Abbey and Sam were in slumber on the River Boat. The gentle swaying of the boat was like a rocking cradle. The night was quiet and peaceful. Abby lay warmly in Sam's arms. The Moon's light come through the window of the bedroom casting shadows as the boat swayed with the rivers swells.
Sam opened his eyes wide in the pitch black dark. He looked at Abby whom was sound asleep. Sam rolled back over to his side, searching for a cool spot in the pillow. Then he nuzzled into sleep again.
"Clink," A noise came from the back deck of the boat and Sam's eyes opened wide again. Listening attentively for a moment then brushed it off as, "Probably a nothing, the woods, has a lot of those." Sam said to himself as he closed his eyes.
"Clink," the sound was a bit louder. Sam raised up slightly and listened. Then he saw a moving shadow across the slightly opened bedroom door. Not sure if it was the moon through the trees or exactly what it was so he watched and listened. He looked back at Abbey and saw that she was still sound asleep.
Putting his finger over her lips he nudged her. "Ooh," She stirred, then went to speak as he motioned for her to be quiet. She looked confused, as Sam pointed to the door. Raised his hand fully, signaling for her to stay.
"What?" Abbey whispered while sitting up and pulling the covers around her. Sam crawled slowly out of bed and slipped quietly into his pants.
"Shhh..." Sam gestured by putting his finger to his lips.
"Clang." The sound of a boat lightly bumping into another was clearly heard. Sam went to the slightly open bedroom door and peered out into the day room. He didn't see anything or anyone and all the lights were off on the boat to save the batteries so it was extremely dark.
Then the sound of the refrigerator door shutting in the kitchen was heard and Sam push himself up against the wall lightly. Putting his hand out signaling Abbey to stay.
"Hurry up," came a light call from the back deck of the House Boat. The sound of foot steps came close to the door. Sam swung the door open quickly and reached and grabbed the person and slung them to the floor. Sam pounced with his knee in to their gut as he raised his fist high and was in full swing when he realized it was a kid. Small framed and scared stiff, yelling, "Don't hit me Mister, don't hit me." Sam froze with one hand grasping the teens shirt and the other hand, a clinched fist, frozen in mid-swing. A boat out side cranked up it's outboard motor and the sound of it speeding away was obvious. The youngster in Sam's grasp didn't resist.
Abby come out asking, "Sam? Sam, what is it?" The bed spread wrapped around her fully. Her hair was a flare as she turned on the light switch in the day room. The teen was on the floor with Sam hovering over him.
"Just some kids." Sam replied as he pulled the young lad to his feet and never letting go of his shirt Sam walked over and set the teen into a chair.
"Jamie?" Sam said.
"Sam?" The boy replied.
"You two know each other?" Abby asked.
"Yeah," Sam replied to Abbey.
"Sam, I didn't know you were out here. Thought you were out of town on work again." The boy mumbled.
"What were you doing here boy?" Sam shouted, as he looked at the kitchen from which he came. "Oh, I bet I know." Sam said then smiled at Abbey.
"What is it Sam?" Abby asked. The boy was shrinking by the minute. Sam let go of his tight grip and motioned him outside on the back deck. "Sam? Damn it answer me?" Abby blurted while following them.
"Well, it seems this young man was after some fire water," He replied. Abby covered her mouth, not to show her laughter. Sam looked at her and winked.
"We just caught ourselves the bandits of the river, I bet." Sam stated. The boy sat in the chair with his eyes looking downwards.
"But Mister Sam, It was really Billy, he...." Sam raised his hand motioning for him to stop.
"I don't want to hear that Jamie." Sam said. "Billy wasn't in this house boat, now was he?" The boy sank into the chair even more.
"You know this boy, Sam?" Abby questioned as she sat in another chair covered by the blanket. Sam looked at her and smiled knowing full well she didn't have anything on under that bedspread.
"Well, I know his parents." Sam replied, looking at Jamie. "So Billy Tankersly is in on this too, huh?" Sam blurted.
"Yes sir." Jamie confessed lightly.
Abby, would you bring me my cell phone." Sam asked her and winked again. Jamie's eyes were in a fixed stare into the River's dark water.
Abby got up and went to the bedroom. Sam looked at Jamie, his eyes on the water. "Thinking about a swim, Jamie?" Sam asked with a grin. "You know the gators will get you before you reach the shore. If they don't the snakes will." Sam snickered then stood up and pushed the button to turn the generator on. The flood lights come on and the boat shined like a parking lot. Sm pointed the rear spotlight out across the river towards where the "Bandit's" boat went. Abbey come back with the cellular phone.
"So who do I call, Jamie? The Sheriff? Or your parents?" Sam asked sternly.
"My dad, I guess." Jamie answered.
Sam took the phone from Abby with a small smile. And she was trying to hold back a full out laugh. Sam handed the phone to Jamie, lit up, turned on and ready to dial. He dialed the phone then handed it back to Sam who had an outreached hand.
He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss, whispering. "Abby, you might want to get dressed Hun."
"Hello, Bob. Sorry to wake you. This is Sam...Yes sir...Yes sir...The one who had the Karate studio...That's right. I have somebody here who needs to speak to you, hold on." Sam looked at Jamie and handed him the phone back.
"Dad......." the boy began telling where he was and why. Sam went to the door and asked Abby to bring him a shirt. Jamie was silent for a short time. Mumbling some "Yes Sirs," and "No Sirs."
As Sam turned around Jamie handed the phone back to Sam. "Here Sam, He wants to speak to you." Jamie said with a hung head.
"Yes sir," Sam answered, "Oh...I was calling to tell you I would bring him...Oh...He said that huh?" Sam looked at the boy and Abby come out and handed him a shirt. "Well, he was honest at least...Like I said I was calling to let you know I had him... Yes sir...can you meet me at Bent water bridge... Fine, be there soon as I can, bye." Sam hung up the phone, and looked at Jamie.
"You didn't tell him what I was doing?" Jamie spat with confussion.
"I don't know what you were doing Jamie, For all I know you were needing a ride because your friends left you stranded." Sam said with a smile and Abby couldn't hold it any longer, she spurt out a laugh and turned her head. "Besides, it looks better on you if it coms from you. I promise." Sam said reassuring.
The boy sank as if he had just signed his own death sentence. Sam went and started the boat. Set the flood lights and headed to shore. Abby came to his side at the helm, giggles were all she could let out.
"What?" Sam looked at her.
"You weren't going to tell his father he was stealing?" She asked.