Homer Bait and Switch: Southwest of Homer, #1

By Cherime MacFarlane

There's a new girl in Homer, Lynn. Rurik feels the pull the moment he spots her. His reputation is against him and he knows it. The other girls in town have nicknamed him the Russian Raider. She'll hear it and probably a bunch of other stuff. In a small town, people talk.

Lynn's mother took off when she was still an infant. Her mother's dead and her father dies before she meets him. She's inherited part of a sporting good's store, Homer Bait and Switch. Can she make a life in a place her mother hated?

There is one item of interest. The big, blond commercial fisherman she locates in the viewfinder of her camera on the deck of a vessel leaving the harbor. When she discovers his nickname, Lynn isn't sure she wants to know him better.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cherime MacFarlane
• Release date: Jul 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201535629

Cherime MacFarlane

Meet Award-Winning, Best-Selling Author Cherime MacFarlane. A prolific multi-genre author, she has a broad range of interests that reflect her been there-done that life. Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal, all sorts of characters and plots evolve from a vivid imagination. As a reporter for the Copper Valley Views, Cherime MacFarlane received a letter of commendation from the Copper River Native Association for fair and balanced reporting. She was part of the Amazon Best Selling in Anthologies and Holidays, and Fantasy Anthologies and Short Stories. The Other Side of Dusk was a finalist in the McGrath house award of 2017.

Book preview

Chapter One

Rurik picked Lexie up from the bunk in the Maddox boat. The cops had all left. Irene and her new squeeze, Fawke, were sound asleep on the benches around the table in the power boat. It was time to get his friend out of any possible trouble and into some place comfortable.

In the morning he might need to bail Ally out. But he didn’t think the Homer police had taken anyone to jail. Long and detailed tickets were better for the city coffers and didn’t fill the cells. He and Ally had booked a room at the motel near the lake. Rurik planned to take Lexie there and put her to bed.

Wired and not ready to give it up, there wasn’t much to do at this hour of the morning. Rurik had one place he could go. The fishing vessel his sister Ally captained, and he crewed on sat in the boat yard.

Come morning; Ally would pay the fees to bail it out of drydock and get the Arina into the bay. They were going fishing as soon as the old girl settled in the water. Lexie had agreed to go along.

The slim, petite young woman snuggled into his embrace. Ally wondered what in the world had come over her usually irresponsible brother. Rurik wasn’t sure exactly what happened either. After meeting Lexie on a cruise ship while he was on the run with the money to pay for the work being done on the boat, he just felt protective.

It wasn’t a romantic thing at all; he looked on her like a kid sister. She acted so cocksure and brash. But he knew better. The one time the girl got a little too high on some fancy drink, a lot of her insecurities and issues came out. Rurik sobered her up and made sure none of the jerks hanging around took advantage of the kid.

All those years of fishing had left him strong and agile. When he stood behind the young woman and glared at the low lives, they all backed off. Not that he let Lexie catch him intimidating the little pricks that would have earned him a lecture. Ally lectured him enough; he wasn’t ready to hear it from Lexie.

It was the reason he had boldly announced that Lexie was just a kid to the people at the end-of-season bash on the beach. For all Smitty’s supposed love for Irene, ‘Ornery’ Maddox, Rurik knew he played around. The look Smitty gave Lexie almost had her stripped and on the sand. Rurik’s reaction to that was ‘over my dead body.’ If the letch got within twenty feet of Lexie, Rurik planned to wipe the entire beach with the dude.

His vehicle sat parked off to the side instead of blocking access to the spit. Rurik assumed the cops made his sister move the thing. That was no problem he had a spare key hidden on the truck. Ally’s vehicle was nowhere he could see. That must mean his older sister had been able to talk the law out of the maximum penalty.

The breeze freshened, and Lexie shivered a little in his arms. He crooned a portion of a lullaby his mother used to sing to him as a child, and she got quiet. Rurik managed to squat down still holding the girl beside the front of the pickup. The key was right where it should be. He opened the passenger side door and slid Lexie inside. It was time to get to the room.

