Going Overboard

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  HEAVEN HELP HIM, Chance thought, if he allowed Andi to become a distraction. As he listened for an irregularity in the chug of the engines, he thought about the ease with which Andi clowned around with Nicole. Her sheer freedom of spirit mesmerized him. For that brief moment he’d forgotten everything but Andi, and it had been exhilarating. It had also been embarrassing to have Bowie catch him at it, yet again.

  If Andi could capture his attention so completely when she wasn’t even focusing on him, what would happen to his concentration if she turned that happy-go-lucky charm on him full force? He’d have to be damn careful this week.

  Chance turned to Bowie. “You’d better go aft and tell me how I’m doing. When you give me the signal, I’ll start backing.”

  Bowie paused. “Uh, Chance?”

  “What?” Chance looked up impatiently.

  “We’re still tied to the dock.”

  Chance grimaced.

  “I’ll take care of it,” Bowie said, heading toward the front deck.

  Another lesson, Chance thought. He’d been so engrossed in thoughts of Andi he’d almost pulled half of the Echo Bay dock out into the lake. God knows, the boat was big enough to do it.

  “I think I’ll go help him untie us,” Andi said, following Bowie out onto the deck.

  Chance watched her sashay through the door. The light played with her golden hair as she crouched to help Bowie with the thick ropes securing them to the dock. Just looking at her lifted his heart. And addled his brain.

  “She’s amazing,” Nicole said, almost as if she could read the direction of his thoughts. “It’s impossible to be depressed around her. She always searches out the fun side of life.”

  Chance looked over at Nicole. “I thought it was the younger one who was supposed to be wild and crazy.”

  Nicole laughed and waved a hand toward the front deck. “Tell that to her.”

  Chance looked outside again. Andi was swinging a rope like a lasso and threatening to hog-tie Bowie, who was pawing the ground and using his forefingers as horns.

  “Don’t underestimate her because she likes to kid around,” Nicole said. “She’d go to the wall for the people she loves.”

  “Like Bowie.”

  “Yeah.” Nicole smiled. “I recognized right away how alike they were. I’m sure that’s what attracted me to him.”

  “I just wish he enjoyed his work at Jefferson more.”

  “Well, maybe if you could—” Nicole cut herself off as Andi and Bowie came back inside, flushed and laughing.

  Chance felt an overwhelming urge to take Andi in his arms and kiss that laughing mouth. What a huge mistake that would be. “All set?” he asked. Bowie snapped him a salute. “All secure and remarkably tight, Captain.”

  “Then get back there and protect my ass, Bowie.”

  “Aye, aye, Captain.”

  Nicole stood. “I’ll go with you and help direct.”

  Bowie leered at her. “Trying to get me alone so you can have your way with me, aren’t you?”

  “Of course.”

  “Hot-diggity.” Bowie guided Nicole down the passageway to the rear of the boat. “We’ll be in the back making out, if you need us, Captain.”

  “Just don’t embarrass the family,” Chance called after them. He wished Andi had volunteered to go with Bowie instead of Nicole. That meant smart-mouthed Andi would be staying up front with him and be a witness to the disaster if he miscalculated and drove this barge into something. From the way she’d reacted to everything so far, he’d probably never live it down, either. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants.

  “Don’t worry. You’ll do fine,” Andi said.

  He glanced at her in surprise. Whatever he’d expected. from her while he attempted this feat, it hadn’t been moral support. “Thanks.”

  “I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? You could wreck the boat, which is worth about a gabbillion dollars, by backing into someone else’s boat, also worth about a gabbillion dollars, and both boats would sink in the middle of the harbor, making it impossible for anybody else to get in or out, and we’d all have to swim to the dock while crowds of people threw rotten food at us.”

  He chuckled. “Thanks for the encouraging words.”

  “Anytime.” She smiled back.

  He reached for his sunglasses and put them on, feeling a little like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. He could by damn do this.

  Bowie yelled the first command, and he put the boat in reverse. Funny thing, but his palms weren’t sweating anymore.

