Chapter 24

When the alarm went off, I reached over to turn it off. Rolling onto my stomach, I hovered above Kyle and kissed his lips. When he stirred, I said, “Good morning, sweetie.”

“Morning, baby. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes. Did you?”

Kyle nodded, pulled me down on top of him, and hugged me. “I’ll miss waking up with you next to me.”

“Don’t remind me. I love it.” I squirmed against him and gave him another kiss. “I guess we should get going. Dan and Megan are going to be here soon.”

Kyle and I got out of bed and went to the head. After putting on my warm-up suit, I went to the galley and started the coffee pot. Kyle got the eggs and bacon out and ready to cook breakfast. I went to the door, opened it, and stepped outside to see how the weather was. Dan and Megan were waiting on the pier.

“Morning, Trish,” Megan said.

“Hi. You’re early.”

Megan laughed. “Yeah, Dan woke me up at four-thirty. He didn’t want to be late for fear you guys would leave without us.”

I laughed. “Come aboard. The coffee’s on, and Kyle’s starting breakfast.”

Dan and Megan followed me into the cabin. I grabbed Megan’s small bag and took it below while they sat at the table. After putting the bag in my stateroom and making the bed, I knocked on Lindy and Steve’s door. “Hey, you two, we have company.”

“Come in, Trish,” Lindy said. I opened the door.

“Dan and Megan are here. Are you and Steve about ready?”

“Yeah, he’s in the head. I just have to put on my top, then I’ll be ready.”

Lindy pulled a top on while I waited. She told Steve we were going, and he opened the door. He was in his boxers and had a piece of tissue on his chin.

“Cut yourself shaving?” I asked.

“Yeah, I hate shaving.”

“Tell me about it. Lindy and I have much more to shave than you and Kyle do. Kyle is starting breakfast. Dan and Megan are here. Lindy and I will see you in the galley.”

Lindy and I went up to the galley. I asked who wanted coffee. Dan and Megan said they’d like a cup, and Megan got up to fix hers and Dan’s. Kyle started the bacon and mixed the eggs in a bowl.

Steve came up and said, “Good morning.”

“Good morning, Steve,” Megan said, then asked, “Is there anything Dan or I can do to help?”

“Sure, Dan can pour juice and set the table,” Steve said.

Lindy shook her head. “Steve, they’re our guests.”

“That’s okay, I don’t mind,” Dan said as he slid out and went to the galley. “Show me where everything I need is kept.”

Steve showed Dan where the glasses and juice were. Dan pitched in and started to help Kyle and Steve with breakfast while Lindy and I sat with Megan.

“This kitchen is bigger than the one in our apartment,” Megan said. “I just can’t get over how beautiful the boat is. I brought my camera with me. Would you mind if I took a few pictures? I want to show our parents and friends. They’ll never believe me if I don’t have proof.”

“Not at all,” I said. “Lindy will have to make her bed first.”

“I already made it,” Steve said as he put four more slices of bread into the toaster.

“Thank you, sweetie,” Lindy told him.

“You have him trained well,” Megan said, then raised her voice. “I wish Dan would learn to make the bed.”

Dan smiled at his wife and said, “I don’t think I did too bad this morning, Meg.”

“I said make the bed, not make it in the bed, Dan.” Megan glanced at Lindy and me. “We had to find something to do for an hour. Someone couldn’t sleep.”

Megan laughed and turned back to Lindy and me. “He was worse than a kid on Christmas morning.”

“I heard you, Meg. I couldn’t help it. I’m looking forward to today.”

“I know, baby, I’m teasing you. You know I love it when you get me up early.”

“Were you and Dan living together before you got married?” I asked.

“Yeah, we moved into our apartment when we moved to Green Bay.”

“Living together would be so cool,” Lindy said.

“It has its good points and bad. It’s hard to get used to living with someone.” Megan laughed. “You should have heard the bitching when he found my undies hanging all over the bathroom.”

Lindy and I laughed. I said, “It seems you got used to it.”

“We did, but only after a few fights. Once we learned about one another, we were fine.”

