Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Sun and Sea 08 A James Gang Story by Mike C

   Feedback is welcome - but please keep it constructive.  Address: mikec
(at) nspace.net

   = = = = =

   We followed the white markers past a series of rock-strewn doglegs, then
watched as ePilot navigated us through a final bend and into a large
sheltered bay where Amanda's seaplane 'Maxome Gymbler' was tethered. 
Sherri's system had meticulously maintained our course along the deepest
part of the channel that did not bring the boat too close to detectable and
known obstacles.

   "You're looking real good sweetie!" We congratulated Sherri, laughing as
the cyclops eye attached to the front searchlight swiveled about, looking
for landmarks, even as ePilot put the engine in reverse briefly to let us
coast in gently.  "It even guessed the pier we wanted!"

   Low population centers like these outer barrier islands had
traditionally suffered from barely adequate marine data, and, even with
all-prevalent satellite imaging, ground and topographic details are still
hundred of times less accurate than for more frequented areas, but with
ePilot, it would soon be a non-issue.

   We jumped down and tied up across from Amanda's seaplane as Brenda led a
smiling Colin and a small woman to meet us.

   We gave Brenda hugs, "I think things are going to work out." She smiled
at our inquisitive looks, "May I present Mrs Anne Bentel?  These are my
colleagues, James, Amanda and Sherri."

   "I am pleased to meet you.  I am so very glad Colin met up with you,"
Anne told us, "And your friend came just in time to chase the horrid man
from the bank away!"

   "He's not from the bank, dear, he was just pretending he was.  In any
event, I do not believe he will bother us any more." Colin smiled happily.

   "So, we were expecting you over fifteen minutes ago!  SecuriSat says you
were going dead slow the last five miles." Brenda looked at the girls in
their little bikinis, "What did I say about fooling around?"

   "Heh," Sherri grinned, "We did the fooling around WAY before that!  But
what we saw on the way would blow your mind!"

   "Why don't we take this conversation up to the House?  We started
preparing supper when we heard your arrival was imminent." Anne declared.

   I took Brenda's hand, "I'm glad you got things worked out."

   "Yeah, I'm twice as glad to see you though!" She whispered.

   "Bet you're dying to find out what fooling around we did on the way
here!" Sherri grinned.

   "Lookit, someone's blushing already!" Amanda laughed, she hugged Brenda,
"Did you miss us, honey?"

   "Less and less by the minute, imp!" She returned her caresses warmly.

   A dirt track took us up a hill dotted with rental villas.  At the summit
was a large stone ranch-house surrounded by trees and wild flowers.  From
there we could see, below us, a long meandering white beach, a small town
in the distance, and, on the opposite side, a shallow cove at the bottom of
a sheer drop.

   "Welcome to our home," Colin said.  "Our living quarters are here, but
the building is also the main dining facilities for the resort.  This early
in the season, we only have a dozen guests." He turned to a young woman at
the door, "I'd like to introduce you to Eva Byron, our manager: she will
help you settle in after the meal."

   "I hope you enjoy your stay at Turtle Cay." She smiled and took us
inside the dining room.  About twenty-five feet square, it was finished in
dark hewn wood and had fifteen tables with about another ten outside in a
palm lined courtyard.  A smiling black woman was waiting by our table.

   "And Miriam is in charge of the kitchen and restaurant."

   "We have been waiting, please make yourself comfortable..." Eva and
Miriam poured drinks for us and excused themselves.

   "Let me show you what we came across on the way here!" Sherri was
brimming from excitement, "Just a mile from Walker Cay." She played her
recording as we crowded about for a look.  "It was like a huge fountain
hundreds of feet high."

   "Reminds me of a story about the earth being a giant's pet aquarium and
waterspouts occur when he changes the water!"

   "It appears we are not the only ones who wished to give you a warm
welcome!" Laughed Colin, "Around here, we call it a gustnado.  It happens
when a low pressure system lacks the strength to become a storm.  They drop
to the surface, get saturated with water and collapse from the weight. 
Think of it as a hurricane that failed its exam!"

   Colin raised his glass, "Our thanks for helping us out of a very
distasteful situation.  To you, Brenda, who's turned Marshall's treachery
against himself!" Colin smiled proudly at Brenda.

   "Marshall's agent used false identification to demand immediate payment,
otherwise he wanted Mrs Bentel to sign over power of attorney to the
property; which would have allowed Marshall to sell it to himself at a
price far below market value.

