Water Lily in July by Clare Revell Page A

groaned internally as she looked at her watch. “OK, in that case as it’s ten thirty, you two had better go to bed.” She yawned.
    “Are yer sure?” Angus asked. “I can cover.”
    She shook her head. “It’s fine. Go.” She washed her plate and put it away. Then she headed up to the lantern room. One of the switches had a habit of resetting itself and needed checking every few hours the light was on. Once again the switch was in the off position.
    Kaylie reset the switch and trotted back down to the radio room. She wanted to check the logs, weather and so on, before pulling one of the novels off the book shelves and curling up with it.
    ~*~
    Rob picked up his radio as he looked back at the lighthouse, its strong beams flashing across the bay and the surrounding sea. “Wolf Point Lighthouse, this is Seascape. Are you receiving? Over.”
    “Hey you,” Kaylie replied almost immediately. “Why aren’t you asleep?”
    “I just wanted to check you’re back OK.”
    “And what’s wrong with my back this time?” Her melodic voice teased him. “Or is this that weird fisherman’s code of yours again?”
    “Hey, can’t a guy have a little fun? It’s been boring out here since you left.”
    “So get a life.” Her laughter made him yearn all the more for her.
    “I have a life, thank you. Only part of it’s missing.” He paused. “Yes, I’m missing you. What are you up to?”
    “Not much. The others have gone to bed. I’m just checking the logbook, the weather, and so on.”
    “They gave you the night shift? That’s hardly fair after a busy few days.”
    “I’m covering for Crispin, and that’s what he should be doing. I’ll manage. What about you?”
    “Not much. About to go to bed, but wanted to hear your voice one last time before I did. I did want to ask you something though.”
    “What’s that?”
    “What are you doing tomorrow night for dinner?”
    “It’s Sunday, so Lucas will cook midday. It’s always an adventure when he cooks. I’m cooking from Tuesday.”
    “If you’re still there.” He pushed a hand through his hair. “I’m hoping you won’t be.”
    “Crispin’s son has meningitis, so I have no idea how long I’ll be here.”
    “Wow. That’s pretty serious. I’ll pray for him.”
    “They’ll appreciate that. I put your lilies in the pond. They look good.”
    He smiled. “I shall have to come and see them. There is some place safe to dock, right?”
    “Yeah. We have a small landing space in the rocks on the east side. There’s a launch that comes out once a week with mail, supplies, relief keepers, and so on. The chopper is only used in emergencies.”
    Rob yawned. “I should get to bed before I fall asleep where I am. I’ll go out Monday night and come back Thursday. I’ll speak to you tomorrow. Oh, one last thing, when’s the launch due?”
    “Monday morning.”
    “OK. Night, I love you. Seascape out.” He put the mic down and scribbled a note to himself. Then he lay down, the beams from the lighthouse shining into the room in a rhythmic pattern. He focused his thoughts on the keeper in charge tonight, praying for her and for him and for a positive outcome to their relationship.

8
    Monday morning came with still no word from Crispin.
    Kaylie headed down the ladder to greet the launch as it tied up alongside just before midday. The sea was rough, the skies grey and leaden and the launch tossed about on the unforgiving waves.
    Two men, both in reflective jackets, one yellow and the other orange, handed her the crates one at a time.
    Struggling to keep her footing, she hooked them up to the winch.
    Angus operated the winch from the safety and relative dryness of inside the lighthouse, although the way the spray was flying several feet into the air, he wouldn’t stay dry for long.
    Kaylie signed for the crates and handed back the clipboard. “Thanks.”
    “Oh, almost forgot.” Yellow Jacket handed her a bunch of flowers and a box containing more water