Danny moved behind Nate and, with both hands on his shoulders, moved him to the large steering wheel. “Just put your hands right there,” he said in a low voice, placing Nate’s hands on the wheel. Then he pointed to a compass mounted on the dashboard. “Keep that arrow right there pointed right here,” he said, indicating a direction on the compass.” Then he took a step back and winked at David. “You’ve got the helm, Lou O’Toole.”
Nate gripped the wheel with white-knuckled hands and glanced over his shoulder at Danny, who was striding off the bridge. “Danny! Where are you going?”
“Just steer where I told you. You’re doing great. I’m going to go check on the rest.”
“Oh my god, David,” Nate moaned again and heard David laugh as he wrapped his arms around Nate from behind.
“You’re doing fine,” David told him. “It’s a calm day, and Danny is only fifteen feet away. There’s nothing you could do to screw up. Enjoy it!”
Under Danny’s supervision, Nate took them within sight of the Aran Islands, close enough to see and wonder at the limestone walls, golden beaches, and rocky sea cliffs. Nate then turned the boat back toward Galway, swinging north so they could cruise along the coastline, and gaze in awe at the rugged beauty of the Irish countryside.
As they came in sight of the harbor, the wind picked up enough that the waves began to crash against the boat’s sides. Danny stood by Nate’s side but insisted that he continue driving the boat, calmly guiding and helping him navigate the choppy waters until Galway Harbor was once again in view.
“I’ll take her in from here, son,” Danny said, wrapping one strong arm around Nate’s shoulders. “The harbor is a pain to navigate.” He smiled at Nate. “Maith an fear, col ceathrar,” he murmured. “You’re a fine sailor, and no mistake.”
Nate stepped aside as Danny took the wheel and then turned to Colin, who was perched on a nearby bench. “What did he say to me?” he asked, dropping onto the bench beside him.
“He said, ‘Well done, cousin’,” Colin told him, smiling when he saw Nate’s mouth fall open in surprise.
“He called mecousin?”
“He did! Quite the compliment.”
“God, Colin,” Nate breathed, leaning against his friend’s shoulder. “Iloveit here.”
* * *
At Danny’s house,Shayleen had prepared a hearty Irish dinner, and after eating, they all collapsed in the living room, worn out from their long day at sea. Nate could not stop talking about driving the boat, and he pored over all the pictures David had taken with his phone, thrilled to see himself at the wheel.
Danny peered over Nate’s shoulder, admiring the photos, then left momentarily, only to return with the captain’s hat in his hand. “Meant to give this to you on theCliodhna,” he told Nate, slipping the cap onto his head. “But that’ll have to do, Captain Nate.”
Nate hugged him with tears in his eyes. “Danny, this was the best day ever! Thank you!”
“What’s on your agenda for tomorrow?”
Nate turned to look at Colin, eyebrows lifted in question. “What’s tomorrow, tour guide?”
Colin smiled at Joshua. “Tomorrow is Joshua’s second surprise. We’re all booked on a day cruise down the Corrib tomorrow.”
“The river cruise?” Shayleen asked, perching on the arm of Danny’s chair.
“The very same.”
Shayleen nudged her husband. “And are we booked on this cruise, husband?”
“We are, indeed, Missus! And you can thank our Collie here for it.”
She moved to Colin’s side and hugged him. “Thank you, sweet Collie! I love that cruise, and my husband here never thinks to book us on it.”
“Shayleen O'Riley, I took you on that cruise last spring for our anniversary!” Danny objected.
“Well, you’re going again tomorrow,” Colin said, laughing. He handed Joshua a pamphlet describing the sights they’d see on their journey down the River Corrib.
“Castles!” Joshua exclaimed in delight, pouring over the pages.
“Castles!” Shayleen huffed out. “Can’t swing a dead cat in this country without hitting a half dozen of those broken-down wrecks. You’ll see a lotmorethan castles. And the food on that river cruise is over-the-moon grand!”
“What time does the boat leave tomorrow?” Joshua asked.
