Spindrift

By R. L. Keller

(Inspired by a couple of Pauline’s Contrived pictures, but not totally based on them 😊)

“Spindrift Inn,” Annie Hughes answered the business phone with her usual light, friendly, tones. “How may I help you?”

A soft rumble of what sounded like self-conscious chuckles came through the line, then, “Actually, Mrs. Hughes, I’m hoping that you can help quite a bit. This is Admiral Harriman Nelson.”

“What injury does Lee need to recuperate from this time?” Annie all but growled, then was confused when Nelson burst out laughing.”

“He’s fine,” finally sounded through continuing chuckles, before Nelson’s voice settled down. “I’m calling, actually, to see how far ahead your Inn is booked. I need to spend a week or so in Newport, meeting with researchers at both the Hatfield Marine Science Center and Oregon Coast Aquarium, as well as a few others. No dates are yet set in stone and I was hoping that we could find a time when at least three of your rooms would be available. Call it a working vacation.” There was a slight pause. “Both Lee and Chip’s comments about your establishment, as well as your cooking, have not gone unnoticed.”

It was Annie’s turn to chuckle. “Tim told me, when he came back from Jerry Levin’s Wetting Down +++, that he thought we might be getting reservations from your direction.” There was another soft chuckle from Nelson. “A week, you say? Let me check the bookings.”

Nelson heard pages flipping. “As busy as we’ve been of late,” he told her casually, “I wouldn’t mind getting away for at least a week, and longer, if possible. Both Lee and Chip have mentioned how lovely it is in your area.”

“Three rooms?” Annie clarified.

“At the very least. I’d also like our CMO, Dr. Jamison, to come as well, and I’m sure that he’d love to bring his wife.”

“Humm,” Annie mumbled softly to herself, then out loud she asked, “Could it wait for four weeks, Admiral?”

“Easily,” he confirmed. “Even a bit longer would be fine.”

“Once we get past Labor Day weekend things start to calm down. How about four rooms starting Sept 8^th through the 19^th? You can have the Lighthouse Suite and Lee can have his usual Driftwood. Those two are on the top floor. And Chip and your CMO can have Sandpiper and Sand Dollar on the second floor facing the ocean.”

“All booked at full price,” Nelson told her firmly.

“Eh,” Annie teased him. “That still leaves two other rooms booked off and on during that period.”

“Perhaps we can negotiate,” Nelson countered. “Would your license allow the addition of occasional lunches and dinners, as well as just breakfasts?”

Annie laughed. “For special guests we can do anything we want!”

So, on a sunny Wednesday morning a month later four men and one woman, the men in uniform, stepped off a commercial flight in Portland, Oregon, picked up their luggage at Baggage Claim, and headed for their rental cars. Plural. Nelson had insisted, at NIMR’s expense of course, that Will and Lu-Tsi Jamison have a car. Not necessary to all of the agenda Nelson had planned, he wanted the pair to be able to take off and explore the area as they pleased. Nelson had his own rental since he needed to be free to head out at a moment’s notice for meetings that still didn’t have an exact time and date. And a third car was for Lee and Chip to share. Chip had teased Lee – a little too much, Lee’s expression told the others – about going back up to Portland to visit his lady friend, Dr. Radiwan. Chip finally took the hint and shut up, but the thought did stay in everyone’s mind.

Since Lee knew where he was going, he led the small caravan out of Portland, down Highway 18 to the coast, then south to Beverly Beach, pulling into the B&B parking lot just after 1400 hours. Landlubber time, Lee reminded himself. 2 pm, and he grinned as he explained his head shake to Chip. As they got out of their cars Lee was immediately set upon by a 25lb furball who demanded his attention before she’d acknowledge the others. Lee burst out laughing as Lacey, the little blue merle Shetland Sheepdog, barely gave Chip a sniff as Lee introduced her to the others. “Chip tried to steal her liver and garlic cookies the first time he was here,” he barely got out, to glares from the blond.

About that time both Tim and Annie Hughes came out the back door. Tim knew everyone except Mrs. Jamison. She and Annie made an instant connection, to smiles from the others. Once luggage was carried in and rooms assigned, everyone met back down in the B&B’s Commons area, the big living room on the main floor.

“Why uniforms?” Tim asked as he got the men settled with coffee. The ladies headed for the kitchen.

“Lee didn’t pack anything else,” Chip sniped.

“I did so,” Lee growled back, then sent a soft grin to his old Annapolis buddy as Nelson snorted softly. “Special rates for service personnel on the flight. I suspect that we’ll all change shortly.” He sighed. “Coffee first. What they serve on the flight isn’t coffee, it’s colored water.” They all grimaced.

Nelson nodded toward Lee’s feet, where Lacey had curled up contentedly. But it was Chip who spoke. “Lee and his females,” he quipped. Lee’s instant glare did nothing to wipe the grin off Chip’s face.

“I think she understands,” Tim stepped in, “how special it was to her that Lee brought her here. She gets along with everyone…”

“Except your sister-in-law’s kids,” Lee broke in. **

Tim cringed. “Yeah,” he agreed. “But Lee and Brad Spencer are definitely her favorites.” The others nodded, knowing the story thanks to Chip.

The ladies came in carrying trays of cookies and fruit turnovers. “This should hold everyone until dinner,” Annie told the group, with a firm glance at Lee who merely shook his head, but he did grab a cookie.

“We’re the only ones here?” he asked after his first bite.

“For tonight,” Tim answered. “The other two rooms are booked for the weekend, and off and on next week. All returning guests…”

“And who have been warned,” Annie cut in, “that we have a bunch of friends in most of the rooms.”

Nelson chuckled. “We will do our very best to be good guests,” he assured the Hughes, with a glance at Lee and Chip.

“Those two are hopeless,” Annie told him.

“But we’re used to them,” Tim added, chuckling as both Lee and Chip sent him a quick glare.

They continued to visit amiably until Annie headed to the kitchen to start dinner. Lu-Tsi offered to help but Annie teased her about being on vacation, so she and Will drove into Depoe Bay to spend a couple hours; Lee had mentioned the quaint little town during one of his occasional dinners at the Jamison’s cottage on NIMR grounds. Nelson went to his room to make some phone calls. Lee and Chip changed into jeans and t-shirts and helped Tim with a few chores in the yard, both Tim and Chip teasing Lee because Lacey made herself a bit of a pest, sticking close to Lee no matter where he went or what he was doing.

With the bigger group, Annie served dinner at the breakfast table since only four people fit in the nook in the kitchen, where Lee was used to eating when he was here. As they all slowed down eating after the fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans with buttered and browned bread crumbs on top – Lu-Tsi admonished Lee for not telling her about that variation, she absolutely loved it, but Lee merely smiled and shrugged – and green salad, Lee took the opportunity to ask Nelson what the plans were for the following day, Thursday.

“For you two,” he pointed to Lee and Chip, “a day off,” he ordered, although the gruffness in his voice was mitigated by the smile on his face. “I’m meeting with several people at Hatfield.” They all knew he was referring to The Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. “But nothing that involves you. In fact,” he paused as Annie, who’d momentarily left the table and now returned with a pie plate in one hand and ice cream tub in the other; Lee sent Chip a dirty look as the blond practically drooled, “I don’t think I’ll need either you, or Will, until next week.”

“Time for you to go to Portland,” Chip ignored the look and told Lee happily as Annie started slicing what turned out to be one of her specialties – a mix of blackberries and raspberries in a flaky, tender, double crust.

“Already called her,” Lee admitted bashfully. “She’s leaving tomorrow for a Continuing Education conference and visiting friends back east.”

“Bummer,” Annie teased him. Lee just shook his head.

“That was lousy timing,” Tim agreed.

“And I was looking forward to meeting her,” Lu-Tsi added in her soft voice. Lee stuffed a big bite of pie and ice cream in his mouth and refused to look at the others.

As everyone stretched out and relaxed in the living room after dinner, Nelson once more addressed Lee. “Now I understand why you like it here so much.” He sighed heavily and stretched out his legs even more than they had been, sitting in one of the room’s comfortable chairs. “This is delightful.” He turned to Tim and Annie, also joining the group. “You found an amazing place for your B&B.”

“We were lucky,” Tim admitted. They kibitzed a bit about the history of the house and how they’d somewhat accidentally found it while looking for a place to start their business once Tim was forced by injury to leave the Navy.

“Great views,” Nelson told them. “A lovely area. You were indeed lucky. I can easily understand why the original sea captain built on this hill.” He paused. “I’m a little surprised that you aren’t surrounded by more houses on each side.”

Tim and Annie shared a look between them – more smirk than anything. “That question actually never occurred to me,” Lee told Nelson, and they both returned their gaze to the couple.

“When we found this place, besides this, what turned out to be a double lot, the owner also owned three lots on each side. Because we were paying cash…”

“Thanks to a bequest from my Great Aunt,” Annie interjected.

“Yeah,” Tim agreed. “That was the major reason. Anyway, the guy made us a really good deal if we’d take the whole property.”

“Incredible,” Nelson told them.

“Property values, even in this area, weren’t that bad at the time. Now we’re thinking, with land prices the way they have grown, of selling off the lower two lots on each side, but keeping the ones next to us open. But we want to make sure we sell them as a unit, so that there will only be one house on each piece. We like being so open here.”

“And so do our guests,” Annie once more jumped in. “The last thing we want is a bunch of noisy neighbors.”

“What we’re really afraid of is, someone buying the property and putting up what would end up as beach rentals,” Tim added.

“You’d have absolutely no control over who was in them when,” Will said with a frown.

“Exactly,” Annie agreed. “The business is doing well; Tim and I are comfortable. We don’t need the money badly enough to risk it.”

“There may come a time,” Tim added, “as we get older, we will want to slow down.” The pair shared a grin. “I seriously doubt the price of land will go down. Those lots are sort of our retirement plan.”

“I like it,” Will agreed. Nelson’s cell phone went off and he excused himself to answer it, heading out onto the front porch.

Tim turned to Annie. “When do the Petersons and Everetts get here tomorrow?”

“Not until at least 6 pm for the Everetts.” She stood up and walked into the small office between the stairway and breakfast room. It only took a moment for her to return. “The Petersons should be here about 4 pm if their flight into Portland is on time.” Her expression clearly asked why Tim wanted to know.

“Just thinking…”

“Help,” Chip muttered. Annie laughed as Tim sent the blond a glare.

“Since the Admiral doesn’t need you tomorrow,” Tim said slowly and carefully, staring at Annie before he turned to Lee and Chip, “the three of us,” he paused and looked at Will and Lu-Tsi, “you, too, if you’d like,” and he sent them a smile, “we could leave after breakfast and Annie and I quickly refresh rooms, and spend a few hours at the Dunes.” They knew he meant the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

Will raised both hands. “I’ve heard all I want to about that place,” he muttered.

“Jamie,” Lee started, “I survived that just fine. Well,” he shared a quick grin with Tim. “Mostly,” was added with a shy smile. “It was on the way back to NIMR that I got into trouble.”*

“You two,” Tim looked at the Jamisons, “could do the regular tour. They use a small, converted and opened up school bus-type rig. Holds about 24 passengers. Take it really easy but you still have a lot of fun.”

“That’s not what you do?” Lu-Tsi asked Lee

“Nope,” he grinned. “You can rent 2- or 4-passenger dune buggies and drive yourself.”

“I think they even have 6-passenger ones now,” Tim added. “We’d take care of you.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Will muttered, but even he smiled as Lee and Chip totally cracked up and the others chuckled.

“Miss something?” Nelson asked, walking back in.

“Nothing that you don’t already know,” Will told him. “You senior officers are smart-alecks.”

“Including your CMO,” Lu-Tsi added demurely, and everyone cracked up again.

Lee settled down and Nelson returned to his chair. “Sir?” The two had known each other long enough, and shared enough friendship, that Nelson easily understood Lee’s unasked question.

“Dr. Markov, at Hatfield,” and he gestured to his phone. “Turns out he’s leaving for Woods Hole on Friday so we only have tomorrow for me to study his research on plankton ecology and how it effects marine fishes. Mostly how it effects the dynamics of their early life stages.” He grinned self-consciously as he realized that he’d totally, in those two sentences, bored his small audience nearly to tears. The only one paying him much attention was Lee, and sometimes Nelson couldn’t tell if his young captain was actually listening, or merely pretending to be. “So what,” he quickly changed the subject, “are the rest of you going to do?”

“I’m sending those three maniacs,” Annie jumped in before anyone else could, and pointed to Tim, Lee, and Chip, “down to the Sand Dunes tomorrow. Maybe if we’re lucky,” she added with a bright smile, “they won’t come back.” Everyone laughed, even her three ‘targets’.

“And Lu-Tsi and I,” Will added once they’d all calmed down, “are going to check out the Aquarium before anyone there knows I’m from NIMR.” That brough more chuckles and nods.

“Sounds like we all have an agenda,” Nelson noted. “Except you, Mrs. Hughes.”

“It’s Annie,” she reminded him firmly, and he gave her a quick nod. “And I get a quiet day to myself. That’s agenda enough.” Again, more chuckles.

“How about I give you a call when we leave Florence,” Tim asked, that being the town closest to the Dunes, “and you call in a take-out order to Maxwells?”

“Halibut fish n’ chips,” Lee immediately spoke up. The other NIMR personnel looked at him. “The best I’ve ever eaten,” he told them.

“Count me in,” Chip told Annie, and the others all chimed in as well.

