1Standard disclaimers apply. Some of these characters are owned by 20th Century Fox and some details have been gleaned from other Gamm-ers' stories (and to you I am very grateful). All other characters were invented by me, as was the plot. Please do not use any part or parts thereof without my consent. Time: June, July and August 1972. A sequel to "Captain Gregg and the Surprise." Thanks to Kathy, Susan, John Mortimer, Pablo Neruda, The Library of Congress. Are you kind? Suspend rational thought.
"And summer's lease hath all too short a date:"
-William Shakespeare
Summer's LeaseCHAPTER 5
The date of the Schooner Bay Regatta was fast approaching and it was hard for Carolyn to tell who was more excited, Daniel or Candy and Jonathan.
She had gotten an early start out of the house that Friday morning in an effort to get to the Maine Maritime Museum at the same time the archives curator arrived. Carolyn had made arrangements to look through the museum's collection of papers and artifacts related to sail making, sail lofts and rigging gangs in the area as background for her story on Zebulon Hadley.
The Captain, Candy and Jonathan had planned to take the Surprise out and "really get down to brass tacks" on the regatta course and work through some of the finer points of racing. As he waited for the children on the Hadley's dock, Daniel contemplated just how helpful he could be to the kids in planning for a race. He had spent his time at sea thinking more about safely navigating a course than racing other boats. Time was certainly of the essence to a merchant ship and her captain, who made his pay by delivering cargo on time, but he hadn't raced a boat since he was Jonathan's age, and then he and his friend Andrew Feeney had raced each other around the bay in sailing dinghies. 'But, still,' he thought, 'sailing is sailing, and I have taught them the fundamentals. . . a better look at the course will make it all fall into place.' Daniel flipped through the packet of race materials from the Schooner Bay Yacht Club for the diagram of the Junior Yachtsman course.
It was a basic triangular course where the boats would race across to a marker buoy, come around it for a starboard tack and race out to a second buoy then take a downwind leg back to a third buoy, come around that and then head back to the starting point. It seemed simple enough. The start/finish line was more or less at the bottom of the triangle, they would head to a nearby buoy and come around it, then the wind would be against them so they would have to tack back and forth, first with the wind coming from the starboard side, then change tack so the wind was on the port, then tack again to get to the second buoy where they would have to raise the spinnaker. There would be a lot to do in that time. Candy and Jonathan were going to have to work together as a real team, especially with Candy trying to get the spinnaker ready while Jonathan was tacking.
"Well, Captain, what do you think?" Candy asked the spirit when she and her brother arrived at the dock.
"I think that the sooner the yacht club gets buoys out there the better off we'll be. Once you can see the actual course I think you'll have a clearer picture in your head about how the race will go. But, let's get out there and see if we can't get a few things worked out."
They climbed aboard the doughdish and headed out into the bay about to where they figured the course would be. Candy and Jonathan swapped seats and Jonathan took the tiller to start what would be the leg of the course after coming around the first buoy, on the diagram it was the right side of the triangle.
"Jibe ho!" Jonathan shouted as he moved the tiller so the boom came across the boat from one side to the other to a starboard tack.
"You have to remember to talk to each other out there," the Captain said. "Good communication between the boatsteerer and the foredeck is essential. On this part of the course there is going to be a lot to think about."
"This is the part where we are going to have to sort of zigzag back and forth, right?" Jonathan asked.
"Yes, because see how the wind is coming across the starboard side, soon we'll be here," the seaman pointed to a spot in the middle of the triangle diagram. "Then you're going to have to change to a port tack to get back out here to make the buoy."
"And, when Jonathan does that, then I have to get the spinnaker ready." Candy said very matter-of-factly.
"Right. You want to have the pole set just before you get to the buoy up here." The Captain pointed to the top of the triangle. "Then you won't have much time to lower the jib and get the spinnaker hoisted for the downwind leg." The left side of the triangle. "Let's work on that. I think going from the port tack and coming around that buoy with Candy setting the spinnaker pole is going to be the hardest part."