Kyle brought the plate of scrambled eggs and another plate of bacon to the table. Steve got the toast, and we all sat down to eat. I was about to put some of the food on my plate when Megan and Dan joined hands. When they offered their other hands to us, I took Megan’s while Steve took Dan’s. Once we were all holding hands, Dan said grace and asked for a safe day.

I felt Megan squeeze my hand as Dan said, “Amen.” I also felt a shiver go down my spine. I couldn’t remember the last time I said grace before a meal. The fact Kyle knew the words to the prayer and said it along with Dan surprised me.

We began to eat and talk about our day. Dan asked questions about how we fished while Kyle and Steve took turns answering him. Megan asked about our parents.

“My parents would never have allowed me to do anything like this,” Megan said. “They’re kind of old fashion. Dan’s dad is a minister and went nuts when he learned we were living together. When Dan’s parents would visit, we made it look like he slept on the couch.”

“What did he do?” Lindy asked.

“There wasn’t much he could do. He calmed down when we explained we were planning to be married. But I don’t think he ever accepted it. Now we’re married, and everything is fine.”

We finished breakfast, and the guys went outside to prepare the boat while Lindy, Megan, and I cleaned up. Lindy and Megan washed and dried the dishes while I put them away.

When one of the engines started, Megan jumped. I chuckled and told her it was normal. The other engine came to life, and I said we’d be leaving soon. The three of us finished in the kitchen, went to the flying bridge, and sat down while the guys untied the lines, and Kyle pulled out of the slip.

“Where are we going, sweetie?” I asked.

“We got coordinates from one of the charter captains when we went for our walk yesterday. He said the fishing’s been pretty good.”

“They gave you the information. Why?” Megan said.

“The guy said his boat and the other captain who works out of the marina were booked, and it wouldn’t make any difference to him if we went to the same area. We’ve only been fishing for salmon for a few days, but everyone we’ve talked to has been willing to help.” Kyle turned out of the marina and headed for the Straits. “He even told us what lures have been working.”

“Do we have what we need?” Lindy asked.

Steve nodded. “We sure do.”

Kyle let Dan take over at the helm once we were out of the ferries’ path, moving from the mainland to the island. He oversteered at first, but Kyle helped him. Soon we were going in a straight line.

“It’s kind of cool out here,” Megan said. “I hope it warms up.”

“It will, Megan, once the sun comes up. We can go below if you’re uncomfortable,” I said.

Megan shook her head. “I don’t want to miss this. I should have brought my camera up here with me. I’d love to get a picture of Dan driving the boat.”

“Want me to go get it for you, Megan?”

“No, I can get it. I’ll be right back. Does anyone want more coffee?”

“I do, Meg,” Dan said.

“I’ll help you. I could use another cup myself,” I said.

Megan and I went down to the cabin and told her where I had put her bag. While she went to get it, I poured coffee into travel mugs I bought the day before at Peace Frogs. Megan came out with her camera around her neck and helped me carry the coffee to the flying bridge.

After giving her husband his coffee and putting hers into a cup holder, Megan began shooting pictures of Dan at the helm. She also took a few of the rest of us, asking the four of us to stand together. Once she was finished, she sat down.

“Show me how to use your camera, and I’ll take a picture of you and Dan,” Kyle said. “I have a camera, but nothing like yours.”

“It’s easy. The camera is automatic. Just look through the viewfinder and take the picture. This is the shutter release.” Megan showed Kyle the button on top of the camera and then handed it to him.

“Go sit next to Dan, Megan.” Megan moved into the chair next to Dan and smiled while Kyle shot some pictures.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll have to give you my email address so you can send us copies.”

“I’d be happy to, Kyle.” Megan smiled.

I leaned back and relaxed. I felt good about inviting the couple and smiled to myself. After being a loner for so long, I was getting into meeting new people. I thought about the warning we received from Frank and Scott, but I didn’t feel Megan and Dan were a threat.

Kyle kept his eye on the chart plotter, and when we approached the waypoint he programmed, he asked me to take over at the helm.

“We have a couple of miles to go, Trish. Steve and I have to get the tackle ready.”

“Okay, sweetie, I’ll slow down, so you have time.”

Kyle, Steve, and Dan went to the cockpit to get ready. I watched the plotter and slowed the boat to trolling speed. About fifteen minutes later, Kyle yelled and told me the lines were in the water. I set the autopilot, got up, and watched the guys in the cockpit.