  SHE’D DONE IT, Andi thought as she sat on a bench seat where she could watch Chance at the wheel of the boat. She’d made him see the funny side of the situation and a little of the tension was gone from his jaw. And there were signs, small but significant, that he was loosening up. He hadn’t acknowledged that Bowie had saved them from pulling off a section of the dock, though.

  Slowly the boat slid out of the mooring slip, and when it had cleared, Chance muscled it around to the left with the help of instructions coming from Bowie in the back.

  “You’re clear. Punch it!” Bowie shouted.

  The engines roared as Chance thrust the boat forward before it could drift toward the dock again. Bowie let out a rebel yell as the houseboat moved smoothly out of the marina.

  “See?” Andi said. “Piece of cake.”

  He glanced at her. “Want to drive it?”

  She was taken aback. “You mean that?”

  “Sure, why not? Getting in and out of the marina has to be the worst of it. Just steer it along the shoreline. It’s probably not much different than driving your van.”

  She stood and walked over to the captain’s chair. As he began to explain the control panel to her, she caught another whiff of his cologne and her stomach did that funny little twisting trick again. Face it, you’re attracted to him. She’d always been a sucker for a man with a nicely sculpted mouth and strong chin. That slight fiveo’clock shadow she remembered from that first night in Ginger’s hallway was making its appearance again. Coupled with his flyboy sunglasses, it gave him a roguish air.

  “Got it?”

  She hadn’t heard a word he’d been saying. “Got it.”

  “Then it’s all yours,” he said, sliding out of the chair and releasing the wheel.

  She quickly took his place and put both hands on the wheel. The lake sparkled in front of her and the rocky coastline slipped by on her right. She adjusted to the motion of steering the boat. “Don’t leave.”

  “I won’t.” He stood right behind her. “Ease over to the left. That outcropping looks like it extends into the water a ways. It sure helps that the water’s so clear. You can see all the obstacles really easy.”

  “Too bad life isn’t like that, huh?”

  He sighed. “Yep.”

  That heartfelt sigh stirred her compassion. She was beginning to imagine what life might be like for the son of a dead business tycoon and a woman who sent a French teacher to instruct her unborn grandchild. Bowie had reacted by accepting the role of the reckless screwup, so nobody expected much of him, but Chance was just gritting it out, trying to carry the load for everyone.

  Even through the engine noise she could pick out the sound of his breathing, and the steady rhythm gave her goose bumps. She fantasized what it would be like if they were on this boat by themselves, instead of sharing it with her sister and brother-in-law. She imagined Chance putting his arms around her and helping her steer as they navigated along the rocky shore. “How’m I doing?”

  “Just fine.” His voice sounded deeper than usual.

  What a kick if he’d been having some of the same fantasies, she thought.

  “Think you can handle it by yourself now?”

  Her rosy fantasy collapsed. “I guess so. Got an important meeting to go to?”

  “In a way. I want to change clothes, and I do have some calls to make while clients are still in their offices in New York. Plus, I want to see what the stock market did today.”

/>   “Couldn’t you let it go for now? It’s such a glorious afternoon.”

  “Can’t.”

  “What’s the worst that could happen? I’ll bet the clients will still be around tomorrow, and if the stock market crashed, you might as well enjoy your evening, because you’re in deep doo-doo, no matter what calls you make.”

  “First of all, the clients may not be around tomorrow. They might interpret my delay as lack of interest and do business with another company that’s more enthusiastic. And the stock-market prices will affect what I say to my broker first thing in the morning, and I have tonight to consider my next move.”

  “It sounds exhausting. Don’t you ever wish you could swim with the minnows for a change?”

  “Did I hear somebody up here mention swimming?” Bowie said, coming into the living area. “Nicole’s changing into her suit and mourning her lost figure, so I thought I’d—well, shiver me timbers, look who’s driving the boat! Hey, Chance, want me to climb up to the roof and put out the distress flag to warn people out of our path?”

  “She’s doing fine,” Chance said.

