A short while later, Shelley came to sit with the others. “This is glorious. It feels so free being on the water. If I lived here I’d go boating every week.”
There was a time when Quinn had gone boating that often, but that was before becoming focused on his career.
“It’s not always this smooth,” he said. “The bay can be fickle. Calm one minute and stirring up a squall the next.”
“But that’s the adventure in nature, isn’t it? That’s what makes it feel like you’re just on the edge of being in control. That’s what makes it so beautiful.”
And it was that outlook that made Shelley so beautiful. In addition to being the sexiest woman he'd ever set eyes on, her beauty radiated from within because she looked at her whole life as an adventure. And in doing so, she’d reawakened his adventurous side, sparking memories that made him want to join her in rediscovering the things he’d missed out on over the past ten years. Being with Shelley made him realize that when he’d become consumed with growing his business, he’d left behind the joy in the very things that had driven him toward his success. Great things like the adrenaline rush from being out on the water and the anticipation of finally snagging a clam with his fingertips.
He wished they were alone on the boat so that he could tell her what he was feeling. But not only were they not alone, he also had a lesson to teach.
“The first and most important thing you must know about sailing is the direction the wind is blowing.”
Georgette shot to her feet. “I know how to do that.” She licked her finger and held it up, then turned her body until the wind was blowing in her face. Her lips curved into a smile. “Here it is!”
“That’s exactly right, Georgette,” Quinn said. “And if you’re ever not sure, there are other clues everywhere, from the direction the clouds are moving, to the ripples in the water, and other sailboats. Even dust or flags can give you guidance.”
“That’s my girl.” George rose beside her and kissed her cheek. “Always on her toes.”
Shelley’s eyes were soft and warm as she watched the couple be so affectionate with each other. “How long have you been married?”
“Sometimes it feels like forever,” Georgette said with a laugh, “but George worked eighty-hour weeks until two years ago, so we actually didn’t get much time together until recently.”
Quinn didn’t miss the faltering of Georgette’s smile as she talked about being second to George’s job. He couldn’t help but think about his grandmother and how she hadn’t even been second in line for his grandfather’s affection, but third.
“I imagine it’s hard to strike a balance,” Quinn said to George, the one thought that was hanging heavily on his shoulders after the crappy way he’d behaved last night with Shelley, “but Georgette must have been incredibly understanding if you were as married to your business as you were to her.”
Shelley turned her warm—and approving—eyes to him, and he was glad he’d finally gotten something right. At the same time, he also couldn’t help but wonder if Chandler regretted how he’d lived his life, never finding the balance between work and love and fun. And if so, did that feed into his bitterness?
Realizing he’d gotten lost in his thoughts again, Quinn made himself refocus on what he was supposed to be doing—teaching a sailing lesson.
“We need to release the boom vang to allow the boom to rise up when the sail is hoisted.” Quinn slowed the engine and explained how to hoist the mainsail, carrying out each action as he talked them through the process. “Now we’re going to loosen the main sheet, which is the control line that pulls the mainsail in or out, so that wind against the rising sail doesn’t cause resistance.” He motioned for Shelley and the others to come closer, then pointed to a line sewn into the foot of the mainsail. “See how this piece moves up and down on the groove of the mast? That ensures that you’re ready to hoist the mainsail.”
He had to let one of them hoist the mast, and he was a little worried about the older couple doing it. Shelley would not only enjoy the thrill of it, but she was also strong enough to handle the weight. Heck, she was clearly strong enough to handle anything that came her way.
“Shelley, would you like to hoist the mainsail?”
Her eyes lit with excitement “Would I ever.” But then she hesitated for a moment and addressed the others. “Unless you’d like to do the honors?”
“Oh, goodness no,” Georgette said. “The two of us together couldn’t pull that halyard down.”
Quinn was surprised that Georgette knew the nautical term for the rope that raised the sail. As he helped Shelley get into position, he asked the couple, “Have you taken sailing lessons before?”