Page 28 of A Vine Mess
Ella seemed content to follow my lead, her head on a constant swivel as she appreciated the scenery.
“Loads of times,” I said. “It’s my favorite weekend getaway.”
“Reminds me of home,” she murmured, tipping her face toward the sun, her large sunglasses blocking her eyes from my view.
“That’s why I like it so much,” I agreed. “I get that same sense of peace here as I do in Apple Blossom Bay.”
I jerked my head in the direction of the massive, T-shaped dock, and she trailed behind me as I led us toward it, then pulled up to my side as I stepped on.
“There are two major boat cruises in town,” I explained. “This is Pictured Rocks Cruises”—I hooked a thumb over my shoulder at the white and blue building behind us—“which takes guests on a tour of the hot spots along the Lakeshore.” Then I pointed across the Bay to the west. “Over there is Shipwreck Tours. Munising Bay has a number of wrecks and one ship that was sunk intentionally for diving purposes. That tour has glass bottom boats, and the water is clear enough that you can see all the way to the wrecks.”
Ella shivered, and I raised a brow at her.
“Shipwrecks freak me out,” she explained.
“I think there’s a name for that.”
“Submechanophobia,” she supplied quickly.
“What about them bothers you, exactly?” I asked. Not in a judgemental way, more out of curiosity.
“Drowning seems like a pretty terrible way to go, don’t you think?” Another chill swept through her, and she wrapped her arms around herself. I felt bad enough that I nearly took her into my own arms to comfort her. “And it’s…dark and cold down there. You could get trapped, and you never know what’s hiding in those ruins.”
I nodded. “That makes perfect sense.”
We reached the end of the dock and the top of the T that branched off to our left and right. A smaller cruise ship docked to the right,Miss Superioremblazoned on her hull. Back at the shore on the other side, a large Catamaran waited while passengers loaded onto its decks, preparing to hit the open water.
Along the left side were smaller, wooden docks where vessels ranging from speed and fishing boats to pontoons and jet skis were tied up and bobbing on the smooth surface. People milled about, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.
“What is that?” Ella asked, pointing out into the bay, where a landmass rose from the lake.
“Grand Island.”
“So they get all of this”—she spread her arms out and gestured to the scene around us—“and their own little island too? Seems unfair.”
I chuckled. “Ella, you grew up in a winery.”
“I want to see the island,” she said, ignoring my comment. “Can we check it out on our kayaking trip?”
I flicked my wrist to check my watch, realizing we needed to head out if we wanted to get to the other side of town in time to set off.
“I think that can be arranged.”
“Well, Liam Danvers, as I live and breathe.”
A giant grin broke across my face as I took in the woman before me. It had been long enough since I’d last seen her that I easilyclocked the newer, deeper lines creasing her face and the silver streaks glimmering under the sun in her otherwise chestnut hair. She was fit for a woman in her early fifties, though her body showed the softening signs of aging. Her spine remained ramrod straight as ever for her years in the service—though I forget which branch—and the top of her head came to somewhere around my collarbones.
“Dori,” I replied, holding my arms wide for her to step into them. I swept her in a bear hug and spun her around. “It’s been too damn long.”
When I returned her to her feet, she swatted at me then placed her fists on the swells of her hips. “And whose fault is that?”
I grimaced. “Sorry, work has been crazy.”
She waved a hand, ire instantly forgotten. “Trust me, I get it. I was more than a little pleased to see your name pop up for today’s charter, though.”
“You know I won’t go anywhere else.”
“And I’m grateful for it.”