Once he got everything arranged, he carried his charge into the motel. Rurik placed her next to Ally and left. There was work to be done in the Arina if they wanted to get her into the water come morning.

If he got tired enough to sleep, there were bunks on the vessel. He had spent almost his entire life on that fishing boat. It was one reason he took the money and partied hearty before Ally caught up to him.

But Rurik let her find him. It was time to go home. Cod season was coming up, and he wanted to give Lexie a taste of a different sort of life. The kid thought Alaska might be fun.

He drove out of the parking lot and headed for the boat yard. There was fun, and there was fishing. The two things might both start with ‘f’ but that was where the resemblance ended.

On the boat, he got busy ticking off the chores. After a couple of hours, he finally felt tired enough to grab a nap. The tall blond fisherman toed his tennis shoes off, and Rurik got into the bunk he usually took while at sea. Ally would wake him when she and Lexie got there.

Lexie’s gurgle of laughter when she poked at him and he groaned in response had Rurik opening one eye. She flipped the edge of the blanket off his head and pushed one finger at his chest.

It’s daylight, why are you still asleep?

Didn’t anyone ever teach you respect? You’re not supposed to give bears a hard time.

You don’t look like a bear, they’re much nicer looking.

With a mock growl, Rurik put one arm around the young girl’s waist and pulled her into the bottom bunk. Lexie squealed as she tried to catch her breath between tickle attacks by Rurik

What in the world are you two doing in there? Do I have to send in the cops? Ally yelled before yanking open the door to the bunk room.

Ally! He won’t stop!

Leaning against the door jamb, Alyona Ksana Petrov, Captain of the fishing vessel Arina smiled as she shook her head. Ally to her friends, Rurik’s older sister had been doubtful about the relationship when Rurik hauled in his stray. Lexie was certainly a stray. Somehow Lexie brought out the best in her errant, man whore of a younger brother.

That alone proved to be reason enough to kill any argument Ally might have had for taking the girl out fishing with them. Anything that had a good influence on Rurik, worked for her. Ally wondered how long the young woman would last on the boat when they really started fishing. As long as Rurik took care of the girl it didn’t matter to Ally.

Hey you two. We need to get on with getting the old girl back in the water. We’re paid up through today and that’s it.

Here you go Doll. Rurik pushed Lexie out of the bunk and held on to her while the girl struggled to stand upright. Chill, Ally. I worked most of the night after I dropped Lexie off. We’re ready. Once we’re in the water we can check the main engine out and the other stuff, we need to be floating to get done.

Thanks! Good job, Rurik. That makes the text I got from Aunt Zia a little less difficult.

Rolling to the side, he ducked his head and slid out of the bunk, Rurik pushed to his feet. What kind of crud is Aunt Zia up to now?

He turned to grin at Lexie. Hey, Doll can you use a coffee maker?

Sure. What kind of idiot kid do you think I am? Lexie lunged toward Rurik and he pushed her away with one hand.

Maybe a teenager with an attitude? How about a dudette who thinks she’s hot? Any of those work for you, Doll? Put on a pot of coffee, Hot Stuff. Sounds like I might need it.

With a giggle, the little blonde went back into the galley area. Ally watched Lexie flounce off then turned back to Rurik. He ran both hands through his blond hair and grinned at his older sister. I’ll make a decent galley slave out of that kid yet.

Don’t count your slaves until we’re a hundred miles out and there’s no opportunity for escape. We didn’t have any choice; she does.

Rurik’s grin widened, and he waved in the direction of the galley. Let’s go. I need the coffee and we need to make sure she doesn’t blow up anything.

At the built-in table, Rurik stood for a moment as he watched Lexie get the coffee maker going. Then he sat on the bench. Ally took a seat across from him. It seems Auntie Zia has convinced Mom it’s a good idea to move out to Nikolaevsk.

Oh, hell no! Rurik’s lackadaisical manner vanished in an instant. Damn it all to hell and gone, I knew Mom’s moving in with Aunt Zia was a shitty idea.

