Page 25 of Organized Chaos

Phillip eyed the lake like it might jump up and swallow him whole.

Sarah patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. The worst thing in the lake is fish. You know how to swim, right?”

He nodded. “And we’ll both be wearing life jackets.” He gave her a hard look. “No exceptions.”

She grumbled but agreed. Safety first. She retrieved the life jackets from the truck and tossed one at Phillip before strapping on her own.

Phillip took over the canoe after snapping his vest into place, walking it into the water and holding out a hand for her toclimb inside. She set the paddles in the bottom of the canoe and hopped in. The canoe wobbled side to side until Phillip steadied it then followed her in. He gripped either side of the narrow vessel, the lines of his back taut.

“Here, switch places.” Sarah poked him in the back. “I know where we’re going.”

He shook his head and grabbed a paddle. “I’m fine right here. We’re going around the lake. That’s what you said. A quick trip around the lake.” He straightened his spine and put the paddle in the water.

Sarah puffed out her cheeks but chose not to argue. She took up the second paddle and put it in the water on the opposite side from Phillip’s. They worked together, pushing the canoe further from shore. Birds soared overhead, their calls creating a melancholy tune that rose and fell in time with their paddling.

The water glittered like a thousand gems rested beneath the surface. Sarah leaned over to scoop the water into her palm. The canoe rocked. Phillip grabbed the edge and shot a look over his shoulder. “Stop moving.”

“Why?” She thumped back onto her seat, sending water sloshing over the side. “Are you afraid of falling in?”

“No.” His sharp retort belied the word, as did his grip on the canoe.

“Come on.” She stuck her paddle back in the water. “What’s so bad about falling in? It happens all the time.”

“It’s not that.” Phillip groaned and ran a hand through his hair. Mussed strands stood upright, giving him a porcupine look.

She leaned over the side, trailing her hand through the water. “Then relax and enjoy the trip. Not every second needs to be controlled. Live a little. You’re outside. In nature. Nature doesn’t play by the rules.”

The front of the canoe banged against something and rose into the air.

Sarah toppled over the side, hitting the water with a splash. Water closed over her head, but she heard the muffled thud of another body landing beside her. Phillip’s face appeared amid a flurry of bubbles. Sarah grinned while Phillip scowled. They shot to the surface, breaking through together.

Sarah flipped onto her back and floated with her arms spread wide.

Phillip bobbed like a cork, treading water with his arms and glaring at her. “You did that on purpose.”

Sarah closed her eyes. “Nope. But I’m not sorry it happened. Just proved my point. You can go with the flow, Phillip. Relax and have fun. There’s no schedule. No timeline. We have all day.”

Fingers grasped her ankle and yanked. Sarah yelped and kicked.

Phillip’s gruff laughter sent a jolt of surprise through her. He swam past her and grabbed the paddles as they floated away. He tossed them into the canoe, then flung himself back over the side.

Sarah swam under the canoe to the other side, then popped up and grabbed the edge. Using all her weight, she pulled, dragging the edge back into the water and tipping Phillip dangerously close to the edge.

He laughed and dove into the water. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Nope.” She paddled around him, then dove under as far as her vest would allow.

To her surprise, Phillip came after her. She spun and put her hands on his head.

He grinned and grabbed her wrists.

Sarah brought her knees up between them, planted her feet on his stomach, and pushed them apart. He let go and rode the wave backward. His grin never faltered.

What do you know. Phillip might know how to have fun after all.

Sarah returned to the canoe and climbed in. “Let’s head back. I’m starving.”

Phillip flipped over the edge of the canoe and grabbed a paddle. They made it back to shore without any more mishaps, and Phillip helped her drag the canoe out of the water.

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