Chapter 15. Safe Harbour

The boat was pounding her way through the whitecaps, which were getting higher as they steamed on. Dobbys Home was quite near now, a smudge on the horizon. “I think we are going to be okay Min.”said Will, Minnie nodded happily. She had been going from the wheelhouse to belowdecks every little while to check on the teens then dashing back up.

“It’s pretty yucky down there dad, but alls safe.” she said. Will nodded, pointing forward toward the nearing islet. “Harbouring is close Min, can you handle the wheel while I ready the anchors?”. Minnie grabbed the wheel, standing on a box to be able to see, Will opened a forward window so she could call him if needed, pulled on a raincoat and stepped out. Hearing the steam whistle he turned to see Minnie waving as she held the wheel.”Having fun now dad, having fun!”.

Will released the ropes holding the anchors both fore and aft, prepping the boat to anchor if they could find a safe cove. Min was holding course nice and steady but the storm was hitting in earnest now, the wind had strengthened and the rain was coming down in buckets. Will was soaked instantly and he hoped his heightened vitality would protect him from colds. While doing the anchoring preparations the islet came closer and closer, “Minnie”, he yelled, waving to get her attention…”take us to one -third speed and keep your eyes open for the cove.”.Minnie tooted on the whistle to let him know she got the message.He quickly ran below and knocked on the cabins doors to grt everyone’s attention.“This should be over soon, safe harbour ahead, try to hold on a bit longer” he shouted.

Chuck opened up the port side door, looking greenish..”Glad to hear it captain.”.Naomi had opened the starboard door and echoed him, she was not as green and ill looking but still rumpled.Will could see the anxious faces behind them, and gave a wave to the others..”stay brave kids, nearly there.”.Will hurried back up to the pilot house, finding Minnie steering like a champ.

In that short time he had been below the wind had hit frightening strength and the waves would top 8 feet .The Rose climbed and fell but the island was very close now, he was able to see more details.About 4 square miles, with scrub trees and a short beach, but best of all was the northern coast.High cliffs but a protected cove cut in deep inland, out of the dangerous waters.Putting a hand on Minnie’s small shoulder he pointed to the harbour, “Head there Min, go dead slow entering, I’ll head to the bow and keep watch.”.“Got it dad, dead slow and easy does it.” she answered.

The Rose steamed to the northern cliffs, slowing just to make headway, guided by Minnie and Will at the prow. The dangerous part was coming, steering into the cove while the storm waters hit them from behind.Will could feel the boat starting to swing in to the opening but also felt the increase of speed.“All back for a sec Min, straighten us out then half speed and straight in”. he called .A toot answered him and he felt the Rose shudder, struggling to find her way, then surging forward.

The boat cleared the cliffs on either side with a good ten feet. Might seem a lot but a rogue wave could have smashed them to either side in an instant. But as soon as they entered the cove the waters settled and the wind had been blocked, Minnie pulled the engine control to dead stop and Will pulled the lever to drop the port anchor. As soon as he felt it grab he was running to the other side of the bow and dropped that one as well. As that anchor bit into the lake bottom the boat came to a stop, rocking gently in the protected cove.

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A tired Minnie came out of the wheelhouse, an huge grin on her little face, tongue lolling, tail wagging like mad.She saw Will below deck looking just as tired and jumped down to him.Will swept her into a hug, “well done sweety, well done.”.“That’s was fun but some hardy hard work, yeah”.Min answered.“Let’s go tell the sickies they are ok now.”.“I think they know”.Will pointed at the ladder to the lower decks and they could see several small heads peering over the transom.

“Come on up, all of you, we are at a safe harbour now.”, Will called out. The children streamed up on deck, lining up at the rails and pointing out sights on the surrounding cliffs. Chuck came up at a slower pace, he was carrying a large covered mug. “We kept this warm for you captain, unless it’s like Minnie said, that you don’t like coffee either?”. he asked. Will laughed “ Nice try Min but yes, Chuck , I would love a cup.”.Taking the mug from the young lad he took a mighty sip, that sure was fine.“Yes dad likes the yucky brown yuck, but not me..nice warm milk is better”. Minnie said with a sad look.Naomi called to her “Good thing captain Will asked us to put some aside for you then hmm?”.and she held out an equally large mug of Minnie’s favourite.Minnie galloped over to her, took the mug, and drank half down in a huge swallow.“Hurray”. She shouted.

After things settled down on deck Will needed a rest and so did his first mate.He let the older teens know that he and Min would be down for a couple of hours.“We will keep things quiet as can be captain”. said Naomi.“No need “ replied Will stepping on to the ladder to belowdecks “I have had kids and grandkids running around me for years, where I came from”.Minnie nodded “me too, I like little people, big people too, but little people are just fun.”, and she scampered down below.

Reaching their cabin Will pulled off his wet salty clothes and stepped in to the head and quickly rinsed off with fresh water. Raiding an eyebrow at Minnie, she pulled off her raincoat and overalls and let him pour fresh water over her salty fur, but she insisted on wearing her hat still. Will towelled her off as good as he could, and they dropped into the comfy bed, and were asleep as their heads hit the pillow.

Will dreamed, he was walking on a sandy beach under a blue sky, a slight warm wind ruffling his sparse hair. The golden sand was warm but not hit under his feet, and it reminded him of days long past with kids at the beach. Endless days playing in the sand, building castles, splashing in the water. As he walked he felt that someone was behind him and as he turned he saw a little black and white dog running toward him. As it got closer it changed to a little dog person, like Minnie, running gracefully on her back legs, changing, changing until she was as high as his waist

She ran up and hugged him hard…”Hi dad, real glad your safe, you and Minnie, and all the littles.”.Will fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face, “Dobs, is that you?.She laughed a barking laugh, “yup, it’s me, had to make sure you’re okay.”.He turned from her.“It’s hard to face you after what I did, after what I had to decide for you.”.“ You mean helping me sleep?”, she said. Will nodded, not able to meet her eyes. “I couldn’t tell you how much I hurt, so you did it for me, from love”.Dobby said.“I wasn’t who I am now, but now I can tell you thank you, how much I love you for being there for me.”.

With those words a weight lifted from Wills soul, that decision, even so many years ago, had been had eating at him.Now, being forgiven…no..not forgiven but being told that it was the only thing he could have done…he felt lighter. “I can’t stay too long, this isn’t my place anymore. But I knew you were hurting. So I came here to see you once more, cause I love you and to tell you not to let that bother you anymore…ok.”, Dobby said. She hugged him one more time, turned and started walking back up that golden beach.

“Bye Dobs, I still miss you, every day.”, called Will as she started to fade away.I think I’m waking up was his thought before he opened his eyes to see Minnie’s worried eyes inches from his own.“You okay dad, you were mumbling lots?”, she asked.“I’m great Min, just great.” He answered, “Best I have been in a while.”.

Giving that mental switch a twist he saw….

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William Harris

Age 55

Intelligence 15/50

Strength 17/50

Vitality 17/50

Stamina 18/50

Affinities for gardening, cultivating, fishing, knitting, swimming, mariner ,

Captain of the heartboat Rose

Navigation 2

Mechanic 2

Minnie

Best dog of all

Age 5

Intelligence 3/25

Strength 5/25

Vitality 12/25

Stamina 12/25

First Mate of the heartboat Rose

Piloting 1

Mechanic

That’s pretty okay too.