It’s #BookQW and Ty can’t ‘kill’ his win in this important sailing race.
More from Chapter 24:
They were nearly to the other boats. Ty shook it off. He had to. He wouldn’t get another practice like this. As soon as their sails were luffing, Salm blew the whistle.
This time, they won. Coral clapped him in the shoulder, and Ty lifted a fist as Salm flew over.
“Blimey, me hearties! Did someone threaten ye with a cat o’ nine tails?”
Whatever this pirate jargon meant didn’t matter. Salm was pleased, and Ty was thrilled.
“Now that you have the wind properly in your sails, we will run you up to the crow’s nest for another look.”
Ty glanced at Coral. “What’s he saying?”
“Racing tricks,” Salm answered, and with a nod, he flew back to his boat.
“Stuff you have to look out for.” Coral sighed. “Nothing that is exactly cheating, but can kill your chances.”
The next run, Ty lost. Sorely.
As they circled to return to the start, Coral said, “Salm’s not keelhauling you. This is real racing.”
No, Salm wasn’t doing this to be mean—his gleeful manner had dropped. Ty gave a curt nod. “I get it. I might be too new at this to win, but I’ll tell him to bring it all on. I’ll give it my best shot.” Run after run, the other boats caught him in typical tricks—being run alongside, cut off, nosing the tiller.
Salm and Coral coached him in how to avoid the tricks, but his awkward efforts cost him time. If he lost to Octo… Ty closed his eyes. At least he wasn’t racing Spike.
At the dock, Coral bent to pull the daggerboard, right where he was wrapping a line, and their gazes met.
“It’ll be harder than I thought,” he said quietly. He’d have to come up with something else to protect her. He leaned closer. “Thanks for crewing. And…everything.”
She tipped up her chin, inches from him.
Salm shoved between them. “Coral, help Luna stow the gear while I walk this scallywag out to Dar’s and review a few points.”
Behind Salm, Coral had her hands fisted. Ty shot her a grimace. “See you later?”
“Aye, that’d be nice,” she said through clenched teeth.
Hopefully, she meant it.
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Summer is making itself known! If you’re ready for warmth and waves, Read the first three chapters of Lost Whisperer of the Seas or jump aboard and buy it! The novel is available in ebook, paperback and Large Print editions.
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