Desperado Dale (Scenic Route to Paradise) (21 page)

Mac shook Bernie’s hand firmly. “Yes, I would be
honored to officiate.”

“Fifty years? Oh no, not that long! Its been only
48 years. So, yes and we’re done arguing!” Bernie told them. “We’ve always been
madly in love and we’ve wasted a lot of time, you know. You take some advice
from me; I’ve lived a few years. Don’t spend all your time disagreeing. Love
each other! Laugh! Have lots of kids and don’t argue over choosing their names
at birth and especially, middle names. It just isn’t worth it.” Bernie took a
deep breath. “I’m glad we didn’t have any sons! Bean was determined to name our
first boy after Benedict Arnold… Can you imagine? She can get the strangest
ideas into her noodle!

“By the by, did you see her travel cookbook she
is writing? Odd! The world is falling apart and she begins to write a cookbook?
I’m hoping she doesn’t take out my mother’s ginger cookie recipe… She
threatened to, you know. Bean wants to make the whole cookbook foreign. I think
it’s important to keep that cookie recipe in there. But never mind; just don’t
spend a lot of time arguing, throwing dishes and grumbling. It’s not healthy
and life is too short!”

Grinning wildly Merry said, “We’ll never argue
over middle names! I assure you, Grandpa Bernie.” He nodded.

Merry understood her grandfather perfectly but
Mac had difficulty following the old man’s discourse.
Throw dishes
? He
tried conjuring up a competition where a married couple would toss pewter
plates, like his own set of dishes across the table.
Would one eat the food
first or should the plate be tossed and then loaded with the meal? How would
the housekeeper react?
Mac shook his head trying to understand.

“It will be quite a surprise to your mother Toni
when we arrive at D’Almata remarried! Yes sir!” Bernie declared as he rubbed
his hands together in anticipation. He added, “You know why we call her Toni
don’t you? Bean named her Marie Antoinette! Marie Antoinette! I had nightmares
about the poor child until she ran off with that hippy, your father. But never
mind, at least he wasn’t French!”

Mac looked at his wife for a response.
Unperturbed, Merry said, “Oh, Grandpa it will be a happy surprise and all of
these children too.”

Bernie nodded. “Well, if you’ll excuse me. I’m
going to go propose to Bean and then have some breakfast.” He turned and headed
down the companionway.

She saw that Mac was alarmed. Merry patted his
arm. She giggled, yet again and said, “He isn’t senile. Trust me on this.
Bernie and Bean have always been a bit eccentric if not adventurous - although
they would deny being either, I’m sure.” She smiled into Mac’s face.

He is exhausted! Exhausted but handsome.

“So what to do with these orphans! I was sorry
for poor Nerah to be separated from Tina,” Merry said. Mac had watched Bernie
disappear below deck but now he turned his eyes toward Tino and the skiff. He
took Merry’s hand; they both recalled Nerah’s tears in the galley when she
finally understood her mentor’s plans.

“Our people from D’Almata are spread out across
the globe... mostly in ports but I think we can find homes for the little
people. Our history is rife with orphans,” Mac replied.

Tino was coming back now. Zeff had pushed the
boat back into the surf. Tina, a tiny figure as seen from the sloop, stood in
the wet sand waiting for her bridegroom. The sun was up behind them and the
landward water reflected orange and purple.

Putting Mac’s hand on her tummy, Merry laughed
and said, “We haven’t been married six months and you’re already the papa of
20... And by the New Year, you’ll be Daddy of one more... unless I’m carrying
twins.”

Book #5 ~ Scenic Route to
Paradise

The fifth book answers
questions while taking the reader on the final romp concluding the scenic route
to D
’
Almata
…