Suddenly, all the strange feelings dissipated and my eyes fluttered opened to see Riley's smiling face.

"What did she tell you, Jack?" Her eyes twinkled.

"It was for me, little dear. And now, I must leave to pack. May I escort you downstairs?"

"No thanks, I think I'll just stay here for a while."

***

I do not like to lie and am not prolific at it, but she seemed to believe that I was not already prepared for my trip. I walked down to the bowels of the Inn finding John where I suspected, performing the barkeep's duties. He grinned and poured a brandy for me, drew a brew for himself.

"Packed and ready to hit the road?" he asked.

"I am, but I have a concern, John. I fear that your wife is in need of comfort. That she requires assurance from you that this Christmas holiday will be the pleasant event she is hoping for."

John blinked serious concern. "Not hoping for it, man. She needs it. But it's starting to look like it isn't gonna happen this year. Everyone seems to have something else -- "

"Do something about it, John."

He glared. "What the fuck? What can I do? Listen Captain, lots of people have a tough time during the holidays, and Riley's no different. But don't worry yourself. I can take care of my wife just fine."

John has qualities I have often seen at sea. He is an extremely capable man, but a man trying to carry far more than he should; something was about to fall. "Brother, you are the captain of this ship. To sail it, you need to see everything, know everyone and make sure they are all on the same page. Like it or not, your wife is in need of family around her. I have assured her that I will return in time, but I trust that everyone else will not know how important this is unless you tell them."

He was silent, blinking.

"I do not mean be presumptuous John. But I have said my piece and hope that you can do something to help Riley." I stood to leave.

"Jack. Ever been a bartender?"

"Never," I smiled.

"Like to try it for a while? Mickey will be here in an hour to relieve you."

I went behind the bar, reveled in the new, unique view of the pleasant pub and grinned. "I will do my best."

"Me too. See you Christmas."

JOHN

Fuck, I hate when Jack is right. Hell, I hate when any of them were right where my wife is concerned, but we do have a unique family here, don't we, ay? And it wasn't like he was telling me something I didn't already know. It's so easy to get caught up in everything, business and growth and other people's problems. Fuck it all. It was Christmastime and the only thing that really should be important to me was Riley. And I kinda liked the idea of being the captain of my ship.

Time for a serious attitude change. For weeks I've been sitting back and just nodding when someone said they might not make it for Christmas. Thorne was the only one with a real excuse. Couldn't fight moving across the Atlantic, now could you? But they were all talking about ideas, just casual thoughts and me, like a baboon was saying 'fine'. But it wasn't fine. This is family, God sakes. It had been a tough year for my wife. Hopefully I could convince a few of them to be a little generous this holiday season and find it in their hearts to spend a few hours with us.

The roads were clear and dry and I soared Rt.89 ten miles over the sped limit, reaching Burlington in forty-five minutes. First on my list was LizBeth.

I parked and trotted into the clinic, asked for Councilor Boyer and was led to her office.

"John? Everything okay?" She looked up, fucking beautiful as ever.

I sat on her guest chair. Lizzybell and I have way too much history for me to hide shit. "I'm not gonna fuck around here. I need to make sure you and Kevin will be at the Inn for Christmas dinner."

"Um . . . we were thinking of going out of town . . . but . . . is Riles alright?"

"Fuck no. LizBeth, she needs family around her for the holidays. This is my last ditch chance to grovel. Can't you guys go away after Christmas?"

She was silent.

"Please, honey. Talk to Kevin. It's important."

"We'll be there, John. We can go for New Years. No biggie. I didn't realize it meant so much."

I stood, sighed relief. "Well, it does. I appreciate it."

The next stop was the garage, but before I went inside, I gave Dino a call. I knew he'd relocated to New York. He never responded to Riley's invitation. Got his voice mail.

"Dino. Christmas at the Inn. Be there. I need you, man."

Either he'd be there or call me back to tell me what I prick I am for leaving such a cryptic message. But it shouldn't be cryptic. Time to realize that most of them know as much as I do about Riley, her past and her need to feel encircled with family for Christmas.