“Seven orders of F & C. Any chowder?”

“Better get a bunch,” Tim told her. “If nothing else, we can have it the next day or so for lunch.”

“Works for me,” she agreed. “I don’t have to cook.” They all grinned.

“Speaking of which,” Chip asked brightly, “what’s for breakfast?” Lee, sitting close enough, smacked the insolent blond.

“Stuffed french toast, smarty,” Annie told him. “With you here I doubled the recipe.” Chip actually blushed as the others laughed.

“I’ve heard Lee mention that,” Lu-Tsi told Annie. “I must admit, I’m intrigued.

“She shares recipes with friends,” Lee told her, with a glance between the two women.

Annie nodded. “Thick french bread, or whatever you have on hand, actually. Mix together cream cheese with enough heavy cream to thin it just a bit.” She paused. “Or just start with the whipped variety.” Lu-Tsi nodded. “Add whatever fruit you have on hand; tomorrow’s will be raspberry or blueberry…”

“I’m already drooling,” Lee admitted.

“Mix together eggs, heavy cream, and cinnamon and nutmeg if you like those flavors. Take two pieces of bread and spread one with a nice layer of the cream cheese, put another slice on top, dip in the egg mix and fry like you normally would. Then top with either berry sauce or more fresh berries…”

“Or both,” Tim added, to more laughter.

“Heavenly,” Lee breathed out.

“I’m going to need to walk three times through the Aquarium,” Lu-Tsi complained.

“But it’s worth it,” Chip told her.

“How would you know?” Will glared at him. “You eat everything within sight and never gain an ounce.” Chip merely shrugged with a grin as the others laughed.

“I,” Nelson told them all, “am looking forward to it.” He sighed heavily. “But for now I’d better go re-read Dr. Markov’s published reports so I’m ready for tomorrow.” He stood and took a couple steps toward the staircase, but stopped when Lacey left her spot by Lee’s feet and met him. He grinned, reached down and gave her a pat with a glance at Lee, who was smiling softly, and Chip, who was frowning slightly. He knew the story of how Lee had finally introduced the pair.** “And good-night to you, too,” he told the little dog, and headed up the stairs.

Lacey returned to Lee’s feet and once more curled up. Will and Lu-Tsi went to their room shortly after; they were normally early-to-bed people and between the flight, the fresh air and sea breeze of Depoe Bay, were ready for some quiet time. Annie headed for the kitchen to start the prep for breakfast the next morning, leaving the three Annapolis buddies sprawled out in the living room. Tim left momentarily and returned with three bottles of beer, and they spent some time reminiscing about old times.

But at one point Tim pointed an eyebrow at Lee, who nodded that he understood the unspoken question only too well. “At a guess,” he started, “the Admiral wanted to give us all a chance to clear the air, so to speak. We…” he sent a glance at Chip, “sort of hit a rough patch a bunch of months ago.”***

“Understatement of the century,” Chip muttered, but also sent Lee a nod. “We’ve all had time off in the meantime, and we did get it sorted out. But…” His voice trailed off.

“Neutral territory?” Tim asked. The other two nodded. “You can all step back and enjoy the friendship you share, without work involved. Well,” and he nodded upstairs.

“The Admiral had to have some excuse for coming,” Chip told him, “or it wouldn’t have worked.” He grinned. “Oh, we’ll get included in a few things,” and Lee nodded and sent him a grin. “But mostly it’s just…”

“Get our heads screwed back on, relax and, as you said, get back to the friendships we know are there, but took a serious hit.” Lee grinned again. “I’m not complaining about where he chose to take us.” They air-toasted each other with the beer bottles, and continued to talk of mutual friends and memories.

Lee finally put down his empty bottle and looked down at Lacey. “Care to join me in a walk down the hill and back? I need to stretch my legs before bed.” At the ‘w’ word Lacey bounced up, and kept dancing until Lee actually got up. The others laughed, and Lee and his furry companion left out the front door.

Tim saw a small frown on Chip’s face, and again raised an eyebrow. Chip nodded. “Lee got the worst of it,” he said softly. “And the Admiral wasn’t far behind. They’ve mended fences. Thankfully. Seaview was about to explode.” He polished off his own beer.

“You got caught in the middle.”

“Sort of,” Chip admitted.

“Nasty.”

“Had its moments.”

“I can only imagine.”

“Save your sanity and don’t even try,” Chip told him earnestly, but then grinned. “Lee spent time with Dr. Radiwan.” Tim brightened. “But you didn’t hear that from me, or we’re both dead meat.”

“Got it.” Tim agreed seriously. He was only too aware of Lee’s occasional angry outbursts. But they grinned again.

Once Lee returned, and Annie finished in the kitchen, the four visited for a little bit, but eventually everyone crashed. Lee thought for a second that Lacey was going to go with him upstairs. But she gave him a quick wag of her tail and went with Tim and Annie as they all said their good-nights.

* * * *

Nelson was the first one to push himself away from the breakfast table the next morning but it was definitely with reluctance, citing a need to get to Newport. “I’m beginning to understand what you two meant about the food,” he told Lee and Chip. “I’m a little surprised that you haven’t mentioned this to Cookie.”

“Seaview would sink from everyone putting on too much weight,” Lee told him seriously, then grinned as he stuck another bite into his mouth.

“Good point,” Nelson agreed before turning to Annie. “I have no idea what Dr. Markov has planned for the day. If I’m going to be later than 1800 ho…ah…6 pm,” he adjusted, “I’ll call and you all can eat without me.”

“More for Chip,” Annie teased, and even the blond grinned.

Once everyone was done, Lu-Tsi offered to help clean up but Annie adamantly refused. “This is your vacation,” she told the other woman kindly but firmly. “That means you all vacate for the day and enjoy.” Everyone grinned at her little pun.

“You don’t ever get tired of what’s basically a twenty-four/seven job?” Lu-Tsi wanted to know.

Tim and Annie both grinned. “From mid-April through mid-October we’re pretty busy, but the other months we get breaks. And sometimes we simply make our own break and black out a week or two,” Annie told her.

“And if we need to get away,” Tim added, “we have friends that can usually step in and run the place for a bit.”

“That sounds great,” Lu-Tsi told them, and she and Will prepared to leave for their trip to Newport. Lee and Chip sat with a last cup of coffee while Tim helped Annie clean up the breakfast area, then Annie kicked them all out so they could head for Florence and the Dunes, about a two hour drive each way.

* * * *

The three old friends had an incredible day. It was Chip’s first visit to the 40 mile stretch of sandy beach edged by immense dunes mixed here and there with scrub brush or small tree groves with trails through some of them. On the open dunes you could go pretty much anywhere you wanted to. They rented a 4-person buggy and, full from breakfast and the prospect of a big dinner, didn’t stop for lunch. Even Chip, the usual ‘bottomless pit’, didn’t complain. Tim, the most familiar with the area, drove the first hour, then Chip and Lee took turns. This time no one flipped the buggy as had happened when Lee and Tim were there the first time. Twice! But it was close a couple of times, and all three had sore stomach muscles from laughing so hard and so long.

They did, actually, watch the time despite how much fun they were having, and arrived back at the B&B ten minutes before 6 pm with dinner. Nelson arrived back just as everyone else was sitting down, and talk was minimal as everyone stuffed themselves with lightly battered and deep fried halibut chunks, delicious french fries, and creamy cold slaw. No one wanted the several pints of New England-style clam chowder so that went into the fridge for another day.

It was Will’s turn to push away from the table first, after stuffing more of the food into his face than he thought possible. “Wow,” was all he could mumble.

“Delicious,” Lu-Tsi agreed. “We get good seafood at home, but this is…” She wasn’t sure how to finish the sentence.

“Special?” Nelson tried.

“That works,” Will agreed.

“We love Maxwells,” Annie told them. “Simple food cooked extremely well.”

“If you like razor clams,” Tim added, and then just smiled.

“Ooh,” Lu-Tsi’s face lit up.

“A couple evenings next week should be quiet,” Annie said to Tim, and he nodded.

“We can invade the place and they can see the whole menu.” They all agreed that sounded like a great idea.

“I hope that you got a chance today,” Lu-Tsi said to Annie, “to relax, with all of us gone.” So far there had been no sign of the two couples who were due to arrive that afternoon.

Annie nodded. “Once I refreshed all the rooms, which didn’t take long,” she glanced around the table.

“We’re used to keeping our cabins relatively neat on the boat,” Lee sent her a shy smile, and she nodded.

“Lacey and I went for a nice, relaxing, walk on the beach.”

“She still chasing seagulls?” Lee asked.

Annie sent him a stern look. “Like she’d ever give that up,” she muttered, but then grinned.

“I thought that she looked a little more tired than usual when we came in,” Tim noted. “She didn’t immediately demand Lee’s attention.” They all grinned – even Lee.

“I was home well before the Petersons and Everetts checked in, then they promptly all went back out, headed in different directions. They’ll all be back after they’ve had their own supper.”

“The plan for tomorrow, sir?” Lee asked Nelson.

“Work, work, work,” Annie growled at him. “I swear, that’s all you ever think about.” Everyone except Lee laughed.

“I was just asking,” Lee somewhat whined, and the others laughed harder.

“You’re all on your own for another day,” Nelson sent a look around the table. “Dr. Markov gave me a large folder filled with copies of research that he hasn’t yet published. I’ve been eyeing that chair swing on the front porch and think that I’ll spend the day absorbing data.”

“Yuck,” Chip said ever so softly, and got an elbow from Lee.

Nelson sent them both a fond look. “To each their own version of pleasurable pastimes. And if it gets too breezy for paperwork out there, I have that glorious balcony off my room.”

“Yes, sir,” came back in stereo from his two young officers.

“What’s for breakfast tomorrow?” Chip asked Annie.

“Chip,” Lee glared at the blond.

“The Admiral said ‘to each their own pastime’,” it was Chip’s turn to whine, and the whole table erupted in laughter.

“The Everetts have been here before,” Annie got out around continued chuckles. “They requested one of your favorites,” she looked at Lee. “The veggie-egg dish.”

“Yumm,” Lee’s face lit up.

“That’s tomorrow. Saturday is individual peach Dutch Babies, and I’m letting the Petersons choose Sunday between several omelet varieties or a croissant-and-egg stack.” She looked at Lee. “That’s a new one; I don’t think you’ve had that one.”

“Doesn’t sound familiar,” Lee agreed.

“You’ll love it,” Tim told him. “Split a croissant lengthwise, mix two parts sour cream with one part mayo, layer on that, Canadian bacon, sliced hard-boiled egg, Herbs De Provence, cover everything with a layer of grated cheese, and bake. We’ll definitely have that before you all leave.”

“Sounds delicious,” Will said, “and I can’t believe that I’m saying that after all the food I just stuffed in my face.” They all nodded with soft chuckles.

The whole group was in the living room, Annie having finished prepping the next morning’s meal, when first the Petersons, and about twenty minutes later the Everetts, returned to the B&B. Once introduced to everyone, both couples stayed down for a cup of coffee and light conversation. The Petersons were headed to the Aquarium the next day so they and the Jamisons chatted happily. NIMR personnel weren’t in uniform; even Nelson had changed right after dinner, so nothing much was said about that. Tim and Annie had just introduced everyone with “These are friends from California.” The Petersons were from Philadelphia and the Everetts from Atlanta so a lot of the conversation was general, about a lot of different places people had been to. Quite an amiable evening for everyone. But they all headed for bed early after their day of fresh air and sunshine.

* * * *

The egg and veggie dish was another big hit the following morning, especially with Lu-Tsi, who once more admonished Lee for not sharing the recipe. “I can’t give away all of Annie’s secrets,” he tried to defend himself, and then put a huge grin on his face. “That’s what keeps her guests coming back.” The Petersons and Everetts both sent up a ‘Here, here’, and everyone chuckled. But Annie was quick to remind Lu-Tsi that she happily shared when asked, and the other ladies grinned and nodded.

“Plan for the day?” it was Nelson’s turn to ask since he’d already made his plans known the night before.

“Taking a long run on the beach,” Lee told him, to a multitude of smiles and chuckles. Lee was not an inactive man, at least under normal circumstances, and needed daily activity.

“Taking the furball?” Annie asked, indicating Lacey laying just outside the breakfast room, where she wasn’t allowed at mealtimes.

“Sort of thought so. Well, if she wants to go.” As if understanding, Lacey stood up and started dancing. Everyone grinned. “Chip?” Lee looked at the blond.

“Partway down the beach for sure,” Chip agreed. “Told Tim that I’d help him with a supply trip once he and Annie had the morning chores done.” Lee nodded. He’d heard part of that discussion the previous evening. And, while he stayed in shape, the blond wasn’t the jogger Lee was.

“I’ll pick up Chip at the beach entrance,” Tim told them both, then looked at Lee, “so you’ll have the car if you want it when you do get back.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he agreed, then got one of his shy, sheepish smiles. “Told Becca that perhaps I’d talk Annie into letting me decapitate a few flowers, and I’d go put them on her aunt’s grave for her.”

“Absolutely,” Annie told him. “Anytime.”

“Thanks,” Lee told her, his head still slightly lowered, and ended up nearly hiding behind his coffee mug although no one, not even Chip, teased him about the sentimentality behind the errand. All of the NIMR personnel, and Tim and Annie as well, were hoping that this friendship was one that Lee would keep. It was a bit of a standing joke that, with their crazy schedules, neither Lee or Chip could keep a steady girlfriend. But Becca had become very special to Lee, and vice versa. They helped each other in ways that only a true friend could.