Megan came to the rail and looked down at her husband. When Dan looked up, he waved at her.

“He’s so happy,” Megan said. “I love seeing him having so much fun.”

One of the downrigger rods went off, and Kyle grabbed it out of the holder. He took up the slack and pulled back on the rod to set the hook. Once he hooked the fish, Kyle gave the rod to Dan.

“Watch this,” Lindy said. “This is where it gets fun.”

Megan bounced on the balls of her feet as she watched her husband fight the fish. After a moment, she put her camera to her eye and started to shoot pictures. Dan fought the fish for twenty minutes before it came alongside the boat, and Kyle netted the fish, pulled it onto the deck, and removed the hook.

When Dan picked up the fish and held it in front of him, Megan snapped more pictures, went down to the cockpit, and took a few more before Kyle put the fish in the hold and looked it over.

“Holy cow, your fish is huge!” Megan said. She took another photo.

“It’s your turn next, Megan,” Steve told her as Kyle dropped the fish into the hold.

“Really, I can catch one?”

“You can try, Meg. They fight hard. I thought my arms were going to fall off,” Dan said.

Kyle reset the rod. Before he could get the line out, Steve yelled out that they had another fish on, set the hook, and gave the rod to Megan. She worked hard and was able to bring the fish in after a good fight. Steve netted the fish and helped Megan hold it so Dan could take pictures.

We trolled for another three hours and caught two more salmon. Kyle took over at the helm so Lindy and I could reel one in, but the fish shut down. We decided to take a break and find a place to rest and have lunch.

Kyle pulled into a cove, dropped the anchor, and shut the engines down. Once the boat was secure, we went to the cabin to make sandwiches.

Megan helped Lindy and me make the lunch while the guys chattered about the fishing. Dan was so excited about the two fish he caught he could hardly put together a sentence. Megan grinned as she listened to her husband’s excitement.

“Are Kyle and Steve like this? Do they get all worked up when they catch fish?” Megan said.

“Every time,” Lindy said. “It’s so funny. I guess it’s better they get excited about fishing than chasing other girls.”

Megan laughed and agreed. “Yes, I guess it is.”

After lunch, Lindy, Megan, and I did the dishes. The guys were out in the cockpit, so I went out to see if they wanted anything and watched as Kyle and Steve showed Dan the assortment of tackle. Kyle told me they were okay, and I returned to the cabin.

“It’s getting nice out. I think I’m going to put on my suit and lie in the sun,” I said to Lindy and Megan.

“Sounds great. I’m going to join you if you don’t mind,” Megan said.

The three of us went below and changed into our suits. Lindy and I put on our bikinis while Megan changed into hers. I grabbed a bottle of oil and towels. We went out to the foredeck to sun ourselves. After applying the oil, we stretched out on the pad and relaxed in the afternoon sun.

“Megan, you said you and Dan started dating in high school. Was he your only boyfriend?” Lindy asked.

“No, Dan wasn’t my first boyfriend. I dated a few other boys before we started going out. But, he was my first lover.”

“How long were you two dating before you...” I began to say.

“Two weeks,” Megan said. “I don’t know why I did it. I guess I felt he deserved it after what I did to him. We were making out in the back seat of his car, and the next thing we knew, we were doing it. After we were finished, I found out I was his first.”

“So, you two have been together since then?” I asked her.

“Mostly, except for a few months in high school. We had a fight and broke up. I heard Dan was screwing one of the cheerleaders, so I went out with a couple guys to get even. It was stupid, and I regret doing it.”

“Did you have sex with them?”

“Yeah, Trish, I did. But I screwed them for the wrong reason. I did it because I was pissed at Dan. I only did it a few times but felt bad every time.” Megan flipped onto her stomach and sighed. “If you ever get pissed at your boyfriend, don’t fuck to get even.

“Dan and I have done a lot of crazy things when it comes to sex, but the only time I felt like a slut was when I slept with one of those other guys. I still loved him even when we were split up, which made what I did worse.”

“It looks like you guys got over it,” I said.

