The Choice - Nicholas Sparks [39]
“How long have you known him?”
“A long time. Laird and I met in college, and Laird introduced me to him. They’ve been friends since they were kids. Actually, he was the best man at our wedding. And speak of the devil . . . Hey, Travis.”
“Hey,” he said. “Should be fun today, huh?” Behind him, Stephanie was perched behind the wheel, pretending not to watch them.
“Hopefully it won’t get too windy.”
Allison looked around. “I don’t think it will.”
“Why?” Gabby pressed. “What happens if it’s windy?”
“Nothing good when you’re parasailing,” Travis answered. “Basically, the chute could collapse in places, the lines could get tangled, and that’s the last thing you want in a parachute.”
Gabby had an image of herself spinning out of control as she rushed toward the water.
“Don’t worry,” Travis reassured her. “If I even suspect a problem, no one goes up.”
“I hope not,” Allison chimed in. “But I’d like to volunteer Laird to be the first.”
“Why?”
“Because he was supposed to paint Josie’s room this week—he promised me over and over—but is it painted? Of course not. It’ll serve him right.”
“He’ll have to stand in line. Megan already volunteered Joe to go first. Something about not spending enough time with the family after work.”
Listening to their familiar banter, Gabby felt like a spectator. She wished that Stephanie hadn’t left her side; oddly, she realized, Stephanie already felt like the closest thing she had to a friend in Beaufort.
“Hold on!” Stephanie shouted, rotating the wheel.
Travis instinctively grabbed the side of the boat as it hit a large wake and the bow rose and fell with a thud. Allison’s attention was diverted to the kids, and she rushed toward Josie, who’d fallen and was already beginning to cry. Laird pulled her to her feet with one arm.
“You were supposed to be holding her!” Allison reproached him while reaching for Josie. “Come here, baby. Mommy’s got you. . . .”
“I was holding her!” Laird protested. “Maybe if Dale Earnhardt here was watching where she was going . . .”
“Don’t bring me into this,” Stephanie said, tossing her head. “I said to hold on, but I guess you didn’t listen. It’s not like I can control the swells out here.”
“But you could go a little slower. . . .”
Travis shook his head and took a seat beside Gabby.
“Is it always like this?” she asked.
“Pretty much,” he said. “At least since the kids have been around. Rest assured that each of the kids will have a few tearful moments today. But that’s what keeps it interesting.” He leaned back, planting his feet wide. “How’d you like my sister?”
With the sun behind him, his features were difficult to discern. “I like her. She’s . . . unique.”
“She seems taken with you, too. If she didn’t like you, believe me—she would have let me know. As smart as she is, she doesn’t always know when to keep her opinions to herself. If you ask me, I think she was secretly adopted by my parents.”
“I don’t think so. If you let your hair grow a little longer, you two could pass for sisters.”
He laughed. “You sound like her now.”
“I guess she rubbed off on me.”
“Did you get a chance to meet everyone else?”
“Briefly. I visited with Allison for a bit, but that’s all.”
“They’re the nicest bunch of people you’ll ever meet,” Travis said. “More like family than friends.”
She studied Travis as he pulled the baseball cap from his head, suddenly grasping what had happened. “Stephanie sent you back here to talk to me, didn’t she.”
“Yeah,” he admitted. “She reminded me that you were my guest and that I’d be rude if I didn’t make sure you were comfortable.”
“I’m fine.” She waved a hand. “If you want to go drive the boat again, feel free. I’m perfectly happy enjoying the view.”
“Have you ever been over to Cape Lookout?” Travis asked.
“No.”
“It’s a national park, and there’s a cove that’s great for little kids because the waves don’t break there. And on the far side—the Atlantic side—there’s a white-sand beach that’s unspoiled, which is almost impossible to find anymore.”
When he was finished, Gabby watched as he turned his attention to Beaufort.