“I think well on my feet and I’ve got a good sense of humor, like I suspect you do,” she fired back. “And it has to be somebody’s job. So you better keep up.”
They sat down on one of the bench seats near the front. “And if I don’t?”
Katie turned her head away from Carson, looking out over the bay. “If you don’t, you’re going to miss out.”
***
Carson stared at the back of her head, unable to think of a credible comeback. I can’t believe the balls of this woman! She’s awfully impressed with herself! Even as the thought ran through his head, he knew it wasn’t right. She had an edge, to be sure, but no matter how acerbic it sounded, there was a playfulness behind it. It reminded him of his early years, when a girl on the elementary school playground would run up and hit him on the shoulder, not out of anger but because she liked him and wanted to make sure he got the message. He hadn’t known what to do about it then, just as he wasn’t sure what to do now, so by default he stared silently at her auburn hair.
The boat tooted its horn and a slowly-widening gap appeared between it and the dock. Katie chose the moment to look back at him with a sidelong glance. One side of her mouth curled up in a smile, and then she winked.
The sexy-sweet gesture made Carson’s eyes widen. He felt himself blushing, much like he probably had on that playground so many years ago, and a most curious sensation affected his facial muscles. A real smile of his own, the kind filled with unfiltered joy and hope, stretched his lips and made his eyes crinkle and his cheeks ache. It wasn’t one of those fake grins he used at work or to thank someone who held the door for him. A slight twinge of pleasure sparkled in his chest, a reminder of the not-so-distant past. He felt silly, but in a good way, and could neither stop smiling nor break eye contact with her.
“I knew there was a handsome smile under that dour expression. I was wondering if I’d ever see it.”
“Well, I only use it for special occasions, and it’s been a while,” he replied. Yeah, like four years.
“You should break it out more often. It’s very becoming.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he responded, a bit embarrassed as the magic of the moment faded. His eyes drifted out past the breakwater into the bay, where whitecaps dotted the dark blue water, appreciative and pleased Katie read his need for a moment of quiet and remained silent.
Once the boat moved past the rock jetty, it rolled more precipitously as the bay grew rougher. Carson knew there was nothing to worry about, but it would make for a bumpy ride which might affect the stomachs and balance of the armchair sailors on board. The spring wind was cooler over the water, and several of the passengers donned sweatshirts or jackets and hunkered down. The few clouds over the bay scooted along rapidly, occasionally blocking the sun and further lowering the temperature.
“You cold?”
“Getting there,” Katie responded. “I didn’t think it would be this cool no matter where we went.”
“Here.” Carson pulled open his pack and produced a tiny, folded hunk of fabric that opened to a rather large wind breaker, which he offered to his date.
“But what will you wear?” she protested.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll just hold you up in front of me if I want to block the wind.”
“Oh, great plan!” They laughed as she pulled the oversized garment around her body. It was big enough for her to leave her purse over her shoulder underneath it.
The boat plowed ahead, throwing a burst of spray to the sides at every wave, which Carson estimated at three to four feet high. Again, not enough to cause any issues, but passengers were going to get splashed. He didn’t care. He loved the salt water, the distinctive smell and taste of it, the sound of it crashing against the hull and showering back into the bay.
It didn’t take long for them to see the first pod of dolphins. Immune to such trivialities as wave and wind, they glided through the water effortlessly. There were five of them, their dark gray backs glistening, their exhaled breaths dissipating in the air. Carson removed a pair of binoculars from his pack and handed them to Katie, admonishing her to put the strap around her neck lest she drop them over the rail.
“Oh, they’re beautiful!” she exclaimed, taken in by the elegance of these intelligent creatures in their natural environment. Every so often she turned back to him, her eyes wide enough he could see the whole of her irises, reminding him of the color of the sky just before dawn, when the sun remained hidden below the horizon and the only hint of its approach was the deep blue of the fading night. Those eyes toyed with Carson, teasing him, nearly making him forget he was no longer the kind of man that should be permitted to enjoy the company of such an interesting, exciting woman. It pleased him to see Katie having so much fun, like the pleasure of giving a wonderful gift to your lover.
The altruistic thought stopped his mind cold. It wasn’t like him, at least not anymore, to take joy from giving to another. It was all about him, and had been for some time, as he’d grasped for any straw to relieve himself of his burdens and worries. To delight in the amusement of another, with nothing to be gained, was refreshing. Maybe, just maybe, a tiny portion of his soul still remained.
Katie caught the change from pleasant to serious. “What’s the matter? Did you see a shark?”
Carson laughed. “No, everything’s fine. It’s been a little while since I’ve taken the time to do something I enjoy with good company, that’s all.”
“Well, I’m enjoying
