Nico nodded and slowed his pace.
“That’s it” Colin told him. “You’re getting it.”
They managed a few steady strokes beforeTHWACK—Mason smacked Ethan’s oar mid-stroke, causing the boat to wobble again.
“DUDE,” Ethan yelped. “You whacked my oar!”
“He didn’t mean to,” Colin said. “Relax. We’re all learning. It takes time to get used to the rhythm.”
They tried again. The rhythm got better, the strokes smoother. Colin nudged Alex, who had started stiffly but now had a focused expression, following the rhythm exactly.
“Nice work,” Colin told him.
Alex blinked, startled—as if compliments were rare—then ducked his head with a quick, almost hesitant smile. “Thanks.”
For thirty minutes or so, the boys rowed around the small lake while Colin watched, chatting quietly, listening as he offered murmured instructions or pointed out various sights along the shoreline. The oars sliced smoothly through the glassy water, sending gentle ripples across the lake’s mirrored surface. The air was crisp and still, carrying the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional call of a distant bird. Sunlight shimmered off the ripples, and for a few quiet moments, it felt as if the world had shrunk to just the boat, the steady rhythm of the oars, and the peaceful embrace of nature.
Then, just as Colin had begun to relax?—
"WAS THAT A FISH?"
Nico practically leaped out of his seat, and the entire boat lurched sideways. Colin instinctively threw his weight to counterbalance, grabbing the side just in time.
“Nico. Please. Sit. Down.”
Nico, red-faced, flopped back onto the bench. “Sorry. I panicked.”
“The sight of a trout threw you into a panic?”
“It was abigtrout!”
Colin snickered, let out a slow breath, and instructed the boys to turn the boat back toward shore. “OK. We survived our first rowing lesson AND a trout attack. Good job, everyone! Let’s head in.”
As the campers rowed back, Colin saw Joshua standing on the dock. His head was low, and his shoulders slumped, but he smiled as the boat bumped against the dock. “How’d it go?”
“Well, we didn’t lose anyone, so I’m calling it a win.”
“I’m proud of all of you!” Joshua said, then pointed toward the dining hall. “Forty-five minutes free time before dinner. Drinks and snacks in the dining hall.”
“Hang your life jackets in the boathouse before you head out!” Colin instructed as the campers climbed onto the dock.
The rowers were all laughing and in high spirits as they hung their jackets and moved toward the dining hall.
As he passed Colin, Nico paused. “Hey, so, uh … just in case … how talldoyou have to be to stand in this lake?”
Colin didn’t even hesitate as he leaned closer. “Taller thanyou.” Then he winked and ruffled Nico’s hair. “Never fear, buddy. I’ll always be around to save you.”
“I knowthis,” Nico told him with a quick grin. “I won’t be forgetting my life jacket.”
Colin laughed and tilted his head toward Nico’s fellow rowers. “See you in the dining hall.” He pulled the rowboat onto the shore, then moved to Joshua’s side.
“How’s it going, bud?”
“I’ve never been more exhausted in my life.”
Colin wrapped an arm around him. “Only seven hours ’til bedtime.”
Joshua sagged in his arms. “Oh, my fucking god,” he moaned while Colin snickered and held him upright.
