"I'm glad, Mommy," I said and hurried to pack the food in the basket.
I had wanted this to be an extra-special day. I had put my hair up, then down, then up again and tried on nearly everything in my closet trying to find the perfect outfit. I finally chose a pair of heather-gray shorts and a white tank top, a pair of sneakers with no socks, and just for a happy touch, I wrapped my navy silk scarf around my ponytail. I felt as light as air and floated up and down the stairs all morning until it was time to go.
Robert arrived just after Cary had returned from the bog. We all met outside. May had the smaller basket cradled in her arms.
"Well, thanks a lot for inviting me," Robert told Cary. "It looks like a perfect day for this, huh?"
Cary studied the weather a moment and nodded cautiously.
"As long as we come in before late afternoon. The wind's picking up a bit and it will be a good ride," he said. "But you're an expert now," he added with a note of challenge.
"Well, I haven't forgotten what I learned, if that's what you mean."
"Laura knows enough to be a judge of that," Cary said. "Well, let's get going then," I said, impatient and worried that too many words would stir up old wounds.
"I'll carry that," Robert said, taking the bigger basket from me.
We walked down the beach, Robert and I glancing longingly at each other as Cary led the way.
"You want to test me?" Robert asked Cary when we reached the sailboat. "Go ahead, ask me anything," he challenged.
"The only real test is the test the ocean gives," Cary replied coolly.
Robert laughed nervously, his eyes flitting from me to the boat and then to Cary.
"Laura, why don't you take May to Logan's Cove while Captain Robert and I bring the sailboat over," Cary suggested.
"Okay. Be careful," I said to Robert and took May's hand. We had the blanket out and were sitting and organizing our picnic lunch when the sailboat appeared around the bend. Robert was doing all the work. The boat bounced hard on the waves and then straightened and turned toward us, the sea spray shooting up around it as it headed toward the shore.
"It's wonderful!" Robert cried. "Invigorating. Much more exciting than it was the last time, Laura." "I can see that. How did he do, Cary?"
Cary busied himself with beaching the sailboat and then turned.
"Fine," he said. He gazed at the sky. The small dots of clouds had grown fatter and toward the sou
th we could see longer strands of white. "But I think you two should go out right after lunch and if it gets too rough, head right back," he said.
"Boy, just that little bit worked up my appetite," Robert followed.
I was too excited to be hungry. Cary didn't eat very much either. He sat pensive, staring out at the ocean. Robert talked about the Sea Manna, how successful their first few weekends had been, and how they were close to being fully booked for July. Cary made little comment. I never saw him so deep in thought. He looked nervous, too, stealing glances at me and then quickly gazing back at the sea or down the beach. Finally, he stood.
"I think May and I will go looking for seashells while you two do some sailing," he said. "Keep your eyes on the sky, Laura," he added and signed to May, who rose quickly to take his hand. The two of them started down the beach.
"Well," Robert said with a sigh, "we're finally alone for the first time in a century. At least that's the way it feels to me," he said, "Ready for your maiden voyage with Captain Blood?" he asked, shooting to his feet and reaching for my hand. "M'lady?"
I laughed and let him pull me up. Then I took off my sneakers and threw them into the sailboat. I gazed down the beach at Cary and May, who were already some distance away. Cary looked like he was watching us and then turned back to help May hunt for interesting shells. Robert helped me into the sailboat and pushed off, jumping in quickly and taking hold of the rope.
"Let's sail all the way to China," he yelled into the wind.
The sea spray felt good on my arms and my face. More gracefully than I had anticipated, Robert took us out and filled the sail with wind.
"Not bad, huh? I guess the sea is in my blood after all, thanks to you," he said.
I sat with my back against him and screamed at the bouncing we endured until we got farther and farther out and the water calmed.
"The last time I went out with Cary, I saw another cove," Robert said. "It looked very private, too," he added. "Why don't we find it and call it Laura's Cove," he whispered.
He kissed my hair and my forehead and I turned and reached up to meet his lips with mine. The sailboat twisted and we both screamed.