“She’s in great shape. Taking her out? She’s ready to go.”
“No, not today.” Mitch shoved his hands in his pockets, feeling the soft, buoyant foam keychain attached to the boat keys. “Just thought I’d check her out. Probably going to take her out tomorrow.”
“Well, she’s right where you left her and ready to go. Slip seven. You need anything, just give me a shout. Be happy to stock up the fridge or whatever.”
“Will do.” Mitch continued on past the marina’s office, down the composite decking boardwalk to the last dock that jutted into the river. He got about halfway before he stopped, the cobalt blue hull of the boat just in front of him.
A sudden wave of grief washed over him. Any minute now, Jeanie would appear on deck, her smile brighter than the sun, her hand up to shield her eyes, and she’d tell him to get a move on. That they were wasting daylight. She always thought that was funny.
But she wasn’t going to appear.
He squeezed his eyes shut, thankful for the sunglasses that gave him a small barrier against the world around him. If he couldn’t get on the boat, he’d never be able to take it out onto the water.
This was the dumbest idea he’d had in a long time. What had made him think he could do this? He should have kept his mouth shut.
Jeanie would think he was being ridiculous, he knew that. But knowing that and making himself do anything about it were two very different things.
He took one step forward. He could do this. It was just a boat. Yes, it held as many memories as the house, maybe more because of the quality time they’d spent on board, but it was an inanimate object.
He should be able to do this. He inhaled deeply, then blew the air out.Snap out of it. Get on the boat and you’ll be fine. Do you really want to tell Harper you have to cancel? What reason are you going to give her? The truth?
He shook his head. He didn’t want to tell her that. Not when she thought he was making progress. Which he was. But this might set him back.
There was only one way to find out.
Using some inner fortitude he didn’t know he had, he walked the rest of the way to the boat and climbed on board. It felt bigger than he’d remembered. Maybe because he was so unused to being on it alone.
His gaze drifted over the seating areas, across the cockpit, and to the entrance that led down into the cabin. He and Jeanie had spent some weekends on the boat, usually after he’d turned a book in and was ready for a real break. They often went up the river a bit, to where it widened, and anchored there.
A few times, after Kyle had gone off to college, they’d taken longer trips down to the Keys.
Mitch moved toward the cabin out of habit, going down the steps. As soon as his feet touched the floor, he picked up the subtle scent of Jeanie.
How had he thought he could do this? There was so much of her still here. He ran his hand over the small galley countertop, remembering the times she’d made dinner for them here. The laughter that had filled this small cabin. The love.
He tried to think positively, like Jeanie would. Maybe…maybe taking the boat out with Harper, Frankie, Willa, and Lucas was exactly the thing to do.
This boat had always been a happy place. He certainly couldn’t be happy on it now alone. But with all of them here, and the dogs, maybe he’d be able to enjoy a different kind of happiness. He sat at the dining booth, the cushion sighing softly under his weight. He rested his arms on the table.
He needed some new memories. His old ones, while happy, made him miserable. He wasn’t trying to replace Jeanie, not in any way. But having something else to fill his head with, that might be just what he needed.
He took a breath. It wasn’t going to be easy. Then again, maybe it wouldn’t be as difficult as he thought with the distraction of so many people around him.
There was only one way to find out. And that was to go ahead with the plans. Hesitantly, he got up and went out to talk to Kai about getting the boat ready for tomorrow’s adventure.
Chapter Four
Frankie took up her usual spot on the back deck overlooking the pool and the water beyond. She had her tablet on her lap, her pen for sketching, and a cup of coffee nearby.
Harper had woken up and taken Archie right out. They were somewhere in the yard below.
Willa had yet to show her face, but that was no big deal. She could sleep as long as she wanted. This was her vacation. At some point, she’d turn up. Looking for coffee, no doubt.
When Harper and Archie got back, Frankie would see what her sister wanted to do about breakfast.
At the moment, Frankie was content to sit with her coffee and work on the logos she’d promised Lucas. He was paying her, money she dearly needed, so she wanted to get them done and delivered.
Not just for the money, though. She liked him a lot and wanted him to be happy with what she was doing for him. She was hoping to grow her business. Logos were a new thing for her, but if they could bring in the kind of money he was paying, she was all about them.
