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“I guess our friend lost it,” Maggie said, walking down the dock.
“Yeah, she’s had enough,” Katrina said. “I’m worried about her.”
“Me, too. Where is she?”
Annie had walked around the beach to explore the other side of the island. She’d seen it from the skiff, but not while on land. She ran around to the side facing the cottage and saw Maggie standing there with a towel.
“We should build a screenhouse here,” Annie yelled. “You should see the view from the other side. There are a hundred sailboats on the bay today!”
“It’s the warm weather,” Maggie said. “Always brings them out. Swim back!”
Annie waved and walked into the water, swimming back to the dock. Once again, the cold water calmed her down. The slimy ladder made her squeal when her feet slipped on the moss.
“My husband is looking at you through the trees. You look naked from a distance.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t give a crap about me,” she said, taking the towel. “Thank you so much. It’s a lot colder out when you’re wet.”
“You look pretty good, girl,” Maggie said, concerned.
“You’ve lost your mind, Annie,” Katrina said, worried for her friend.
Annie and Maggie sat down next to Katrina, Annie drying her hair with a second towel. “I’m serious about the screenhouse. When I get some money, I want to build one for you, Maggie. That island is wonderful.”
“We’ve talked about it already,” Katrina said. “Even a gazebo. With an outhouse.”
“I’ll talk to Justin,” Maggie said. “We could be there right now and refuse to come back until dinner was cooked and served.”
“The cold water stirred up my appetite. I’m getting hungry,” Annie said, wringing the water out of her hair. “When’s Justin going to grill?”
“As soon as they get back. I cut my ride short to make sure you hadn’t lost your mind.”
“I did lose it, but I’m getting it back. I made a decision out there.”
Her friends looked at her, patiently waiting. “And?”
“I’m definitely not going to marry Chris right away. We can do what you and Dave are doing and just be together because we love each other. But I don’t want to live with his sons. I know that must sound so selfish, but I can’t help it. I don’t want that life. I’ve already lived with an immature guy when I was married to Steve, and I can’t risk having that again.”
“Honey, I’m glad you’ve made up your mind, but Chris’s boys are not Steve.”
“I know that, Kat. I just can’t do it. I don’t want to live with his sons. I can already see that he’s permissive with them because of some guilt thing.”
“Aren’t you jumping the gun? They only said they wanted to live there because it was so cool.”
Stamping her bare foot on the dock, Annie had had enough.
“I’m sick of talking about them. Let’s talk about us. Is anyone pregnant yet?”
“Ha! Not yet,” Maggie said. “I want it to coincide with Lent so we still have a couple of months. Where’s the wine, anyway?”
“If you’re not, we need a bottle out here. Chris brought a couple of bottles and they’re in the cooler. I’ll get dressed and get one.”
“It’s too early to start drinking,” Katrina said, unconvinced.
“It is not,” Maggie said. “I’ll be right back.”
“I guess I’ll get dressed. My underpants are dry enough.”
She threaded her legs into jeans, tugging them up where her skin was still damp.
