part0014

After loud protests, Dinah finally agreed to put on her life jacket. Remy was adamant and demanded she listened if she was to come. Isabella did her best not to laugh. Dinah was quite a sight in her skintight peachy dress, with the red life jacket on top. It was very impractical, and Isabella wondered how long it would take until she took off her high heels. Or maybe she intended keeping them on, as proof of how women should dress, even at sea.

Fiona had grown up with this boat and was used to life on the ocean. She knew exactly what to do with ropes and fenders, and everything else. Isabella didn’t even know what the most basic boat stuff was called, as she knew nothing about small boats. Nor big boats either, for that matter. This wasn’t a small boat, but it may be the right boating term.

In addition to the spacious seating area below deck, there was a curved leather sofa outside, and two comfortable chairs for the skipper and a passenger. Dinah was nowhere to be seen. She stayed below deck, where she almost certainly had taken off her life jacket.

“Isabella, have a seat,” Remy said and pointed at the chair next to him. “This is your chance to see Solvik from the sea.”

She was curious and did as he said. They had undocked, and he slowly steered the boat outwards. They passed the Sea Breeze hotel, and it was interesting to see it from this angle. The hotel had a guest marina, where several boats were docked. Some of the summer guests chose to arrive by boat. The hotel was coming into its own now in the summer.

The footpath leading to the center of town was on one side of the headland. The other side consisted of a recreational area with small secluded beach coves. There were no other buildings on the cape besides the hotel. It towered outermost at the mouth of the fjord, invitingly awaiting guests.

“We could do with more customers at the outdoor service,” Remy commented as they passed. He was wearing sunglasses, so she couldn’t see his eyes. Only a few of the tables were occupied with guests eating lunch.

“Yes, it should’ve been packed there by now. It’ll improve once your class is over, I’m sure of it.”

“Let’s hope so.”

She’d never seen him so casual before. His khaki shorts should have made his skin look pale this early in the summer, but he was golden brown. She didn’t know how that was possible. Considering his long days, he didn’t have time to work on his tan. The sea-blue pique shirt was tight around his broad shoulders and slim belly. Where did his great biceps come from? He didn’t work out, as far as she knew. Was it physically demanding to be a chef?

She shifted her gaze and was glad she was wearing sunglasses. She couldn’t be ogling him when his wife was right around the corner. She peeked at his golden thighs again. Muscles there, too. She was blessed with a curious nature and couldn’t help herself. “You’re so tanned.”

He kept his eyes on the sea. “My mother was Italian. I’ve inherited her olive skin.”

“I see.” She felt white as a sheet in comparison, despite having got a slight suntan. She couldn’t measure up to Dinah, who had been frying in the sun all week, but that wasn’t her goal. She was content to have even a light tan.

Fiona came up to them and stretched in the air. “Don’t you love the sea?”

“It’s delightful. Thanks for talking me into coming,” she said. Fiona was easygoing, the opposite of her mother. “Do you want to sit here?”

“No, just stay where you are. I usually sit there, but you’re our guest.”

“Are you the one who helps Remy with the boat?”

“Yes, it certainly isn’t Mom. She prefers being on land.” Fiona grimaced, and Isabella was marveling why she’d come if she didn’t like boating.

“I love this boat,” Fiona continued.

“I can see why.”

They were well on their way. Remy sped up as soon as they reached the open sea. The motor purred like a cat, a big cat. He appeared to be just as fond of speed by sea as by land. She didn’t think wooden boats could go this fast, but the motor had some serious horsepower. She had to hold on to something. The high speed gave her tummy butterflies.

Fiona was sitting on the sofa, and Dinah was still nowhere to be seen.

The sea lay open in front of them. The warm breeze took hold of her hair, making it fly in all directions. No point in putting on a sun hat, it would blow away. She could see how Remy was enjoying himself. His hair was blowing in the wind, and he had a rare smile on his lips. He was in his element here at sea.

“Is it really necessary to drive this fast?” Dinah yelled. “You know I can’t stand high speed.”

Isabella jumped, and Remy was caught off guard. He slowed down a little too abruptly, and Dinah fell forward and landed on the shiny deck, right by their feet.

“Help!” she screamed.

“Fiona, take the wheel.” Remy reduced the speed until the boat nearly stopped.

The girl hurried over and took over with ease.

“Why on earth are you wearing those stupid heels?” Remy was annoyed and didn’t hide how he felt about her choice of shoes. “Haven’t we been through this many times before?”

Isabella felt like she was in the middle of a family argument but didn’t know what to do. “Can I help with anything?”

“My ankle hurts,” Dinah complained. “And my arm.”

Remy pulled her shoes off and examined her foot. It had already started swelling. He squeezed and bent it to see if anything was broken. She groaned in pain. “You’ve probably twisted it.” He checked her arm, which was only bruised.

“It’s all your fault,” Dinah raged, still upset. “If you’d kept a normal speed, this never would’ve happened.”

He sighed, irritated. “Don’t blame me. You know what you’re getting into when you come for a ride. Besides, I didn’t invite you.”