   "We've started legal proceedings against Marshall in the States: his
loan to the Bentels are usurious, and combined with his strong-arm tactics,
we can likely convince a judge he was participating in loan-sharking, which
will land him in jail."

   "Anything less than jail would be too easy for that deceitful
scoundrel." Mrs Bentel said.

   "Don't let it bother you, dearest, Brenda will make sure he gets his
just desserts.  We are here to thank these fine people, and to celebrate a
new partnership!"

   "Colin," Brenda smiled, "I am sure we can do great things together, but
we will not ask you to commit to anything beyond what we have agreed to..."
To us she added, "The Bentels have leased us the unused land around the
leeward harbor.  If we can develop a viable rental business there, they
have the option of investing in it."

   "That you will succeed is not a question in our minds.  I expect that,
within a year, we may well be partners in other areas as well." Colin
smiled.

   "Your confidence is appreciated, but let us prove our worth to you - in
fact I will insist on it!"

   "As you keep telling us," Anne interjected, "Just as we tell you now
that we know that you are a good person - our unfortunate business with
Marshall notwithstanding, we have never liked him, but he has surprised us
by the duplicity he can sink to!"

   "I too am shocked at how easily he lied to me about so many things..."
Colin shook his head, "But I am so glad it led me to making your
acquaintances!"

   "Ah, dinner is served!" Colin exclaimed, as Eva and Miriam brought out a
caldron of steaming soup, which they served in bowls made from a
pearlescent shell.

   The first course was a clear soup with hints of wine, cilantro and the
sweetness of seafood.  "Mmm, this is good!" I exclaimed, "Fish stock, wine
and...  something else."

   "This is Miriam's famous conch soup." Colin said, "The recipe is a
Family Secret!"

   "No, is not," She smiled, "It jus' need care and good timing!"

   "Our friend Sara will love to try this - she really loves to cook..."

   "Then we will invite her out here next time!"

   "Yes we will," I said, "Is the soup bowl made from conch as well?"

   "You be right!  From the Queen Conch," Miriam smiled, "Eva's man, he do
make it!"

   "He must be very talented!"

   "Yes, he is," Colin said, "Donnie is a real artist, he carves, he
paints, and he is also the best electrician on the island."

   "Because he's the only electrician hereabouts." Eva nodded.

   "He be the best t'ing for dis girl and dis place!" Miriam said.  "Please
excuse me, I will make ready with the next course."

   "Would you like more soup, James?" Eva asked.

   "Yes please, this is really, really good."

   "I hope you made enough.  James's appetite is like a bottomless pit."
Amanda said.

   "On a cosmic scale." Sherri added.

   "So Brenda has warned us...  Don't worry, eat up!  It is nice to see
someone enjoy their food!"

   "I hope you still feel the same way after this meal!"

   "Leave that worry to me!" Colin laughed, "It is refreshing to see
someone who takes such pleasure in their food."

   "Please, please don't encourage him!"

   "Can I have more soup, please?"

   The soup was followed by a choice of braised duck in an orange-mango
sauce; or a Seafood St.  Jacques with scallops, fish, lobster and conch.  I
asked for both, not wishing to disappoint Colin.

   After coffee, platters of fresh sliced fruit were set out in front of
us.

   "Please excuse us," Colin said, "My wife and I have had a stressful day,
and we will need to be up early tomorrow.  Enjoy yourselves; Eva will see
to your needs."

   "Ahh," I leaned back, "This is the good life.  Can I have a piece of the
papaya, please?"

   "Do you want me to feed you as well?" Sherri asked.

   "Yes please."

   "What the hell are you doing girl?" Amanda said, "It's not like we won't
be servicing him all night long!"

   "Just enjoying my work babe." Sherri smiled and fed me another piece.

   "C'mon, Bren, looks like womens-lib is taking a break tonight." She
pulled Brenda to my side and sat beside her, "Do you need a refresher
course in being docile and submissive?"

   "I'm sure you will all remind me if I'm not being subservient enough! 
But..." She looked around at the other two occupied tables, "Do we have to
do it here?"

   "Oh yes," Sherri assured her, "I promised Sara that James will have lots
of greens, and this is the only way we can make sure he gets his fiber and
vitamins!"

   We went through the melons, bananas, fresh figs, mangoes and something
that looked, and tasted like sour cherries but had 2 seeds.