She sure couldn’t stay in Seldovia by herself. Mom’s too old to be hauling wood without help. Then there’s that damn driveway. Every time I think about her sliding down the thing when it’s covered in ice, my heart damn near stops.

Dad didn’t want her moving there!

And Dad’s not here to handle any of it. If we don’t run the frickin boat, there won’t be money to do anything. Aunt Zia says they need to move out to take care of Isshy’s kids so he can take his boat out.

Rurik, you want the first cup? Lexie’s voice had lost its playful lilt.

Please. While we wait for the stuff, come over and sit next to me. There’s nothing to worry about. He slid over to give Lexie room on the bench. I’m pretty sure all Aunt Zia is looking for is help moving.

He glanced up at Ally. That about it?

It is. If we can get it done tomorrow, she swears everything is in boxes, then we can be out working the day after. Alright?

There isn’t a damn thing alright about them moving out there. Isshy’s place is a whole lot harder to get to than the house in Nikiski. And I don’t want all her money going to feed Isshy’s lazy frickin brother-in-law. Isshy is okay, he works.

Ally’s eyebrows went up a couple of inches.

Do not say a word and do not give me that damn look. I pull my weight on this fishing boat, always have.

Did I say a lousy word? Is your conscience eating at you little brother?

Lexie rose to grab a cup. She expertly pulled the pot out of the stream of dark liquid and jammed the cup under the flow. When it was filled, she repeated the process and returned the carafe to its place.

When one cup found its way in front of him, Rurik acknowledged it with a nod. Alright, but I have a feeling this move is going to cause us nothing but trouble. And we are not sharing any fishing info with Isshy, not one blasted coordinate.

Ally thanked Lexie for the coffee and took a sip. Agreed on all counts. Now, drink up. The yard is getting us into the water in about an hour.

Chapter Two

Rurik took a quick break swearing he needed to run down the corridor to the john. He wanted to have a quick word with his mother. No matter what Ally said, he had to take one shot at talking his mother and aunt out of the move.

Nikolaevsk was off the North Fork Road, at the end of the pavement. Nikiski was far enough from Homer. The small Old Believer village sat even farther off the main road. If something went wrong, either of them fell or became ill; they would have to depend on Isshy or his lazy, good-for-nothing brother-in-law.

On the far side of the portable john, Rurik took out his cell and called Momma. Yes, it’s me. No, Momma, I didn’t spend all the money Ally needed to pay for the work on the Arina. About the move? You realize that's a bad idea. What if something happens...I understand Isshy needs help, what about Yakob? That one would make good crab pot bait.

When his fist clenched, Rurik forced it to relax. Getting angry at his mother wouldn’t help. Pa is rolling in his grave. You know he didn’t want you moving back there. They drink too damn...sorry, Momma. Alright! Ally and I will take care of the boxes and the heavy shit...But, Momma, listen a minute. No, it’s important, and it’s not about Nikolaevsk. I’m bringing a friend to the house to help with the move. A girl. She’s not a girlfriend, just a friend, more like a kid sister. I wanted to tell you about her before Lexie gets there. She’s just a kid, and I don’t have any designs on her. Seriously, Lexie doesn’t have a great home life, and I brought her up here to get away from everything. Ally and I are taking her out for the season. Hey, stop laughing for a minute. Listen, I gotta go. They are going to be here any minute to get the Arina back in the water. See you tomorrow.

He ended the call and shoved the phone in his pants pocket mumbling to himself, What’s so damn funny about me wanting to help someone out?

A picture of him waking up on the beach where all the fireworks exploded flashed into his head. Then there was the Caribbean Cruise. He zipped up his jeans and banged out the door. The lift to move the boat was moving slowly toward their fishing boat. Rurik broke into a run and hurried back to the vessel.

A tiny little voice that sounded a lot like his father blasted him with a thought; in many ways, he was as bad as Yakob. Rurik increased his pace with a slight shake of his head. He wasn’t ready to look at that too close.

