Going Overboard (4 page)

“Just fine.” His voice sounded deeper than usual.

What a kick if he’d been having some of the same fantasies, she thought.

“Think you can handle it by yourself now?”

Her rosy fantasy collapsed. “I guess so. Got an important meeting to go to?”

“In a way. I want to change clothes, and I do have some calls to make while clients are still in their offices in New York. Plus, I want to see what the stock market did today.”

“Couldn’t you let it go for now? It’s such a glorious afternoon.”

“Can’t.”

“What’s the worst that could happen? I’ll bet the clients will still be around tomorrow, and if the stock market crashed, you might as well enjoy your evening, because you’re in deep doo-doo, no matter what calls you make.”

“First of all, the clients may not be around tomorrow. They might interpret my delay as lack of interest and do business with another company that’s more enthusiastic. And the stock-market prices will affect what I say to my broker first thing in the morning, and I have tonight to consider my next move.”

“It sounds exhausting. Don’t you ever wish you could swim with the minnows for a change?”

“Did I hear somebody up here mention swimming?” Bowie said, coming into the living area. “Nicole’s changing into her suit and mourning her lost figure, so I thought I’d—well, shiver me timbers, look who’s driving the boat! Hey, Chance, want me to climb up to the roof and put out the distress flag to warn people out of our path?”

“She’s doing fine,” Chance said.

Andi warmed to the praise. “Watch your tongue, sailor,” she said, “or the captain, who is yours truly at the moment, will order you flogged for insubordination.”

“Cool. S and M,” Bowie said.

Chance laughed.

“Hark!” Bowie said. “A strange sound fills the air.
Could it be? Is the Grand Pooh-Bah of Jefferson Sporting Goods—be still my heart—chortling?”

“I’ve never chortled in my life,” Chance said, still laughing.

“Oh, yes. Chortling. In fact, there was the Great Chortle of 1975, when we snuck those turkeys into—”

“Nicole’s out of the bathroom,” Chance said, smoothly interrupting. “I’m changing clothes and making those calls.”

“You just don’t want Bowie to tell about the turkeys and spoil your image as a buttoned-down executive,” Andi accused.

“That was a long time ago,” he said. “You both will have to excuse me, but I have some work to do.”

Andi waited until he left before she spoke. “He should have thanked you for remembering the ropes.”

“What ropes? Oh, you mean untying us from the dock? That was no big deal.”

“It would have been if you hadn’t remembered.”

“He probably didn’t thank me because he’s embarrassed that he forgot. He doesn’t think he can afford a mistake, especially since Dad died. Once upon a time the guy knew how to have fun, but lately he’s been nothing but old sobersides.”

“Look, Bowie, I know you’ve engineered this trip partly to encourage him to relax, but he might not. Will you be okay with that?”

Bowie stared at the light dancing on the water. “I guess I won’t have a choice,” he said, his voice low. “But Andi, if he can’t loosen up in a place like this, he’s more of a mess than I thought.”

“There’s no such thing as an attractive maternity swimsuit,” Nicole wailed as she came down the hallway and walked to the front of the boat so Andi could see her.

“Look at this, sis. I’m afraid if I go in the water somebody will try to harpoon me!”

Bowie rushed to her side and threw a protective arm in front of her. “I would
never
allow that, my love.”

“Aw, Nic, you’re very cute,” Andi said. The loosefitting white suit made Nicole look like an egg on stilts, but the effect was very endearing, especially when Andi considered that soon Nicole would have a baby girl for her troubles. Vanity didn’t seem much of a price to pay for that. She wished their mother could have lived closer to take part in this pregnancy—she suspected Nicole missed that. “Motherhood looks good on you,” she added, meaning every word.

“I absolutely agree,” Bowie said gallantly, giving her a quick kiss.

“And it will all be worth it in two months,” Andi said.

“You’re right,” Nicole said. “I haven’t a complaint in the world, except that right now I would kill to get into that cool, clear water.”

“Your wish is my command, love,” Bowie said. He shaded his eyes and swept himself into a one-legged stance while he gazed off toward the continuous shoreline. “Land ho!”

“All ashore who’s going ashore!” Andi decided it was time to take charge of the fun around here. “Sailor, go tell His Stuff-shirtedness that he’s needed on the bridge. He can go commune with his laptop after we beach this sucker. It’s time to party!”

