The drive into town was peaceful, filled with comfortable silence and shared glances. Noah let himself relax into the simple joy of being with Luke. They had the rest of the weekend to make memories and strengthen the bonds forming between their families.
He just hoped they could find everything on Cathy’s list quickly. He was already looking forward to getting back to the lake, to watching Eli play with Megan’s kids.
It felt like everyone in town had the same idea as them as they pulled into the grocery store parking lot. He’d anticipated the nearest town being quiet, like Maple Hill, but streets were already packed at ten on a Saturday morning. Then again, this was a popular tourist town, and the weather was supposed to be perfect.
They hurried as much as they could through the store, wanting to get back to the lake house before the kids went swimming. Noah trusted Megan and Drew implicitly, but he still worriedabout his son swimming when he wasn’t there. Eli was a good kid, but he didn’t always think before he acted.
They could see the kids playing on the dock when they returned to the house, their shouts and laughter carrying across the yard. Noah smiled at the sight of Eli with the others, his orange swim shirt making him easy to spot among the group.
“Got everything?”
“Think so.” Luke consulted the list one final time. “Though Mom will probably remember something else the second we walk in.”
“Here, let me grab that,” Luke offered as Noah reached for the heavy bag with the gallons of milk. “You can get the lighter stuff.”
Noah handed over the bag, gathering up the remaining groceries. The lake sparkled in the late morning sun, perfect for the afternoon of swimming they had planned. Everything felt right—the warmth of the day, the sound of children’s laughter, the easy domesticity of putting away groceries together.
A shriek followed by chaos shattered the peaceful moment.
Noah’s head snapped up at the sound, the grocery bag slipping from his fingers as he saw Eli stumbling backward on the dock. Time slowed to a crawl, stretching like taffy as he watched his son’s arms pinwheel, trying to catch his balance.
Then Eli disappeared over the edge.
Luke was already moving, the gallons of milk hitting the ground as he sprinted toward the water. Noah stood frozen, watching milk spread across the gravel like spilled paint, his feet refusing to move.
Move. Why couldn’t he move?
Drew’s splash barely registered as he jumped in after Eli. The world narrowed to the space where his son had been, then wasn’t. Somewhere, he heard Megan hollering for her kids to get off the dock, Luke’s voice steady as he yelled something to Drew.
“Got him!” Drew surfaced with Eli in his arms, the boy coughing and spluttering but seemingly unharmed. “He’s okay, just swallowed some water.”
Noah’s legs finally cooperated, carrying him toward the dock where Drew was already passing Eli to Luke. His son’s face was pale, water streaming from his hair, but he was breathing. Alive. Safe.
“I’m sorry,” Eli choked out between coughs. “I didn’t mean to?—”
“Shh, buddy.” Luke wrapped Eli in a towel, rubbing his arms. “You’re okay. That’s what matters.”
Noah reached for his son, needing to feel him solid and real in his arms. But Eli clung to Luke, face buried in his chest as he continued to cough up lake water.
“Let’s get him inside,” Megan suggested gently.
Noah followed numbly as Luke carried Eli toward the house, his mind replaying those terrible seconds in vivid detail. He should have been there. Should have been watching. Should have…
“Noah?” Luke’s voice broke through his spiraling thoughts. “Can you grab his bag? We should get him out of these wet clothes.”
“Right.” Noah’s voice sounded strange to his own ears. “Of course.”
He watched Luke settle Eli on the couch, still shivering despite being wrapped in the towel. It was still early enough in the summer that the water was cold despite the warmer air. His son’s coughs subsided, but he looked small and scared, nothing like the excited boy who’d learned the theory of fishing over breakfast.
“I really am sorry,” Eli whispered, his voice rough. “I know we’re not supposed to lean over the edge, but the fish was so cool and?—”
“Hey.” Luke crouched in front of him, his voice gentle. “Accidents happen, buddy. You scared us, but you’re okay. That’s what matters.”
Noah’s chest tightened as he watched them, guilt and gratitude warring in his heart. He should have been here. Should have been the one comforting his son, not standing frozen while others saved him.
“Here.” He handed Luke the dry clothes, his movements mechanical. “I should… I need to…”
He retreated to the kitchen, where Cathy was stirring hot chocolate, and his mother’s voice echoed in his head:A parent’s job is to protect their child, not give in to their every whim.
