She sprayed one arm with sunblock, then the other. “So you’re not just hanging out with me for the pleasure of my company?” she deadpanned.
I started to pick up speed, relishing the feel of the fresh lake air. “Of course I am. How often do I get Merry time? You’re growing up and busy with your own life, so I gotta take my time when I can get it.”
“While also chasing after a woman.”
“I’m not chasing her.”
“We’re racing around in a boat. Seems like a chase to me.”
I eased up on the throttle, and the engine jolted.
Merry crossed her arms over her life jacket. “Do you know how to drive this thing?”
“Course I do. It’s been a few years, but it’ll come back to me.”
With a humph, she rooted around in the bags of snacks. I’d let her raid the gas station before we took off. She’d been staying with Finn and Adele for the past few weeks while her mom and stepdad were on their honeymoon, and if I knew Finn, he was feeding his daughter kale and protein shakes every day.
“Thanks for coming with me.”
She nodded and gave me a small smile. “I love hanging out with my funcle. You’re not afraid of my mom and Adele like Uncle Jude or Uncle Owen. And you don’t make me do any lame stuff.”
I smiled. That was high praise from a tween.
“You like having a new baby brother?”
“He’s cool,” she said, lifting one shoulder. “He cries a lot, but Adele lets me hold him, and I’m pretty pumped about having a sibling, even if he’s boring right now.”
She popped the top on the Diet Coke she’d chosen.
“On the plus side, I get to dress him up in whatever I want and take photos. He doesn’t fight me.”
I huffed a laugh. “He will someday.”
With a shrug, she took a sip of her soda. “It’s all good. My dad is so happy with Adele, and my mom and Mike are finally married. My people are happy, so I’m happy.”
I held out my bottle of water and tapped it against her can. “Spoken like a true oldest child.”
Smiling, she leaned over to scratch Clementine’s ears. My dog had found her calling on the water. She was sitting on the bow, proudly rocking her doggie life jacket and acting like she owned the lake. Figured.
We were beginning to understand one another. As long as I made no demands, produced a steady stream of organic treats, and came home with a new squeaky toy at least twice a week, she tolerated my existence. And she’d even gotten into the habit of snuggling, but only every once in a while.
But she loved Merry, who sat next to her, her hair whipping in the wind as I drove.
Merry chatted happily about middle school social dynamics, her spring soccer season, and the hidden meanings in Taylor Swift’s new album. I soaked it all in. I didn’t get it as often as I’d like.
Time with Merry was something I’d always cherish. And the boat? It did not disappoint.
It was moments like these, speeding across the lake, with the warm sunshine on my skin, that made me love this place so much.
“So I’m gonna need the full story,” she said, handing me the bag of Swedish Fish. “Cut the bull crap.”
I scoffed. “Merry!”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “Sorry. I’m in middle school now, and once in a while, I say crap. Don’t tell my mom, okay?”
I nodded, bringing a hand to my mouth to hide my smile. “Fine.”
“But I’m not a baby. Who is this lady and why is she important to you?”
I looked at her sweet, innocent face. How could I explain all this to her in a way that made sense?
So, two decades ago, I lost the love of my life and have been in a rut ever since.
Or
I’ve wasted twenty years being miserable and doing all the things I was supposed to do instead of the things I wanted to do.
I settled on a kid-friendly version of the truth, explaining that a long time ago, I loved Chloe very much, and it didn’t work out. And now she was back, and I finally felt like my life was getting back on track.
Merry put a hand over her heart. “That’s so sweet.”
“Any day I get to see her is a great day,” I admitted. “She said she’d be taking her nieces out on the lake today. I thought it would be fun to bring you too.”
“Is she single?”
“Yes.”
Her face split in a grin. “So ask her on a date.”