They practiced changing tacks, Candy at the bow trying hard to get the pole set or "made" as Daniel told her. "When it's in place, you make sure you shout 'made,' so Jonathan knows he can come around the buoy."
"I will. I will." Candy said. "Made!" She shouted.
"All right. Jibe ho!" her brother responded and brought the boat around an invisible buoy.
Candy worked to get the jib down, then attached the spinnaker to the lines and hoisted for all she was worth. As the boat headed on the downwind leg, the spinnaker filled with wind and she moved back to adjust the trim of the sail. "It is like flying a kite!" She crowed.
"It is indeed. Just don't let this one get away from you. It could take you right into the briny!" The seafarer laughed.
"I won't. I promise."
Just then from behind them they heard: "Hey, Muir! Looks like your stupid sister is a better sailor than you are!"
It was Danny Shoemaker. He and Gilbert Graham were out in Danny's bullseye that they were going to race in the Regatta.
Jonathan turned and scowled at Danny.
"Just ignore him, Jonathan," Candy advised. "He's such a creep."
"Aye, lad. You're doing fine," the Captain added.
"Buzz off, Shoemaker!" Jonathan couldn't help but yell back.
"Muir, you're going to have to work a little harder to beat us!" Gilbert added. "I'm amazed that tub you call a sailboat can even float!"
"Surprise is the best boat out here!" Jonathan yelled back.
The bantering went back and forth, everyone too caught up in it when they knew they should have been paying attention to what they were doing. Candy let the lines get away from her, the spinnaker twisting back on itself. Neither Jonathan nor Danny paying attention to their course until they suddenly realized that the Bullsyeye was coming straight at the Surprise.
"Candy! Blast it! Douse that spinnaker! Jonathan! What are you doing!" the Captain yelled.
Candy pulled on the chute, the lines, hopeless tangled. Jonathan tried to steer out of Danny's way, but he was coming right at them. The Captain was trying to help Candy get the spinnaker down and the jib up when the collision happened. Right amidships Danny's boat crashed into the Surprise with a sickening thud. Candy fell off the bow, grasping onto the Captain for safety, both of them splashing into the water.
"Damn it!" the seamen cursed.
"Hey, Shoemaker, you moron! Look what you did to our boat!" Jonathan was furious. His face beet red. There was a big hunk of wood knocked out of the portside of the Surprise.
"Jonathan!" Candy yelled. "Help!"
"Oh, Jeekers Crow…" Jonathan tried to help Candy back into the boat. "I can't pull you in." He struggled, trying to help his sister out of the frigid Maine sea and back into the boat.
"We'll send the Coast Guard out after you, Muir. Maybe you should give up sailing!" Danny laughed as he sailed off.
"You'll pay for this, Shoemaker!" Jonathan yelled.
The Captain materialized in the boat and pulled Candy back in. "What the hell were you, thinking? You have got to pay attention all the time out here. It's not a game!" He was furious. A rattle of thunder rolled up around them. "Candy, you could have been seriously injured!"
"Hey! Why are you yelling at me? This wasn't my fault," the girl answered back. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to get warm.
"No, Jonathan has just as much blame as you." He turned to the boy. "Look at the damage caused to this boat!"
"I can see it. That stupid Danny Shoemaker."
"I just hope it can be repaired in time for the Regatta!" The Captain bellowed. "Maybe I made a mistake trying to help you prepare for this race. It appears that neither of you has the concentration to perform even the most menial of tasks!" The spirit ranted at them about how they were too inexperienced, too young, too easily distracted.
Finally, they made it back to the mooring; the Surprise battered, Candy and Jonathan dejected and upset, the Captain as angry as they had ever seen him. He vanished as soon as they made it back to the dock.
Candy ran home leaving Jonathan to walk slowly back to the house, even Scruffy's excited yips and tail-wagging did not get the boy to smile.
