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Lenny suggested, “Maybe you can honeymoon on location.”

“Not exactly what I had in mind,” Ellery said. “Anyway, it’s a small role. It shouldn’t require more than a day or two of shooting.”

“We’ll work it out,” Jack promised.

The Pirate Queen’s horn blasted a final warning. There was another quick round of hugs and kisses, and then Tosh, Oscar, Lenny, and Flip hurried down the ramp and up the gangplank. They disappeared inside the ship and Ellery watched them moving past the windows as they made their way down the aisle, finding their seats.

He sighed. Jack gave him a little squeeze. Watson yipped in farewell.

The November wind whipped around them, kicking up whitecaps on the gray water, chilling their cheeks and ruffling their coats. Watson huddled against Ellery’s legs.

From inside the main cabin, Tosh waved goodbye. Ellery waved back.

Slowly, ponderously, thePirate Queenpushed back from the dock, churning the water blue-green. As the ferry turned away, her foghorn bellowed a deep, resonant farewell, the sound echoing across the water.

Jack tightened his grip on Ellery’s waist, smiled down at him.

“Theatahpeople, eh?” Ellery said lightly.

“Some of my very favorite people are theater people.” Jack dropped a quick kiss on Ellery’s temple.

Ellery sighed, leaned his head on Jack’s shoulder. They watched until the ferry shrank to a small speck against the gray horizon and was at last swallowed by the misty distance.