This is episode forty-six 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.
No More Passengers
For three days, the crew had no contact with the passengers. Shortly after breakfast, on the fourth day, the crew checked over The Tramp Islander, preparing for the departure.
Maxwell stepped aboard by himself. Trace held a small can of oil while checking the sailing blocks.
“Hey, Maxwell,” Trace said, letting go of the block. He set the can of oil down. A concerned look fell over this face. “Where’s the rest? As soon as everybody gets here, we can leave.”
“There has been a change in plans,” Maxwell smiled. “A big change.”
“Really,” Trace said, “you want to tell me about it?”
“I bought a house,” Maxwell said.
“A house,” Trace cocked his head and looked as if confused.
“We’re staying here,” Maxwell said.
“That’s great,” Trace said. “I suppose you’d like to have your cargo.”
“Somebody will be coming in an hour to unload it,” Maxwell said.
“Well, let’s hear about it,” Trace said. “I’m excited to hear.”
“I’m excited to tell you,” Maxwell said.
“Let me get everybody together,” Trace said. “If I try to relate it, there will be a thousand questions I can’t answer.”
“Sure,” Maxwell said, “I can’t wait to tell everybody.”
Trace whistled and waved at everybody to come to the foredeck.
As soon as the crew arrived, Trace said, “Maxwell has some good news for everybody.”
“I know,” Makani said, “Darlene gonna have a baby.”
Everyone laughed.
“Okay, everybody,” Maxwell said, “you no longer have passengers.”
The crew looked at each other, surprised, waiting for more information.
“We like it here,” Maxwell said. “The island is great. We started asking around to find out what was needed on the island—good English speakers—nobody speaks better English than me. Lately, there are a lot more English speakers coming to the island. They need a resort where most of the staff speak good English. We bought into a hotel.”
“That’s great!” Adam said.
Everyone chimed in.
“I suppose we better start unloading your cargo,” Sage said.
“There will be four men and two trucks here in about an hour,” Maxwell said, glancing at his watch.
“Well,” Sage said, “Let’s pull the hatches, and get the lift ready.”
“There’s one more thing,” Maxwell said. “You see, there’s a small cafe that goes with the place. The gals are planning a supper meal for everyone, tonight. Can you all make it?”
“I’ll be there,” Trace said.
Everyone else agreed.
The four men loaded two trucks with the help of the crew. Then they drove away along with Maxwell. The crew waved.
Sage said to the crew, “I wonder how The Tramp will sail without that cargo? It’s as if it were a part of her.”
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