When Carolyn arrived home later that afternoon a definite pall had settled over the house. Candy, who had locked herself in her room, had not even bothered to change out of her wet clothes. Jonathan sat curled up in a ball on the window seat and poor Martha had no idea what had happened. "No one's talking. They came home that way and haven't said a word since."
"Where is the Captain?" Carolyn asked.
"I haven't seen him, either," the housekeeper replied. "Can I get you a cup of coffee?"
"Not just now, Martha. I think I need to get to the bottom of this." Carolyn went into see her son. "What happened, Jonathan?"
"Ask Candy."
"I'm asking you."
"Ask Candy. I don't want to talk about it."
"Jonathan…"
The boy turned away from her.
"All right, I'll see what Candy knows about this." She trudged up the stairs to Candy's room. "Candy. Come on, open the door."
"No. Go away!"
"Candy, tell me what happened," Carolyn pleaded.
"Ask 'Captain Bligh' to tell you," was the only answer she got.
"Captain Bligh, eh," Carolyn muttered under her breath. She tromped up the steps to the wheelhouse and opened the door. "Daniel!" There was no response. "Daniel," she said in a low, almost growling voice.
He appeared a few moments later. "Ah, my dear, you've returned. How was your trip to Bath? Productive I hope?"
"Don't try to be glib with me, Daniel Gregg. What happened around here today?"
Daniel tugged on his ear and turned away from her. "Oh, just a little mishap on the Surprise."
"I gathered that much. Martha said Candy came home soaked to the skin and Jonathan looked as if he had been crying. No one is talking and you have been accused of being Captain Bligh, so I would appreciate the truth and not your usual stalling tactics." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"We were out practicing, Candy was doing an admirable job with the spinnaker and everything was fine until that blasted Danny Shoemaker appeared in his boat. Words were exchanged between the boys and things got out of hand and the two vessels collided. Candy and I went in to the water."
"Oh my! Was anyone hurt? Were they wearing their life jackets?"
"No one was injured. Excepted the Surprise has a rather sizeable gash in the portside where the bow of the bulls eye hit her," Daniel explained.
"I see. Well, that explains the dour moods. I better make sure Candy's all right." Carolyn left Daniel to see about her eldest child. When she finally coaxed Candy in to unlocking the door, she saw that Candy had been crying. "The Captain told me that Danny Shoemaker crashed his boat into the Surprise, honey. It wasn't your fault." She put her arm around her daughter.
"Is that what Captain Creep-ola said?"
"Yes."
"Huh… he sure didn't say that before. Why does he have to get so angry, Mom? He yelled at Jonathan and me and he was just being mean about it. I mean, we aren't his stupid crew from the Destiny." Candy started to cry softly.
Jonathan stood in the doorway. "Yah, mom, the Captain, really let us have it. He was so mad."
"Tell me what happened, Jonathan."
"We were out. I thought we were doing pretty well. Candy had the spinnaker up, the Captain seemed happy with it and then that stupid jerk Danny Shoemaker showed up. I hate him, mom, I really do." Jonathan recounted the rest of the events for his mother. "I just don't see why he got so mad at us. He was out there, too, he could have taken the tiller from me. It just all happened so fast. But, he just kept yelling. Telling us we were incomp'tent and fools."
"I don't know what to tell you about the Captain. He does have a bad temper, we all know that." Carolyn was rehearsing in her head just how she was going to let Daniel have it.
"I'm through with this stupid regatta. It's not worth it if he's going to just keep yelling. I mean, I'm trying as hard as I can," Candy said.
"You can't quit, Can. You can't. The race in a few weeks." Jonathan started to pace. "Please, Candy."
"No way. Not with Captain Meanie-pants. You and he can do the race for all I care." Candy flopped down on the bed again and covered her head with the pillow.
"I think this can be worked out and should be. We have never let anger keep us apart as a family before have we?" Carolyn reminded her two children. "We have all been upset with each other at times."
