“We’ve seen some amazing things since we arrived,” Joshua said. “But the biggest surprise for me has been how much we’ve been healed by what we’ve experienced. Healed by beauty. Healed by whales and eagles. Just…healed.”
“Who knew we evenneededhealing,” Colin said, his voice bemused.
“Everyone needs healing, my friend,” David said. He gazed across the water to the glacier beyond, then smiled and tilted his head toward Joshua. “Our resident psychologist here has said it more than once: we’re imperfect beings, every single one of us. We’ve all suffered one way or another. Some people look for healing in booze, drugs, or sex. Some people look for it in food or other people.” He wrapped an arm around Nate and hugged him close. “Today, we found it in nature. In the wonder and beauty of creation.” He indicated the bald eagles soaring above the cold, clear Alaskan waters. “And in these magnificent birds.”
Colin nodded. “No damned wonder these cruises are so popular.” He grinned at Joshua. “I will now cease my constant bitching about how much these excursions cost. I’ve learned my lesson. They are worth every single penny.”
Nate squinted across the water, munching his sandwich. “Anything that can get you to shut up isn’t just healing… it’s a fuckingmiracle.”
CHAPTERTEN
KETCHIKAN
The four friends returned to the ship late that afternoon and collapsed in their staterooms. Joshua checked the adjoining door to be sure it was tightly shut, then grabbed the stateroom phone and spent several minutes in animated conversation with the person on the other end.
“What the hell are you doing, bud?” Colin asked from where he lay, sprawled on the bed. “Come and lie down. I want to snuggle, and I can’tdothat when you’re on the other side of the room with a phone in your hand.”
Joshua laughed, crawled onto the bed beside his husband, and settled comfortably against his body. “Well, you could! But you’d have to find something to take my place.”
“No one can take your place. And what were you doing on the phone?”
“I was arranging for an anniversary cake for David and Nate. This mad adventure is supposed to be celebrating their anniversary, remember?”
Colin sighed and slid his fingers into Joshua’s dark hair. “Their anniversary is in April. I remember because we stood up for them, so I vividly recall the occasion. Plus the fact that we took them out to dinner on their anniversary this year at—as I recall—quite a fancy restaurant.”
“That’s all true, love of my life, BUT…”
“But?”
“This cruise is David’s anniversary gift to Nate. And if the shoe were on the other foot, you know damn well they’d getusa cake.”
“We are in lockstep regarding cake of any kind for any occasion.”
“I’m having it delivered here at nine, along with a bottle of bubbly, as a gift from us.”
“Damn! I amreallya nice guy!” Colin exclaimed.
“Well, hell, sweetie, he paid for this whole damn trip!”
“Hey, I offered to pay our share, but Mr. ‘Rich-Guy’ Gardener insisted on footing the bill. Showoff!”
Joshua opened his mouth to protest but was interrupted by a knock on the stateroom door. He rose and opened it to find Officer Sinclair standing in the hallway. Joshua frowned and sucked in a quick breath. “What can I do for you, officer?”
“Is your husband around?”
“He’s lying down. Can I help you?”
“Josh!” Colin called. “Who is it?”
Joshua sighed and stepped aside, ushering the security officer into their room.
“What’s up, Blake?” Colin asked, moving to sit on the side of the bed.
“Two things: we’ll be docking in Ketchikan tomorrow morning, and the FBI agents in charge of Louise Stamford’s case want a quick word.”
Colin nodded. “Happy to talk to them.”
“As long as it’s aquickword,” Joshua added.