T
WO HOURS LATER
, Andi, Bowie and Nicole sat on the rear deck in plastic deck chairs, their feet propped on the railing, and fishing poles dangling over the end of the boat. The prow was wedged firmly into the sand of a secluded little beach, and stout iron stakes held the mooring ropes for extra stability. Chance had taken the helm to run the boat aground and had helped Bowie drive the stakes into the sand and tie the mooring ropes. Soon afterward, he’d claimed he had reports to type and had disappeared inside the boat while the rest of them took a swim.

“We shoulda bought some live bait,” Andi said, taking another sip of her beer. She and Bowie were indulging, while Nicole, the pregnant lady, had to settle for a soft drink.

“I agree,” Nicole said. “These lures may be from Jefferson’s finest stock, but the Lake Mead fish are not impressed.”

“I want to try something,” Bowie said, handing his fishing pole to Nicole. “Mind the line for me a little while. I’ll be back.”

“No problem. Nothing’s biting anyway,” Nicole said.

Andi was glad for the moment of privacy with her sister. She was determined to get Nicole’s opinion about her latest career plan, but she didn’t want Bowie or Chance,
especially
not Chance, throwing in their two cents worth.
“Listen, before he comes back, I want to talk about this idea I have.”

“Please tell me this isn’t about artificial insemination.”

“What?”

“Don’t do it, Andi. I’ve seen that longing look on your face, and that usually means you’re about to try something crazy. I know this baby stuff looks like fun, but you don’t have a steady income, and raising a kid alone would be hard enough if you had a lot of money, so—”

“Time out, Nic!” Andi braced her pole between her thighs and made a T with her hands. “The thought never crossed my mind.”

“Never?”

“Well, okay, one time after we’d talked on the phone, and you were so excited about what color to paint the baby’s room, and you’d just bought her first teddy bear, I
fleetingly
considered the possibility.”

“Aha!”

“But I came to the same conclusions you just listed. I have to put my life together before I can think about bringing another life into the world. And I’d like to find a nice guy, too. Easier on me, easier on the kid.” She smiled triumphantly at Nicole. “So there. Do I get points for that?”

Nicole wet her finger and drew three stripes on Andi’s shoulder. “Well done, soldier.”

“God, I remember how Dad used to do that. Remember when he started awarding us ranks?”

“Yeah, and you hated it because I usually outranked you.”

“I think when he started assigning us ranks, I decided never to be that regimented. But…there comes a time… Don’t laugh, but I’m thinking of expanding on yoga instruction and opening a school of my own, Nic.”

“I’m not laughing. Would it take much capital?”

Andi gazed at her. “Spoken like the Nicole I know. Not
what a terrific idea,
but
would it take much capital?
”

“Isn’t that why you’re asking me, so I’ll point out these things?”

Andi sighed. “I guess. And no, it wouldn’t take much capital. I could build slowly, use creative ways to advertise. This is scary, but I’m actually thinking about a career, an honest-to-goodness vocation.”

“My first reaction is that it sounds perfect for you. You’re definitely the self-employment type.”

“Thanks. I think so, too.”

“And Mom will be
très
relieved to know you’re not headed for the sperm bank.”

“Mom thought I was about to get inseminated, too?”

Nicole adjusted her souvenir visor and looked at her. “She has some idea that you like to horn in on what I’m doing.”

“I do not horn in.”

“Remember the guppies?”

“The guppies weren’t my fault!”

“Ha! Who dumped Jaws into the tank when I wasn’t home? Maybe he was the hit man who wiped out Myrtle, Harry, Genevieve and Bernie, but you hired him.”

“I thought an angel fish was a lot prettier than those dumb guppies. I just thought he’d show them up a little. I didn’t know he’d eat them.”

“Speaking of eating fish, I’m hoping to do that on this trip,” Bowie said, plopping into the chair next to Nicole. “And I’m hoping we can catch something bigger than a guppy. So which one of you wants to help me try my new lure?” He held up two iridescent clusters of feathers and beads.

Nicole glanced at him. “Oh, Bowie, don’t use those. I
promise to wear them really soon. They just take some getting used to.”

Andi gazed at the dazzle of colors. “Those are earrings? Fantastic!”