The other two couples left before anyone else, then Annie asked Will and Lu-Tsi their plans for the day. “Thought we’d check out more of Newport,” Will told everyone. “There’s supposed to be an ‘Old Town?”

Tim and Annie both nodded. “Avoid the touristy ‘Seaquarium’,” Tim told them. “It has its moments, but considering where you all work…” He shrugged.

“If I could ask a favor?” Annie inquired softly.

“Of course,” Lu-Tsi assured her

“You’ll be down at the docks. If you want lunch…” Will groaned and everyone laughed. “Try a place called ‘Open Ocean’. You’ll like it. But if you’re still down there when the crab boats come in could you pick up enough for dinner?”

“Happily,” Will told her. “These are Dungeness crabs?” He glanced around the table. “Haven’t had them fresh in ages.”

“Nothing better,” Tim assured everyone. Lee sent him a grin, remembering his first trip to the B&B and ending up going crabbing with friends of his hosts. “No,” Tim told him firmly. “No tossing crab shells at each other,” he told his friend firmly, and then had to explain to the others.

“The boat will kill and clean the crabs for you,” Annie added. “Give me a quick call when you’re headed back and I’ll have everything else ready.” With plans in place, everyone headed out.

Tim gave Chip an approximate time for meeting up so once he and Lee hit the beach, accompanied by a slightly over-excited Lacey, the three jogged halfway through the time, where Chip turned back and Lee and Lacey continued. The tide happened to be out so they made it all the way to the base of the headland rock on which sat Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Lee continued to jog until they were past the spot that could trap a person at that end of the beach at high tide; Lee knew the spot only too well! But once back on the safe, northern, side, he dropped to a walk for the return trip. He laughed several times as they approached other people on the popular beach; each time Lacey gave him a look, which Lee would then send the people. If they acknowledged the look, Lee waved a hand and Lacey would go say ‘hello’ in her wiggly, tail-wagging, way, and then return to Lee. A couple of times the people chose to ignore Lee, and he’d reach down to scratch her ears with a soft, “not this time,” and they’d continue their walk.

With the slow trip back it was nearly 1430 hours – 2:30, Lee chided himself – when he got back to the B&B, and immediately started berating himself to Annie when Lacey headed directly for her water dish.

Annie merely laughed. “Don’t worry. If it was hotter I’d have had you take water with you. For both of you,” she added, and Lee nodded.

“The Admiral still on the front porch?” He and Lacey had come in the back door.

“Went to his balcony after lunch.” Lee grinned broadly as Annie emphasized the noon meal. She’d gotten used to Lee not eating it, still claiming to be full from breakfast, but made no bones about not liking it.

“Better go clean up,” Lee told her. “We made it all the way to the base of the lighthouse, then mostly walked back.”

“Lacey will sleep good tonight,” Annie said happily, and Lee headed upstairs.

The Admiral had left his bedroom door open but Lee didn’t interrupt, going quietly into his own room to shower and change. But when he came back out he glanced into the bigger suite, and Nelson motioned him in. He’d barely taken a step when his furry shadow appeared. Nelson laughed and motioned both out onto his balcony. Both men grinned as Lacey quickly nosed Nelson, then curled up in a corner, like she usually did on Lee’s balcony when he was here.

“A good run?” Nelson asked. Lee smiled and nodded. “I plan to take a nice long walk while I’m here.” He held up a fist full of pages. “But not today.” He chuckled. “Many more of Mrs. Hughes’, ah…Annie’s,” he corrected himself as Lee’s grin spread, “meals and I’ll have to make time for more than a mere walk.” Lee’s grin turned to chuckles as he nodded.

“That’s why I tend to avoid the B&B at lunch time. Annie…ah…” His voice trailed off.

“Got it,” Nelson told him, and they both smiled before Lee raised an eyebrow. “Egg salad sandwiches on dill bread, with cream of cucumber soup,” he answered Lee’s unvoiced question. “Chip and Tim came back with the first load of supplies just in time to join me, then they headed out for the second load.” He shook his head.

“Different stores in different directions,” Lee added. “Takes some organization to keep a place like this running smoothly. Not to mention, Tim taking advantage of extra help to gather and stow away.” They both nodded, then were silent, looking directly down on the beach from the perfect location of the Lighthouse Suite’s lovely balcony. Lee noticed that Nelson seemed in no hurry to get back to his reading, and Lee was enjoying the chance to just sit with his boss. And friend. And mentor. And so many other things Nelson meant to him. And, he liked to think, he meant to Nelson. It was extremely relaxing, after the months of turmoil, shaky conversations trying to sort things out, and mostly accomplishing getting back to normal. Whatever that is, Lee told himself, and didn’t get a self-conscious grin buried before Nelson saw it and pointed an eyebrow. “It’s been a while,” was all Lee managed to get out.

“I was somewhat thinking the same thing,” Nelson admitted. But anything else that might have been said was interrupted by an excited yip from Lacey, and her racing out of the suite.”

“Tim and Chip must be back,” Lee explained to a puzzled Admiral.

“Ah.” They both grinned. But the quiet moment now broken, Lee trailed after Lacey to help unload the supplies.

* * * *

Lee’s turn to push away from the table after dinner but not before tossing one small piece of crab shell at Annie. The whole table cracked up and even Lacey barked. “You stay out of this,” Annie admonished the dog, but could barely get it out around her own laughter. “Out,” she finally ordered, and everyone except Tim, who stayed long enough to help carry all the dishes into the kitchen, headed for the living room/commons area. Once he joined them, several alcoholic beverages appeared since the other two couples weren’t back yet.

Chip’s turn to bring up Saturday plans, looking at Lee. “Didn’t make it to the cemetery today,” Lee admitted.

“Get done tomorrow anything outside,” Tim advised. “Sunday’s weather isn’t looking particularly wonderful.”

“A good day to stay in and relax,” Lu-Tsi decided, and got several nods back.

“Sunday lunch,” Annie said, joining them, “the clam chowder still in the fridge.”

“Perfect,” several agreed.

“Anyone have a request for dinner tomorrow night?” was Annie’s next comment as she took a sip of Tim’s rum and coke. He raised an eyebrow but she waved him off. “One sip is enough,” she told him.

“He still gets the proportions wrong,” Lee muttered, but then took a swallow of his own.

“You’re so good to share your recipes,” Lu-Tsi told Annie. “Maybe I can share one of my own. Well, Lee’s, actually.”

Lee grinned. “I’ll get the ingredients while I’m out tomorrow, if you’d like,” he told her, knowing exactly which recipe Lu-Tsi was talking about.

But she waved him off. “William and I are going back to Newport tomorrow. I’ll pick everything up if you’ll help cook it.”

“That one,” Chip grumbled softly, and took a big swallow of his drink.

“You mean,” Nelson said, “you two found something Chip doesn’t like?”

When everyone but Chip stopped laughing, Lee told Nelson, “He loves it. He just fusses about what it’s made of.” Chip frowned, but nodded sheepishly with a slight blush.

“Now I am intrigued,” Annie said, looking around. “Lee, you actually cook?”

“Yes, Annie, I cook,” it was Lee’s turn to grumble.

“He’s an excellent cook,” Lu-Tsi told Annie. “You didn’t know that?”

“Annie thinks I don’t cook because I stay thin,” Lee continued to grumble, but as the others laughed it was his turn to get a sheepish expression.

“Well, if you’re cooking tomorrow night, and we’re having chowder for Sunday lunch, I’ll fix your favorite seafood pasta for Sunday supper.”

“Yumm,” Lee brightened. “It’s a deal.”

* * * *

Saturday morning dawned sunny but windy, the approaching storm barely on the horizon. Nelson retreated to his balcony after everyone made short work of Annie’s peach Dutch Babies, and everything she served with them. Chip and Lee headed for a beach run. Lee expected Lacey to be tired from the day before but she made no bones about her intent to stay with Lee, and his wasn’t the only grin. “Figured she thought I tried to kill her yesterday,” he told the others.

“Not a chance,” Annie and Tim said together, to more laughter as Annie went on to explain to the other two couples who hadn’t yet left for the day.

Lee and Chip didn’t go nearly as far, maybe a bit past where Chip had turned around the previous morning, before then jogging most of the way back. After cleaning up, Lee fended off Annie’s attempt to feed him lunch, to more laughter, went out to the garden and collected a small bouquet of flowers which he tied together with a piece of ribbon Annie gave him, along with a small vase. Lee started to point out that she wouldn’t, in all likelihood, be getting it back, but Annie pointed to a small crack on the side. “Was just about to throw it out but it should hold up for this one last purpose.” Lee nodded, thanked her, and headed the few miles north to Depoe Bay. Lacey apparently had appointed herself Lee’s shadow, jumping into the car the instant Lee opened the door. He looked toward the house, saw Annie at the back door, and shrugged. Annie laughed and waved them both off.

Only having been there once, and then not going all the way to the grave with Becca, it took Lee a few minutes to find where her Aunt Theresa had been laid to rest. He wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to take Lacey into the cemetery but she stayed right by his side, almost as it she understood the solemness of the place, and not once attempted to chase any of the birds, something she did with relish at the B&B.

Once Lee found the grave he stood for a moment after he’d placed the vase of flowers next to the headstone. “She’s safe now, Aunt Theresa,” he said quietly. Lacey looked at him a bit strangely but remained sitting at his side. “The ex-husband has been put away for a good long time.” He smiled a quick smile. “You did good, ma’am.” He stood silently another couple of moments, then walked back to the car.

As he came in the back door of the B&B, Annie started taking things out of the fridge and adding them to what was already on the counter, and Lee laughed out loud as he recognized the ingredients for the tofu dish that Lu-Tsi loved so much. Chip only grumbled about it because he was carnivore enough to dislike that it wasn’t made with meat, as he’d originally thought when he first tasted it. Lee ran upstairs to wash up, then settled in to prepare the unusual dish.**** Annie watched him closely, writing down each step.

Lu-Tsi came in at one point. “Somehow it always tastes better when Lee makes it,” she told Annie.

“And I can’t tell the difference when she makes it,” Lee admitted shyly.

When it reached the point where it just needed to simmer and let the flavors blend, Annie kicked him out of the kitchen until it was time to eat. Too windy to sit outside, Lee went up to his balcony where he was joined shortly by Chip. “Your balcony is enclosed,” Chip told him. The balcony that ran around the whole second floor of the B&B wasn’t.

“What did you and Tim get into after I left?” Lee asked, merely curious.

“Mostly BS,” Chip admitted, and they both laughed. Chip stretched out in the other chair. “It really is peaceful here. Yeah,” he told Lee, “I already knew that. But…” He shrugged.

“Exactly,” Lee nonetheless agreed and they were both silent, watching the slowly approaching clouds with its accompanying rain. “The Admiral in his room? I noticed the door closed when I came up, unlike yesterday.”

Chip shrugged. “He hasn’t gone out that I know of.” He got up and checked out the window to where the cars were parked. “His car is still here,” he announced as he sat back down. They were both silent until Chip tapped one of Lee’s feet with one of his own. Lee raised an eyebrow, but Chip kept a benign expression until Lee finally smiled softly. “It’s all good.” He paused. “I think.”

Chip finally grinned. “I think so, too,” then sent Lee a quick glare, “until I have to eat tofu for supper,” came out in a growl. Lee burst out laughing.

“Care to share the joke?” came from the door Chip had left open, and Nelson ambled in. Lee jumped up to let the Admiral have his chair, since there was only two, but Nelson waved him down.

“Chip’s complaining about tofu for supper,” Lee told his boss almost gleefully, and Chip reluctantly joined in when the other two chuckled. “Bored with reports?” Lee asked.

“Eyes are tired,” Nelson agreed, and rested a hip on the window ledge, careful to avoid stepping on Lacey’s tail as she was curled up in her favorite corner. “Markov is doing some remarkable studies, even more detailed than I had originally thought. Dr. Lupin is going to be extremely excited when we get back to NIMR.”

“Isn’t it unusual for one scientist to share as much detail as Markov has before he publishes?” Chip asked.

Nelson all but snorted. “NIMR’s good reputation.”

“And yours, sir,” Lee added.

Nelson’s grin spread. “I’ve been amazingly lucky in my life, being able to establish NIMR, and surround myself with some of the best people in each of their fields.” His smug smile beamed as his glance swept back and forth over the two younger men, and they both sent him versions of Lee’s shy smile.

The moment was broken by Lacey giving an excited yip and zooming out, followed shortly by the sound of several car doors. Chip once more rose to glance out the back window. “Jamie is back from wherever he went, as well as the Petersons,” he announced, sitting back down.

“Think I’ll go grab some coffee,” Nelson told them, and raised an eyebrow. But both Lee and Chip shook their heads and Nelson ambled back out. The two old friends said nothing, merely enjoying the companionable silence, until Lacey reappeared, bumped Lee with her nose, gave Chip a glance, and returned to where she’d been laying.

“I can’t believe she still holds a grudge for grabbing her cookies,” Chip told Lee. “And I gave them back.”

Lee cracked up. At the work ‘cookie’ Lacey had pricked her earls, but since no one held anything out to her she quickly relaxed again.

After another spell of easy silence Chip asked softly, “Is it helping?”