   "Oh, here comes Eva," said Brenda, "I hope nobody's complaining about
our lack of decorum."

   "Sorry I was delayed," She apologized, "A large school of flounders have
drifted in with the tide, and the staff is down the bay..."

   "And of course we would love to help." Amanda cried, jumping up.

   "Go ahead, but I must stay to look after the other guests," Smiled Eva,
"Head back down to the marina and look for the torches on the left.  Miriam
will tell you what to do..."

   "C'mon guys, the fish are waiting!"

   We scrambled down the track which is now lit with small solar lights. 
Flickering torchlight took us to a tiny jetty at the far end of the marina.
There, amid shouts of glee, the staff are pulling in the huge flatfish,
many looked like they were at least twenty pounds.

   Everyone still without a fish was following a man who was wading slowly
in the water along the broken down pier.  He held a diving torch in one
hand and, in the other, a long wooden spear with a dark iron tip.  He
stopped and we all waited with him.  Then, with a powerful lunge he speared
it downward, into another monster fish.

   The fish churned the sand, trying to swim away, but the iron tip
remained in its body.  A rope, tied to the spearhead, ended in the hands of
one of the people following, who now has the job of wrestling the giant
onto the shore.

   "You want to try?" Miriam, the cook asked me.

   "Yes he would!" Said Amanda, "With my help."

   "No girl, no flipflops - sea urchins here: ver' sharp needles!" Miriam
handed me the rope, "Wrap around waist.  Fish strong, very strong!"

   The man with the spear had just connected with a fish and now he waved
me forward, "I'm Zack, you ready for big fish?"

   "I think so..." I said, "My name is James." I added.

   "Sure t'ing James, follow me, not too close.  I stop, you stop.  I go,
you go."

   He waded off to the side into about 30 inches of water, away from the
thrashing fish are still being man-handled to the shore.  "Fish waking up
now, start moving away." He said, then he whispered, "Stop, look here..."
He moved his torch and I could make out a rectangular shape almost
completely covered in the sand.  "Stingray, stay away." He backed us off
and gently prodded it until it swam off, "He no harm 'til you make him mad,
then he kill you dead."

   A few steps later he stopped, "Make ready now.  Take line in, 'cept for
a bit." I did as he told me, taking the rope in except for a little slack.
"He run, you pull back, slow-like.  Ready now..." His spear flashed and the
rope snapped tight, almost spinning me into the water.  Although strong,
the flounder did not have the darting moves of a faster fish, and I could
tow it back to the beach at a steady pace.

   Long iron-hooked gaffs helped me load the fish into a wheelbarrow, where
Miriam killed it and removed the spearhead with a knife.

   "See?  Small mouth, eat teeny shrimp and fish." She told Amanda, "We
leave food, chopped up after meals under pier and they come for supper. 
Tide go out and we catch them for tomorrow's supper!"

   We spent another 20 minutes helping them bring more fish in, until the
tide took the school back out to sea, then sat around a fire built in an
oil drum after cleaning and filleting the fish.  The fish bones were
roasted over the flames and we snacked on pieces of succulent fish meat
with our fingers.

   Someone came in with buckets of clams they had been digging from the
beach and they were cooked in a pot over the fire.

   Eva showed up with her husband, Donnie, and, from a cooler the were
carrying they produced rum and beer for all.  "Try this," she handed me a
beer, "Kalik beer is known as the best beer in the world, but we drink so
much of it they are not available for sale anywhere else."

   I took a sip, "Amazing...  this is really good." The taste was sweet and
mellow, without any of the bitterness that hops sometimes get.  The girls
all tried a sip, but returned to something non-alcoholic called Goombay
Punch instead.

   Zack also joined us, bringing a young woman called Hazel, who operated
the dive shop at the marina.

   "You be good with fish." Zack complimented me, "You be good fisherman."

   "James likes to eat, so it's more like a necessity." Said Sherri.

   "And he keep all three pretty girls to himself?"

   "We're keeping watch on him for our friends." Sherri continued, "He's
what you might call high-maintenance."

   "From what I've seen, you have a most unusual relationship with each
other!" Eva said.

   "I guess," I said, "We just have a very complete understanding between
ourselves."

   "Are there more of you?  Or is there a fixed number?"

   "There are just the eight of us..." Amanda added.

   "And you're fine with that?"

   "We're more than fine, we're family, co-workers, best friends, and, when
we have the chance, lovers." Brenda stated.