Bowie shrugged. “It was just an idea I had, so I made a pair for Nicole, but she really doesn’t like them. She’s more the pearl-and-diamond type.”

“Not me,” Andi said. “I think they’re perfect, and you’ll put them in the water over my dead body. Give them here.”

Bowie handed them across Nicole with a smile of delight. “They’re all yours.”

Andi took out the red hoops in her ears and replaced them with the lure earrings. “What do you think?”

“They’re you,” Nicole said.

“Do you mean that in a good way or a bad way?”

“A good way.” Nicole squeezed her knee. “After all, I trundled all the way out here just to get my Andi fix. The phone’s okay, but I wanted a face-to-face.”

“You miss not having Mom and Dad around, huh?”

Nicole nodded, and her eyes grew a little moist.

“Damn, we’re so spread out. I wish you two lived out here.”

Bowie leaned back in his chair. “I could deal with living like this.”

“I guess Chance can’t,” Andi said. “Is he still hunched over his laptop in there?”

“Sad but true,” Bowie said.

Andi took another sip of her cold beer. “I can’t imagine how he can stay inside, working on that stupid laptop when it’s so gorgeous out here.”

“To be honest, I didn’t think he would, either. He used to love to fish,” Bowie said. “It’s almost as if he’s deliberately avoiding being around us.”

“That’s weird.”

“Yeah.” Nicole gave Andi a speculative look. “Unless…”

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“That red suit is dynamite on you.”

“You’re changing the subject.”

“No, I’m not. You put that suit on while the guys were out staking the boat to the sand, remember?”

“Well, duh. It was the obvious chance to get naked without embarrassing anyone, so I grabbed it. We’re not exactly loaded with privacy around here, in case you hadn’t noticed. You’d think they’d put a few more doors on this thing.”

“Yeah, I noticed. I also noticed Chance’s reaction when you appeared in that swimsuit. The guy was salivating.”

“He was?” Bowie said. “Hey, cool.”

“I don’t believe you,” Andi said as a flush crept over her skin.

“Look at the facts,” Nicole said. “It was right after you came out in the suit that he made some excuse about not feeling like a swim and went inside to work on those reports that suddenly became so important.”

“They probably
were
really important, as far as he was concerned. The guy’s driven,” Andi said, but excitement stirred in her.

“I like the looks of this situation,” Bowie said. “Day one, and we already have progress.”

F
EROCIOUS HUNGER PANGS
and the aroma of grilling steak proved irresistible to Chance, and he stood and stretched, sniffing appreciatively. Switching off the laptop, he leaned down to peer outside. The sun glowed from behind a bank
of clouds stretched across the horizon. A spectacular western sunset could be in the offing.

A sunset and a steak fry on the beach…with Andi. Now that he wasn’t concentrating on his reports, he could hear laughter and a tape of some tropical-sounding music. He sighed. For the first time in years he had no idea what he was supposed to do. Oh, he knew very well what he wanted to do—become much better friends with the beauty in the red swimsuit. Yet despite his bachelor status, he didn’t feel the least bit free. Jefferson Sporting Goods claimed his first loyalty, and the company was a jealous mistress.

Sometimes he could almost hear his father’s voice.
The stockholders expect us to show a profit and still maintain stability, son. Take risks, but not foolish risks. Watch out for Bowie. He doesn’t understand the difference.
There had been a heady joy in being the chosen one, the heir to the throne, but there was also a weight that seemed to get heavier every day. He’d never thought the day would come when he’d feel twinges of envy when he looked at Bowie’s situation. He’d been wrong.

Watch out for Bowie.
And although his father had never met Andi, no doubt he would have warned Chance to watch out for her, too. Still, he couldn’t hold himself aloof for an entire week on this houseboat, just to avoid becoming involved with Andi. That would be boorish and rude. And he’d also starve to death.

He walked out the front sliding door and glanced at the beach. They’d taken four deck chairs down to the sand, and the empty fourth chair touched him. This afternoon they’d left him alone to do his work, but they obviously hoped he’d show up for dinner. He was so used to people wanting his company because of his position with Jefferson Sporting Goods that it was a revelation knowing
someone wanted to spend time with him because they liked him.