Lee knew exactly what his friend was asking but it took him a bit to answer. “Yes,” he finally admitted. “Not that he and I have said anything to each other.”

“Sometimes what’s not said means the most,” Chip’s voice was even softer.

Lee nodded, mostly to himself, then sent Chip a small glare. “I have always hated how easily you can read me.”

Chip shrugged. “That’s what friends do,” he told his best one, and they both grinned.

After more silence it was Lee’s turn. “He’s trying to apologize,” he told the windows, not looking at Chip. “And there’s nothing to apologize for. Well, if anyone should be sorry, it’s me. I’m the one who ran away.”

Chip wasn’t stupid enough to disagree. “We all needed space after what happened. And, look on the plus side; you were there when Dr. Radiwan needed you most.”

Lee nodded. Things had worked out – in the end. He and Nelson had had a couple of really good talks; mostly, to be sure, how Nelson saw the future of NIMR, and Lee’s part in those plans. Chip’s, as well, and Lee had appreciated Nelson’s confidence in the younger men’s abilities to carry on NIMR’s good work when Nelson could no longer be its driving force.

But Lee could still sense, and apparently Chip could as well, a subtle hesitancy in how Nelson treated Lee. And he had no idea how to help Nelson get past whatever the problem was. He did wonder every so often if Nelson still thought Lee held some form of resentment toward what had led to their clash; their sudden inability – well, Lee’s inability, if he was perfectly honest – to communicate. He really didn’t think so; the talks they’d had had been open and revealing – for both of them. Lee had greatly appreciated how Nelson had carefully outlined some of his innermost thoughts, and Lee was honored to be so trusted with Nelson’s legacy.

But there was still ‘something’. Lee knew it. Apparently Chip did as well. Lee simply didn’t know what it was going to take to get Nelson to finally get ‘it’ out. “I guess we just play this out, however it goes,” he finally said, again to the windows.

“Not sure we have much of a choice,” Chip quipped snidely, and Lee reached out and smacked his friend, but also smiled and nodded. They were both quiet again until Lacey once more yipped and streaked out.

Lee glanced at his watch, amazed at how much time had passed, and snickered. “Don’t want to be late for supper,” he teased. Chip made a face, just because, but quickly followed Lee downstairs.

* * * *

“Lee,” Nelson said as he paused for a moment, “this is absolutely delicious.” He glanced at Chip. “Sorry,” he ingenuously apologized, and caused laughter around the table. Annie and Lu-Tsi had generously augmented the tofu main course, but there was more laughter when Chip took seconds of Lee’s offering.

It was a relaxed gathering. Will and Lu-Tsi shared some of their day, puttering around Newport as well as a stop in Depoe Bay. There had been Gray whales right close to the harbor entrance and they’d spent over an hour watching them from the seawall, until the wind picked up and they returned to the B&B.

“Sorry that it’s going to be a ‘staying in day’ tomorrow,” Tim told the group as he took thirds of the tofu mix.

“Not a particularly good driving day for the Everetts and Petersons,” Lee added. Both couples were leaving in the morning, one couple driving north and the other south.

“Such is life on the coast,” Annie said philosophically. “Not like we can go under the weather, like you all can.” The NIMR personnel all grinned.

“Seaview definitely has her benefits,” Lee agreed.

“Do you ever go along?” Annie asked Lu-Tsi. “I’ve never asked.

“No,” Will’s Hong Kong-born wife answered in her usual soft voice.

“Actually,” Nelson told her, “there’s no real reason you couldn’t, if you wanted to.”

A look came over the woman’s face Lee wasn’t sure that he’d ever seen before, and very quietly a soft “Help” came from her right where Will was sitting. The whole table cracked up.

“I will most definitely keep your generous invitation in mind, Admiral,” Lu-Tsi told him.

“Please do,” Nelson said, with a sideways glance at his CMO. Will refused to look at anyone else, and they all cracked up again.

As the men headed for the living room, and the ladies to the kitchen to clean up the dinner dishes and prep for Sunday’s breakfast, Nelson invited Lee to a game of chess. It was a game that the Admiral had taught Lee years before but now rarely had the opportunity to enjoy, and he readily accepted.

As they were setting up the board, Lee noticed a very strange look cross Nelson’s face. Just for a moment before it was gone. Not enough for Lee to figure out what it even was, and Nelson seemed perfectly normal afterward. Probably just thought of what he wanted to do tomorrow, Lee told himself, and settled in for a pleasant evening. Twenty minutes later he apologized to his boss. “It’s obviously been too long since I played, Admiral.” Nelson had beaten him handily.

The Admiral waved it off. “You’ll do better this game,” and he started once more to set the board. Lee wasn’t overly thrilled; he’d been ready to totally surrender. But Nelson apparently wasn’t going to allow him to give up so easily.

This time Lee concentrated harder. Normally he represented himself quite well, although he often suspected Nelson of fudging a bit; not enough to be obvious, but enough that Lee did get the occasional victory. Tonight there was none of that! Nelson didn’t totally play for blood but he was definitely challenging Lee to do his best.

His best not being nearly good enough this evening, he did better but the second game ended as the first. When Lee tipped over his king, he also pushed back his chair. “Not my night, sir.” He grinned as the ladies walked in to join the men. “Too much dinner to concentrate.” He sent Chip a broad smile and the blond, with a slight blush, sent a small one back.

Nelson waved off the excuse. “You just need to practice more,” he told his captain. “We’ll have to do this more often. Will?” he asked his other occasional opponent.

“Prepare to be slaughtered,” Lee told the Doctor as they switched chairs.

“It’s not always about who wins,” Nelson told Lee. Lee wondered about the slightly different tone his boss had switched to. But he was distracted from that thought as Will settled across the board from Nelson.

“Mental stimulation,” Will said, to no one in particular. “Helps keep the brain sharp.”

“Exactly,” Nelson agreed.

* * * *

It was the other two couples who left the breakfast table first the next morning, citing a need to get on the road as they would both be slowed a bit by the inclement weather. The rain wasn’t terribly heavy, at least at that point, but fog and low clouds were combining to keep visibility a bit tricky.

The croissant-egg stack Annie had described the other day had been a huge success with the NIMR crowd; the other couples had both had it before. Lu-Tsi, having helped Annie prep them the evening before, assured the men that she would make sure Seaview’s chef got the recipe. Chip was in heaven, even Lee was happy, and Will started to plan a new exercise program so that he wouldn’t end up gaining forty pounds.

“It’s not actually all that fattening,” Lu-Tsi reminded her husband.

“It is when you eat four of them,” Will muttered, and everyone cracked up.

“You only had two,” Lu-Tsi said softly.

“Because Chip scarfed up the rest,” Lee told her, and everyone once more laughed. Even Chip.

“Plan for the day, Admiral?” Lee asked his boss.

“As little as possible,” Nelson told him, still grinning. “Admittedly I should probably get some exercise myself,” and he patted his stomach.

“With luck, this is supposed to blow away by late afternoon,” Tim told him. “Might be okay for a walk this evening.”

“No lunch!” Lee told Annie firmly.

“Says you,” Chip disagreed.

“How does Seaview hold enough food when you’re out for several weeks at a time?” Annie asked Nelson innocently.

“Why do you think the Admiral built it so big?” Lee answered before Nelson could. “He’d already hired Chip and had that part figured out.” Chip said something rude, since the other couples were upstairs packing, and everyone cracked up again.

Nelson finally pushed back from the table. “Well, I have a couple reports to read, and Angie e-mailed the material I’d requested on…”

“Work, work, work.” Annie broke in with a small glare. “You’re worse than Lee.”

“Who do you think taught him,” Will grumbled, but then sent both men a quick nod.

Nelson chuckled. “Actually, Lee was quite the over-achiever by the time we met at Annapolis,” he assured Annie. “But I have to admit, it was one of the things that made both he and Chip stand out even then.”

“Not to mention, their aim with a snowball,” Tim added with a smirk. Lee and Chip shared a smirk of their own as Nelson broke out laughing.

“Ah, a story here?” Annie demanded

“I never told you that one?” Tim asked his wife. “Oops.”

“The Naval Academy,” Nelson started, “spends four years teaching intelligent young men and women how to be great leaders and independent thinkers. Aah,” he sent his young officers a quick smile, “the Academy Commandant and I sort of forgot that detail for a few minutes one snowy morning,” and he went on to explain the incident.^

“Oh dear,” Lu-Tsi said softly.

“It was merely a lesson in Advanced Tactics, sir,” Lee sat up straight and defended himself, as did Chip. “A lesson in using what you have on hand to accomplish your goal.” But they sent Tim a wink as everyone chuckled.

“Whatever,” Nelson grumbled, but continued to smile.

“Well, whatever you all have planned, or not as it were, scram so I can clean up.” Annie shoed them all away except Tim, who stayed to help. Will and Lu-Tsi decided to spend the day quietly reading. Nelson headed upstairs to his reports, leaving Lee and Chip standing at the base of the stairs, undecided.

“I really need a run,” Lee said softly, then looked at Chip. “Didn’t sleep well last night.”

Chip nodded. “Didn’t either, for some reason,” he admitted, and glanced outside. “The rain doesn’t seem that cold. Meet you back here in five?” Lee nodded and they both headed upstairs to change into shorts and light waterproof jackets.

Once back down, Lee looked at a wildly dancing Lacey. “You’ll get soaked,” he told her seriously.

“Like she cares,” floated in from the kitchen.

“You don’t care?” Lee asked as Annie poked her head out.

“Shetland Sheepdog, remember?” Annie named Lacey’s breed. “Bred to work in the Shetland Islands north of Scotland. Have you ever been to the Shetland Islands?”

“Point taken,” Lee laughed. “Okay, but I’ll need extra towels for the back seat of the rental. We only brought enough for ourselves,” he included Chip as the blond joined him. Tim came out holding several large towels, having been listening, and the joggers headed out.

Nearly three hours later, two soggy men and one equally soggy dog scooted from where the cars were parked to the B&B’s back door, where they were met with dry towels and hot coffee for the men. Annie had an extra large towel she used to rub Lacey as dry as she could, then took her downstairs where she could use the blow dryer on her. Once Lee and Chip were no longer dripping they headed up for quick showers, then once more met on Lee’s balcony. They’d both noticed that Nelson had left his door open, and Lee had as well, but until Chip headed down for lunch, to Lee’s snickers, there had been no sound from the other room.

Almost as soon as Chip went down he came back up with a small plate holding half a tuna sandwich, some potato chips, and a glass of milk. At Lee’s glare he told Lee, “Blame Annie.” Lee nodded, accepted the food, and Chip once more disappeared.

When Chip didn’t come back up once Lee thought he should be done eating, Lee wondered if he and Tim had found a way to occupy themselves and wondered if he might join them. Two things stopped him; Chip hadn’t had the time Lee had to spend with their old friends, and if the pair wanted Lee’s company they would have asked. Annie came up for the dishes, accompanied by a mostly dry Lacey, and said one of their friends had asked if Tim could come help with ‘something’. “I was afraid to ask what, knowing Hec,” Annie said with a frown.

“Hec?” Lee asked. “That’s his proper name?”

Annie chuckled. “He says that it’s more proper than Hector.” They both chuckled and Annie started to leave, but glanced down when Lacey didn’t immediately follow her. She and Lee both grinned, Lee shrugged, and Annie left alone. Lacey gave Lee a quick poke with her nose, and curled up in her favorite corner as Lee went back to what he’d been doing – watching the storm settle in for what proved to be a steady afternoon of rain.

He was glad that he’d taken his morning run, and comfortable with Chip’s company. Neither had said much, occasionally laughing as Lacey ‘attacked’ the beach’s multitude of sea birds, which included the ever-present Western Gulls and Sandpipers, as well as crows and the occasional pelican, although the latter mainly stayed out over the water. They had jogged fairly hard, knowing that their time was limited before the rain would become uncomfortable, and Lee was able to now relax, not get antsy as he frequently did when activity was limited.

Lost in thought, he didn’t realize that he had company until he noticed Lacey raise her head and look intently into the bedroom, and Lee turned to find Nelson standing quietly, almost as if he’d been studying Lee. “Sir?” and he started to rise.

Nelson instantly waved him back down, looking a bit shy. “Didn’t mean to intrude on your thoughts,” he apologized. “Lacey, ah…”

“Not exactly a good watchdog,” Lee told him. “Not like Regi,” he mentioned another dog encounter they’d shared.^^ “She’s more likely to lick you to death.” They both chuckled, and Nelson finally walked out onto the balcony and settled into the other chair.

“I can so understand why you like it here,” Nelson told him, also looking out the windows. He sent Lee a quick grin. “Even though mostly you get stuck here recuperating from something Seaview has thrown at you.”

Lee ducked his head, but nonetheless nodded. “I told Becca, on a day much like this one actually,” and he smiled softly, “that sometimes you just have to go back to the well; find what completes you and fill yourself up. I could never last here for long,” he admitted. “But small doses…” He sighed.

“Understood,” Nelson agreed, and they were both quiet for a bit. But just as he was about to open his mouth, his cell phone went off. At the look Nelson sent at it, Lee laughed.

“If you throw it out the window,” he told his boss, “Angie will yell at you.”

“Who’s the boss?” Nelson actually growled.

“Ain’t touching that one, sir. Sorry.” But Lee could barely get it out, having serious trouble holding back snickers.

It finally undid Nelson’s snit and he nodded. He answered as he got up, and Lee heard him start a conversation with someone from the Oregon Coast Aquarium before Nelson entered his suite and closed the door.