   "Although some are bossier than others." Amanda said.

   "Right on!" We all looked at her.

   "Why are you looking at me?" She turned to Eva, "I'm the youngest, so
they all take advantage of me..." She sighed, "But what can I do?  I've
resigned myself to a life of abject misery!"

   "Our Mandie may be young, but she's the smartest one, so she runs rings
around us!" I hugged her.

   "She also gets to play with the greatest toys," Brenda said, "Like the
plane I flew in.  That's hers."

   "You have another one, so don't expect me to get all teary about it!"

   "Tell us a bit about yourself, Eva.  Your accent says you're not from
these parts."

   "Uhhh...  I think I should let Donnie tell it..." She turned to her
husband and kissed him.  "Go ahead dear, tell them how I fell into your
arms."

   "Ahh...  This was three years back...  I was diving for crayfish and
conch around Crab Cay when a big sloop show up.  This pretty white girl saw
me and jumped overboard and I married her!"

   "No, it's not quite that simple...  I guess I should tell it after all!"
Eva laughed, "After my degree I came to the Caribbean on an internship at
the Shark Station.  After that, I was offered a job as mate for a fortnight
on a 50-foot sailboat out of St Thomas .  The pay was OK, but most of all,
it meant I didn't have to leave this beautiful place to return to a
Canadian winter.

   "What they did not tell me was I was expected to be a 'mate' in all
senses of the word.  We had anchored in one of the deserted coves north of
here when I was told of my new duties...  They were holding the captain at
knifepoint when he tried to help me, and he kept telling me to jump and
swim ashore.  Then I saw this big black guy with a spear standing on the
rocks and, with the waves crashing around him, he looked like an angel sent
from on high." She caressed Donnie, "He put me in his rickety boat and he
took me through a maze of reefs until they gave up looking for me.

   "My big hero took us here and Mr Bentel radioed the constabulary in
Abaco.  But by the next morning, the boat had lifted anchor.  They were
finally tracked back to the Virgin Isles.  The real owners claimed that the
boat was rented to some billionaire from the mid-east, which is probably
true, since they spoke no English.

   "I was without money or a passport, but Colin got me a temporary visa so
I could work here.  Everyone was so kind to me...  and Donnie stayed with
me.  He made everything good again and I could feel I belonged here, with
him.

   "Then a few weeks later, I got mail from the captain who'd tried to help
me.  He had to find out where I was staying, then forwarded my passport and
a check from some company in Dubai for $50,000.  He'd threatened to tell
the press unless they made restitutions.

   "With the money, we got a little place and Donnie got his electrician's
license from Nassau."

   "And next year, they had the most beautiful wedding," Miriam added, "We
sail out to the 'Heart of the Sea' Rock.  It was at low tide, and even so
only the preacher and them two could stand on it.  The rest, we stay in
boat.  It was just lovely!"

   "So...  That was my adventure, or MIS-adventure.  But everything worked
out well in the end.  I got a great job, met some wonderful people, and
married the greatest guy in the world!" She smiled.

   "Wow, I'd never guess things like that could still happen!" Amanda said.

   "They've become much better now - but the oceans are too big to be
patrolled completely, so piracy is still a concern in some places, but
fortunately, not hereabouts."

   "You said you worked at a Shark Station, what is that?"

   "Oh, that's on South Bimini Island.  It's a world famous Shark Research
facility operated by Miami U.  They offer summer internships for
undergraduates.  We live and work with the researchers to learn more about
the most feared predator on earth."

   "Sounds fascinating!"

   "Yeah - you really get to appreciate the shark's abilities and why they
are considered the ultimate feeding machines.  But even with those skills,
they are almost hunted to extinction."

   "Have you gone back there since?"

   "No - we email sometimes but things are really changing for the worse
there.  A huge resort complex has taken over the island and the pollution
is driving away the larger fish and ruining the feeding grounds.  I've just
been so busy and--" She touched Donnie's face, "--so happy that I've never
made the effort..."

   "Donnie, do you still fish for crayfish and conch?" Amanda asked
eagerly.

   "Yes, when I have time..."

   "Ah, but do you have time, like tomorrow?"

   "You like a guide?"

   "Yeah - we want you to show us everything!"

   "I show you around - be here tomorrow morning.  Ten o'clock." Donnie
said, "Eva has Pilates class at the House then."

   "You teach Pilates too?"