“We have, Trish. It took a lot of talking, crying, and praying, but we worked it out. The sad part is Dan only had sex with the girl once, and it was when they were both drunk.” Megan chuckled. “He says he doesn’t even remember it.”

Megan reached behind her back and untied her suit top. “As far as I’m concerned, I think he’s lucky. He has to live with the guilt, but I have to deal with the fact I screwed around willingly and did it for all the wrong reasons.”

“I hope nothing ever happens to Kyle and me,” I said.

“It doesn’t have to, not as long as you guys talk and are honest with each other. We got into a fight because Dan wanted me to wear a short skirt to a party one night, and I refused to do it. It was stupid because I normally wore them anyway. I thought he was trying to control me.”

“Was he?” Lindy asked.

Megan shook her head. “No, he wanted to show me off and make his buddies see what a sexy girlfriend he had. Our relationship wasn’t accepted by the jocks because I wasn’t part of the crowd, and Dan wanted to show his buddies I was as hot as any other girl.”

“Why did you think he was trying to control you?” I asked.

“I don’t know. Dan called me, told me about the party, and asked me to wear my denim mini. I took it wrong and thought he was telling me to wear the skirt, and I said I wouldn’t. He asked me why, and I blew up. I said some mean things, and it got out of hand.

“It sounds stupid, doesn’t it? None of it would have happened if I had worn the skirt.” Megan chuckled. “Now I’d go naked if he asked me to. I don’t like to be told to do things, but if he asks, I will do it.”

“Hey, Megan, do you want to swim?” Dan called from the flying bridge. “Kyle, Steve, and I are going.”

“Sure, baby, I’ll be there in a minute.” Megan tied her suit and sat up. “Are you two going to swim too?”

I got up and grabbed my towel and oil. Lindy also got up, and we all went to the cockpit. The guys were already in the water.

“How’s the water, Kyle?” I asked as I stepped to the transom door.

“It’s kind of chilly, but it’s okay once you get used to it.”

I nodded and jumped into the lake. The water wasn’t chilly; it was cold. I could feel my nipples getting hard as I swam over to the swim ladder and grabbed it. I was about to caution Lindy and Megan, but I heard two splashes and knew it was too late.

“The water’s freezing!” Megan screeched as she moved to the ladder.

“I tried to tell you, but you and Lindy jumped in before I could,” I said.

Dan grinned at his wife. “I can tell the water’s cold.” He pointed at her top and the bumps pressing against the material.

Megan laughed, then Dan jerked. “Yup, it’s cold. Why do a woman’s nipples get hard, and a man’s junk gets smaller when they get cold?”

I reached into the water, put my hand in Kyle’s trunks, and cupped his genitals. His balls were drawn up, and his cock felt like it was half its usual size. Kyle smiled at me. I removed my hand but didn’t say anything.

“Well,” Dan began. “A man’s testicles withdraw to keep them close to the body and warm. If they fall below a certain temperature, sperm production is hindered.”

“Shut up, Dan.” Megan laughed and hugged him. “I know why it happens. I was kidding around.” She glanced at Lindy and then me. “I hope I didn’t embarrass you guys.”

Steve and Kyle began to laugh. “Not likely,” Steve said.

I nodded. “If it would have been a few months ago, I would have been. Now, it doesn’t bother me a bit.”

I pushed off, swam away from the boat, turned around, swam back, and climbed up the ladder. “It’s too cold. I’m going to get some more sun.”

The group followed me, and we all toweled ourselves dry. Kyle and Steve took the deck chairs out and set them up to relax in the cockpit. I opened the cockpit refrigerator and offered everyone a soda.

“This is the life,” Dan said, then he took a drink out of his can of soda. “I could get used to this.”

“When are you and Megan leaving the island?” Steve asked.

“We’ll leave when we get back tonight. We checked out this morning, and the hotel is keeping our luggage in a storeroom for us. The last ferry to St. Ignace is at nine. We plan on driving for a while and then napping in the car,” Megan said. “How about you? When are you leaving?”

“Sometime tomorrow. We’re going to Rodgers City to spend the night.” I chuckled and put my hand on Kyle’s knee. “Steve and Kyle heard they have good fishing there.”

“Are we going to do some more fishing this afternoon?” Dan asked.