Thoughts of Becca nearly had Lee pulling out his own cell phone, but he hesitated. It would be late afternoon on the east coast and Becca should be with friends before her conference started the next day. Then, as he pondered, his own phone rang and nearly made him jump out of the chair. Lacey yipped and jumped up, and Lee sent her a shy smile as he grabbed his phone and saw Chip’s name on the I.D. screen. “You and Tim can’t figure out what you’re doing and need my help,” he smarted off.

Chip said something rude and they both laughed. “Tim says there’s two large blue tarps and a fist full of bungee cords in the back port side of his garage, and will you drag your sorry ashcan down here and help. The wind is coming back up and, while we’ll do our best to not let you blow away you’re so skinny, we’d appreciate the equipment.” He was laughing so hard by the time he finished, Lee could barely understand him. He did calm down long enough to give Lee directions, and with a quick note to Annie, who didn’t seem to be around, he did as requested and headed out. Lacey assumed that she was going along, but since Lee still wasn’t sure what Chip and Tim were involved in he made her stay in the yard, to her utter disappointment.

The three men returned to the B&B just before 5 pm, all of them drenched to the skin and not all because of the continuing rain. Tim’s friend had a boat in the small Depoe Bay harbor, and somehow getting it onto the trailer and moved to his home on the hill involved tossing Tim into the water. Fair being fair, all three other men also ended up overboard before the deed could be completed. Lee still wasn’t sure what the tarps and bungee cords were for, since Tim ended up bringing them back with him. Lee suspected, but didn’t question him, that Chip had simply used the maneuver to drag Lee out of the B&B, even after the pair had jogged that morning. On the other hand, the extra exercise, and all the laughter involved with the dunking, Lee figured would help him sleep that night better than he had the previous one.

Annie could only shake her head, and hand out more towels, as the trio came through the back door. Rather than have her carpets dripped on, she sent all three down the stairs to the Hughes’ apartment and went upstairs to gather fresh clothes for Lee and Chip which Nelson ended up bringing down. Annie had told them to leave everything wet in the shower, and once the men reappeared she quickly started the washing machine, then heated the chowder they’d somehow never gotten around to eating, accompanied by grilled cheese sandwiches Lu-Tsi took over assembling and Nelson ended up frying. Lee and Chip had a moment’s hesitation when Nelson stepped up to the stove, remembering a slightly not-so-perfect moment in the Admiral’s culinary history.^^^ But the sandwiches ended up perfect, the chowder was thick and wonderful, and Annie pulled a pan of apple crisp from the pantry and added a big scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of each portion. As usual, everyone, even Chip, ended up sated.

“What’s for breakfast,” the usual ‘bottomless pit’ teasingly asked Annie, after groaning as he got up from the table, and everyone laughed.

“Haven’t decided,” Annie admitted. “Lee, any favorites?”

“Everything you fix,” Lee got out around a large sigh.

“You’re a big help,” Annie muttered, to more laughter.

“Nothing too extravagant,” Nelson told her. “Haven’t gotten around to telling Lee and Chip yet; we’re expected at the Aquarium no later than 9:30, before they open to the public. In uniform, please.” He saw the two younger men glance at Will. “Already alerted him,” their boss added.

“How many cars, sir?” Lee asked.

“You, Chip and Will need not stay all day. In fact, unless you want to spend time there on your own, I think it will just be the quick tour of the big, walk-through tank, before it gets crowded once the Aquarium opens, and then the meeting afterward in the Conference Room to go over some information, and answer any questions the staff has. You should all be through by noon latest, I should think.”

“Then why don’t I ride down with you, Admiral,” Will spoke up. “Once I’m okay to leave, since Lu-Tsi and I have already seen it, I’ll call her to pick me up. That way you two,” he glanced at Lee and Chip, “can do as you please.”

“That works,” Lee said. “I’d actually like to spend a little time walking around.” He smiled at Chip. “It’s a neat place.”

“I’ve looked at the map,” Chip nodded. “That works for me.” He looked at Nelson. “Do they still have the Dragon exhibit?”

“Dragon?” Annie asked.

The Seaview men all grinned. “Leafy and Weedy Sea Dragons,” Lee told her. “Large members of the seahorse family. From Australia.” He grinned, but it was definitely sheepish. “We have a bit of a history with them.” ++++

“They’re in a special tank in one of the buildings,” Will told the blond. “Leafy only. Well,” he added, “I didn’t notice any Weedy.”

“Incredible creatures,” Lu-Tsi told Annie. “William had shown me pictures, and they really did illustrate them well. But to see them in person was special.”

“Gotta get a bigger fish book,” Annie told Tim, who nodded. “So,” she included the others in a glance, “Breakfast at 7:00 early enough?”

“Absolutely,” Nelson told her, and the others nodded. “It’s not that long a drive down.”

“I shall ponder my recipe file,” she told no one in particular, and headed for the kitchen.

* * * *

She settled on hearty Farmer’s hash: tender chucks of thinly sliced potatoes and shredded, well done beef roast, seasoned with onions and bits of green pepper, topped by perfectly poached eggs, along with the usual sliced fruit, juices, and this morning, maple muffins. She’d let out a loud wolf whistle when the men happened to all come down the stairs at the same time in their khaki’s, and everyone chuckled. She did point an eyebrow at Nelson. “No tie?” He’d worn it the other times he’d left the B&B.

“Admiral’s privilege,” Chip quipped, and more chuckles erupted.

The four officers ate, while not quickly, without a lot of wasted time, and headed south to Newport. Since Annie, this morning, was unable to talk Lu-Tsi out of helping clean up the kitchen, Tim started on refreshing the four rooms in use. The other two, cleaned thoroughly after the other couples left the previous morning, were ready for new guests, one couple due the next day and Brad Spencer, who had met Lee previously, as well as being responsible for Lacey’s coming to the B&B, would arrive Wednesday. Once more Lacey wasn’t happy at Lee’s departure, but almost seemed to understand that the uniform meant no play time and merely watched as Lee and Chip headed out.

Dr. Craig Crawford met the quartet at the still locked front entrance to the Aquarium complex. Once introductions were completed, everyone headed for the biggest tank in the complex. While the officers already knew, they listened patiently as Dr. Crawford explained that the tank had originally been built to house the orca, or killer whale as they were also called, named Keiko. The orca had been living in a too small, too warm, tank in Mexico, and became the inspiration for the Warner Bros. film, Free Willy, in 1993. After much negotiation, and donations from millions of school children, among others, the Aquarium was given over $7 million to build Keiko a new home. He lived there from 1996, regaining weight and health, until plans were made to try and rehabilitate him and release him into the wild, and he was flown to Iceland where he lived in an open water pen. Unfortunately, while he was eventually released, he died in 2003, never really integrating into any of the pods of orca he encountered.

Once Keiko left Oregon, his 2 million gallon concrete tank was redesigned with a clear, walk-through tunnel winding through the center. There were even plates in the floor of the tunnel so people walking through could view multitudes of fish all the way around them. It was an extremely impressive display, with the central exhibits occasionally changing to highlight difference species. At the moment that happened to be sharks. Dr. Crawford had some specific questions about NIMR personnel’s observations concerning the exhibit, but most of the conversation on that subject waited until they went to the Conference Room and met with many of the Aquarium’s senior staff. The discussions were varied, and Admiral Nelson fielded a good many of the research-type questions. But there were still plenty for the others. Lee was amazed, when things finally started to break up, that it was nearly 1230 hours. Khaki’s mean naval time, apparently, he chided himself.

Dr. Crawford took Admiral Nelson to lunch in the staff cafeteria, but Will had sent Lu-Tsi a quick text as soon as the questions started to slow down and headed directly for the front parking lot where he’d arranged to meet her. Lee wasn’t hungry, as usual, but he went with Chip to the public cafeteria, after assuring Dr. Crawford that they were more than happy to pay for the meal since they hadn’t paid an entrance fee and wanted to support the Aquarium in whatever way they could. Lee did have a soda while Chip ate, then they headed out to explore the aquarium, part buildings and part open air exhibits.

* * * *

As leftover food was stored for future use, Lacey fed some of the leftover hash – to much happy dancing on her part – and the high-capacity dishwasher loaded, Annie and Lu-Tsi visited easily. Mostly they talked about food – both women’s passion. But Annie had quickly realized that Lu-Tsi hadn’t met Becca Radiwan; she knew only what she’d been told by her husband, which wasn’t much, and nearly nothing from the others, who had all met the woman. Annie was careful of Lee’s privacy, but not nearly as much as the men, so Lu-Tsi did pick up a tidbit or two to help satisfy her curiosity about someone who had become important to someone who was important to her. Annie also explained about how Lee had met Brad Spencer, and how that had ultimately led to Lacey being at the B&B; Lu-Tsi hadn’t heard that story, either. They both wondered how the little dog would react to having both at Spindrift at the same time. Annie rather thought that, while Lacey would greet Brad enthusiastically, she’d still gravitate to Lee. “Lee and his females, as Chip would say,” Annie teased, and they both laughed. Once Tim came back downstairs Lu-Tsi asked a few more questions about the running of the B&B, then decided to head for more perusing of the little shops in Depoe Bay until she needed to head for Newport.

“William isn’t much of a touristy shopper,” Lu-Tsi told the other two. “Well,” she added, “I don’t buy much.” She grinned. “But it’s fun to look.” They all grinned.

Once she’d left the house, Annie turned to Tim. “What’s going on with Lee?”

“What do you mean?” he asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

“You know perfectly well what I mean,” she scolded.

Tim shrugged. “All Chip would say is, there was a rough spell, Lee got the worst of it, and he and the Admiral were still sorting things out. I don’t see any issue between them, but…” He shrugged again.

“Was the problem when Chip called here that time a couple months ago, wondering if Lee was here?”

“Haven’t a clue, Chip never said.” He thought a second. “But the timing would be about right, wouldn’t it.” She nodded. “I’m just enjoying the heck out of having them all here,” he told her.

“Actually, I am, too,” she admitted. “It’s fun, them all together. I do feel a bit for the other guests,” and she chuckled.

So did Tim. “Brad won’t be an issue. Not sure about the Heatherstones. The first time they were here they were a bit…” He hesitated.

“Stuffy,” Annie supplied.

“That works,” he agreed. “Two nights?”

“They leave Thursday morning and the Palmers arrive that afternoon until Sunday morning. Brad leaves Saturday, as does the Admiral’s group. Although, he made a quick comment about the rooms and I told him none were booked until next Monday. He merely shrugged and walked off. That’s sort of what got me thinking about he and Lee. I’ve seen the Admiral give Lee a couple of looks…” Her turn to shrug.

Tim nodded. “Seen them, too. Not like there’s an actual problem, but…”

“Yeah,” she agreed to the unfinished thought. “A puzzle for sure.” She paused. “You think maybe the Admiral is hoping that Becca will come back from her conference early?” They both grinned at that.

“We can only be what we are,” Tim told her. “Friends, with an open house and hospitality.”

“Yep,” she agreed, and they both headed off to separate chores.

Lee and Chip walked in the back door, a happy Lacey having met them at the gate into the yard, to find Annie setting out a plate full of what she called lemon crinkle cookies. Lee didn’t care what they were called; they were delicious! “Save room for supper,” she admonished as Lee grabbed two more and headed upstairs to change.

“He didn’t have lunch,” Chip told her, grinned as he grabbed three and hurried after Lee, to Annie’s laughter

Both came back down in chinos and t-shirts just as Will and Lu-Tsi came in the front door, not quite as comfortable slipping in the back door as Lee and Chip were. “Any idea if Admiral Nelson will be joining us for supper?” Annie asked the collected group.

“If he wasn’t he’d have called you by now,” Lee told her. It was just after 1730, or 5:30 landlubber time, Lee grinned as he translated to himself now that he was back in civvies.

Will had glanced at his watch as well. “Time to change,” he told Lu-Tsi, and headed up the stairs. The others walked into the living room, where Annie had started coffee and set the replenished plate of cookies.

“Those two,” she pointed to Lee and Chip, “demolished most of the first plateful.”

“It was a very small plate,” Chip told her accusingly. She waggled a hand and headed back for the kitchen.

The Admiral walked in the front door just as Will came back down the stairs, and Annie saw him glance into the living room. “You’ve got time to change before dinner if you want,” she told him. “I got a little sidetracked this afternoon.” Nelson grinned, nodded, and headed up the stairs. Lee noticed a very broad grin hit Tim’s face before it was quickly covered, and buried one of his own at thoughts of what could possibly have ‘sidetracked’ the woman, with the whole house empty except for her and her husband.

Then he had to give himself a quick mental kick when, after an excellent dinner of pork roast, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, and green salad, Annie ducked back into the kitchen and returned with a huge chocolate pie. “I thought it took you a couple days to put that together.” Lee got out fairly calmly, despite the grin he was trying to control. “Or is this a different recipe?” He was remembering a pie he watched Annie working on another time he’d been here. **

“Same pie,” she assured him. “But that’s why dinner was a bit late. I can do it all in one day, just takes some planning.” The pie, a chocolate mint mousse in a chocolate cookie crumb crust, topped with a mixture of whipped cream and the frosting from the center of the cookies, then sprinkled with shaved chocolate curls, was as big a hit with this crowd as it had been the first time Lee had it!

