The teenager stood and extended his hand to Juli. She rose gracefully, all fluid movement. It reminded him of how much younger she was. A decade might not be much for some people, but there were days when those years felt like a huge chasm.
“Hello, Luke.” A man called out, heading toward the dock.
“Jake.” Luke tossed him the guide rope.
Juli turned as his boat came alongside the dock. She looked apprehensive. He focused his attention on shutting the boat down and making sure Jake had secured the line properly.
“Luke,” Jake said, “come on up. Sally wants to say hello and she’s got someone she wants you to meet.”
“No, Jake.” He noticed Juli had moved nearer as if waiting to speak with him. He didn’t want Sally and Jake to fix him up with anyone, and he certainly didn’t want to talk about it in front of Juli and some pubescent kid.
“She’s a keeper, Luke. We can’t disappoint the ladies.”
He looked at Juli, then back at Jake. “I’ll catch up with you in a few.”
“Serious, man. We’re waiting.”
“Promise.”
As Jake walked away, Luke turned toward Juli, asking, “Where’s Ben?”
Juli put a hand on the boy’s arm. “Luke, this is Billy. He’s one of Anna’s students.”
Luke nodded. The boy had actually moved closer to Juli and stopped slightly in front of her, almost between them. Luke held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Billy looked like he might refuse to shake. Luke waited and Billy gave in.
Juli said, “Billy, do you mind? I need to speak with Luke.”
Luke noted Billy’s slight swagger, a bit of posturing. He hid his amusement.
“Mom’s waiting, anyway. I’ll see you later, Juli?”
“Sure. See you in class.” She watched him leave the dock and walk up the slope. “I think he’s probably relieved to get away from me. I’m one of the old people now.” She laughed.
“I think he had other things on his mind.” Luke almost laughed with Juli, but he didn’t see happiness reflected in her blue eyes and his own good humor dimmed.
“Where’s Ben?”
“At home.” Juli crossed her arms.
“Why?”
She tossed her head and pushed loose strands of hair behind her ears. “His stomach was a little upset. He wanted to stay home.”
He didn’t like the sulky attitude Juli was giving him. “But you’re here. You came without him.” His inflection left it hanging open like a question.
She dropped her arms and even though she put her hands on her hips, the attitude rolled off her shoulders and evaporated. “He insisted.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Two simple words—he insisted. He ate a brownie and it disagreed with him. He’s not supposed to eat stuff like that. I would’ve stayed home happily, but he, well, he wanted me to come.”
“But—”
Juli held out one hand. “No, that’s enough. I let you get away with a lot because I know you love him. Don’t push it.”
Luke's name was bellowed. The loud voice was Jake’s. Everyone in the back yard, who knew Luke, looked at him. If Jake had been within reach, Luke would’ve decked him. Fear for Ben, annoyance with Juli, and aggravation at Jake clouded his face. When he looked at Juli, she gasped and stumbled backward. At first, it was a stumble, but then another step and then something happened because she was falling. There was nowhere for her to go but over the edge of the dock and into the sound. He lunged forward and grabbed for her.
Her arms waved instinctively reacting to the fall. Luke grabbed one arm and her waist before his shoe, too, caught the same uneven board or nail, and added his momentum to hers.
Chapter Seventeen
In this spot, Bogue Sound was too deep for her to avoid a thorough drenching, yet too shallow to miss the mud and general crud that layered the bottom near shore, especially with Luke’s weight and force added to her own.
Juli caught her breath and held it instinctively because they were bound for the water. She was mortified even before they went under, still it was a wonder she didn’t laugh at the expression of shock on Luke’s face as they plunged down and down until her butt dragged bottom.
Under the water and in the mud, feet scrambled and arms flailed, and they were up again within seconds. Juli pushed her hair out of her face and pulled at her clothing, all in the same movement. Luke came up rubbing his face and shaking his head. All of the guests whose eyes had followed the sound of Jake’s voice were now converging on the dock. She pulled a long, clinging piece of brown grass from her neck.