Mermaids, Yachts & Love: Sea of Destiny Series

By Joni Dennis and Rick Doble

In this third book of the "Sea of Destiny" series, Breeze decides to jump ship before the new owner of “M/Y Night Crossing” shows up in her rodeo attire and cowboy boots. She travels the Bahamas and the Caribbean and back to Beaufort, her home port, all the while sailing, and cooking for charter guests and crew, and absorbing the local color.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781387679805

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Mermaids, Yachts & Love

Sea of Destiny Series

by

Joni Dennis

Front Matter

Copyright © 2022 by Joni Dennis

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission from the author.

For information regarding permissions, email [e-mail]

Cover Design: Rebecacovers

Editing: Rick Doble, Smyrna, NC

ISBN: 978-1-387-67980-5 

Dedication

I am so thankful to Joanne Gwalteny Ashton for showing me her photo album from when she was sailing on S/V Ppalu, a charter sailboat she had worked on in the Caribbean. By sharing them with me before I left on my first delivery, her pictures inspired me and kept me going even when I was looking down thirty foot seas. I kept the images of the turquoise waters, palm trees and the beautiful sunsets in the back of my mind, knowing I’d survive to see them…and I did.

Mike Montagne was the first captain that ever hired me to cook on board a yacht, S/V Isabelle, in my first book, Mermaids, Yachts & Rum. Through the forty years of knowing this gentle and talented man, he has been a brother to me. Unfortunately he, with so many of our crew family members, are sailing the sea of eternal light and love now. My captain, my captain…thank you…your light shines on.

Acknowledgments

Normally we don’t sit around and think about our lives and how we’ve lived it on any given day. Until I started writing these books, I had no idea of how much life I’ve lived in the time I’ve been on this Earth. When I stop and contemplate it, I can’t believe I’m still alive. I must have angels all around me because I’m here to write about those moments and hopefully inspire you…the reader...so on that note...I would like to acknowledge God and the angels that have surrounded me… through…the waves of time.

Preface

By Rick Doble

Editor of the 1st, 2nd & 3rd books

by Joni Dennis in her Sea of Destiny series

This is Joni's third book and by now she is a seasoned sailor, having crossed the Atlantic twice and been the chef on large yachts for several years.

In this book she dives a little deeper, not only into the magnificent landscapes and seascapes of unspoiled islands and beaches with pink sand, but with the landscape of the human heart. Almost every story reveals a different aspect of her feelings and relationships with others, the beauty but also the harshness of the real world such as the tragic sense of loss at the end of a lifetime and falling deeply in love.

From idyllic islands in the Bahamas that were taken over by drug lords, to a man in his eighties drinking whiskey for breakfast as he mourns for his recently deceased wife, to a treacherous driveway that ends up destroying a relationship, and to falling so far in love that the world changes, she experiences the highs and lows of emotions.

Like all of Joni's books, these stories are told in her unique style that is not standard writing, but gives you the feeling of being there with her, of it being real and of seeing it through her eyes. She has a wonderful eye for detail that brings a scene alive.

And more than the sights and sounds and even the feelings are Joni's way of looking at the world. It is her strength and her attitude that gives her the power to move on, even when threatened with a serious injury that might have required the amputation of her foot.

These books are not just about adventure, although there is plenty of that, but about how you deal with the world, how you face it while at the same time being true to yourself. Although you may never sail the seas, she brings a poignant story for every woman and man, that life is largely what you make of it, while dealing with those things, good and bad, that you never expected.

Part One:

THE BAHAMAS, A COUNTESS & A RIP-OFF

INTRODUCTION

About This Book

I have had people ask me at book events if everything I write about is real.

This book is a work of NON-FICTION. I’ve never told my readers this before, but think it’s important that you know this. When people ask me at the book events if it is all true...I want to be clear. It’s all real. I’ve never made up one person, or part of the story, which is my life. I have changed a few names but not many. I've never had to fill in or add anything to get a word count...just in case you had any doubts…Breeze

CHAPTER 1

M/Y Black Knight...Blue Bloods in the Bahamas

This whole situation with working and living on a Mega Yacht in a concrete jungle is getting real old about now. We’ve only left the dock two times since I stepped on-board three months ago, once to shoot an episode for Miami Vice and the other time to Key West with the owners and their guests. It’s time to get wet. I need to get to the Bahamas or St. Somewhere!

