As I get us anchored on the sandbar, I hear Jane giving the kids instructions. I smile at it. I love what a good mother she is. It’s one of the many reasons I’ve fallen head over heels for the woman.
Once we are all anchored in, I drop the ladder.
“Okay, there are some house rules,” I tell them all, clapping my hands.
“Listen to Mac,” Jane tells them.
Tanner is giving me all of his attention while Emily looks like she might be thinking about butterflies or dolphins.
“Okay. This isn’t like the pool or a lake. The Gulf has tides and currents. You need to be extra careful. So I have these ropes”—I hold them up—“attached to the boat, so if you are in the water, you attach to the boat. You never leave our eyesight. You don’t go out too far. You ask before you go in, so we know you are in the water. Do not talk to strangers. If you are hungry, we have a whole thing of snacks and a cooler of drinks here. Sunscreen every thirty minutes, so no arguments. No getting on the boatwithout me or your mom. If you need a bathroom, we have one inside the boat. Understood?”
“Yes, sir,” Tanner says.
“Okay. I can go play now?” Emily asks.
“After we put sunscreen on,” Jane tells her before turning to me. “I brought snacks and drinks. You didn’t need to.”
“They are always here,” I lie.
The truth is, I had one of the prospects grab it while I fueled up. She doesn’t need to know that, though.
“Oh. That’s good. How do we get down?” Jane asks.
“I’ll go first. You go last so you can hand me anything you want on shore.”
She nods.
I go down the ladder, then motion for Emily to come down. She squeals when she feels the cool water. It’s certainly not the warmest today, but it’s not too bad. I carry her to shore before I go back for Tanner. He opts to get into the water, shivering as he lets me follow him to shore. Then I’m back for Jane.
“Hand me what you want, then wait for me. Oh, and there are some sand toys in the cubby by the snacks.”
She nods, grabbing a bag and putting some things in it. Then she hands it down to me with the sand toys. I take it to shore, handing it to Tanner before going back for Jane.
“Come on down,” I tell her.
She slowly lowers herself into the water, shivering at the chill. I cage her in between my arms.
“I’ll get you warm again,” I whisper into her ear.
She gasps, turning to look at me.
Without warning, I pick her up bridal style and carry her to the shore without getting her wet. She giggles, making Emily laugh.
When I set her down, she smiles at me.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I say, clearing my throat.
“Sunscreen time,” Jane says, grabbing it out of the bag Tanner is holding.
She helps the kids get out of their life jackets, then out of the clothing they had over their suits. Both kids hold still while she applies the lotion to their skin. Then she tells them to let it dry for five minutes before going in the water.
When she moves toward me, I tilt my head.
“What are you doing there, Mama?” I ask.
“Well, safety is important. You made me wear a life jacket, so I’m making you wear sunscreen.”