Hando was a piece of cake, never even had to go talk to Mere.

"Like she'd let me take her away from the bloody snow for Christmas. She wants Riley's buffalo roast, mate. We'll be there."

Colin was a little harder to convince. But he finally agreed, provided he didn't have to stay the whole evening. I'm thinking he wasn't looking forward to being too uncomfortable with Nat there.

I headed out of town and took a dogleg toward Essex Junction on an off chance that Nat would be at her place. She was renting a small cottage outside of town, kinda isolated and I hated it. But she'd accepted a job in New York City, was commuting back to Vermont on the weekends, so it didn't look like she'd be staying at that cottage too much longer. We almost never saw each other, but I called her every single week like clock work. And she took my calls like she promised. We didn't talk much. I just needed to know she was okay and if she needed anything. Of course, she said she was fine but I knew better.

When I slowed to drive past the house, I spotted her ratty old car tucked behind the cottage. Either she was home or had found someone to take her to the airport; she sure as hell wouldn't let me do it. It was midweek and I didn't expect her to be there, but I trotted up onto the porch and knocked.

"What," she shouted through the door.

"Open the door, Nat. I need to talk to you."

The door opened, but only as far as the chain would allow. "What?"

"Natalie, Christ! Open the fucking door. I need a favor."

She finally unhooked the chain and let me inside. I didn't look around, just at her. Her eyes were red and she'd obviously been crying. I hugged her until she relaxed in my arms. "You okay, sweetheart?"

She pushed herself lose. "Yes. What do you need, John?"

She was a disheveled ball of nerves. "What happened, baby?" I tugged her to the sofa.

"Nothing. Got fired, that's all."

Man, you'd have thought someone died the way she was crying. "No big deal, Natalie. You're a fantastic photographer. Something's gonna open up for you, baby. You know that. LizBeth has connections everywhere. You should talk with her, I bet she can help you -- "

"I don't want LizBeth's help. I don't want anyone's help. Don't you see, John? Why the hell can't you all leave me alone?"

"Ain't happening," I held her close, even though she was fighting me. I know her and I knew she calm down, relax and let me soothe her. She did. "Something will come through, Nat. Nothing for you to worry about . . . understand?"

She nodded against my chest.

"Okay, now I need a favor sweetheart. I need you to come for Christmas dinner. Riley needs family around and you are family."

"What does she need me for? I'm out of this family, John. And I'm not getting back together with Colin, no matter how you people try."

I released her, stood and glared down. "Fuck Natalie. Get your head out of your own ass for a minute. Someone else needs you, God sakes! Look, I know you and Riley were friends. Really good friends. And she needs her friends right now. Are you so fucking selfish you can't see that?"

"Will Colin be there?"

Didn't blink and eye, just answered. "Yes. But what the fuck does that have to do with you being there for Riley? Stay in different rooms. Don't talk to him. I don't really give a damn how you handle it, but I'm asking a favor here. Will you come for Christmas dinner?"

"Yes John. I'll come for Christmas dinner."

I smiled. Thank fucking God. Mission accomplished and with more than enough time to get back to Stowe before Riley even notices I'm gone.

"Seven. You can stay with us in the spare room in the suite. Your car working or you need a ride?" I was walking toward the door.

"Car's fine. I'll be there John."

I set fifty bucks on her coffee table. "For gas. Thanks Nat." She let me kiss her cheek and even smiled when I left.

Hit the highway feeling pretty damn pleased with myself. Then the cell rang. It was Dino.

"About Christmas, hermano. No can do, buddy. I'm in fucking Peru in a negotiation that just started. I'll be eating beans and rice for Christmas dinner."

"Ah, man. Too bad. You safe?"

Dino chuckled. "Safe as a white man with guns in the Andes can be, John. Give my best to Riley. Tell her I'm sorry and I'm thinking about her cooking."

"That isn't all you're thinking about," I teased.

"Thought it might not be too appropriate to discuss her attributes with her husband, so let's just leave it with her culinary skills. You have a Merry Christmas, John."