This is episode forty of the novel Two Tamas in Paradise. There are fifty episodes. This is the fourth novel in the Trace Troy South Pacific Adventure series.
It may now be purchased on Amazon. It is available in paperback or Kindle digital format.
Beyond Oeno
Trace slept until the sunlight piercing over the port bow cast a bright glint against his eyelids. He looked at Maxwell sitting in the captain’s chair. The bright sun shone on his face as well.
“How ya doin’?” Trace said.
Maxwell turned and smiled. “Never felt better. Nothing but seagulls and sea. An hour ago, there was a twinkling light beyond the port bow. It seemed to stay on the horizon. I didn’t see the need to wake you.”
“Good call,” Trace said.
“Did you sleep well?” Maxwell asked.
Trace swung his feet to the floor. “You always sleep well when you have a good man at the helm.”
“Appreciate that,” Maxwell said.
“And for the time being, keep this to yourself,” Trace said.
“I’ll brag plenty, once you guys are out of sight,” Maxwell said.
“Have you thought of a plan?” Trace asked.
Maxwell stood, and Trace slipped into the captain’s chair.
“We paid a crew to construct two cabins and a storage building,” Maxwell said. “There’s a generator and fuel. The cargo you are hauling is our furniture and supplies. We will have radio transmission with Adamstown. My plan, if the others go along, is to set up our residence there, as planned. Once that is done, figure out an exit plan.”
“What do you mean by that?” Trace asked.
“Return as much money as I can to those scammed,” Maxwell said. “And maybe develop the island as a small venture—mom and pop type of thing. A place for eccentrics, the adventurers, those who really want to get away. We talked about an airstrip. That could make the island more accessible.”
Trace nodded. “You may have a niche market. Who knows. You’re probably the kind of guy who could make it work.”
“I’ll have a half dozen cabanas built,” Maxwell said and smiled. “And I’ll have fishing tournaments.”
“What if you can’t sell the idea to your wife, Calvin, and Wilma?” Trace said.
“I thought about my wife,” Maxwell said. “You are right about her. I think she’d love the opportunity of a stable life. That’s what she wants; I’m sure of that. The other two, they’ll have to figure it out on their own. If the island thing doesn’t pan out, I can find some small town in the Midwest that needs a lawyer for land transfers and wills. You know, the kind of place where a guy can blend in. Of course, I know, that’s without hair cream, and a wardrobe change will come along with it.”
“Texas is a good place,” Trace said.
“Yeah,” Maxwell said, “Texas might be good. It’s a big state, a lot of places to go.”
Maxwell stared over the bow. He squinted as if pressing all his thoughts together. “I’m going below and catch a little nap before Makani starts pounding on our doors.”
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