"But, Mom, the Surprise is crashed and the Captain was blaming us. It was that creep Danny's fault." Jonathan stomped his foot on the floor the same way Carolyn had seen Daniel do at least a hundred times.
"We can get the boat repaired. I'll call Perry's Boatyard in a few minutes and see what needs to be done. But, you know that the Captain is part of our family now and I know he feels just as badly as you do about what happened. I'd bet on it. He's trying his hardest, too and this is all new to him. He's never had a family before." Jonathan and Candy nodded their heads in agreement. "We have to be willing to let him work this out." She held her hands out to her children. "Remember how mad we used to get at each other after Daddy died?"
"Yah," Candy said.
"It was really because we were mad at something else," Carolyn recalled. "Mad because we couldn't see Daddy anymore, or talk to him."
"Yah, I remember." Candy nodded her head in agreement. "But what does that have to do with the Captain?"
"Well, he's never had a family before and it's a change for him. He spent all of his life in charge of sailors who needed to be told what to do."
"But, he knows we aren't sailors, Mom," Jonathan looked down at his feet. "He said he wanted to be our dad."
"And, he does Jonathan." She hugged her son to her. "Let's give him a chance to work it out, huh? You two aren't always happy with me, you know."
"Oh, Mom," Jonathan rolled her eyes
"What about you, honey? Ready to give the Captain a second chance?"
"Why should I? He hates me…"
"He doesn't hate you, Candy. He loves you," Carolyn said.
"I want him to tell me that!" Candy started to cry again. "And, not because you told him to!"
"Oh, honey." Carolyn hugged Candy close, kissing her on the top of the head. "Come on, Martha's going to have dinner ready soon."
Candy pouted all through dinner, which is what Carolyn was sure Daniel was doing up in the wheelhouse. Jonathan had perked up and Carolyn knew he and the Captain would be pals again by the end of the evening. Candy was going to be a tougher nut for the old seadog to crack, and Carolyn told him so. "You aren't going to have smooth sailing with her, Daniel."
"Aye, I know. I am prepared to batten down the hatches. But, will she even talk to me?" the spirit said in a half question half statement as he paced in front of the fireplace in the main cabin.
"I think she will. But, let me tell you this, Daniel; you had better get that temper of yours under control. They are children, not seamen. I should be furious with you."
"But, you aren't?" the spirit asked.
"No. I'm upset with you over how you handled this. I think Jonathan has a valid point. You were out there and could have taken the tiller from him, you were the experienced one on board and the adult. How you could have expected those two novice sailors to react as you might have, I'll never know."
Daniel sat in the armchair, his elbows on his knees, head in his hands, "I know and I should have. I do blame myself. I should never have let it happen. Candy was doing a fine job and so was Jonathan. I was just as caught up in the whole thing as they were." He was silent for several moments. "I've really fouled up the gears this time."
"Perhaps, but you and Jonathan are back to being pals, aren't you?"
"Oh, aye. But, Jonathan's a reasonable lad."
"Are you saying my daughter is unreasonable?" Carolyn asked.
"N-no. I'm saying I don't know how to reconcile this with her." He shook his head. "I don't think I have ever faced a more daunting task in my life or since than trying to find the right words of apology to Candy… or to you, my dear." The seaman raised his head and looked at Carolyn. "I'm sorry I lost my temper."
A half smile came to Carolyn's face, "It's a start, Daniel. But, if I know my girl, you're going to have to do an awful lot better with her."
"I know." Daniel stood up and walked to the door. "I'd rather face a whole mob of pirates." He headed over to Candy's room.
Carolyn wanted to laugh, but she knew when Daniel ceased to use his ghostly powers how serious he was. The simple fact that he walked out the door rather than through it spoke volumes.
Daniel Gregg could have sworn that his heart was pounding in his chest and that a cold sweat was pouring down his face as he knocked on the door of Candy's bedroom.