   "Yeah, I hold a class every Saturday for the towns people and guests who
want to join in, then we follow that with brunch."

   "Ahh, then count James in!"

   "And you should know that tomorrow night there'll be a cookout down at
the beach."

   "Ahhh, now it'll be impossible to get rid of us!"

   "You do work here?" Zack asked me.

   "Zack," Eva told him, "These people are Mr Bentel's guests."

   "We'll be doing work here too," Brenda said, "We want to see if the boat
rental idea will work."

   "Never work with the Carvers," Zack said, "They shit."

   "We heard," Amanda laughed, "The old Evinrude motors are just junk."

   "You say rightly, girl!  You have Carver?"

   "No, but I work with engines, so I know the crap Mercury was making in
the eighties."

   "Your boats, what kind you use?"

   "It'll be similar to the one we came in on, with dual diesel engines."

   "Look like rich man toy!"

   "And you're looking at the toy-maker himself!" Amanda said, pointing at
me, "He designed it!"

   "You be building that boat?"

   "Yes," I nodded, "Come here tomorrow morning - we'll go for a ride and
you can tell us what you think!"

   "I will come - bring Hazel too." He indicated the young, attractive
woman next to him.

   "Let's set it up then, you'll meet here at ten, and go for your boat
ride.  Come back at noon, after my Pilates class, and we'll have a brunch
fit for James set up by then!" She rose and pulled Donnie up, "With that I
will bid you all goodnight.  James, ladies, if you would come with us,
we'll get your gear settled in your suite..."

   We went around a grove of palm trees to the main marina and on to
'Jester'.  Donnie looked thoughtfully at it.

   "Small boat..." He said.

   "Yeah - we've been ocean testing her since the beginning of the year. 
And after the trip from Daytona today, I think she's ready."

   "You sail her all the way from Daytona?" He said thoughtfully, "Lot of
open ocean to cross!"

   "Yeah," I showed them the sea-panels running along the aft edge of the
boat, "Brenda designed it to channel waves from the sides to limit the
tossing you get from it, and it lets us go through four foot waves at top
speed.  It's so unique she has taken a patent out on it.  We'll have a
chance to try it out tomorrow!"

   The girls came up with their backpacks and Brenda said, "Go ahead with
Eva, guys, I'll bring James after we collect his stuff!"

   "Sure..." Amanda looked at us, "No fooling around!"

   "Fool around?  Us?"

   "You think they'd notice if we did a LITTLE bit of fooling around?"
Brenda whispered in my ear.

   "I won't tell..." I whispered back, "Besides, I've been waiting to find
out if you're wearing a bra..."

   Brenda's dark beige off-the-shoulder top had a fringe that more or less
hid what was underneath, but it was the hip-hugging low-riders and the
flashes of flat tummy that made it difficult to concentrate.

   "You mean you couldn't tell?" She took my hand and slid it under her
blouse.  "Mmmm...  Does this answer your question?  And why would I wear a
bra to meet my lover?"

   "You did a hell of a lot more than that honey, you were just brilliant
today!!"

   "The Bentels are a sweet couple, and deserves better than what Marshall
did to them.  Besides, I didn't know things were gonna happen so fast when
I was told to report for duty!" She laughed, and kissed me, "Let's forget
about business, I want to be romantic instead."

   "There's one more piece of business..." I sat at the stern lounger and
pulled her on my lap.  I kissed her, "I want you to stay for the week."

   "Ah...  OK." She smiled.

   "What?  No fighting and arguing?"

   "Your wish, my master..." She leaned her head on my shoulder and sighed,
"I called Deanna, she and Anna'll look after things until I return... 
Besides,they know how to get hold of me now, and I can fly back in less
than two hours."

   "I really have a good feeling about this venture, like you said, the
Bentels are good people."

   "But don't lose sight of the big picture, baby - Amanda can afford to go
headlong into her projects, because she can come up with answers so
quickly! Remember that the projected sales of the Sabre-25 alone is worth
almost 15 times the worth of this property."

   "If it's your subtle way of reminding me about the sea-trial, we had a
good day today.  We had a steady cross-current of three knots and
four-to-five foot waves, even chops as we cleared the sound.  Your panels
are doing their job and no surprises."

   "That's good, although I've had sims running in the tanks continuously."
At my look, she added, "You think I'd let my man and my favorite girls
venture off in a boat I don't feel 99% about?"

