Cast the Cards

“Better. God, she’s amazing.”

“We always knew that.” Carey patted his back. “Can I help you with anything?”

“Sure. Want to pack some sides while I finish up with the sandwiches?”

“I’m on it.”

Before they picked up Vannah the previous night, they’d hit up an all-night grocery store and gotten the basics.

“Remember all the summers we spent here with our parents?” Clark asked.

“Yeah, I doubt they envisioned this for our future.” Carey laughed. “Then again, Mom’s always wanted us with Vannah.”

“It’s true.”

Working in tandem, they relived memories until Savannah came out dressed for comfort in a pair of worn jeans and a navy blue, scooped-neck tank top and tennis shoes.

“You guys didn’t have to do all the work.”

“We don’t mind. It’s supposed to be your weekend of pampering, remember? This is us.” Carey gestured between him and his brother with his fingers. “Sweeping you off your feet and making you forget about everything else.”

“I must say, mission accomplished.”

“We’re ready to go when you are,” Clark said.

“What about your swim—” He glanced over to see his brother had changed his clothes. “Never mind… starting to envy that trick.”

Clark winked. “Had to get something cool with this gig.” He picked the picnic basket up and held it out to her. “You carry this and we’ll get the canoe.”

“Deal.”

She sashayed over and Carey bit his lip. Her ass is hypnotic. She hooked the basket onto her arm.

“Come on, the canoe’s in the back.”

They walked outside and he took in the beauty of the forest. Even in mid-summer it was lush and green. It’d be another month or so before the leaves begin to dim and turn in preparation of fall. One thing he loved about living in the Midwest was the changing of seasons.

The blue tarp covered the canoe set up on a rack. He pulled it away and revealed the green boat.

“Here she is.”

“Still water-worthy?”

“Yeah, Dad and I took her out not too long ago on a father-son fishing trip. Come over here and grab the other end. We’ll lift together.”

They removed it from the rack, lifted it above their heads and turned it over, and turned to face Vannah.

“We’ll follow you.”

Fifteen minutes later they were paddling out onto the river. The green trees kissed the river’s edge, forming a living border. A fish jumped from the water.

“I forgot how beautiful it was here.” Vannah sighed and let her fingers skim over the water.

“Me too,” Carey whispered, never taking his eyes off her face. She looked up and smiled.

“What?”

“Nothing, just love seeing you happy. The fishing spot should be just up a ways to the left.”