Rurik recalled telling someone; he thought it was Irene, that the women in his family had spoiled him, and he wasn’t ready to get responsible yet. As he swung aboard the Arina, he had to admit to himself by bringing Lexie to Alaska, he assumed an adult status.

It was no wonder Ally looked at him funny when she found him with Lexie in Dawson City. That first glance, the one that clearly said ‘she’s a child’ had him blushing. Rurik was aware of Lexie’s level of maturity, akin to a ninth grader in Alaska.

The real reason he took the funds earmarked for the Arina’s repair and left for parts unknown was the nagging suspicion that if he didn’t get away now, he never would. Three years younger than his sister, Ally would be thirty the following spring, and all she did was fish.

On board the ship, he helped rig it for transport back into Kachemak Bay. The three of them had to leave the vessel while the boat yard transported it out to the water. Once the Arina was safely afloat, Rurik tossed his truck keys to Lexie.

You know how to get back to the marina out on the spit?

A big grin split her face. Aren’t you going to ask if I have a license?

Rurik shook his head. All I want to know is; can you drive that old thing? It’s only a couple of miles. Go west on Kachemak Drive.

Lexie gave him a funny look. Turn left, in the direction the sun is setting. When you get to Homer Spit Road, take another left. Now, can you get that big beast there without taking out half the Spit?

The cocky smile and nod of her head were supposed to mean Lexie could without saying anything. Rurik wasn’t about to let her off the hook so easily. He stuck a hand out, palm up. Not good enough, Doll. Yes or no?

Lexie’s lips pursed, and Rurik could see the pout forming. He wiggled his fingers. Give ‘em back if you can’t answer the question.

Lexie clutched the keys in her hand and dropped it to her side. I can. And I do have a license. It’s not for Alaska.

No problem. Ally and I need to check a few things out. We should be in the marina and docked in about an hour. Hang tight in the truck once you park it in the lot. We’ll spend the night on the Arina. You and I will take off to the grocery store after we take Ally to get her pickup. You got it?

Sure. Her little grin returned. Promise I won’t hit anything.

Good. We’ll see you in the harbor. Rurik watched her scamper off from the wharf. He got back on board and tossed first the bow then the stern lines off.

Ally had been watching from the wheelhouse. As soon as the last rope holding the Arina to the dock was gone, she directed the bow toward the bay. From the stern, Rurik watched Lexie cautiously back his large pickup into the lot. She slowly proceeded to drive toward the exit.

Rurik went forward to stand on the bow where Ally could see him if she needed anything. The bay was calm. The motion of the Arina created a breeze. For the first time in many years, he was content. It felt right being on deck. Rurik smiled and wondered if anyone would understand how much he needed that trip outside.

If he hadn’t made the money back gambling in Dawson City, he would have sold his truck to reimburse Ally. But he had to go and felt the better for having done so. Bringing Lexie up to Homer with him was paying it forward.

The Petrov brother and sister put the Arina through several tests before turning the bow toward the marina at the Spit. As soon as they moored the vessel, Lexie bounced over and handed Rurik his keys.

Not a scratch on it. I didn’t realize what fun it is to be that high up off the road. You can see everything. Are we leaving now?

With his free hand, Rurik ruffled her hair. As soon as Ally shuts everything down, we can go. What do you want for dinner tonight? Remember, we have company.

The wind increased, and the young woman pulled the collar of her coat up around her ears. Oh, yeah. Irene and her boyfriend are coming over, right?

Rurik put an arm around the thin shoulders, and Lexie snuggled up against him.

Ally came through the hatch and locked the door. You two ready? Has anyone decided what we want for dinner tonight? Whatever it is I’m not cooking.

How about one of those roasted chickens? That should be enough for all of us, Lexie suggested.

With a laugh, Ally started to walk away. Two of them might work. Then we can have chicken salad sandwiches with the leftovers tomorrow. Fawke and Ornery are going to help us move Momma and Auntie. When I told Irene about our being roped in, she volunteered.

A short distance up the pontoon, a tall blonde man stepped from the deck of a boat onto the dock. Ally stopped as he blocked their path to the stairs.