The newest owners of M/Y Night Crossing will be on soon with their cowboy boots and cowboy hats, bossing me around like a roped heifer. I’ve got to get off this boat. There is no time like the present.

There’s one thing that you can always count on when you're in need of a job and you’re on the biggest yacht in the marina...it won’t take long to get one. It’s not like when I first started out, when I’d have to go to the bars at happy hour to find one. This isn’t the protocol now. From every direction people are watching to see who is getting on and off this boat. People watchers with their binoculars in the wheelhouses are everywhere, and just a whisper of jumping ship will hopefully get me a job sooner than later!

The mate of M/Y Black Knight is standing on the dock puffing away on his Camel cigarette, assessing what his day is going to involve while drinking his coffee. I know the 'look'. Especially when he inhales so deeply. With that deep inhale comes deep thought, I’m sure. Startling him isn’t my plan, but he comes out of his nicotine induced trance and almost jumps as I tap him on his shoulder. His face is tanned and his voice horse, as he clears his throat to say hello.

I’m sorry if I startled you, I say with a little regret in my voice.

No problem. What’s up? He asks, as he straightens his back up a little.

Well, I’m looking for another job and was wondering if your boat needs a chef. It’s not that I’m being fired, because I’m not. I just don’t want to work for the new owners of the boat. I can’t sit on this dock any longer. Speaking honestly, I must sound crazy to purposely say that I want to get off this beautiful mega yacht.

Sizing me up isn’t even the way I’m feeling right now. He is drinking me in. I feel so vulnerable. I’m starting to think the silence is too heavy until all of a sudden he says, We need a chef for a month charter, starting next week. My jaw drops, and I realize that I’d been holding my breath.

OK, so what do I need to do? Hoping this isn’t a loaded question.

Well, the captain will have to interview you, and he’s not on-board right now. I’ll go call him and see when he’s available. I know he is looking for someone, for sure. How about I come over when I find out and knock on your hull to let you know? he says, sounding positive.

Yes, that’s cool. I’ll be across the dock.

As I step into Night Crossing’s saloon, with my booties and gloves on, and slide into the ice cold air-conditioning, I look down at the beautiful vessel and wonder what her back story is. She has a black hull and is all varnish on her top sides. There is no other yacht I’ve ever seen that looks like this. Talk about varnish...well, they’ve taken varnish to a whole other level, like the designer did to this boat...but with glass and mirrors. This is an eighty-something-foot yacht and the man hours to maintain the varnish is not even in a realm I’ve lived in, but then again, with all this glass and mirrors, I do have perspective. She is so beautiful. There doesn’t seem to be any more crew on-board as I stand behind the tinted windows watching and waiting for some stirring of life to surface, besides the mate.

Within ten minutes Jim comes knocking on the hull. I walk down our companionway and meet him on the dock. He clears his throat again and says, Here’s the address of the captain’s house and his phone number. He says to come by at five to meet him, and he’ll go from there.

OK, thank you Jim, and who knows, maybe we’ll be working together next week! I say in a very enthusiastic tone. He nods and turns around to go back to work, and I stuff the paper in my shorts pocket.

I’d like to say, the Yachting Industry has a pair of shorts that we have to wear, and it’s called Sportif. I don’t know what the fabric is made of but it’s the weirdest stuff I’ve ever worn. It’s called Stretch Twill Fabric. What’s in that? They tend to hug every part of your leg and butt. Personally, I think it’s very unforgiving, and some people just don’t need to wear them. BUT, it’s The True Crew Uniform that you have to stick to, when working on Stink Pots and maybe some sailboats? I’ve heard there’s a place on 17th St. called 'Smallwoods', and that’s where we have to go to get fitted for those shorts...hmmm...it looks like M/Y Black Knight is the kind of boat you have to get fitted for. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.

My crew are all kicking back now in the crews quarters on M/Y Night Crossing. Everyone is sitting in the lounge area doing different things. John the mate, is drinking a Mt. Dew most likely. It’s the only thing I know of that looks that neon color. The other guys are writing letters and watching TV. I don’t want to tell them I’ve got an interview. It’s something that I don’t want to Jinx, and any negative energy coming at me right now is just not possible!

