Page 51 of Second Chance in Charlevoix
“You are so athletic.” Izzy handed her a dry towel.
“Boy, that was refreshing. These inland lakes feel different from the ocean.” Marlowe stopped patting herself down and looked back at the water. “Kinder. Warmer.”
“Warm? Wasn’t it cold?” Izzy’s teeth chattered.
“You’ll get used to it. No problem.” After drying herself off, Marlowe reapplied some sunblock. Meanwhile Skipper had gathered up the tow rope as theboat idled near to the pier. Sam had come down to hand Skipper the other ski.
“Why don’t you come along?” Izzy asked.
With a look toward the shore, Sam shook her head. “I want to stay around the kids.”
“But I don’t see them.’’
“Seth set Hayden up in the family room with one of his video games and Mia is having fun with Holly.” Looking up, Izzy could see Holly in Mia’s arms.
“I hope she’s careful. Did Aunt Cate feed Holly?”
“Yes, we are not starving your darling little girl.” Sam shook her head. “Go. Have fun.”
Sam turned back to the house and Izzy settled herself in the back seat. “Are you ready?” Skipper asked, one hand on the throttle.
“Sure,” Izzy said.
“Of course she is.” Marlowe smiled over at her.
“Here we go.” After he shoved the throttle forward, the boat took off.
“Isn’t this great?” Marlowe asked, settling next to Izzy. “We have to do this more often. We could probably rent a boat.”
“Right. Fun.” Teeth chattering, Izzy was ready to go.
“Reminds me of years ago,” her sister murmured. “So relaxing.”
Finally they reached a spot far enough from the shore. Hair windblown, Skipper looked like hewas having a great time. Glancing around, Izzy hoped another boat didn’t appear. No way did she want to deal with two wakes. Skipper put the boat on idle.
“Maybe I’ll leave my shirt on.” She turned to Marlowe.
“Whatever. But you won’t get tan that way.”
Oh, what the heck. She was on a boat at the lake. Grabbing the bottom of her shirt, she yanked it up and off. She wanted to bethat girlagain. Game on and she strapped a life preserver around her waist.
“Everything okay?” Skipper threw back.
“Perfect.” When she went over the side, Izzy let herself sink back until her hair was wet and plastered to her skull. She didn’t want any wisps distracting her. Marlowe handed her the skis one by one. Took her a minute to get both of them on but she did it. Then Marlowe tossed the tow rope to her.
“Ready?” Skipper called out.
She gave him the thumbs up. After he turned back to settle in the captain’s seat, he eased the boat out until the tow line was taunt. It was now or never. “Hit it,” she called out, feeling like she was jumping off a cliff.
The boat roared. A gull flew overhead just then and Izzy’s skis crossed. The pull of the line took her right out of one of the skis and she was yanked onto her face. Oh great. How graceful. Letting go of the tow rope, she watched it skitter over the wake. The lakewater choked her. Swiping at her cheeks, her hand came away with dark brown mascara.
“Grab the ski,” Marlowe called out as the boat circled and her sister gathered the rope. “That darn bird.”
A few strokes and Izzy had the ski in hand. Angling her body, she slipped it back on. She was going to do this. No way was she going back to shore a failure. The boat came close and Marlowe tossed the rope her way.
Skipper stood up to get a better look. “Izzy, are you okay?”
“Fine.” Avoiding his eyes, she was determined to do this. Reaching back through time, she grabbed hold of that carefree teenage girl she’d been years ago. Holly was safe on the shore and just for this moment Izzy could do anything if she tried. The line stretched out tight and Izzy straightened her skis in front of her. Marlowe was right. After she’d gotten used to it, the water felt great. Energizing.