Evening Ally, Rurik. I see you’ve got the boat back. The big man wore a smirk. "From the sound of things, you two had a fly-by-night vacation.

Ally drew herself up stiffly. Rurik slipped between the couple. Hey there Tore. Yep, the Arina is going to give you some real competition in a couple of days. Let me introduce you to a friend of mine.

Tore’s pale blue eyes glanced at Rurik and then slid over Lexie. Before the other man could say something that Rurik would need to fight over, he pulled Lexie close against him. Lexie’s like a kid sister. She’s up here for the season. Lexie, meet Tore Olson, skipper of the Valley Girl.

Hi. When the young woman put out her hand, Tore hesitated for a moment, then took Lexie up on the offer.

Hello. Where are you from?

The Lower 48. Lexie wanted to take a break and see a little of the world. Rurik answered for her.

A greenhorn. That should be interesting, Tore looked over at Ally. Only a few inches shorter than Rurik, all three dwarfed the little girl.

I think she’ll do fine, Ally said.

It amused Rurik to see Ally come to Lexie’s defense. Then again Tore and Ally hardly ever agreed on anything. The Valley Girl’s captain had been giving Ally a hard time since the first day he moored in Homer. The man irritated Ally on land and sea. He never had a good word to say about Ally’s seamanship, a circumstance that angered his sister.

Ally pushed past Tore abruptly. We’ve got things to do and places to be. Catch you in the Sound, Olson.

Nice meeting you, Lexie’s breathy voice exclaimed as Rurik herded her past Olson.

They had to hurry to catch up with Ally. Her strides were long, and Rurik guessed she would have some comment to make about Tore Olson and the Valley Girl later. Whatever it was, it wouldn’t be flattering to the other skipper.

Chapter Three

Dinner was over. A second beer sat in front of those still seated on the wraparound bench. Ally rose from her position at the end of the table and motioned to Rurik. Why don’t you let Lexie out. She can pick the meat off the chicken carcasses.

He slid out of the booth. Lexie looked at Rurik then over to Ally. I don’t know how to do that.

It’s not hard. Come over here and I’ll show you how it’s done. Ally pulled the bits of meat away from the bones and tossed them into a bowl.

Eeew. My fingers are going to get greasy! Lexie grabbed for a paper towel and Ally pushed her hand aside.

Just get it done. Worry about cleaning your hands later. Ally took a napkin and wiped the chicken residue from her fingers while giving Rurik a sharp look.

Rurik took a step behind Lexie and whispered in her ear. The girl followed him back toward the bunk area.

Ally is the captain of the Arina. No matter what she tells you to do, you do it. There can’t be any discussion or argument. This ship and the crew are her responsibility. If you can’t agree to obey I have to send you home.

Lexie’s eyes got big. I don’t want to go back right now.

With a nod, Rurik patted her shoulder. Okay, then you’re going to do what you’re told, right?

We aren’t at sea yet.

Nope, not the way it works kiddo. We may be at the dock, but we’re on board and Ally calls the shots, every last friggin one. Doesn’t matter if it’s playing in fish slime to washing down the kitchen sink, that is the way it has to be.

Lexie sighed. Okay. I’ll do it. But...

Forget the word but, it’s not in a deckhand’s vocabulary. Okay works.

With her brow furrowed, the young woman made a yuk face. Alright. I get the message.

Good. Now you get all the meat off those bones and let me get back in there. You need to pay attention while you’re working. We’re about to talk boat business and I don’t want you coming back later and saying you didn’t get it.

Lexie went back to pulling the chickens apart and Rurik sat down at the table with his beer. Ally gave him a nod in acknowledgment of his talk with Lexie. After a quick salute in her direction with the beer bottle, Rurik turned his attention to Irene and Fawke.

They sat side by side on the part of the ‘u’ shaped bench that backed up against the wrap around windows on the starboard side of the Arina’s wheelhouse. Fawke was rolling the beer bottle between his palms. Irene looked about to live up to her nickname of ‘Ornery.’ A frown and the straight line of her mouth meant someone was in trouble.

