Sophie’s voice.
I stuff my phone back in my pocket, trying to shake my anger.
Just in time to see the kids racing downhill to the docks. The back door swings shut as Dan closes it, then races toward me, right behind his sister.
“Careful!” I call, my arms splayed wide to catch Soph. She stumbles into me with a squeal, and I grab her, swinging her around before setting her back on her feet. “What have I told you about running down hills?”
“Only run if you wanna fall over?” She grins, her glasses tilted. “But that’s why you’re here, Dad! You’re my brakes.”
Munchkin logic.
That’s why it’s impossible to stay mad at my angel.
Luckily, Dan brakes himself and bumps into my side dramatically.
“We finished our homework. English is easy. Can you believe they let me pickNarniafor the dumb paper?” he yells. Birds erupt from the nearby trees, and Sophie giggles.
“Pipe down, we’re not the only folks here,” I say, even though from here, it looks like we are.
Another reason I picked this place when Bar Harbor was a bust.
“It’s just birds.” Dan settles beside me. I steer them both away from the dock. “Are we taking the boat out? Or do we have to clean first?”
“Yeah,” Sophie says, beaming up at me. “You promised you would.”
The explosive pressure in my chest eases as I look down into their faces.
The prickling sensation of being watched has faded. If I look up, I’m sure I’ll see Margot drawn back behind the earthy curtains.
This is what I need after that call, though.
An excuse to get us out on the canoe, away from the world.
“I guess I did promise, huh? And you’re lucky I took care of the worst with the dock. I won’t keep you guys waiting, but you step where I tell you.” With my hands on their little shoulders, I steer them toward the small shed that’s sitting by the water, where I’ve hauled our canoe.
Sophie holds up the small telescope in her hand, making a big show of playing pirate, swinging it around.
“Arrr, I’m ready, Captain Dad!”
“Keep it straight, little matey. Remember what I told you about where to look with that thing?”
She rolls her eyes, mouthing, “I know.”
Just like I know I’m going to have my hands full with her in a few years, especially if she turns out a fraction as spoiled as Margot Blackthorn.
Stop thinking about her, idiot.
“Okay,” I tell them. “Let’s get the boat into the water.”
It’sheaven on the lake.
The kids turn into dynamos, both of them talking my ear off about the scenery and pointing out damn near every bird nestled in the trees. When a young moose bolts into the woods after taking a drink, it takes half an hour to calm them down.
Sophie spends her time after that staring at the opposite shore with her telescope, moose hunting, while Dan helps me paddle.
At least I can putoneof them to work to help burn off some energy.
By the time we return to the house and pull up the canoe, they’re exhausted and damp from getting splashed on the wayback up onto the dock. I send them upstairs to change as I get started on lunch.