I go to my room and call Norma. Norma, I’ve got an interview, do you think you can give me a ride? I ask quickly, knowing she’s working.

Why don’t you call Steve. He gets off work at 4:30, she suggests. Gotta run. See ya later. And I call Steve. He always answers the phone at the Hatteras of Lauderdale counter.

Sure, I’ll be in the parking lot, and we can go from there, he says as if it is no problem. Now I need to freshen up and change. Oh, what to wear? I guess shorts and a tee shirt. I don’t want to get dressed up, but I don't want to look too much like an island girl either. Todd, the deckhand starts talking about the boat, across the way (not knowing anything) and says it was the American’s Cup Committee boat forever. So she does have a back story! I can overhear him talking about it. He’s from New England, so I guess he’s seen her up that way too, while working on other yachts.

OK, guys. I’m out of here, I say without looking at them. It's a weird feeling...kinda like I’m hiding something. I feel like a traitor. No, I can’t think like that even though walking up the steps, I know that they could be my X-Crew soon. What a concept. Things can happen really quick with your living situation in this yachting world.

Steve is just pulling up. I’m glad he didn’t have to wait. Hey! I half hug him. So where we going? He smiles real big.

It’s really near where you and Martha live, about 4 blocks over, near the river. I didn’t want to be all sweaty for a job interview. I hope this didn’t put you out. I could have walked, I say, feeling awful to ask for a ride.

Look, don’t worry about it. You’re right. You don’t want to show up like that. He knows I’m nervous and is trying to make me feel at ease. We can go by the house and have a drink afterwards. Martha would love to see you. And now I can breathe.

We pull up to a beautiful home on the river with a dock, and an older man, with skin that looks like polished leather, opens the door and motions for us to come with him. We walk around the side of the house, and there’s the pool, the river and a dock. Nice set up! He’s drinking something on the rocks and asks us if we want anything. We both decline. He still hasn’t introduced himself, so I don’t know who he is. He could be the captain, but I’m waiting for him to say.

He asks me for my resume, and I give the one page to him. He lights a cigarette and then holds the paper far away from his face. In about 30 seconds, he is done. It’s not that long. It’s not like he has to turn the page and read on. I know that one day...someone will tun the page.

"Well, you’ve got the job if you want it. It pays $500.00 a week, plus tips. It’s a four week charter. We leave on Friday, a week to get there and a week afterwards too. You’ll have to start tomorrow. You’ll be on-board close to six weeks, getting the boat to the Bahamas and back with the charter and provisioning.

That means you’ll need some uniforms. (See I knew it!) I’ll give you $15,000 and the preference sheet so you can start provisioning tomorrow. We have an account at 'Smallwoods'. It’s around the corner from the liquor store. They will bill the owner, so go getcha some uniforms.

And that was it. He looks at me, as if he wants an answer.

Oh, yes, I can start tomorrow and that sounds great. I’m glad it will work out. Do I have a stewardess? I am definitely not going to be doing it all by myself, I’m thinking.

Yes, her name is Dianne, and she’ll be moving on-board this Wednesday. Not to worry. This is a very high profile yacht, and this is a high end charter, he tells me.

Breathing is a lot easier now, and I smile as I listen to him, still not knowing who he is. I am thankful, that’s all I can say. I’m gonna get out of the concrete jungle, and go new places, and maybe get my fins wet!

He asks us to wait while he gets me money to provision. I look at Steve and say, Can you believe this? I just got a job, and I still have one! I’ve got to pack up all my stuff on the boat tonight, and tell the crew goodbye, and then call the owner and the captain. I had no idea this would all happen so quickly. OMG. I have a lot to do! I say almost in a panic.

Yes, you’re gonna get out of here for awhile. But we’ll all be right here when you get back. Congratulations! Steve says.

Whoever the man is, he comes out of the house with a bag of cash. I feel a little sketched out by the bag but take it and put it in my backpack. Well, welcome aboard and good luck, he says, guessing he’s dismissing us. Steve and I say nice to meet you, and walk back to the car, and drive to he and Martha’s.

Do you think it’s weird that just happened like that?? I ask Steve. What do you mean? he wants to know. Well, I just got handed a ton of cash, and I don’t even know who gave it to me, but I’ve got a job. It definitely wasn’t like the job interview I was expecting, knowing that the boat is highly-tidy, I say bluntly.

