Page 32 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

The wind quickly caught the sails, and we moved forward.

Steering the boat, I couldn’t help smiling. There was something special about being under sail. Sea breezes brushed my cheeks, and I inhaled the salty tang of the air.

Vaughn came into the cockpit and stretched his legs out, staring back at me. “There’s something about watching you at the wheel that gives me pleasure. Maybe it’s the smile on your face. It reminds me that we haven’t had the chance to sail alone for some time.”

“Robbie loves being on the boat. It’s practice for him to be in charge, I’d hate to take that away from him.”

“I get it, but that doesn’t mean I want to give up on just the two of us being on the boat,” said Vaughn.

“It’s special,” I agreed. “Why don’t you take the wheel? I need to call Rhonda to let her know what’s happening today. We have a small engagement dinner at the hotel, which I won’t be able to make.”

I rose, and Vaughn slid behind the wheel.

I went below out of the wind, picked up my cell phone, and punched in Rhonda’s number. She answered right away. “Hi, Ann. How’s Clint?”

“I think it’s going to be a tough day for him. I don’t think he or any of us realizes how these fractures might affect him. Nell thinks he is unaware of the extent of his injuries. A woman from the physical therapy unit visited him this morning to discuss home care. Nell was hoping to leave the hospital for Sabal as soon as possible. I’ve left my car so she can drive Clint home. Vaughn and I are sailing the boat back to Sabal now, so I won’t be able to supervise the engagement luncheon.”

“No problem. We’ll handle it. It looks like a stormy day,” Rhonda said, sounding very worried.

“We checked the weather carefully. It’s gray and a bit windy, but nothing we can’t handle.”

“Call me as soon as you arrive in Sabal. I need to know you’re safe,” said Rhonda.

“Yes, mother,” I teased and then felt my eyes filling. Rhonda was mother, daughter, and sister to me.

I ended the call and climbed the stairs to the cockpit. The boat was heeling quite a bit in the wind.

“After the day I had yesterday, I think we both need to put on life jackets,” said Vaughn. “No need to zip them closed, but having your arms looped through one will make me feel better.”

I retrieved the life jackets, put mine on, and handed Vaughn his.

“Thanks,” said Vaughn. “Yesterday, I’m not sure what would’ve happened to Clint if we hadn’t had help. By the time I could’ve turned the boat around and returned to him, he might not have been able to stay afloat. Not with his broken arms.”

I gave him a sympathetic look. “It’s not your fault it happened. It was just a crazy accident. Who would’ve guessed to watch out for drug smugglers?”

“I know. My reaction was normal, and it may have even prevented the other boat from hitting us. There was nothing else I could do.”

“Then don’t blame yourself,” I said, sliding behind the wheel next to him and patting his back.

He squeezed my hand. “I guess I needed to hear that.”

I leaned my head on his shoulder for a moment, and we continued to let the wind move us along.

###

Early the next day, we motored into our lagoon and tied the boat up at the dock. Robbie met us to help wash down the boat.

“What happened yesterday?” Robbie asked his dad.

I left them to carry leftover food items up to the house. Liana and the kids were inside the kitchen making tacos for a late lunch.

“Hi, Gammy,” said Bailey, running to me. I set the bag of food on the counter and gave her a big hug, and smiled at Liana. “What would we do without you? You’ve been great about giving us this much time.”

“Not a problem,” said Liana cheerfully. “Classes are closed for the weekend.”

“I want a hug,” said Ned, reaching his arms up to me.

I put down Bailey and lifted Ned into my arms, remembering it hadn’t been long ago that a boy I hugged this size was Robbie.