Page 52 of Second Chance in Charlevoix
Skipper hit the power and sure enough, she came up from a crouch and was skiing. Her sister applauded and Skipper gave her a thumbs up.
Following the shoreline, Skipper took them out onto the lake. What a great day. At that moment, Izzy felt like she could do anything. Hire more staff. Raise Holly with no problems. The world beckoned to her and Izzy had never felt so free. Cutting through thewake, she brought herself level with the boat and waved. When a boat passed creating more waves, Izzy took them on, crossing both wakes with ease. She could feel Skipper and Marlowe watching her and gave them a big smile.
Out on the lake, she could see the other homes tucked among the trees along the shoreline. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live on the lake? Sure, she loved Sunnycrest but there was something about living right on the water. Still, she was enjoying staying with Mrs. Malone. Skipper’s mother had slipped easily into Holly’s routine. The grumpy mother Izzy had known years ago had become a clucking older woman who bought Izzy’s baby some barrettes.
Maybe time really did heal old wounds.
All these thoughts ran through her mind as she skied, grateful for this day and so happy to have her family with her. Her confidence grew and that’s when she got crazy. When she’d had enough of two skis she decided to try one. Why not drop a ski? If she couldn’t handle it, she’d just call it quits for the day. What did she have to lose?
She made the circling wave, lifted her right ski for a moment and pointed back to the pier. Skipper nodded and began the slow wide turn while Marlowe stood up and clapped. Wasn’t this the greatest thing ever? After dealing with diapers, baby food and many sleepless nights, she felt like her old self. Granted, shewas hanging on to that tow rope for dear life. But she’d become a daredevil again.
Izzy took deep breaths as Seth’s house came into view. Her family was clustered around the lounge chairs out front. Cripes. That’s when the doubts set in. She might make a fool of herself in front of everyone. What if she injured herself? The bakery needed her. And Holly needed her too. How would she handle everything with a cast on her leg or arm?
Her tumbling thoughts almost made her chicken out. Legs trembling, Izzy remembered feeling like this before signing the lease on the bakery. She almost hadn’t moved ahead and wouldn’t that have been a shame? Coffee and Cupcakes had turned out just fine. If she didn’t move beyond her comfort zone, would she ever accomplish anything? Maybe that’s what success was…stepping outside your comfort zone. Feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
This was only water, right?
As they approached Seth’s house, she saw Mrs. Malone, sitting outside with Aunt Cate and Jeb, Seth’s dad. Was Holly playing on a blanket in front of them? Looked like Sam and Josh were playing badminton with the kids. Where had Sam gotten that min-skirt? She looked great in it.
Skipper brought the boat in closer to the pier but left it revved up so the rope didn’t slacken. Lifting her right leg, she kicked off the ski and movedthat leg behind the other one. Marlowe howled approval from the boat. Everyone on shore clapped and cheered. Izzy’s heart soared as Skipper gunned the engine.
Now she was really feeling like that girl. The high school queen who’d come to Charlevoix for the summer. When she was fifteen, she hadn’t worried about what she had to lose. Back then it was all about having fun and wowing her friends…especially Skipper. The sun glittered on the lake as the boat circled. But the breeze had turned cool. Goosebumps rose on her arms. Glued together at the thighs, her legs began to shake a little. Her body hadn’t had this kind of exercise in a long time.
Doubts pummeled her and that’s when the other boat appeared, roaring toward them on the horizon. Instead of slowing to pass them, the boat picked up speed. Skipper laid on the horn but nothing changed. Izzy skied to the side to keep away from the other boat. As they passed, kids raised cans of something and rap music bellowed over the water. The speed of the boat left a turbulent wake.
Already having trouble balancing, Izzy felt herself tumble and there was nothing she could do about it. She let go of the rope. Her face slapped the water and she got a good mouthful. The slalom was still on her foot, but she was so tired. She couldn’t twist it off as she bobbed in the water. Lookingaround, she saw the blue boat in the distance. Thank goodness she was wearing her life preserver.
“Please come back fast.” She watched Skipper make a wide circle to avoid traveling over the rope. Marlowe was up on her feet pulling in the tow rope. Would another boat see Izzy if it came past now? There were plenty of stories about accidents on the water. She hoped that boat with the teenagers wouldn’t show up. The blue boat came closer and while she was watching the horizon, she heard a splash and wheeled around.
Skipper had been on his swim team in high school and he cut the water with powerful strokes as he swam toward her. “You all right?” he asked when he reached her, his hair plastered to his head and water beading his dark lashes.
“Yeah, sure. I’m fine.” No way was she going to admit how good it felt to see him swimming toward her. “Who’s driving the boat?”
“Marlowe. She can handle it.” The blue and white boat edged closer.
“You didn’t have to swim back for me.” His flattened hair made her smile.
“I wanted to make sure you were all right.” Clearing his nose he kept himself afloat with ease. “Didn’t want another crazy boat to come past andnot see you.”
So he’d had that fear too. Close to them now, Marlowe set the boat to idle and yanked in the rope.
“Do you want to go again?” Skipper asked with some hesitation.
Izzy couldn’t wait to get back to shore. “Think I’ve had enough for today.”
Without another word, Skipper helped her get the slalom off and handed it to Marlowe. They both climbed onto the boat using the ladder and Marlowe handed her a towel. “Those guys were idiots.” She gave the horizon a murderous look. “I got the number of their boat.”
“Summer vacation.” Izzy shrugged, slipping back into beingthat girlagain. Carefree. Adventurous.
“Idiots,” Skipper sputtered.
With the towel wrapped around her, she took the seat next to Skipper. Marlowe stretched out in the back, looking like a sun goddess. Everything was quiet. Izzy feel exhausted.
“You did great.” Skipper smiled over at her.
“Thanks.” She might feel tired, but Izzy felt like she was glowing from her accomplishment.
When they got back, Seth was at the grill and the smell of burgers and brats made Izzy hungry. “You were amazing on those skis,” Sam told her, giving Izzy a hug. “Better than I could ever be.”