   "It must be hard riding herd on a bunch of irresponsible kids like us."
I sighed.  "I'm sorry..."

   "No, don't be - that is what makes us who we are!  And that is why I
love you so much!" She kissed me, "But we are getting to the point that
there are more fires than buckets.  Have you thought about what will happen
to Marshall?  And the marina?"

   "Not much...  except I'm glad we're out..."

   "What will happen to Regan when the dealership goes under?" She asked,
"What will happen to the money we have tied up in inventory if it goes into
receivership?  It is important we look at the overall picture - not just at
the immediate!"

   "Yeah...  my mind doesn't work that quickly."

   "It'll come, babe, but as I said, we ARE stretched thin.  We need the
mature James here too!" She snuggled close, "Be my wonderful, romantic
James..." She kissed me, "But spend a few moments now and then to consider
what else is being impacted..."

   "I will, I promise." I stroked her face, "and I AM very sorry for making
you work so hard to keep me happy..."

   "That is very much MY pleasure!" She smiled.

   "Not just for this - but how I pushed you with the Sabre-25.  It seemed
a good idea at the time..."

   "It WAS a good idea!  And, to be honest, if you hadn't, maybe I would
not have gone ahead with the project!"

   "Really?"

   "Maybe - but I knew how much you wanted it...  As it is, your design
could well be the best thing for Regan yet: the downturn of the economy has
brought back demand for the compacts, and the 25 makes a lot of sense - pay
25% more and get twice the boat - It's a roomy, ocean-capable cabin cruiser
that can match many ski-boats in speed and economy.  It's not just good for
the consumer, but now we can use the one model to replace three other
models - so I'd even go so far as to say you were quite brilliant!

   "And your push to have it finished took everyone by surprise, which
means we now have a huge jump on the competition.  Jules is projecting a
virtual lockup for three more seasons.  And she may model the next
Intercoastal 'monster' after the 25 as well, and by then, who knows, we'll
have a new generation of the Sabre!"

   "I like the way you can say it without blushing and fidgetting!"

   "I AM getting used to it I guess," She wrapped her arms around my neck,
"You, my dearest love, is the reason I blush and fidget most of the time!
Especially when your thing is poking me on my bum!"

   "I would've tried more if I thought I could get you out of your jeans!"

   "These Habis are the greatest, they look tight, but they have zips all
over to help one get in, or out, of them!  Here..." She guided my hand
around her back...  Feel it...?  Ahh..." She gasped, "Ooooh!  Bad boy!"

   "These thong things are the best inventions.  Not only do they cover
nothing, it actually guides the fingers to the important bits!" I
marvelled. "Let's try the zip in front..."

   "Oh...  oh god..." Brenda leaned on me, shaking, "Quick, take your pants
off...  I want you..."

   "On the deck?"

   "Yeah, babe, anywhere, just shut up and fuck me..."

   "Ah yes, the messed up hair, the glazed look and the post-coital
blush..." Amanda laughed sleepily from the big bed in the bedroom, where
she was laying in Sherri's embrace.  They were quite naked and glowing from
exercise themselves.

   "Listen, Bren and I had a talk," I sat down beside them, "It's possible
Marshall's operation will be closed down if he's arrested.  And we will
have to take over running it if we're to protect Regan's investments."

   "Whoa, you know how much work is involved?"

   "Still...  it's not fair that Brenda and Jules have to work themselves
ragged - plus we'll be in Daytona anyways."

   Brenda had taken her clothes off and slipped in beside Amanda, "Come to
bed babe, we'll have the weekend to work on it.  Tomorrow we can check with
Nicole and Jules to see how things have played out."

   "We should talk to Jules about the new stuff we got on Oddball too."

   "What stuff...?"

   "We think we can modify Oddball to locate sleet and storm systems up to
maybe 10 miles away.  It found a squall..." I stopped as it became apparent
Brenda had fallen asleep in Amanda's arms.

   "Let them sleep, love..." Sherri whispered and helped me undress.

   I yawned.  "I just realized this is my first land-based bed in a long
time!"

   "And this my first James-based bed in even longer!" Sherri fit herself
over me, "Goodnight my lovely man..."

   = = = = =



   (C) Copyright 2001-2008.  MikeC. All Rights Reserved. All Reproduction
for fee or profit forbidden.

   Copies of this and other stories can be downloaded from:
<http://www.asstr.org/files/Authors/MikeC/JAMES/Sun&Sea/>