Page 50 of The Summer Inn on Plum Island
“Glide with me.” Liam’s voice was soft and caressing.
He started moving backward slowly, and Dawn nearly toppled them a few times as she wobbled and slipped, trying desperately not to repeat her roadrunner bowling ball move. A few miss-steps and giggles later, she managed to fall into a rhythm with Liam. Dawn was so proud that she was even able to move backward in an ice-slow dance with Liam.
Lila and Harper sipped on sodas at their booth as they watched Liam and Dawn on the ice.
“It looks like another successful operation,” Lila said, grinning.
“Mmm.” Harper’s eyes narrowed. “I think we need to heat things up a little, though.” She raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, no!” Lila said, sighing and looking at her new bestie. “What have you got in mind?”
Harper told Lila about her aunt’s disasters on the ice, including her birthday party. After the girl finished laughing over the incident, Harper’s mouth lifted in a half smile when they turned and looked at Liam and Dawn.
“We’re going to whirlwind them,” Harper said.
“You want us to swirl, Dawn?” Lila looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Do you think that wise, especially after what you told me about your aunt’s luck on the ice?”
“Your father’s not going to let go of her, now is he?” Harper smiled smugly.
Lila’s face sobered as she realized what Harper was getting at. “Ohhhh.” She nodded and started grinning. “Let’s do this.”
They finished their sodas and stood walking on the ice. “Let’s dance around them,” Harper suggested. “I’ll take my aunt. You take your father. We skate with them. All join hands. Make sure they hold hands, and we’re on the outside.”
“I get it,” Lila said, loving the plan. “We do a spin and wind them together.”
“Then let go,” Harper said. They fist-bumped and skated off to execute their plan.
Dawn and Liam were lost in their own world as they stayed wrapped in each other’s arms, skating back and forth.
“See, it’s not that bad.” Liam’s voice was deeper than usual and his eyes darker.
“Only because I’m using you as a skate trainer.” Dawn laughed. “You know that penguin thing kids use to push around the ice that helps them balance.”
“I don’t mind being your penguin,” Liam said, grinning. “And you’re doing great.”
“So you keep saying,” Dawn said. “But I promise you as soon as you let go, I’m spinning off, and there’ll be casualties.”
“I have the emergency services on speed dial,” Liam promised.
“Can we join you?” Lila said as she and Harper skated up to them.
Liam and Dawn drew apart, and Dawn was amazed at how balanced she was when Harper took her one hand.
“Come on, Aunt Dawn, you got this,” Harper encouraged. “What did you tell me when you were teaching me to ride?”
“If you don’t get back up, you’ll always let fear overrule your love of riding,” Dawn repeated.
“Dad told me you loved skating,” Harper told her. “But after a few accidents, you lost your confidence.”
“Your father has a big mouth,” Dawn told her with a laugh as she concentrated on trying to keep the feeling of the rhythm she had with Liam while maintaining a death grip on her niece’s hands.
“Want to try a turn?” Harper asked her.
“No.” Dawn shook her head. “I’m quite happy just moving around in one direction.”
“You were going backward and forward not too long ago,” Harper pointed out. “I’ll hold you.”
“Sweetheart, trust me, if I start to slide or spin, even Taz would be jealous of my destruction prowess.” Dawn was feeling more confident as she glided along, breaking the bones in her niece’s hand.