What’s up Ornery? You look ready to spit nails, Rurik tried to keep the humor out of his voice. Once the woman got going, there wasn’t much that could stop her.

Damn Smitty stuck his nose in to our business.

Fawke let go of the bottle with his left hand and put an arm around his girlfriend. Rurik sat back against the cushion behind him and sighed. Her ex-boyfriend, Smitty, was about to get the shit beat out of him by one of these two if he wasn’t careful.

The Cajun transplant from Louisiana glanced up at Ally then Rurik. I had a chance at a berth on a Bering Sea crabber. That was until Smitty said something about my getting drunk and causing a ruckus in the Old Salt Bar.

And I intend to clean his clock, Ornery stuck in.

Non, cher. No can do. That will only reinforce the bullshit the man’s been tossing around. Fawke kissed the top of her blonde head. Irene suggested I talk to you both about a job. But if you don’t have room for another crewman, or need one, with a shrug he picked up his bottle and took a sip of the amber liquid.

Ally looked at the couple. They were truly a case of opposites attracting. Fawke, the Cajun was burned a deep tan from delivering for the Mexican restaurant on his Harley all summer. Fawke’s long black hair was tied back and his dark eyes were guarded.

Irene ‘Ornery’ Maddox was Ally’s best friend. Short, a hair over four foot eight inches, Ornery was a bouncer at the Old Salt Bar. The woman possessed a degree in psychology that would never get used if leaving Homer was the key.

There was the sound of the metal bowl hitting the rail around the stove. It seemed Lexie behind him was listening. Rurik wanted her to feel included.

Rurik is deck boss here, I’m gonna let him take over.

Ally’s declaration took him by surprise. Deck boss? That was a new one. Trying not to let anyone see his surprise, Rurik took a sip of beer. What the hell! Are you a straight greenhorn?

Nope. Before my Auntie Shay tried to burn the house down I spent a season on a shrimp boat on the Gulf of Mexico. He played with the beer bottle for a minute before continuing with the story. She nearly drowned. Her brain was oxygen starved and must have constant supervision. My sister was in school and until she finished her nursing course, I took care of everything.

That must have been rough. Rurik watched Fawke. They had met only a few days before at the end of the season bonfire on the beach. He hadn’t heard the other man’s story yet. Everyone who came to Alaska always had a story.

It was hard to find enough to do to keep the bills paid and my sister in school. When she finished, I signed everything over to her, sold Granddaddy’s old Chevy convertible for a good sum, divided it and left.

That covered the matter. Short and to the point. Then we don’t have to worry about you getting seasick and spending the entire season in a berth?

Fawke’s face split in a wide grin. Naw. I’ve been on the water all my life. I did a stint ‘gator hunting. And did a lot of fishing and hunting from a boat in the bayou. It supplemented our diet.

I’m good with taking you on. We really do need to hump it hard this year and next. We run a gill net for salmon, and jig for cod. There are a lot of times we’ve had to give up and head in sooner than we wanted to because it was just Ally and me. A couple of extra hands will help, Rurik turned to Ally. What do you say, Captain?

I’m ready to go big for a change. But how are we going to manage the crew quarters? I’m not giving up my bed.

Lexie! Rurik called out over his shoulder. Come here for a minute, Doll. This concerns you as well as Fawke and me.

When she stood at his left shoulder, Rurik reached out to tug her around where he could see her face. The crew all bunks in one room. Years ago, when it was just family, Ally had the top, port side bunk. You remember what port is?

That’s the left side facing forward, she replied.

Good girl. We had a curtain we put up for her. She got her wet gear off but undressed on the bunk behind the curtain. You’re my buddy and Fawke here has Ornery so neither of us has any interest in you as anything other than a crewman. Can you handle that?

There was a bit of doubt in the look she gave him, but the young girl nodded.

Doll talk to me. I need to hear words. Yes or no?

Yes. Lexie nodded. I can do it.

Fawke looked up at the girl and grinned. "Not to worry. I’ve had plenty of experience with female stuff.