"What?" came the reply from the other side.
"Candy, may I come in?"
"Why?"
"I… I want to talk to you."
"Why?"
"Blast," he muttered, "I… about today... I… Please open the door."
The door opened a crack and Daniel pushed it open and went in. Candy was stretched on her bed, her back to him.
"Candy," Daniel felt his stomach churning and a sick feeling came over him as if he was sweating everywhere and shaking and couldn't breathe, "I… I'm sorry about today. I know I lost my temper and I shouldn't have." Candy made no response at all. "You were doing a fine job with the spinnaker and I should have helped you and Jonathan and I didn't. I know it wasn't your fault." He sat on the end of the bed and looked down at the girl. "Please accept my apology." Still no response from Candy. Daniel just sat there not knowing what to say or do for several minutes. "Blast it, Candy, I can't take this cold shoulder treatment."
"Are you really sorry or did Mom make you come in here?" She said at last.
"I'm really sorry. Very sorry."
"Promise you'll never yell at me again?"
"I promise."
"Really promise?"
"Yes. I'm trying Candy, I just don't know how to do this very well."
"You do need some Dad lessons, that's true," she said, turning to look at the Captain.
"I do and I need you and Jonathan to help me."
"Well, the first lesson is no yelling."
"Aye, no yelling…unless it's an emergency…"
"Well, yah…"
Daniel held his hand out to her, "Friends again?"
"Friends? Sure. But, I thought you wanted to be the dad?"
Daniel smiled down at her, "Do you still want me to be?" He asked sincerely.
"Yes." Candy sat up and brushed the hair out of her eyes. "If you want to be."
"Well, yah…" He mimicked Candy's words.
Candy hugged the spirit as tightly as she could, "Okay, Captain."
The sickening feeling Daniel had earlier was replaced by a feeling of peace and warmth. He did want to be "the dad," as Candy and Jonathan said. He wanted that almost more than anything else.
"Do you think that maybe you and I could do some stuff together, you know, the same as you and Jonathan?" Candy asked.
"Of course, what would you like to do?" Daniel wasn't sure what to expect for an answer from Candy.
"Well, you and Jonathan are always going fishing and that's cool, I mean, I'm not as into that as Jonathan, it's fun sometimes, but it's fun when you and I look for crabs and snails at low tide, but I was thinking of something like a project. Like you and Jonathan are making that model of the Destiny."
"I see. So, a model ship you mean?"
"No…not exactly." She twisted the bottom of her t-shirt around her finger. "I think we should make a dollhouse."
"A doll's house?"
"Yah! But, not just any dollhouse, one that is a replica of Gull Cottage!"
"I see…" He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I think that is a capital idea, Candy. And, I think I know exactly where the original plans for Gull Cottage are."
"Groovy! It will be so cool and we can build it and do the furniture. I saw a really neat one down at the museum in Wiscasset with Betsy and her mom the other weekend. It was a replica of the girl's own house."
"Excellent. I shall find the plans tonight and tomorrow we can start deciding what materials we shall need." Daniel said. "Now, what is this Jonathan tells me about you quitting the Regatta?"
"I was mad when I said that," Candy admitted.
"So, you aren't quitting?"
"Probably not."
"Good. It would be a shame if you did, after all the hard work you have put into learning the spinnaker and I am quite sure I don't know where we would find a better foredeck hand at this late date."
"Do you really think I did all right?" Candy asked, the question burning in her eyes.
"I think you have done splendidly, Candy. But, I knew you would." The sea captain smiled at the girl. "I'm very proud of you."
Candy gave him another solid hug. "Thanks, Captain."
"Now, why don't you see about getting yourself ready for bed. You're still in your clothes from this afternoon."
"I know. I was too mad to change." She said. "I suppose I should get a bath and wash the sea water off me."
"Yes, and after you're finished, come down to the parlor. Maybe we can have a game of cards before bedtime."