  Andi warmed to the praise. “Watch your tongue, sailor,” she said, “or the captain, who is yours truly at the moment, will order you flogged for insubordination.”

  “Cool. S and M,” Bowie said.

  Chance laughed.

  “Hark!” Bowie said. “A strange sound fills the air. Could it be? Is the Grand Pooh-Bah of Jefferson Sporting Goods—be still my heart—chortling?”

  “I’ve never chortled in my life,” Chance said, still laughing.

  “Oh, yes. Chortling. In fact, there was the Great Chortle of 1975, when we snuck those turkeys into—”

  “Nicole’s out of the bathroom,” Chance said, smoothly interrupting. “I’m changing clothes and making those calls.”

  “You just don’t want Bowie to tell about the turkeys and spoil your image as a buttoned-down executive,” Andi accused.

  “That was a long time ago,” he said. “You both will have to excuse me, but I have some work to do.”

  Andi waited until he left before she spoke. “He should have thanked you for remembering the ropes.”

  “What ropes? Oh, you mean untying us from the dock? That was no big deal.”

  “It would have been if you hadn’t remembered.”

  “He probably didn’t thank me because he’s embarrassed that he forgot. He doesn’t think he can afford a mistake, especially since Dad died. Once upon a time the guy knew how to have fun, but lately he’s been nothing but old sobersides.”

  “Look, Bowie, I know you’ve engineered this trip partly to encourage him to relax, but he might not. Will you be okay with that?”

  Bowie stared at the light dancing on the water. “I guess I won’t have a choice,” he said, his voice low. “But Andi, if he can’t loosen up in a place like this, he’s more of a mess than I thought.”

  “There’s no such thing as an attractive maternity swimsuit,” Nicole wailed as she came down the hallway and walked to the front of the boat so Andi could see her.

  “Look at this, sis. I’m afraid if I go in the water somebody will try to harpoon me!”

  Bowie rushed to her side and threw a protective arm in front of her. “I would never allow that, my love.”

  “Aw, Nic, you’re very cute,” Andi said. The loosefitting white suit made Nicole look like an egg on stilts, but the effect was very endearing, especially when Andi considered that soon Nicole would have a baby girl for her troubles. Vanity didn’t seem much of a price to pay for that. She wished their mother could have lived closer to take part in this pregnancy—she suspected Nicole missed that. “Motherhood looks good on you,” she added, meaning every word.

  “I absolutely agree,” Bowie said gallantly, giving her a quick kiss.

  “And it will all be worth it in two months,” Andi said.

  “You’re right,” Nicole said. “I haven’t a complaint in the world, except that right now I would kill to get into that cool, clear water.”

  “Your wish is my command, love,” Bowie said. He shaded his eyes and swept himself into a one-legged stance while he gazed off toward the continuous shoreline. “Land ho!”

  “All ashore who’s going ashore!” Andi decided it was time to take charge of the fun around here. “Sailor, go tell His Stuff-shirtedness that he’s needed on the bridge. He can go commune with his laptop after we beach this sucker. It’s time to party!”

  4

  TWO HOURS LATER, Andi, Bowie and Nicole sat on the rear deck in plastic deck chairs, their feet propped on the railing, and fishing poles dangling over the end of the boat. The prow was wedged firmly into the sand of a secluded little beach, and stout iron stakes held the mooring ropes for extra stability. Chance had taken the helm to run the boat aground and had helped Bowie drive the stakes into the sand and tie the mooring ropes. Soon afterward, he’d claimed he had reports to type and had disappeared inside the boat while the rest of them took a swim.

  “We shoulda bought some live bait,” Andi said, taking another sip of her beer. She and Bowie were indulging, while Nicole, the pregnant lady, had to settle for a soft drink.

  “I agree,” Nicole said. “These lures may be from Jefferson’s finest stock, but the Lake Mead fish are not impressed.”

  “I want to try something,” Bowie said, handing his fishing pole to Nicole. “Mind the line for me a little while. I’ll be back.”

  “No problem. Nothing’s biting anyway,” Nicole said.

