"That's right," I say, taking in the mix of decked-out yachts and modest fishing boats.
"Can we go on a boat ride?" Posey asks eagerly. "I haven't been on one ever."
Tara looks at me with obvious enthusiasm for the idea.
"We'll see," I say, though I'm already warming to the possibility.
"Look, there's the man whose life you saved!" Posey's voice cuts through the harbor sounds.
I'm surprised to see a familiar figure with a gray beard cleaning his boat.
Spotting us, Salty waves us over.
"My savior," he says, his voice carrying only the slightest hint of jest.
"We wanted to visit you at the hospital, Mr. Salty," Posey says earnestly, walking toward him and taking his hand without hesitation. "But Daddy Cameron said you needed to rest. I'm glad you're okay now!"
"Glad to see you're out and about. May I call you Salty? It seems informal since we don't really know each other."
"There's an old saying about blood brothers," he replies with a knowing smile. "You saved my life, and I owe you in return."
"You don't owe me anything,” I say.
I’m surprised to see Salty and Tara greet one another with a brief embrace. "You know each other?"
"From the Patriot Café," she says before turning to him. "I'm working as Posey's nanny now."
"Would you folks like a boat ride?" he asks suddenly. "It's a beautiful day for it."
"Yes!" says Posey immediately, then catches herself. "If Daddy Cameron says it's okay."
"We shouldn't impose?—"
"It's not an imposition. We'll go for a spin around the harbor, and maybe you could try your hand at fishing."
"Can we do it, Tara? Daddy Cameron?" Posey's excitement is infectious.
"I think that'd be fine," I say, amused by how both Tara and my daughter light up at the prospect.
Salty helps us aboard his small but immaculately clean boat. Everything has its place, stored in proper compartments with the precision of someone who's spent decades at sea.
"Am I big enough to fish?" Posey asks, bouncing slightly on her toes.
"Of course you are," Salty says, fitting a bright orange life vest over her white dress. He adjusts the buckles with practiced hands, making sure everything is secure.
“Life vest for you, miss," he says, handing one to Tara before offering me one as well. Salty chuckles as Edison sniffs out every corner of the boat.
"Here's one for your dog," Salty says. handing it to me.
“Mr. Salty? Aren't you going to wear one too?" Posey asks.
"No," he grins. "I'm the sort of captain who goes down with his ship."
Posey finds this hilarious. "Goes down with the ship," she repeats, giggling.
Salty puts a protective arm around her as he slowly steers the boat out of the harbor into open water.
"This is so beautiful," Tara says, moving closer to me, her long lashes dark against her porcelain skin. "Thank you for giving me a place to stay. I know Chloe drove a hard bargain."