Saturday, August fifth dawned clear and sunny. There couldn't have been a better day for the Regatta if they had called Mother Nature and order it. Candy and Jonathan had been up and ready for hours by the time they needed to head over to the yacht club. Parker Hadley had invited Carolyn and the Captain to watch the junior yachtsman race from the "Sea Witch". Kate had packed a nice picnic lunch for everyone and they had planned to make an afternoon of it. There were several other races that day, concluding with the 78th Annual Gentlemen's Race.
Carolyn could tell that Daniel was nervous; he sat rubbing his hands together as Parker steered the power boat out to the bay. Normally, he would have been chatting with Parker about the boat and commenting on the other vessels that were out. Today, he sat quietly on the cushioned bench in the stern. "All right, Captain?" Carolyn asked as she sat next to him.
"Oh, aye. Just thinking." He smiled over at her. "It's a perfect day for the Regatta."
"Yes, it sure is. We couldn't have gotten better weather." Carolyn watched him for a few minutes as he flexed his fingers and rubbed his hands over his trouser legs. "They'll be fine, Daniel."
"Aye. They will. Candy has the spinnaker in hand and Jonathan knows the course." He sounded as if he was trying to convince himself more than Carolyn.
"Yes, and they had the best sailing instructor in New England to teach them." Carolyn smoothed her hand over his back. "No matter what happens, they'll have fun."
"As long as that blasted Danny Shoemaker doesn't foul it up again." Daniel muttered.
"Well, there's nothing you can do about it now, Daniel. It's in Candy and Jonathan's hands."
Parker brought the "Sea Witch" to a stop, anchoring the boat in a place where they would have a good view of the race. Mark Helmore was racing with Jack Hadley and the pair was the favorite to win the junior yachtsman race. They had more experience than just about anyone in the race and this would be their last summer as junior yachtsman, next year, at fourteen, Jack would be in the intermediate class and Mark was more advanced than the other sailors in the juniors class. Kate and Carolyn set out some of the picnic food for pre-race munching.
Soon, they saw the sailboats head out from the pier at the yacht club and into the bay where the marker buoys had been placed. The starting boat was in position and the race committee boat had the burgee up to signal that the race was about to get under way. Daniel watched as Jonathan tacked the Surprise around to get set to come across the start-finish line. An air horn sounded to start the race and the group of small boats was underway. With a moving start, it was hard to tell who was in the lead, but as they came around the first buoy it looked as though Danny Shoemaker and Graham Gilbert were in the lead. Daniel shook his head.
The boats had to tack back and forth against the wind on the first leg and the trick was not to get caught out on too long a tack in one direction because as they headed to the second buoy it was time to think about the spinnaker. Jack and Mark passed by Danny and Graham, cutting nicely across the stern of Danny's boat. Candy and Jonathan seemed to be making ground on Linda Coburn and Penny Hassenhammer, who were having some trouble keeping their boat, "Chewink", in a straight line.
"Here you go, Captain," Parker said handing Daniel a pair of binoculars. "You'll get a better view of them with these."
"Thank you, Parker." The seaman looked through the glasses, concentrating hard on the Surprise. "Oh, come on, lad, stop sawing the tiller. Keep her steady," Daniel muttered. Daniel stood transfixed on the race as the group of small boats neared the second buoy. He saw Candy standing in the bow and knew she was waiting for Jonathan to give her the word that he was ready to come about.
"Jibe ho!" Jonathan said and Candy had the jib lowered quickly. She set the spinnaker pole and attached the lines to the sail. As the "Surprise" headed directly into the wind for a few seconds slowing its forward movement, Candy began to hoist the spinnaker with all her might. "Hoisting!" She worked quickly, keeping the lines from tangling back on themselves. She was so focused on her task that she hadn't realized that she had managed to raise and set the spinnaker before even Jack Hadley had. As Jonathan steered the boat around the marker, Candy set the lines and the spinnaker flew just like a big kite, propelling them through the water with remarkable speed.