  Andi was glad for the moment of privacy with her sister. She was determined to get Nicole’s opinion about her latest career plan, but she didn’t want Bowie or Chance, especially not Chance, throwing in their two cents worth. “Listen, before he comes back, I want to talk about this idea I have.”

  “Please tell me this isn’t about artificial insemination.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t do it, Andi. I’ve seen that longing look on your face, and that usually means you’re about to try something crazy. I know this baby stuff looks like fun, but you don’t have a steady income, and raising a kid alone would be hard enough if you had a lot of money, so—”

  “Time out, Nic!” Andi braced her pole between her thighs and made a T with her hands. “The thought never crossed my mind.”

  “Never?”

  “Well, okay, one time after we’d talked on the phone, and you were so excited about what color to paint the baby’s room, and you’d just bought her first teddy bear, I fleetingly considered the possibility.”

  “Aha!”

  “But I came to the same conclusions you just listed. I have to put my life together before I can think about bringing another life into the world. And I’d like to find a nice guy, too. Easier on me, easier on the kid.” She smiled triumphantly at Nicole. “So there. Do I get points for that?”

  Nicole wet her finger and drew three stripes on Andi’s shoulder. “Well done, soldier.”

  “God, I remember how Dad used to do that. Remember when he started awarding us ranks?”

  “Yeah, and you hated it because I usually outranked you.”

  “I think when he started assigning us ranks, I decided never to be that regimented. But…there comes a time… Don’t laugh, but I’m thinking of expanding on yoga instruction and opening a school of my own, Nic.”

  “I’m not laughing. Would it take much capital?”

  Andi gazed at her. “Spoken like the Nicole I know. Not what a terrific idea, but would it take much capital?”

  “Isn’t that why you’re asking me, so I’ll point out these things?”

  Andi sighed. “I guess. And no, it wouldn’t take much capital. I could build slowly, use creative ways to advertise. This is scary, but I’m actually thinking about a career, an honest-to-goodness vocation.”

  “My first reaction is that it sounds perfect for you. You’re definitely the self-employment type.”

  “Thanks. I think so, too.”

  “And Mom will be tr
ès relieved to know you’re not headed for the sperm bank.”

  “Mom thought I was about to get inseminated, too?”

  Nicole adjusted her souvenir visor and looked at her. “She has some idea that you like to horn in on what I’m doing.”

  “I do not horn in.”

  “Remember the guppies?”

  “The guppies weren’t my fault!”

  “Ha! Who dumped Jaws into the tank when I wasn’t home? Maybe he was the hit man who wiped out Myrtle, Harry, Genevieve and Bernie, but you hired him.”

  “I thought an angel fish was a lot prettier than those dumb guppies. I just thought he’d show them up a little. I didn’t know he’d eat them.”

  “Speaking of eating fish, I’m hoping to do that on this trip,” Bowie said, plopping into the chair next to Nicole. “And I’m hoping we can catch something bigger than a guppy. So which one of you wants to help me try my new lure?” He held up two iridescent clusters of feathers and beads.

  Nicole glanced at him. “Oh, Bowie, don’t use those. I promise to wear them really soon. They just take some getting used to.”

  Andi gazed at the dazzle of colors. “Those are earrings? Fantastic!”

  Bowie shrugged. “It was just an idea I had, so I made a pair for Nicole, but she really doesn’t like them. She’s more the pearl-and-diamond type.”

  “Not me,” Andi said. “I think they’re perfect, and you’ll put them in the water over my dead body. Give them here.”

  Bowie handed them across Nicole with a smile of delight. “They’re all yours.”

  Andi took out the red hoops in her ears and replaced them with the lure earrings. “What do you think?”

  “They’re you,” Nicole said.

  “Do you mean that in a good way or a bad way?”

  “A good way.” Nicole squeezed her knee. “After all, I trundled all the way out here just to get my Andi fix. The phone’s okay, but I wanted a face-to-face.”

  “You miss not having Mom and Dad around, huh?”

  Nicole nodded, and her eyes grew a little moist.