Music in the Night (Logan 4)

Nearly two and a half hours later, Cary brought the Sunfish around and headed for Logan's Cove. They beached where we had set up our blanket. Robert's clothes were soaked, but he looked exhilarated.

"How did he do?" I asked as they made their way up to us.

"Fair to middling," Cary said without much enthusiasm.

"It takes lots of practice," I said. I looked closer at Robert's face. His cheeks and forehead were beginning to look sunburned, but the back of his neck was the reddest, deep crimson. "Oh, Robert, you should have worn some sunblock. You're going to be hurting tomorrow."

"Yeah, I'm going to regret not putting any on. I feel crisp as burnt toast," he said. He gazed at Cary. "How come you're not burnt?"

"I've been out there so long, my skin's used to the sun," he said. "Anyway, I'm starving. Let's eat," he added.

May and I took out the food and as we ate, Robert described his sailing lesson, revealing that Cary had been screaming, "You're broaching!" more than half the time, "I think I finally got the hang of it toward the end, huh, Cary?"

"You're getting there," Cary said. "Actually," he reluctantly offered, "for a landlubber, you didn't do too badly."

"Thanks," Robert said. He was practically beaming. "You're not so bad yourself for an old sea dog."

"Old sea dog, huh?"

"You are a bit bowlegged," Robert kidded.

I laughed.

"I am not." Cary stood up. "Am I, Laura?"

"Only just a little, Cary," I said hesitantly.

"Is that so? Well, I've got perfect balance on or off land," Cary bragged.

Robert laughed.

"Want to find out, big shot?" Cary challenged. Robert glanced at me.

"Cary, no," I said.

"He's the one who claims to be perfect," Cary said. "What's your challenge?" Robert asked.

"Ever hear of Indian wrestling?"

"Sure. I'm the Eastern United States champion," Robert bragged.

"Will you two stop? We still have dessert to eat. Sit, Cary," I ordered, pointing to his spot on the blanket.

"We have to earn it first," Cary taunted. "Champ?"

Cary took his stance, his hand out. The object was to pull the opponent so far off balance that he fell. I knew Cary was very good at it, probably from doing balancing acts on boats during heavy seas.

Robert jumped to his feet. May laughed and clapped her hands in anticipation.

"You're going to mess up that sailing costume even more," Cary warned.

"We'll see."

"Will you two stop?" I pleaded. My heart began to pound. Whenever egos came into question, especially masculine egos, there was always trouble.

Robert grabbed Cary's hand, took his stance, and the struggle began. Both were strong. Their forearms bulged and their shoulders strained. Robert surprised me with his balance and I could tell Cary was amazed as well. He had thought he would make short work of Robert. t th nearly toppled the other and then Robert faked a thrust forward and pulled Cary so hard, Cary lost his footing and fell face forward, unable to catch hi n self before he fell face first into the sand. When he pushed himself up, his cheeks were blistered with sand, as were his chest and legs.

"And still champion of the East Coast, Robert Royce," Robert cried, holding his hands high. May laughed. Cary's eyes met mine and I knew this was not going to end well.