Chapter 201

Gasping, I pull my face from Kent’s and snap my gaze to the door where –

“JANEEN!” I shriek, scrambling suddenly to get out of Kent’s lap –

Even though seconds ago I would have said that nothing could tear me away –

But my sister – here on the ship! Does it mean –

I clamber to my feet and hurl myself at her. Laughing, Janeen catches me in her arms. “Hey, baby,” she murmurs, giving me a tight hug. Desperate, I pull away, searching her face. “Does this mean- did dad -”

“He’s here,” she says, grinning and nodding to me. “I talked him into it – last minute. Apparently we got on the boat just moments before your boy here.” Janeen tilts her head towards Kent now and, beaming, I turn to see him still sitting on the floor, looking a little chagrined as he watches us, his arms looped casually around his bent knees.