“My gracious,” Lu-Tsi breathed out as she finished her last bite. “I’ve never tasted anything quite that…” She sent a smile around the table.

“Agreed,” Will added. “Although I’m going to have to walk the entire length of the beach tomorrow for sure.”

“The weather looks great the next several days,” Tim told them all.

“I can fix up a small backpack with drinks and sandwiches, and you can make a day of it,” Annie added helpfully, before the whole table erupted in laughter.

“At the moment,” Will told her after the chuckles stopped, “I’m more concerned about how I’m going to make it up one flight of stairs.” Everyone laughed some more, although it was accompanied by several nods of agreement.

“I suppose this is a bad time to ask what kind of omelets each of you would like for breakfast tomorrow,” Annie asked innocently, and had to duck the napkin Lee tossed at her, to more laughter. Even Chip, for a change, seemed sated and didn’t comment as all but Tim and Annie headed to relax in the living room, their hosts joining them once the table was cleared and things put away.

Again Nelson invited Lee to a game of chess. “Think I’m too full to concentrate,” Lee admitted, but nevertheless settled into a chair at the gaming table across from his boss. He, again, got the feeling that Nelson was somewhat challenging him; not actually goading him, but still pushing Lee to concentrate hard. And Lee did his best, extending the game as long as he could before admitting defeat. He had a feeling that Nelson was going to suggest another game, but Annie walking in and asking everyone for their omelet orders for Tuesday morning gave Lee the opportunity to stand up and settle onto the couch next to Chip. Even Will wasn’t up for a game so Nelson had to make do with a cup of coffee after putting the chess set away.

“Ham and cheese, crab and cheese, or veggie,” Annie asked.

“Yes,” Chip spoke, accompanied by a broad grin. Lee wasn’t close enough yet to smack his smart aleck XO but Tim, sitting in a chair next to the couch, was.

“Thank you,” Lee told him.

“Pick one,” Annie grumbled, but still with a grin.

“Crab, then, spoil sport,” Chip told her.

“Me, too,” Lee piped up.

“Me, three,” Will added.

“Guess that makes me four,” Nelson told her with a grin.

“May I have veggie?” Lu-Tsi asked softly. “That won’t be a problem for you?”

“I make them in individual ramakins, so no problem at all,” Annie assured her. “Mushrooms, yellow squash, orange peppers, and sundried tomatoes?”

“Sounds wonderful,” Lu-Tsi told her with a smile.

“Scones?” Lee asked softly, shyly, remembering other times Annie had served omelets.

She grinned. “White chocolate chip, with raspberry butter if you like.” Lee all but drooled, and Annie broke into laughter.

“Raspberry butter?” Lu-Tsi asked.

“Frozen berries, thawed and well drained, softened butter, and powdered sugar. Mix well and spread on anything you want.” She shrugged. “You could use any berries, or even fruit, but raspberry seems to be the favorite of our guests.”

“This one, anyway,” Lee said softly.

“You quit being a guest long ago,” Tim teased his friend.

“So, what is he now?” Chip asked oh so innocently.

“Watch it,” Lee growled not quite under his breath, and everyone chuckled.

“I rest my case,” Tim added.

Lee decided a change of topic was needed. “Tomorrow, sir? You haven’t said.”

Nelson nodded. “That’s because I won’t know until about 0900. I’m trying to connect with the head of the NOAA office in Newport and she’s been out of town.” He noticed several raised eyebrows. “Yes, she,” he confirmed. “Captain Claire Normandy.”

“Can’t be all that unusual,” Annie commented, “in this day and age of better opportunities for women and minorities.” She got affirmative nods from the others.

“Exactly,” Nelson agreed verbally. “I’ve only spoken to her over the phone but Bill Corcoran has talked to her several times.” He referenced Dr. William Corcoran, from NIMR; his personnel nodded, and he explained to Tim and Annie NIMR’s seismology specialist. “She would like us to set out more of our earthquake sensors and data collectors off the coast of Oregon because of so many areas that are designated tsunami hazard zones. We do have some out,” he added quickly as both Lee and Chip started to open their mouths. “I want to know specifically what she has in mind. And yes, I do think both of you,” he nodded at the pair, “should attend that meeting.”

“For sure,” Lee agreed, and Chip nodded. “Khakis in the morning,” he told his XO.

“Actually,” Nelson shook his head, “not until I have a meeting confirmed. When I spoke to her Second-in-Command Friday there was a strong possibility that she wouldn’t be available until Wednesday; something about family issues, so don’t be in a hurry to think about work.” He sent them both a bit of a paternal smile, knowing his workaholic officers only too well.

“Yes, sir,” Lee acknowledged the expression with one of his shy smiles.

* * * *

Turned out it was just as well everyone dressed casually the following morning, even Nelson. When he called the NOAA office he was told that Capt. Normandy, while in the office, was dealing with other matters but would happily see them at 1000 hours Wednesday. Nelson retreated to his room to work on reports, and Will and Lu-Tsi headed north to, among other things, tour both the Tillamook and Blue Heron creameries.

After agreeing that a long run on the beach sounded appropriate, considering all the food they’d been eating, Lee and Chip then cleaned up and headed to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum near McMinnville, on Hwy 18 between the coast and Portland. They’d passed it on the drive down to the B&B and, among a multitude of interesting exhibits scattered between several buildings, housed Howard Hughes’ ‘Spruce Goose’.

By 1700 hours – 5 pm, Lee reminded himself since he was in civvies – the pair wished they’d forgotten about the run and headed directly to the museum after breakfast; it was time to get back to the B&B, and they’d barely seen half of the extensive exhibits. “A reason to come back,” Lee decided and, with a grin, Chip agreed.

They made it back to Spindrift just as Annie was starting to bring food to the table. “Just about gave you up,” she teased.

“Keep Chip away from your cooking?” Lee sniped, and got an elbow in his ribs before everyone chuckled.

As the group settled in to plates full of Annie’s version of spaghetti – she used bacon as the base for the meat sauce instead of the usual hamburger – green beans, apple and raisin salad, and garlic bread, they kibitzed about their day. Lu-Tsi and Will decided that they needed to check out the Aviation Museum, and Chip’s eyes lit up at Will’s comment that the Blue Heron Creamery encouraged visitors to sample all their varieties of cheeses – to which Lee returned the elbow jab. Nelson mentioned a few things of interest to his men from the reports he’d dealt with and Tim, with a quick glance around even though it was only them in the house, mentioned that the NIMR group might want to keep it casual with the B&B’s recently arrived guests, the Heatherstones.

“They’re not obnoxious,” he admitted.

Annie agreed, but with an eyeroll. “We’ve had worse, trust me,” she told everyone.

“Inevitable in a business like this,” Nelson told her.

She and Tim both nodded, before Tim continued. “He runs an investments company in New Jersey and she’s a senior V.P. for a cosmetics firm in New York City.”

“High power, high profile,” was Will’s assessment.

“What are they doing out here?” Lee asked. “I gather this isn’t their first stay.”

“Family,” Tim told him. “They actually met at the University of Oregon in Eugene. Both have a bunch of relatives in the area. They stay here a couple times a year to avoid showing favoritism, and have one gigantic dinner at different restaurants that have a banquet room.”

“Sounds like a good way to handle what could be a tricky situation,” Nelson agreed. He looked down at his plate, then at Annie. “This is delicious,” he pointed to the spaghetti. “Different, for sure, but…” He sent her a broad smile.

“Thank you,” she accepted the compliment. “It’s how one of my childhood friend’s mother made it. Have no idea where she learned it.” She sent a grin around the table. “But it usually goes over quite well.”

“Here, here,” came from several voices.

All seven were settled in the living room, Annie having completed what prep she needed to do for Wednesday’s breakfast, when the Heatherstones returned from wherever they’d had dinner. Tim made introductions but used names only, leaving out rank as well as Will’s title. The couple, roughly early 50’s in age and well but casually dressed, were pleasant in declining to stay down for coffee. Nelson glanced at his watch – just after 8 pm. “I’m sure that your bodies are still on east coast time,” he offered with a small smile. “And especially after the long flight.”

Mrs. frowned slightly as Mr. nodded with a quick, “Just so,” and both headed up the stairs.

Nelson glanced down to Lee’s feet where Lacey, curled up as usual, hadn’t moved. “Has them figured out, obviously,” he said quietly with an even broader smile.

“Took her all of three seconds the first time they were here after she came,” Annie said, also softly, then got up, grabbed a couple of the garlic squares she kept in a dish by the stairs, and tossed them to an eagerly waiting Lacey. Everyone laughed as she seemed to stare at Chip as she munched them down quickly – even Chip, although it took him an extra second.

* * * *

Lee was just turning from the serving dishes on the sideboard, having taken what he wanted of Wednesday morning’s breakfast selections, which included something intriguing-looking in a puff pastry pocket, when he saw ‘something’ cross Annie’s face so fast he wasn’t even sure it had been there. But as he sat down he realized that the Heatherstones were just coming down the stairs and had apparently reacted to finding four men in khaki uniforms already at the table. The weather, while warm, had turned a bit misty so Lu-Tsi decided to stay in for the day and read, and Will joined the other three going to Newport for the meeting with NOAA personnel. Setting out sensors meant diving going on, and Will liked to be kept in the loop. Lee noticed Mr. Heatherstone, especially, react to Nelson’s four stars and had to get his own expression under control as he greeted them, then took his place between Tim and Chip at the table.

He did nearly lose his carefully controlled expression when he saw Mrs. Heatherstone glance at him, then at Lacey laying patiently as usual outside the breakfast room doorway, then back to Lee before starting to fill her own plate with the day’s selection of fruits, muffins, juices, and entrée, apparently remembering where the little blue merle Shetland Sheepdog had been parked the evening before when she and her husband returned from dinner. Just as Lee took a bite of food a thought went through his brain and he started choking, quickly holding up a hand as everyone startled and he got himself back under control. “Sorry,” he mumbled quietly, took a sip of coffee, and went back to eating. He saw Jamie give him a look and sent the doctor a quick head shake as well as an equally quick grin, then noticed that Nelson had also seen the quick exchange. Gonna have to explain that one, obviously, he told himself. What had triggered the moment was the thought that, he wondered what would have gone through the Heatherstone’s minds if the NIMR men had been in dress uniforms instead of their usual working khaki’s.

Tim and Nelson went back to their discussion about the pros and cons of solar panels – NIMR had started adding them to some of the buildings’ roofs, to become more energy-efficient. Tim wasn’t sure about using them on the Oregon coast; while they had plenty of good weather during the summer it was a toss-up some years if they’d be worth the money installing them for the rest of the year when weather could be unsettled. Annie, as usual, tended to float around during the meal, refilling coffee cups, hot water for tea, and anything else she could supply for the satisfaction of her guests. Lee harassed Chip – as usual – when he stood up to get a second helping of several things. Lu-Tsi tried to engage Mrs. Heatherstone in conversation but was only marginally successful. Will had a little better luck with Mr. Heatherstone, commenting on the volatility of today’s money markets, and the work necessary to keep on top of changing ups and downs.

“Something you don’t have to worry about, Jamie,” Chip jumped into a quiet moment. “Your retirement plan never has a down turn.” Nelson choked before bursting out laughing – mostly, to be sure, at the glare Lee was sending the blond. Will merely smirked. Everyone else was totally perplexed, not being aware of what Chip was talking about. They hadn’t heard Will’s explanation, one night in Seaview’s Wardroom. ^^^^

“William?” Lu-Tsi asked her husband in her soft voice. It caused Chip to start chuckling. Nelson got himself under control – barely – and looked at his CMO expectantly, to see if Will would explain.

Will did, actually, consider it. And would have if the Heatherstones hadn’t been there. But one look at the explosion still threatening to erupt on Lee’s face made him choose his words carefully. “Let’s just say, while Chip is correct, I still keep a close watch on the account and never take it for granted.”

Annie, too, had taken note of Lee’s dark glare. “Pay this gang no mind,” she told the Heatherstones as she refilled their coffee mugs. “That one,” she pointed to Lee, “especially.” Lee’s glare, toned down for sure, transferred briefly to his hostess before he lowered his head and stuffed a bite of food in his mouth. Chip sent him a grin and a very soft nudge with his elbow. Lee finally sent Chip a quick nod, and conversation became more normal and casual for the rest of the meal. The Heatherstones still kept giving the others quick, unsettled, glances, ate quickly, and returned to their room. Lee expected, once they left, for Annie to demand an explanation for Jamie’s ‘retirement plan’, so also headed for his room on the excuse of needing to brush his teeth. But nothing was said, and there were no snide glances, when he returned, for which he was grateful. As everyone once more gathered, this time in the living room, Lee helped sidetrack everyone by explaining his own small gaff concerning his thoughts about the uniforms.

“Oh, those Dress Whites,” Annie commented with a dreamy, wistful, smile, and everyone chuckled.

The four NIMR men ended up taking two cars, not knowing quite how the day was going to go. But the talks with various NOAA staff members, and information passed back and forth, kept everyone’s interest until well after 1600 hours and it was time to return to the B&B. Capt. Normandy and Nelson got along famously – Nelson could get miffed easily with bureaucratic types so the other three NIMR officers breathed a sigh of relief when she turned out to be someone just as dedicated to environmental issues as their boss. And not hard to look at, either, although happily married, they discovered, and Lee wasn’t the only one to notice Nelson’s slightly discouraged expression even as quickly as it was covered.

