Page 24 of How We Fooled

I take them from him, already having the backpack I brought on my back. “You’re so sweet. I only brought some waters and a few snacks. I guess I didn’t think we’d be out here that long.”

He gives me the best grin. “We’ve got all day, and I prepared for us to do just that.” His lips meet mine, and then we walk back to the Jet Ski, where he loads all the stuff in a special compartment within the seat.

“Wait here, and I’ll go park the truck.”

I nod and have no problem standing there, just staring out at the world around me once again. I could get used to this lifestyle. Why anyone would live in a big city is puzzling to me now that I’ve seen what our world has to offer. I had no idea if I’d like it here or not or if I’d stay forever. But now, I’m thinking that I might never go back to Stockton.

He’s back in a flash, and we both put on our life jackets before he steps into place at the head of the Jet Ski. Once he’s secured, he holds out his hand to help me get on. Feeling unsteady, I let out a nervous laugh as the watercraft tilts to the side.

“It’s okay. It’s not going to tip over. Just swing your leg around it, then slide up to me and put your hands around my waist.”

I do as he instructed and wrap my arms around his waist, loving how it feels, even with these jackets between us.

He turns his head enough to see me behind him. “You ready?”

“I’m ready!”

He cranks the engine, and we slowly move away from the dock.

“This is a no-wake zone, so we have to go pretty slow through here,” he says.

I rest my head on his back. “Fine by me.”

“You’re not afraid to go fast, are you?” He thrust the engine in very fast, but very short jolts.

I let out a yelp and grip him tighter. “No, I’m not scared. Just a little warning next time.”

He lets go of the handlebar with his right hand, keeping his left to drive, and places it over mine. “You got a deal.”

We ride like this for a few minutes until we pass some buoys.

His hand is still holding mine, so he squeezes it gently, then places it back on the handlebar. “You ready?”

I hold him tighter. “I’m ready!”

He twists the throttle, and we take off so fast. I scream as I grip him harder. We fly across the water that’s smooth as glass. The thrill of the motion and the beauty, both directly in front of me and completely surrounding me, make me so giddy.

We hit a few waves, and I laugh out loud as we bounce up and down.

“Are you having fun?” he yells over the wind so I can hear him.

“Yes.” I giggle in response.

“I’m not going too fast, am I?” He jolts the watercraft faster just a touch, then brings it back to the speed he was going before.

“No. Why don’t you show me what this thing’s really got?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

He squeezes the throttle a little harder, and I let out a scream of excitement. This is better than any roller coaster I’ve ever ridden!

He takes me all around the lake until we get to a small cove, where he turns in and slows the engine down to a much calmer pace as we approach the shore.

“I’m going to jump off and get us pulled closer. Reach around me with your right hand and hold on to the handlebar,” he guides me.

I do as I was instructed as he cuts the engine, then hops off to my left. The water isn’t too deep, so he’s easily able to walk us up to the shore to secure the rope on a rock nearby.

Holding out his hand to me, he says, “Go ahead and jump off. It’s not too deep here.”

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