You know something? I’ll bet your job interviews are all different because this is a different way of living. It’s in the moment. Your life can change in a puff of air. You are really living your life...every minute of it, Steve says as we get into the car and go. He’s right. This is normal for me...I guess.

You’ve got mail, before I forget to tell you. It’s just a letter but don’t forget to get it when we get home, Steve says. Who could it be from, I’m wondering. Anticipation. I don’t have any other way for people to reach me. My mom has to give my address out to people, so it’s really special for one to actually make it to me. I’m sure I still have mail in the Azores and Bermuda, that I missed because of the weather. Well, one day I’ll go back and be able to collect old letters. You never know...

Martha, Norma, Steve, and I have a cocktail to toast the new job, even if it’s for six or seven weeks. It will be an adventure and lots of hard work.

Gosh, I wish I was going to the Bahamas! I’d love to be getting out of the boatyard. I dread going to work now. I hope we get out soon, Norma says ending with a big sigh. I feel her pain, even though she’s in the boatyard, and we’re in a marina. We both aren’t going anywhere, and that’s exactly why we both started doing this, to travel and see the world and learn from the cultures we get to live in.

Well, I’ll bring you back some rum! I promise, as I yell back at them, as Steve starts out the house to take me home.

Before I go aboard Night Crossing, I sit out on a bench under a few palm trees to read my letter in the marina. It’s from Dolphy! Oh my God, he’s in Guadalupe in jail! I just can’t believe what I’m reading.

He’s writes pretty good English, being he’s from St. Barths and French is his native language or patois. Wow. My beautiful mermaid...I send this to you with a heavy heart. My friend Jimmy left some marijuana on my property when he sailed away. He was coming back soon I thought. The gendarmerie (Police) came in the middle of the night and found it. Someone knew, and I don’t know who. And they took me to jail. I have not seen any of my family but my older sister. (Dolphy has fifteen siblings.) I miss you and want to hold you in my arms one day soon. It’s the one thing I can hold on to, the hope that we will be together soon, he goes on.

I am shocked to say the least. This is crazy. Bless his heart. I wonder if he was set up? What is really going on? Who’s Jimmy? How much did he stash there? It’s got to be a lot to take him off the island. He’s a hard worker and a good friend to so many people on the island, from what I observed when I was with him. This isn’t the first letter I’ve gotten from him. Most are love letters, as he doesn’t have a phone and neither do I. I must write him back. It’s not that I have to, I want to. OMG, when am I going to be able to write him back? I’m about to go on a cooking marathon.

Sleep? No, I don’t think so! I go all over the entire boat and into the galley looking for anything and everything of mine. Plus I have to call the owner and the captain to explain to them that I am moving on. And I do, and they wish me well. They offer to write me a letter of reference which I thank them for. That makes me feel good, and thankfully the captain wasn’t really phased by my news. I hate to piss anyone off who I work for.

The crew gives me hugs and actually helps me get my stuff onto M/Y Black Knight. Even though it is just across the dock, it seems like miles because I don’t feel like I’ve had enough time to say goodbye. This is all happening so fast. Those guys were a great crew; they made me feel at home, and most of the time I never had to ask them to do anything. They took the initiative and jumped in and helped. I always did the same for them. We worked well together, like a good crew does.

John stands back on Night Crossing’s upper deck, looking down at us and at me the whole time. I wonder who he really is. Just watching him look at us hug, gives me a chill up my spine. He’s definitely a sketchy guy. I felt it in Vilamoura, Portugal, the first place and time I laid eyes on him and  the US Flagged Hinkley he was on.

Jim takes me down to my cabin. It’s the forepeak of the boat. There are two bunks with several drawers under the bunks in a V shaped room. The stewardess will be sleeping in the other bunk, Jim explains. There’s also a small closet about twelve inches wide on each side which I’m grateful for. Everything is varnished down here as well. I’m in awe with the workmanship of the wood. There is a hatch above me that I can see as I step back, with a ladder, also varnished, that goes to topside, and we all share a head. There is a room before ours, opposite of the head, that has bunk beds for Jim and the captain.

Jim hands me the preference sheet so I can get started on the menus after unpacking. I’m the type of crew...or traveler...who likes to unpack and put my toothbrush where it’s supposed to be, with my personal stuff where it needs to be, and when I