South of Heaven by Ali Spooner Page A

home all day, or play golf all the time. I’ll do things at my pace though, so stop your worrying.”
    “I’m not worried.” Kendra chuckled. “Let me drop this trap and I’ll come help you two with the last one.”
    By the time they finished fileting the last fish, they had two large coolers filled with filets. “That’s a lot of fish,” Kendra groaned as she hefted one side of the cooler. “Lindsey, would you mind going to the truck to get the dolly? There’s no need to break our backs if we can use equipment to do the hard work for us.”
    Lindsey nodded and rushed down the dock for the dolly.
    “We talked about having a fish fry at the end of the red season,” Kevin said as Kendra watched Lindsey striding to the truck.
    “Good idea. I don’t think we could eat all these by ourselves before they start to burn.”
    “Yep, that’s the idea. I’ll start planning once the time gets closer,” he said. “I’ll bait and hang the last two traps if you want to help her load the coolers.”
    “Deal, you’ve already got crabs creeping in toward the traps. Don’t be surprised if you have a bunch caught by the morning.”
    “That’s fine by me.” He grinned. “I’ll probably have to use everything I make on golf balls.”
    “Good point.” She laughed and slapped him lightly on the shoulder. She stepped back on deck when Lindsey returned with the dolly.

    †

    “I’m going to shower and catch a nap if you ladies don’t mind,” Kevin said when they returned to the house.
    “No problem, Dad. We’ll get these fish bagged and in the freezer.”
    “I can go ahead and whip up some coleslaw, too,” Lindsey chimed in. “I’ll mix up the hushpuppy mix as well before we get cleaned up. Then we’ll all be fresh and ready to cook and eat dinner.”

 

     

     

     

     

     
    Chapter Five
     

     

    Kendra stretched her legs out in front of her and took a long drink from her beer. Kevin and Lindsey sat across from her as a cool breeze blew across the porch.
    “Thanks, ladies, for a wonderful meal, but I think this old man’s going to call it a night.”
    “I won’t be too far behind you, Dad. This is going to be a busy week.”
    “That it is, but an exciting one, too,” he added with a sparkle in his eye. Turning to Lindsey, he warned. “I’d get a good night’s sleep. She’s going to work you like a dog to prove your worth to the crew.”
    “Yes sir,” Lindsey answered. “I pretty much reckoned she would, so I’m right behind you.” She stood to follow him into the house.
    “You two go ahead. I’ll lock up and set the coffee pot.” Kendra watched them walk to the door.
    “Goodnight, you two,” Lindsey said and slipped past Kevin into the house.
    “You want some breakfast in the morning?” He looked back at his daughter.
    “Just some coffee and toast.” Kendra stood and stretched.
    “I’ll have it ready when you come downstairs. Goodnight, honey.”
    “Night, Dad, sleep well.”
    “You too.” He slipped inside the door.
    Kendra watched as the light came on in his bedroom. It still felt strange for her to go out without her dad on the boat, but he deserved a chance to retire after all his years on the water. The long days of hard work had taken a toll on his body. She cringed whenever the arthritis in his joints made him limp painfully as he walked even short distances. She prayed that retirement would permit his body to heal enough to allow him some physical relief. Her heart felt heavy, weighted with concern for her father, as she entered the house and locked up for the evening.

    †

    The sun crept above the horizon as the crew worked in unison to set the nets, and Kendra found herself smiling at the ease with which Lindsey had fallen into rhythm with the crew. She watched them work through the wheelhouse window until Harvey turned and gave her the signal that the nets were set. She was ready to begin the slow trawl through the smooth waters to gather shrimp in the nets.