Chapter 44

“Okay, that’s as slow as we go. Let me take over.”

“All right.” She kept her hands on the wheel and slid her butt out of the chair. As she stood, she lifted her eyes to the window. “David!”

David swiveled to see the giant wave crest and slam over the starboard side of the boat. Water exploded into the wheelhouse. Duchess squawked and flapped her wings as the boat rocked violently back and forth. Bonnie lost her grip and went flying. David let go of the chair and grabbed for her, but she slammed shoulder first into the bulkhead. She hit the deck on all fours, but even as David reached for the wheel, he could see she was still moving. “Bonnie! You okay?”

“Yes.” But her voice wasn’t nearly as loud as it had been before.

“Stay there!” As he finally righted himself, he saw another wall of water heading right for them. He managed to grab and yank the wheel another thirty degrees east before he heard the deafening whumph.

Then everything went black.

***<