Chapter 3

They had been enjoying the inviting moment for at least two hours, entirely focused on it, but the wind was still out of the picture when they came back on deck. Instead of contemplating the pleasure of the situation, Laura started to feel restless inside. It would be a wise move to begin the returning to shore. With some luck, they will be at the marina in at least two hours, and then they should make their return to LA. It was a workday after all, and the traffic would be getting intense at that time. They were in front of a long way to go.

"Don't you think it would be wise to head back to Santa Barbara?" She asked.

"Your order is my command, my Captain."

He started the arrangements to jib the rigsail, when Laura interrupted him.

"There is NO wind to lead us back with those sails. Why don't we use the engine? It will be less romantic, but at least we won't be motionless. It's hot, and I can use some breeze on my face for a change. Besides, with you not needing your full attention to work the sails, I'll have the chance to have you hugging me while handling the helm. I'd love that."

"You are full of bright ideas, Laura; one of the things that decided me to marry you."

"One of the things? I'd love to listen to the complete list on our way back to Santa Barbara. You'll have at least two hours to work on that."

He put on his shirt and grabbed the keys from the cabin. He put them inside the lock and turned on the engine. Nothing happened. In the meantime, Laura was trying to make some order inside and opened the tap to wash the dishes in the sink. Nothing happened there either.

"Laura, would you be an angel and turn on the power? The switch is just beside the radio."

"The switch is on Mr. Steele…" Laura's head appeared from inside the cabin.

"Perhaps I should check the battery…" said Mr. Steele in a barely audible voice; barely for any other human being, but not for his beloved Laura, in a full detective mood.

"You didn't check it before?"

"It didn't seem extremely necessary at the time… But I realize I couldn't have checked it even if I intended it." He was standing in front of the opened door, his gaze fixed at the empty battery space.

"What are you speaking about?"

"There is no battery. Somebody forgot to put it in its place after the repair was done."

"Mr. Steele, what are you speaking about?" asked Laura raising her voice dangerously; "I told you to check on the gas, and the engine's correct operation check was obviously implied. But no … You always have to do things in your own way."

"It is a sailboat, Laura. I was supposed to check the sails operating. Wind is supposed to be the speed ingredient in sailboats. The engine was out of the question."

"And you checked the wind… Oh no. Forgive my mistake again. It wasn't necessary because you know when the day is a good one to go sailing." She turned on her heels and started to put on her own clothes, beginning to feel a bit annoyed.

"Come on, Laura. This was supposed to be a nice getaway. The two of us, a very nice day, smooth sailing…"

"You forget the smooth sailing part is not working."

"I supposed the boat was ready and complete after the reparation was finished, Laura. I'll have some words with Marty once we are back," said Mr. Steele.

Laura followed with her dressing. She was tiding her shoelaces when his words hit her.

"You are not speaking about that Marty, Mr. Steele. Aren't you?"

"There is only one Marty I know as I can remember, Laura…"

"I remember a certain Marty particularly involved in your eagerness to recover some missing hogs in a previous case. Is that guy the same one we are talking about right now, Mr. Steele?"

"Laura, sometimes I'd wish you to have a flawed memory."

"I guess it's a positive answer." She made a few steps toward him, and after a huge sigh patiently told him, "Raise the sails, Mr. Steele. And you'd better prepare yourself to give me a hug; an awe-inspiring and huge one. And prepare a good speech as well. We have a long way home, and I think I deserve one of your own wonderful stories," she finished her words with a slight smile.

He smiled with the recognition of a truce in his eyes. "Your orders are my command, Captain." He raised the sails, and after they were comfortably settled, Laura laying her back on his chest, he told her, "Did I ever tell you that story about the rescuing we run into those shipwrecked fishermen on the coast of Positano?"

She was going listen to a Xenos' tale after all. Life was always an adventurous fairytale beside him. Even without some wind to help them arrive at the secure shore.