“Sure, we’ll get going in a little while. Maybe we can cook some of the fish for dinner tonight,” Kyle said, then he got up and motioned for me to follow him.

I followed Kyle into the cabin. Once the door was closed, I took him into my arms and kissed his lips. “What’s up, sweetie?” I reached between us and rubbed him. “Or should I say, what would you like to be up?”

Kyle chuckled and kissed my nose. “What do you think about inviting Megan and Dan to stay with us tonight? Unfortunately, they’ll have to spend the night in their car.”

“I don’t know, Kyle. We don’t know them very well.”

“I think they’re okay. I had a chance to talk to Dan while we were fishing. I think he and Megan would like it if we asked them.”

“Let me talk to Lindy and see how she feels about it, Kyle. It isn’t something we can decide without Lindy and Steve agreeing.”

“That’s fair. I know Steve is cool with it. I talked to him before I asked you. Besides, Steve and I could handle anything if there was trouble, but I don’t think there would be.”

“Kyle, can I ask you something?” Kyle nodded. “At breakfast, you knew the prayer. What was that all about?”

Kyle smiled. “We’re both Methodist.”

“I didn’t know you were religious.”

“I go to church most Sundays. I even belong to a youth group but haven’t been involved much lately, not since I met you.”

“Why not? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Kyle shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. I’m not ashamed or anything. I didn’t think it was important, not right now anyway. I was going to tell you, but I didn’t know how you’d take it.” He hugged me. “Sorry, I should have mentioned it to you.”

“It’s okay, I know now. Look, I don’t want you to change what you like because of me, Kyle.”

“Do you go to church?” I shook my head. “Why not?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know. My parents never took me or went to church, as far as I know. I don’t know much about it.”

“Would you like to?” Once again, I shrugged my shoulders. “I’ll take you if you want to see what it’s like.”

I thought for a moment and then said, “I think I’d like to.”

We kissed for a moment, and Kyle went out to the cockpit. A few moments later, Lindy came into the cabin.

“What’s up, Trish? Kyle said you wanted to talk to me.”

“Kyle wants to invite Dan and Megan to spend the night on the boat with us. He said he talked to Steve, and he’s cool with it. I don’t mind, but I didn’t want to say anything until I talked to you.”

“It’s your boat, Trish.”

“True, but it’s our trip. We should agree on the things we do, especially something like this. Kyle said they would have to sleep in their car tonight to save money.”

“Having to sleep in a car on your honeymoon would suck. Fooling around in the back seat is okay, but I wouldn’t want to spend the night. It’s okay with me if they stay tonight.” Lindy smiled. “Trish, thanks for asking me. I doubt most people would have.”

“As I said, it’s our trip. We all have to get along. I feel if I made the decision, it could cause hard feelings. I certainly don’t want to.”

Lindy nodded, then we went back out to the cockpit. I sat in my chair, sipped my diet soda, and put my feet on the top rail.

“Sorry, but I had to chat with Kyle and Lindy,” I said. “We’d like to invite you to stay on the boat tonight. We have plenty of room. We can get your luggage when we get back to the marina, and you guys can get a fresh start in the morning.”

Megan looked at Dan, then at me. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, we’re sure,” Lindy said. “We can have dinner, go for a walk or something, then get a good night’s sleep before you leave in the morning.”

“I don’t know. I feel like we’re imposing on you as it is,” Dan said.

Steve shook his head. “Not at all, Dan. Kyle and I are happy you’re not disappointed because we’re just learning about salmon fishing. We caught a few, and we might catch more this afternoon.”

“How could you even think we’d be disappointed? Dan is getting to do something he was looking forward to, something we wouldn’t have been able to do without your generosity. I’m having a wonderful time too. I can’t tell you guys how much it means to me, to both of us,” Megan said.

“So, you’ll stay tonight?” I asked.

Megan looked at Dan. “What do you think, honey?” Dan said.

“The idea of spending a night on the boat is very appealing. We may never get a chance to do it again,” Megan replied.

“I agree, Meg. If they don’t mind, I would love to stay the night. We would be able to drive straight through tomorrow and wouldn’t have to sleep in the car.” Dan glanced at me, then at the rest of our group. “Are you guys sure we wouldn’t be putting you out?”