Page 86 of Meet Me on Lilac Lane

He paid for a few packages of the candy and raced to his boat. As he pushed away from the dock, a crash of thunder rolled over him.

The sun raced for the horizon as though it were being chased there by the dark clouds forming to the east. Its orangey-purple light did little to illuminate the lake. He motored out into the straights and flipped on the boat’s running lights before checking his smartwatch. With any luck, he’d be back before Finn and Maggie were in bed. Hopefully Maggie was feeling better. He could help Mia get them into their jammies and tucked in. He’d love to read them the story about the pigeon and the bus he’d spotted on their bookshelf.

And then, once the kids were settled, he and Mia could have some quality alone time.

A bolt of lightning sizzled overhead followed by another ominous boom of thunder. He pulled up the weather app on his phone. Sure enough, a new storm had kicked up on the lake. His pulse kicked up in response.

Because of course there was a storm.

Wind whipped at him right before the rain began coming down in sheets. He tugged on a baseball cap to try to keep the worst of it out of his eyes. He glanced behind him. The far shore he’d left ten minutes ago had disappeared in the waves. Better to keep moving forward. Toward home. And Mia.

He turned the boat to a forty-five-degree angle into the waves, knuckles gripping the wheel until they streaked white. Acid pooled in his stomach.This is nothing like before, just a little wind, a little rain.

The spray from a wave hit him in the face. Not that there was much difference than the rain pelting him. The boat rose over a wave and nosed down the back of it. He forced the images of what could happen out of his mind.

Pitchpoling.

Capsizing.

Broaching.

Dangerous words rang in his ears. Or maybe it was the grumble of thunder overhead. Cody fought to hang on as another monster wave hit almost broadside. He wrenched the wheel back the other direction, attempting to tack on the slight calm between waves.

The sky hung fully dark now. The distance between Port Joseph and Jonathon Island only stretched about eight miles, but he may as well be at sea. He couldn’t see either shore. He squinted at the compass mounted on his boat. The arrow swung northeast. He’d gotten turned around. Biting back a curse, or was it a shout? He swung the wheel into the next wave. The boat tilted starboard.

A prayer ripped from his lips.Please, God, save me.And he didn’t have time for any more words because another wave caught him. Tipped him portside. He swiped at the rain on his face. It tasted salty. Maybe not rain, then.

Just then he saw another boat, another captain fighting this storm.Bad things happen to everyone. What matters is how you deal with it.

Okay, Liam had a point.Focus on the good things.Mia’s words chased in.

In that moment, he made a decision. He didn’t want to focus on losses anymore. No more waiting around for bad things to happen, for more loss to crash in. He was going to cherish the good things in his life for as long as he had them. He loved Mia and he couldn’t wait to tell her.

Another wave crashed and there was no time to analyze that truth. He fought the lake rising in front of him.

Wait. Was that…? A moment later, another flash. Land ho! Keeping his eyes on the light, Cody tacked up and down the waves, making slow progress. A grueling fifteen minutes later, he motored into Jonathon Island marina, soaking wet, but alive.

Overhead, the thunder lost its power and the rain fell to a trickle.

He’d survived. The lights of downtown beckoned him home. He couldn’t wait to get the boat docked and secured.

After tying up the boat, he hurried toward Lilac Lane.

In moments, he was turning up Mia’s front walk. He tapped lightly at the door in case the kids were already in bed.

The door opened wide, framing Mia, hair in a tumble, with a red-cheeked Maggie on her hip.

“Cody! I’m so glad to see you.” She reached for him and pulled him tight to her, Maggie sandwiched between them. “I know it’s only been a few hours, but I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” His heart sank as he thought about the bad news he was about to deliver.

“The kids have been asking about your mama sheep story and the thunder. I think you’ve made an impression on them.” She pulled back and smiled at him. “What brought you back? And why are you all wet?”

In answer, he pulled the Gushers from his pocket. Her face lit up, and she reached for the candy. “Gushers! Where did you find these?”

She looked beautiful. A band tightened around his chest.

“Can I read the kids a story?” He really wanted to know what happened with that pigeon in their book. And spending time with the kids would help warm him up.

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