Sweeter Than Wine Read Online Free

He frowned; the
boatmen should have been a little more helpful.
    They did instruct her to put her purchases
down below and then they would get her set up. The men were shaking
their heads as though they'd found her lacking in the mental
department. Sam couldn't believe they were being so rude.
    She had gone below and came back quickly. She
glanced toward Sam and he waved.
    She smiled brightly, and then the guide
brought her a life jacket. Sam watched as she put it on and
breathed in the fresh air.
    Sam nearly dropped his line; the woman was
extremely naïve about her sexual prowess.
    Nevertheless, as they sped out of the harbor,
Sam noticed her smile quickly fading and he wondered what caused
it. Fastened into his seat, he couldn't just walk over to find out,
and decided to quit worrying about her. He wanted to enjoy this
day, if he could.
    It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining,
and the water was an ultra blue. Waves created a gentle lapping
against the boat's edge. The smell of live bait created just the
atmosphere for fishing. Sam relaxed.
    The Captain informed them they would begin
mooching or drifting and then they could cast their lines.
    One of the guides cast her line out for her
as she positioned herself at her seat.
    By now, she looked a little pale, Sam
thought.
    She got a nibble before he did, and there was
a little excitement as she screeched, and pulled on the line, too
quickly, the fish got away. The guide again directed her as to
where to cast, and to wait until she felt a pull on the line before
trying to hook the fish.
    She nodded and leaned forward. "I was a
little too anxious, I guess."
    This time he heard a noise and turned about
to see her being sick, over the railing. One of the men was helping
her. He unfastened her belt, and took her line from her and
directed her to the bathroom below deck.
    She nodded and grimly made her way.
    Sam shook his head. This was no place for
her, he reasoned. Why would a grown woman insist on doing things
she knew nothing about? And being alone too, didn't help.
    She was gone so long, he nearly forgot about
her. He hooked an Albacore and brought her in with no trouble. He
had to admit, it was exhilarating, he was beginning to relax and
enjoy himself.
    The guides were laughing and cutting up with
him about how big it was and he had to admit, he was proud, a new
experience for him. He had a good 30 pounder.
    Still when they began to pack it down, Sam
shook his head, "No, throw it back."
    "Throw it back, but this is a fine specimen,
trophy size, don't you want it mounted?"
    "No, I don't collect fish trophies—or any
trophies I should say."
    They looked at him funny, but proceeded to
throw the fish back in the water.
    With still no sign of Ms. Malone, Sam decided
to go below and see how things were.
    He found her with her head bent over the
toilet, a washrag at her mouth, her eyes closed.
    "Sea sick?"
    "I guess so," she murmured. There were tears
in her eyes now. It wasn't hard to figue. It wasn't just the
seasickness bothering her.
    "I'm sorry; we can have the Captain turn
around. If you like?" Sam offered.
    "No…no, please don't do that. I couldn't live
with myself if I spoiled another minute of your vacation. I'll be
all right in a few minutes." She insisted, not bothering to look at
him.
    "You haven't spoiled anything, Besides, I
don't think a few more minutes is going to help you a bit." he
tried to console her, by now he was feeling just a tad bad about
his own behavior.
    "Oh please, don't be kind, not after all
this. I couldn't bear it." She said her tears streamed down her
face.
    "Hey," he consoled, and pulled her to her
feet so that she rested against him now. "There's no need for this.
Nothing is spoiled, I caught a great fish, and I tasted the salt
water. I've had enough. Let's get back to shore."
    "You're being very kind," she whispered, "But
why?"
    "Well, let's just say I grew up with John
Wayne, and a cowboy always protects the lady, whether he wants to
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