Beachcombing

"I don't understand. What just happened?" Mercy pleaded with Bam for an answer. His anger was written all over his face but it wasn't directed at her. Obviously, whatever transpired between her husband and his father had set him off.

"We're not going to Browntown. We're going to stay here for awhile until I figure out our next move."

"Bam, you're not telling me what happened with your father."

Bam didn't want to tell her exactly what his father had said. He softened the blow by telling her he wasn't happy over the hastiness of their marriage.

"I don't want to be responsible for a family rift." She stroked his cheek with her hand. "I can go back and speak with him."

Bam quickly replied, "Absolutely not."

"But I can fix this...." Mercy was just about to explain what she was going to do when there was a knock at the door. Bam opened the door to find the innkeeper standing there. He whispered something to Bam that made her husband groan audibly.

"What's wrong now?" Bam turned to her shaking his head.

"Things just got more complicated," he responded.

There was a second knock at the door and this time Bam opened it to find Rainy standing there with her pack. He motioned her into the room.

"I'm not staying with Da unless both of you are coming back home to Browntown with me." Bam was not amused to see her. He knew his father would blame Rainy's disappearance on he and Mercy.

"Rainy girl, what are you doing here? You know you can't stay. I'm going to have to take you back."

Rainy announced, "It's a little late for that. They have already left for home."

"They agreed to leave you here?" Bam's tone sounded suspicious.

"Not exactly." Rainy hesitated and toed the floor below her foot. "They don't know I got off the Integrity."

"Rainy, are you crazy? When they find you missing, they are going to think you've been lost at sea." Bam was visibly upset by the whole ordeal.

"Please don't make me go back. I'm so happy for you and Mercy." Rain took hold of her sister-in-law's hand. "I want to be with you. Both of you."

Bam shook his head. "I need to leave a message at the harbor in Hoonah to let Ma and Da know you are here." Bam grabbed his coat. "You two stay put, I'll be back in thirty minutes."

Bam disappeared and Mercy made Rain feel welcome even if their rented room was small. They sat by the fire and talked. Time had slipped by them and Bam was gone longer than either of them realized. Before long, the warmth of the fire had overtaken both of them and they had fallen asleep. When Bam finally returned, he found his sister and wife curled up on the floor next to each other. As much as he loved the image of the two of them together, he couldn't let Rain stay. His father would be livid at the thought.

Bam unpacked the dinner he had picked up on the way home. He gently knelt next to Mercy and woke her up.
He moved his finger to his lips signaling her not to wake Rain. He quietly pulled her up and moved to the other side of the room.

"Where have you been? I was getting worried."

"I'm sorry, babe. I had the harbor master radio Hoonah and leave a message for my family. While I was down at the dock, I picked up some temporary work so we won't be homeless. It will keep us going until we can figure out our next move."

Mercy knew she had married a good man. He was definitely the provider-protector type and she was glad he was their shelter in this storm. "And Rain?"

"As much as I hate to take her back, she has to go home. Taking care of you and me will be hard enough but I can't use her as a tool to get back at my dad. Tomorrow I'll take her back to Browntown."

Mercy moved her hands to Bam's chest. "We'll take her to Browntown. Last time I checked, I was on Team Joshua."

"And that's exactly why I love you Mercy Brown. It's a good kind of feeling to know someone has your back."

Rain began to stir and watched as Bam kissed Mercy. "I would suggest getting a room but since I have no place to go...."

The newlyweds chuckled and asked if she was hungry. "I'm starving." Rain replied. "What's for dinner?" Mercy grabbed their dinner and Bam. The trio sat by the fire and ate together.

"Rain, both Mercy and I appreciate your show of support." Bam hesitated for a moment looking to Mercy for strength. "We have to take you home tomorrow. You're not of legal age and I am not your guardian. Ma is probably worried sick about you. And so is Da."

"Why can't I stay with you and Mercy?" She pleaded with her brother hoping she could change his mind.

"Rainy, this isn't about us not wanting you. This is about what's right. Unless Ma and Da grant permission for you to stay which I doubt is highly unlikely, you have to go home."

Mercy chimed in trying to ease the reality of Bam's comments. "Rain, once we get settled, you can visit us anytime your parents agree to let you come. You're very special to us. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have this wonderful man in my life."

"He is awesome, isn't he?" Rain always had a special relationship with Bam. Often people mistakenly thought he was her father and not her brother. He was always overly protective of her keeping a watchful eye on her everywhere they went. He treated her as an equal and not just as the baby of the family and she loved him for that quality.

"Yes, Rain, he is just that...my awesome husband."

Here Comes The Rain