Lee had forgotten all about Brad Spencer arriving that afternoon, and had to just stand and laugh as he and the others walked in the front door and a wildly excited Lacey kept bouncing between him and the sales representative. Brad worked for a company headquartered in California but who serviced the whole west coast. He had been sitting, visiting with both Hughes and Lu-Tsi Jamison, but rose and came over to shake Lee’s hand and be introduced to the others. As everyone settled once more, the NIMR men having poured themselves coffee, Annie chuckled as Lacey lay down precisely in the middle between where Brad and Lee sat, facing them so she could watch both.

“I wondered what she’d do with us both here,” Lee told Brad, and everyone nodded and chuckled, all knowing the story of how Brad had acquired the dog and how Lee ended up bringing her to the Hughes.+ This was the night of the Heatherstone’s big gathering so they wouldn’t be returning until quite late. Brad had been invited to stay for dinner, but he was meeting one of his clients for the meal so once he left Lacey ended up back at Lee’s feet until all four men went upstairs to change back into civvies before sitting down to lamb chops, sweet potatoes, apple sauce, and cold slaw. After a dessert of cherry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the men returned to the living room while Annie allowed a quietly insistent Lu-Tsi to help clean up. Will and Lee shared a quick grin – Will’s wife was usually so quiet, most people didn’t realize that she was a determined little powerhouse when the mood struck!

When Nelson started setting up the chess set Lee sighed. “A lamb to the slaughter seems appropriate, given what we had for dinner,” was his quiet comment as he sat down opposite his boss.

“You’re not that at all,” Nelson chided him. “I have to admit, in this relaxed setting it’s easy to forget to concentrate.” Lee was quick to nod his agreement.

And he did seem to do better this evening than the others recently. A couple times Nelson made moves that surprised him; attacks that his boss didn’t usually use. One of them came just as Brad walked in the front door, distracting Lee as Lacey, who’d been laying as usual at his feet, started dancing between her two favorites. Lee tried to counter Nelson’s move but ended up losing three moves later.

“Furball interference,” Annie proclaimed and everyone laughed. As Nelson set up for another game, Lee determined this time to concentrate harder.

And he did. He distanced himself from the quiet conversations going on around him and focused solely on the board, countering Nelson’s attacks and even launching a couple of his own. At one point he thought that he had Nelson cornered, but the older man maneuvered his way out of Lee’s trap and ended up once more defeating Lee.

“I surrender,” Lee told his boss with a sigh and a grin, and left the table, surprised that it was nearly 10 pm. Everyone pretty much used the end of the game as an excuse to head for bed, but Lee was still a bit wired from the battle and settled into a chair. Brad had just poured the last of the coffee into his mug. He offered to make more but Lee waved him off, rose back up, and returned from a trip to the kitchen a minute later with a glass of orange juice. “Better for sleeping,” he told Brad as he settled back into the chair, and smiled when Lacey once more lay down exactly between the two, facing them so she could watch both.

Nothing much was said except a few pleasantries until Brad asked softly, “Is Admiral Nelson always so bloodthirsty?”

“Excuse me?” Lee said once he’d quickly swallowed the sip of juice he’d just taken.

Brad shrugged. “The game,” he gestured toward the table where the two had been playing. “Maybe you didn’t notice, you were concentrating on the board. But every so often this…look, expression, I guess…would cross his face, just for an instant, before he’d wage an attack on your pieces.” He shrugged again. “That’s how it looked, anyway. But I don’t know him so maybe he’s always like that.” He shrugged once more and polished off the coffee. “Well, crash time for me as well. A long day of boring meetings tomorrow.”

Lee finally grinned. “Think I have the day off. At least, the Admiral didn’t mention anything for tomorrow.”

“Lucky you,” Brad teased, gave Lacey a good rub and a couple of her special garlic squares, and headed up to his own room.

Lee sat staring somewhat into space, thinking about what Brad had said. No, he hadn’t noticed the expression the other man had seen, at least not tonight. He did have to admit that he’d seen it before, however, ever so briefly, on the other nights Nelson had gotten him to play chess. He pondered it as he absentmindedly stroked the top of Lacey’s head, she having sat down next to his chair. No, he thought, that’s not like the Admiral at all. Nelson always seemed to totally enjoy the times he and Lee could unwind and enjoy each other’s company, over the chess board or not. “It’s apparently the game,” he told Lacey softly. “He seems fine the rest of the time.” Unfortunately, Lacey had no more of an answer than he did.

He had no idea of what time had passed until the front door opening caught his attention. He was nearly as surprised to see the Heatherstones as they were to see him. “Good dinner?” he asked as he stood, glancing at his watch as he did. It was just after midnight.

“Actually, yes,” Mr. answered. “Didn’t expect anyone to still be up. The Hughes just usually leave the door unlatched, and we lock it when we come in.” Mrs. nodded an agreement.

Lee sent them both a sheepish nod. “I hadn’t felt like going up earlier, just sitting here with Lacey,” he glanced down at the dog, glued as usual to his side although she was watching the other couple and her tail was wagging slowly. “Had no idea it had gotten so late.”

“It seems to like you,” Mrs. said, nodding to Lacey.

Lee grinned. “She and I…we…” He sent them a shy smile. “We sort of have a history.” He didn’t bother to explain, nor did he feel that they actually cared; they were just making polite conversation.

And so it seemed; they both smiled back and headed up the stairs. Lee made sure the front door was locked, then walked into the kitchen to put his glass in the dishwasher. Lacey, not usually allowed there, followed Lee who, realizing she was still with him, opened the small gate by the back door and let her into the Hughes’ apartment downstairs, and finally headed for his own room no closer to an answer to his puzzle then he’d been when Brad posed it.

* * * *

Lee was leaving his room the next morning just as Nelson was also. He hesitated, for a couple of reasons: one, last night’s puzzle; and two, Nelson was in uniform while Lee had dressed casually. Nelson, for his part, merely smiled as if nothing whatsoever was a problem. “Good,” he told Lee as they shared a smile. “I’d meant to tell you and the others that I had a meeting at Hatfield this morning but that the rest of you could relax.” He glanced down the stairs, where they could see sunlight coming in through the front windows. “Looks like it’s going to be another glorious weather day.”

“Yes, sir,” Lee answered carefully. He started down the stairs, but stopped when he realized that Nelson hadn’t moved.

“Something wrong?” Nelson asked.

Lee heard what he felt was genuine caring in Nelson’s voice, and realized that he was no doubt reacting to the caution in Lee’s. A very ‘Nelson’ thing to do and it caused Lee to smile. “No, sir,” he told his boss – and friend, and father-figure, and so many things Lee couldn’t put a name to them all. “Didn’t sleep well,” he tried to wave off any doubt with another smile.

“Humm,” Nelson muttered, and they both continued down the stairs side by side. Lee got the feeling that Nelson was going to say something else but the Heatherstones were just coming out of their room on the second-floor landing and the two officers let them go ahead.

“Thought perhaps you’d sleep in,” Lee told them casually as he waited for the couple to take what food they wanted from this morning’s selections. Besides the usuals, Lee noted that today’s entrée was stuffed french toast, and grinned – it was Brad’s favorite and Annie always served it when the man was here.

“Normally we would,” Mr. answered, “but we have an earlier than usual flight home. Need to be at the airport by noon.”

“A long way to go for just two nights,” Nelson observed.

“Easier for the two of us,” Mrs. answered this time, “than 25 to 30 family members coming east.”

“Very true,” Nelson agreed.

Chip and Brad walked in together, and Tim introduced Brad to the Heatherstones before the pair started filling their plates. Lu-Tsi and Will were only a few minutes later. Lee was glad to see that he wasn’t the only one who, since Nelson hadn’t specified the night before, had chosen to wear civvies.

Conversation was mixed around the table, Lu-Tsi once more tried to engage Mrs. Heatherstone, with minimal success. Brad, perhaps because of his comments to Lee the previous evening, seemed to enjoy Nelson’s laid-back explanation of why he was headed to Hatfield; Lee had to grin, and realized that Chip and Jamie were amused as well, to note that their boss was carefully avoiding getting technical, keeping his explanations general and not overly scientific, as he could easily get. Mr. Heatherstone actually seemed interested, and asked a few questions. No one, Lee realized, had actually explained where they worked, or what they were doing here, mostly because they didn’t think the couple would be interested. As Nelson realized this as well, he expanded on his explanation, still keeping it non-technical, and monopolized most of the conversation through the meal as Brad, too, was quite interested. Lee shared a quick nod with the others, including Tim. This was Nelson in his element – explaining his passions to others.

Lee was actually disappointed when Brad finished eating and, citing a meeting, made a quick trip to his room before leaving. It also caused Nelson to glance at his watch sheepishly, and Lee wasn’t able to get that grin covered fast enough for his boss not to see.

Nelson shook a finger at him, albeit with a huge grin of his own. “You’d have just let me ramble on,” he accused.

“Yes, sir,” Lee agreed, his own smile spreading. Nelson shook his head and concentrated on finishing his meal as the others chuckled. Even the Heatherstones grinned, although they both sent Lee a rather speculative look before they, too, left the table.

“So,” Tim asked those left, “what plans for your day?”

“William and I are going to check out that Aviation Museum,” Lu-Tsi said. “It sounds fascinating.”

“That it is,” Chip told her, then looked at Lee. “We still have parts we didn’t see.” Lee nodded, and Chip turned to the Jamison’s. “If you start with the biggest building, where the ‘Spruce Goose’ is housed, Lee and I will take our morning run.” He turned to Lee, “I’m actually beginning to enjoy that.” Lee snickered as Chip turned back to the Jamisons. “We’ll catch up with you. If you don’t mind,” he quickly added.

“Sounds perfect,” Lu-Tsi told him as Will nodded his agreement.

The timing worked perfectly for everyone. Chip wasn’t as used to spending off-duty time with the Jamisons as Lee was; he would occasionally have dinner at their cottage on NIMR grounds when Seaview was in port. The four of them had an absolutely wonderful day exploring the expansive exhibits at the museum. Lacey bounced out to meet the cars when they drove in shortly before 5:30, and they walked in the front door just as a couple were leaving. Annie introduced them to Emily and Larry Palmer, from Eugene, who were spending a long weekend on the coast. After exchanging quick hello’s, the Palmers headed for dinner and the NIMR bunch headed upstairs to clean up before their own meal. Lee had noticed that Nelson’s car wasn’t there when they drove in, but a happily barking Lacey announced his arrival just as Lee was coming back down. Lee joined Chip, standing on the front porch enjoying the late afternoon sun, and they chuckled when Nelson came around the corner of the house trying to avoid stepping on a still bouncing Lacey.

“Whacky dog,” Tim pronounced through the screen door. “Just give her a boot if she gets in your way,” he told Nelson.

“Absolutely not,” Nelson told his host firmly. “She’s way too delightful.”

“Whacky,” Tim repeated, and disappeared toward the kitchen. The other three men laughed, Nelson headed inside to change, and Chip and Lee stayed outside. Lacey continued to bounce, then suddenly dashed off to chase several Steller’s Jays who had the audacity to land in her yard.

“Could have used her up at Pete’s cabin,” Lee muttered not quite to himself, and Chip burst out laughing. Lee had finally explained about why he’d grabbed Chip’s hair. ++

“And then who would have goaded you back to the cabin?” the blond demanded once he stopped laughing.

“Lacey,” Lee told him confidently, before they both burst out laughing again.

“Whatever you find so amusing,” Annie’s voice came through the screen door, “supper’s on the table.”

Tonight’s entrée was barbequed pork ribs, done all day in the slow cooker and so tender that the bones literally fell out of them, baked beans, cold slaw, and steak fries. Lu-Tsi requested the recipe for the ribs and Annie admitted that she’d swiped it off a cooking show. She could put them on in the morning and pretty much ignore them, other then basting them occasionally with barbeque sauce. Everyone agreed that they were absolutely delicious!

“And Lacey can have a couple of the bones?” Lee asked, with a quick grin.

“Hush you,” Annie scolded. “Now see what you’ve done?” At the sound of her name Lacey, who had been laying quietly, as usual, just outside the doorway, started dancing. Everyone, even Annie, chuckled.

Eventually everyone settled in the living room after stuffing themselves with Annie’s delicious meal. Chip complained about there not being any dessert and everyone else, even Nelson, tossed their napkins at him. “Maybe Lacey will share her bones,” Lee told the blond helpfully, and all but giggled at the glare he got in return. But they’d no more than sat down with cups of coffee when Annie walked in with a plate full of cookies. To his credit, Chip blushed when he saw Annie walk in and only had two, he was so full.

Lee grabbed one, just because although he, too, was full, then pointed an eyebrow at Annie. “These are new?”

She and Tim shared a grin. “New for here. A friend goes on vacation to a place in Arizona every year, and brought the recipe back. It’s almost like a normal chocolate chip cookie dough, but with white chocolate chips and crumbled potato chips.”

“Potato chips?” Lee and Chip both uttered at the same time, sent each other a sheepish grin, and returned their gaze to Annie. She merely shrugged and poured her own cup of coffee before sitting down. “Weird, I know. But they seem to go over well.” Lee grinned and nodded as he took another bite.

“Tomorrow, sir?” Lee asked, mostly to take the heat off Chip, who was still blushing.

“I plan on a nice long walk on the beach,” Nelson answered, stretching out even further than he was in one of the chairs. “I think I’m going to be sorry to leave on Saturday.”