"Well done, Candy." Daniel whispered. Carolyn stood next to him and watched as the boats raced down the windward leg. "She's handled it beautifully," the seafarer remarked.
"Are they ahead of Jack and Mark?" Carolyn asked.
"Aye, they have a slight lead on them. If Candy can get the spinnaker doused and the jib up they might just have them beat." Daniel grinned.
"Who's that at the rear?"
Daniel looked through the binoculars again to see Graham Gilbert tangled up in the lines of the spinnaker and Danny Shoemaker yelling at him as their boat drifted off course. "It's Danny and Gilbert. Serves them right, the sea slugs!"
As the boats headed to the third and final buoy, "Surprise" had a slight edge on "Renegade" and Tad Keene and Miles Clayton were a strong third in "Osprey." Penny and Linda, even in fourth place had a huge lead on Danny and Gilbert, who were now just yelling at each other and had all but abandoned the race. Jack and Candy started to lower the spinnakers on their respective boats at exactly the same moment, but Candy got hung up on removing the spinnaker pole and as they headed around the third marker, "Renegade" had gained back the lead, "Surprise" close on her stern.
"Come on Jack!" Parker hollered.
"Trim the main sail, Jonathan." Daniel muttered, still eyeing them through the field glasses.
Another blast from the air horn sounded as "Renegade" came across the finish line just ahead of "Surprise." Jack and Mark just edging Candy and Jonathan for first place.
"Congratulations, Hadley," Daniel said as she shook hands with Parker. "You're lad's a fine hand."
"Thank you, Captain. But, I think today's win should be chalked up to experience. Candy and Jonathan certainly gave Mark and Jack a run for their money." Parker said. "I think they're a lock for next year's race."
"Perhaps." Daniel smiled.
Candy and Jonathan shouted their congratulations to Jack and Mark as they all headed back to the docks at the yacht club. At the conclusion of the races, the committee would present the awards.
Daniel helped Parker weigh anchor on the Sea Witch and they headed over to the yacht club. They saw Candy and Jonathan docking the Surprise in the berths reserved for competitors. When they saw, the Sea Witch, their mom and the Captain waiting at the end of the pier, they ran toward them.
"Did you see us? Second Place!" Jonathan shouted as he launched himself from the dock into the stern of the power boat.
"We sure did. You were terrific!" His mom hugged him close. "Did you have fun?"
"Mom, it was so cool!" Jonathan looked at the Captain, "Did you see us? How'd we do?"
"You did splendidly, lad. You and Candy both." The seaman's face was a giant grin as he gave the boy a congratulatory pat on the back.
"Captain! Did you see it? The spinnaker, it was perfect!" Candy came clumping on to the Hadley's boat. She threw her arms around the spirit, "You were right!"
Daniel Gregg hugged Candy. "I knew you could do it, my dear. You did everything just right."
"I was nervous, but I remembered what you said…concentrate and go slowly…remember the steps. Oh, Captain, it just worked so perfectly!"
"Aye, you both did superbly! I'm very proud of you." Daniel said.
"Me, too." Carolyn added. "Aren't you glad you stuck with it?"
"Sure am, Mom. Wow! We almost had Jack and Mark there at the end! And the best part of all was that Danny and Gilbert totally blew it!" Jonathan crowed.
Jack Hadley climbed aboard his family's boat, a smile on his face. "Do you see who's still out there in the bay?" He pointed to where Danny's boat was still out and the committee boat was along side it. "They can't get the jib up." The teen turned to Candy and Jonathan. "You guys did great. You'll have it next year. Nice job."
"Thanks, Jack, you, too," Candy smiled at him. "You and Mark sure had your strategy down."
"Well, a lot of it was just practice. You did great for first time on the spinnaker."
Candy smiled at Jack and then at Captain Gregg. "I had a great teacher."