They had the chairs arranged in a semicircle around a bed of embers where they were cooking the steaks. The chairs faced the sunset, which was just starting to pink up. They hadn’t noticed him yet. Bowie still had on his trunks, but he’d added an unbuttoned shirt. Nicole got up to take a picture of him, sitting in his chair, his beer can raised in a toast. Probably because she was self-conscious about her protruding belly, she’d put a filmy cover-up over her bathing suit. Bowie and Nicole looked relaxed and happy, and his heart swelled with love for them.

A more potent emotion hit him as he studied Andi in her red suit and sarong-type skirt. She crossed her legs and the flowered skirt fell away, revealing her smooth thighs. Chance swallowed. Well, it wasn’t going to get any easier, so he might as well go down. He took off his deck shoes, opened the metal gate at the prow of the boat and leaped the short distance to the sand.

“Ahoy and avast, matey!” Bowie called, raising his can of beer again. “The grog isn’t half-bad in these climes.”

“The company’s not so bad, either,” Nicole said.

“The fishing sucks,” Andi said, “but the grog and the company make up for it.”

“I figured the fishing wasn’t working out when I smelled steak,” Chance said, walking through the sand to the available chair, which was right next to Andi’s.

Bowie pulled a beer out of a cooler and tossed it to him. “Andi picked out the brewskies, and let me tell you, the woman knows her beer.”

“A highly sought-after talent,” Andi said.

Chance popped the top and took a drink. “Good stuff.” He glanced at Andi, then looked closer. She’d swept her
hair up on top of her head, and dangling from both ears were what looked like fishing lures. “Are those hooks in your ears on purpose, or are you the victim of Bowie’s lousy casting skills?”

“Hey,” Bowie said. “Just because I happened to hook a woman’s cheek once, which really wasn’t—”

“Ew, Bowie!” Nicole made a face. “How awful! You could have blinded her!”

“It wasn’t her face,” Chance said. “And she was wearing a string bikini at the time.”

“Oh,” Nicole said. “Still, that makes me wince, Bowie. I hope now you’re more careful when you cast.”

“That’s just it. I wasn’t casting. We were out on a charter fishing boat, and everybody else was in shorts and shirts except this Bo Derek clone. I think she was after bigger fish than the ones in the water, if you get my drift. I was bringing in my line, and here she comes, wiggling along listening to
Bolero
on her headset, I suppose. I got a little discombobulated, and next thing I know, my hook’s in her butt.”

“Oh.” Nicole glanced at him. “That does sound kind of stupid on her part. Who was this bimbo?”

“Chance’s date.”

“Ooo-wee!” Andi threw back her head and laughed. “He got you back, Chance.” Then she flashed him a look that heated his blood. “Better not mess with the Bowieman.”

“Good advice.” Chance took a long swallow of his beer, which quenched at least one thirst he was feeling. He remembered that woman he’d asked out on the fishing trip. He hadn’t known her very well. Matter of fact, that was the problem with most of the women he’d dated recently. To get to know someone, you needed to spend time with them, and he hadn’t had that kind of time.

“To answer your question about the decorations in my earlobes, they’re earrings Bowie made. Take a look.” She leaned toward him, bringing her coconut-oil scent close enough to make him dizzy.

He wanted to nibble on her ear instead of examining her earring. “That’s not an actual lure, is it?” Even as he said it, he realized it was a lure of a different kind, dancing feathers and beads capable of hooking him, but good.

“Nah, it’s not the real thing,” Bowie said. “I just put together stuff I thought looked pretty. Nicole wasn’t wild about them. But Andi loves ‘em, so I gave them to her.”

“I do love them.” Andi settled back in her chair and raised her beer can to her full lips. “Hey, everybody, sunset alert. The sky’s on fire.”

“Wow,” Nicole said. “Id forgotten how spectacular the sunsets are around here.”

Chance sipped his beer and listened to the sound of steel drums coming from the tape deck. Red and gold unfurled in the sky, spilling over the mountains and into the water.

“It’s like looking through rose-colored glasses, isn’t it?” Andi said in a voice so soft only he would have been able to hear.

He glanced over at Bowie and Nicole. They were holding hands and leaning close, caught up in their own private love fest. “It’s also like watching a giant fingerpainting being made,” he said.

“I like that,” Andi said, giving him a smile. “I used to love fingerpaints.”

“Me, too.”

She was silent for a while as the colors slowly faded to brick and a few stars winked on. “When was the last time you fingerpainted?” she asked finally.