“Me, too,” Chip got out around the last of the second cookie. “But I don’t even want to think about what my desk looks like.” There were a couple of groans, acknowledging that from others.

“But you’ve been here a shorter time than you’re usually out to sea,” Tim told Chip.

“Yeah, but when we’re on a cruise my secretary handles a lot of the minor stuff. When I’m ashore she leaves it all for me, no matter that I might be away from the Institute.”

“Not to mention all the department reports that we have to monitor,” Lee added. He glanced at Nelson. “The Admiral makes sure we stay on top of everything,” he emphasized that last word.

“I can’t have all the fun,” Nelson said innocently. He got groans from his three officers, and chuckles from everyone else. “Lee?” he gestured toward the gaming table.

Lee hesitated, but finally nodded. Maybe with Nelson in this relaxed a mood, he told himself, he won’t be so impossible to beat.

But almost immediately Nelson attacked. Lee found himself once more having to concentrate hard to stay at least slightly even, and felt himself getting more and more frustrated. Brad’s words came back to him as that man returned and joined the group. He’s baiting you.

Suddenly Lee sat back and stared at Nelson. And was totally unprepared for the soft smile that crossed the older man’s face. “It took you long enough,” Nelson told him softly, and Lee finally realized what Nelson had been doing.

His boss had been goading him, but with a purpose. He wanted Lee to fight with him. It was something that Lee had done from the very beginning of his tenure at NIMR, and especially aboard Seaview. Nelson had been used to getting his own way – about everything! He didn’t care particularly what he was asking Seaview and her crew to do, he simply wanted it done no matter the risk. Lee would follow orders only so long as he could keep his boat and his crew safe. He wasn’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with Nelson if he felt the man wasn’t taking into account all of the dangers involved.

And he’d earned Nelson’s respect because he wasn’t afraid to stand up for what he felt was the right way to proceed. There had been a few nasty moments at the beginning, but less and less as Nelson began to see Lee’s point of view. They still got into dangerous situations, but more and more it was with a definite plan of action, not just ‘we’re doing this and to hell with the problems’ attitude.

Lee had suddenly realized that, through the last few months of ‘issues’, he’d forgotten how to ‘fight’ with Nelson. He now knew that the older man had used the chess games, and probably this whole trip as well, to remind Lee to stand up for himself and his values, no matter the issues. He reached out and tipped over his king. “You win this round,” he told his boss with a small nod. “But watch out the next one.” Nelson burst out laughing.

They’d been talking very softly, with other conversations going on in the room, but Nelson’s laughter silenced everyone else.

“Care to share the joke?” Chip teased Lee, having no idea what had just happened.

“None of your business,” Lee sniped back.

Nelson continued laughing but looked over at the blond. “Merely your captain being his usual self,” he told his XO. He sent Lee a nod and a grin as Lee started setting up the board for another game.

* * * *

Lee awoke the next morning, still slightly shaking his head over Nelson’s somewhat underhanded – but highly effective – what amounted to a swift kick in Lee’s backside. 40-40 hindsight being what it was, he could see clearly now what he’d been totally oblivious to before; he had been acting differently around Nelson, yet not realizing it, and blaming Nelson’s careful actions toward him as being the older man’s issues. Surprised that he didn’t kick my tail literally, not just figuratively, he muttered to himself as he stood in the shower, washing away more than just the night’s sleep.

He wasn’t the first one down; Admiral Nelson, dressed in casual slacks and polo shirt, was standing off to one side, coffee cup in hand, as Tim and Annie were setting out the usual plates of fruit, muffins, and juices. The warming trays were so far empty so Lee had no idea what Annie had prepared for today’s entrée. Nelson sent him a smile; actually it was more smirk, and Lee acknowledged once more having the man outsmart him with his own grin as he headed for the coffee pot. Tim, carrying in what looked heavy but was covered so Lee couldn’t see what it was, saw Nelson’s expression and sent Lee a raised eyebrow as he set the pan into one of the warmers. Nelson must have seen it as well because when Lee merely shook his head, Nelson chuckled softly and Lee frowned.

“Now what have you done?” Will accused Lee, walking in.

“Wasn’t me,” Lee defended himself.

“That would be a first,” Chip quipped, coming in right behind Will, and Nelson chuckled harder.

“Ignore this bunch,” Annie added, looking behind Chip, and Lee realized that the Palmers had appeared. Annie placed a second covered pan into the warmers and took off both lids, revealing baked eggs with asparagus and chives in the pan she’d carried in, and hashbrowns and ham slices in the other one. The men stepped back and let the Palmers go first, as well as Lu-Tsi when she walked in right behind them with Brad. Brad motioned Will forward after his wife, then followed Will, with Chip, Lee, and Nelson bringing up the rear. Lee had tried to let Nelson go before him but his boss, with another broad grin, was having none of it. Chip’s turn to point an eyebrow, which Lee chose to ignore, and in a short time everyone was seated with plates of food.

“So,” Annie said as she monitored coffee cups, “so far I have Admiral Nelson walking on the beach, those two,” she pointed to Lee and Chip, “jogging…” She had to pause as Lacey started bouncing just outside the breakfast room doorway, and everyone chuckled. “You’re getting way to familiar with certain words,” Annie chided the little dog. “Brad, you’ve got meetings all day?”

“Unfortunately,” he admitted. “But with a little luck I can take part of Saturday afternoon off to relax before I leave that night.”

“Emily and Jack?” Annie asked the Palmers.

“Whale watching out of Depoe Bay, then Old Town Newport and dinner at Kylo’s,” Emily answered.

“Lovely,” Annie smiled and looked toward the Jamisons.

“A pleasant drive down the coast, to wherever and whatever looks interesting,” Lu-Tsi told her. She glanced at Will, then Lee and Chip, before once more speaking to Annie. “Perhaps we’ll try the sand dunes.”

“On the regular tour,” Will added firmly, “not on our own.”

“I always said you were no fun,” Chip muttered, and everyone laughed.

Breakfast over, everyone scattered. Brad was the first to leave, Lacey escorting him to the gate, followed closely by the Palmers and Jamisons. Nelson left while Lee and Chip went upstairs to change into their jogging shorts, then they were escorted to their car by a wildly enthusiastic Lacey, jumping in the instant Lee opened the door. They ended up parking next to Nelson’s car in the park’s day use parking lot, then walking under Hwy 101 to the beach. Lacey ran a few steps ahead, dashed back, then bounced ahead again, and both Lee and Chip laughed at her. Once on the sand they started jogging slowly, Lacey staying fairly close but occasionally challenging a gull or sandpiper. As the pair caught up to a casually strolling Admiral, passing him one on each side, Lacey did a quick double-take, stopped long enough for a broadly grinning Nelson to give her a quick pat, then ran to catch up as Lee and Chip picked up a little speed to give themselves a good workout.

Lee always made a point of checking the tide charts before any jog so when they reached the point of land where, if you weren’t careful you could get trapped on the other side, he knew that the couple of inches of water they found was the tide going out, not coming in. He gave Chip a nod and they splashed through, continuing to where the beach ended at the rock headland on top of which sat Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Turning around, by the time they got back to the decision point the waves weren’t closer than about 5 feet to the point. They continued to jog until they were about halfway back, where they slowed to a walk.

A few minutes later, as they could see Nelson still walking casually south, Chip sent Lee a look. “Never, ever, try to out-think that man,” Lee mumbled not quite to himself.

“You do it all the time,” Chip told him with a grin.

“Unh uh,” Lee disagreed. “While I may have reasons to question certain ways of accomplishing a given task, I will never catch up to his thought processes!”

Chip shrugged. “It works,” was his evaluation.

Lee nodded. “Most of the time.” He sent Chip a quirky grin, Chip snickered, lightly punched Lee’s shoulder, and took off jogging again, halfway saluting Nelson as he passed his boss.

Nelson stopped walking as Lee approached, then turned and headed back with Lee. “Chip have a hot date?” he asked, amused.

“Not sure where he thinks he’s going,” Lee answered. “I have the car keys.” They both chuckled.

“Maybe he thinks, if he jogs all the way up the hill to the B&B, Mrs. Hughes, ah, Annie,” Nelson corrected himself, “will fix him lunch.”

Lee laughed. “And she would,” he agreed.

They walked in comfortable silence for a bit before Nelson said, “I so understand why you like it here.”

Lee nodded. “Not sure I could live here,” he admitted. “But…” His voice trailed off.

Nelson nonetheless nodded. “I totally agree,” and once more they were silent, occasionally smiling as Lacey chased the ever-present gulls, and they threatened to dive-bomb her.

They found Chip sitting against a log some previous storm had tossed high up the sand by the entrance to the beach, watching a couple of young men fly their kites in the soft breeze, and settled next to him. “Figured you’d headed to Spindrift for lunch,” Lee told him.

“Got sidetracked,” Chip admitted, and nodded toward the kites.

“The first time I was here,” Lee told the other two, “there were a couple guys with battle kites – you know, the ones with double handles – doing synchronized acrobatics with them. That was a kick,” he added with a grin.

“Should have thought of that sooner,” Chip grumbled. “Now it’s time to leave.”

“Maybe we can get something started the next time we work with the Sea Scouts program in Santa Barbara?” Lee offered.

“Lessons in the thermodynamics of air movement,” Nelson told them, and all three grinned.

It wasn’t long before Lee caught the tell-tale movements Chip was trying to hide that he was getting restless, and buried a quick grin. He sighed heavily and stretched. “You about ready to head for a shower?” he innocently asked the blond.

Very little got past his friend, but Chip covered it well, too. “Sounds like a plan,” and he rose, as did Lee, then they looked down at Nelson.

“Think I’ll sit here a bit longer,” he told his young officers. “This is grand.”

Lee snickered. “Yes, sir,” and the pair headed to the parking lot to drive back up the hill. Nelson settled a little deeper into the warm sand, a self-satisfied smile on his face.

* * * *

As everyone started returning to the B&B from their day’s adventures – Chip and Lee had ended up making a supply run with Tim that afternoon – it became known that Annie was planning a meal of leftovers for dinner. Not that anyone objected, but Nelson suggested that he take all of his crew, plus their hosts, out to dinner. “Didn’t you mention a favorite restaurant?” he queried.

“Maxwell’s,” Chip spoke up before either of the Hughes could, to many smiles.

“That works,” Tim agreed. “Brad called and he’s going to be late, as will the Palmers. We’ll have plenty of time.”

“You might want to warn Louis,” Annie advised her husband.

“Good idea,” Tim snickered, and pulled out his cell phone.

The restaurant put two tables together in a quiet corner. From Lu-Tsi’s crab and shrimp louie salad, to Will’s razor clams, and on down through Nelson’s calamari, Lee and Chip’s second round of halibut ‘n chips, and Tim and Annie’s prime rib, everyone was nearly too stuffed to move!

“Marvelous,” was Nelson’s proclamation as he pushed his chair back a bit from the table.

“Oh, yeah,” Chip breathed out.

“Dessert, anyone?” Annie teased, and even Chip tossed his napkin at her.

Once back at the B&B, everyone settled in the living room with coffee. “Almost forgot, Jamie,” Lee asked his CMO. “Did you make it to the Dunes?”

Will sent him a non-committal look, but Lu-Tsi giggled softly. “That was so much fun I wanted to do it again.”

“Why didn’t you?” it was Chip’s turn to question, at the same time sending Jamie a broad smile.

Lu-Tsi sent her husband a quick look. “It was getting time to return for dinner,” she said softly.

“Then you’ll just have to come back,” Lee told her, also sending Will a bright smile.

“Returning guest discount,” Annie told everyone, and they all grinned. Even Will!

* * * *

Lee’s wasn’t the only chuckle Saturday morning when, coming down the stairs, there was a loud wolf whistle from Annie at the men’s uniforms. As well as a few appreciative glances from Emily Palmer that her husband chose to ignore.

“Thank you both again,” Nelson told both Hughes as they walked out to the cars after loading the luggage.

“Our pleasure,” Tim assured him.

“Absolutely,” Annie agreed. “And now that you all know the way…” Everyone smiled and nodded.

“And I even showed up without an owe,” Lee told Annie, referring to an old joke. “Sort of,” he added softly, with a quick glance at Nelson.

Annie merely gave him a big hug. She and Tim still had no idea what was going on, only that ‘something’ had changed that last night of Lee’s and his boss’ chess games. She turned to Chip, who was trying to get Lacey to come close enough so that he could pet her, and she was still giving him the cold shoulder. “Next time bring bribes,” she advised the blond. “I can’t believe she’s still holding a grudge.”

“Lee doesn’t share his females,” was Chip’s answer, and everyone laughed.

“Until next time,” Nelson told the Hughes as he got into his car. “And there will be a next time!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lu-Tsi Jamison used with permission of her creator, Cris Smithson

* See “Not One of His Better Weeks” by R. L. Keller

** See “There Will Be an Answer” by R. L. Keller

*** See “Sensory Overload, all three parts” by R. L. Keller

**** See “A Special Dinner Request” by R. L. Keller

^ See “Sneak Attack” by R. L. Keller

^^ See “Murphy” by R. L. Keller

^^^ See “Oops” by R. L. Keller

^^^^ See “The Pension” by Liz Martin

+ See “A Favor for a Friend” by R. L. Keller

++ See “Feathered Friend” by R. L. Keller

+++ See “The Wetting Down” by R. L. Keller

++++ See “Dragon of the Sea” by R. L. Keller