“Calm down. Fiona invited her, and that’s nice.”

Isabella was pleased but felt like an outsider. She should never have come on this trip.

“I’m sure it is,” Dinah said sarcastically. She looked contemptibly at her, as if she wanted to say something more, but kept her mouth shut.

“Can you stand on your foot?” Remy deftly changed the subject.

Dinah made a half-hearted attempt at getting up. Remy took her arm and helped lift her. But she wasn’t able to walk on her foot. He picked her up in his arms and carried her below deck. “Can you get me an ice-bag in the freezer, Isabella?”

“Fridge and freezer are right by the stove.”

She fetched the ice-bag and went over to them. Dinah leaned back on the sofa, whimpering. Remy put the ice over her ankle and wrapped a towel around it.

“You’ll have to take me to the hospital.” Her hand rested on her head as if that was where she was hurting.

Remy wasn’t amused. “They can’t do more for you there than I can do here. You didn’t break anything.”

“I need crutches or a wheelchair. How else am I supposed to get around?”

“Well, it will be strenuous to hop on one leg around the island. You’ll have to rest. Let’s hope you’re better by the time we get home tonight.”

“Aren’t you turning back?” Dinah was so shocked that she tried to get up. Her ankle stopped her, and the ice-bag fell on the floor. She lay back again.

“There’s nothing we can do at the hotel. The only thing that helps is ice, and we’ve lots of ice here.” He covered her ankle with ice once more and put the towel back on. “You need to stay here for a while.”

“You’re just thinking of yourself while I have to lie here all day. If you hadn’t put the brakes on so fiercely, I never would’ve fallen.”

Isabella thought it best to go out on deck. This was a conversation for the couple, not for outsiders. She started walking away but could hear their continuing argument.

Remy behaved calmly as always and didn’t let himself be affected by the accusations. “If there ever will be a next time, you might consider wearing proper shoes. Fiona will make sure the ice-bag is in place.”

“You won’t even sit here. The boat is more important than me.” She was feeling sorry for herself and tried to make him feel bad.

“Dinah, we’ll get nowhere if I’m to stay with you. There’s no one else to drive the boat.” Remy’s voice was determined, yet resigned.

“No, but we can go back instead of continuing the trip. It just shows your attitude toward our marriage. You don’t care anymore.”

Remy gave her a few painkillers and a glass of water. Isabella was too far away to hear his answer. What did Dinah mean by that? Were they facing serious problems? Or was it just an expression of his wife’s frustration at being incapacitated?

Isabella went over to Fiona, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, listening to music. “You’re so clever. You took charge of the boat when they needed you.”

“I’ve had a good teacher. I’m going to take the boating license soon. How’s Mom?” Fiona was worried.

“She’s in pain, but the meds will help. Remy wants you to take over the ice-bag. Just keep it around her ankle.”

“Then you’ll have to take the wheel until Dad’s here,” Fiona said. “Keep an eye out for other boats. He’ll be here in a jiffy.”

Isabella did as she was told and a few minutes later, Remy stood behind her. “Look at you.”

She tensed up; he was so close. She could sense his breath on her neck when he bent down, and she inhaled the alluring, spicy scent of his cologne. She turned giddy, and took a firmer grip of the wheel. He placed his arm around her shoulder and leaned toward the back of her seat. At the same time, he straightened up, which helped a little. Then he explained the buttons and how the boat worked.

“Try to relax your hands. I’m here.”

“Easier said than done.” She loosened her grip and pretended to be alone on the boat. It was impossible when Remy was standing so near.

“Now we’ll speed up,” he said.

“You’ll want to feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins.”

“I can feel it already.”

“Hmm. It’s not enough.”

“Oh, it is.” But she sped up and gleefully watched as the boat accelerated. There were many boats at sea this lovely summer day, and she had to focus.

“Steer to the right, and we’ll get a better angle on the waves when we pass that big boat over there,” he said, pointing at a yacht.

“How’s Dinah doing? You know, we can go back. I don’t mind.”

“She has only herself to blame. With the right outfit, the mishap would’ve been avoided.”

“She wanted to look nice, even at sea.” Isabella didn’t know why she was defending her. They weren’t exactly friends, it felt more like a cockfight.

“All in due time. She should’ve learned, after all these years with boat trips.” Remy didn’t find any extenuating circumstances.

“It sounds like you’ve used the boat a lot.”

“We have, but Dinah hasn’t come along often. Boating isn’t her thing.”

“Why did she come today, then? The massage she booked is popular. She would’ve loved it.”

Remy was quiet for a moment. “Most likely because you came. Fiona may have told her she invited you.”

She didn’t get it. “I only offered Fiona a summer job. You don’t owe me anything. And you are a family.”

“Not quite. I left her when the hotel opened this spring.”

“What?” She looked at him, but both were wearing sunglasses, which was probably just as well. “What are you saying? Are you divorced?”

“Separated. It takes a year to get a divorce.”

It was apparent he’d been the one to leave Dinah and not the other way around. Dinah was proud of her husband, seeing as she called him ‘my husband, the master chef,’ all the time. She was possessive in a way that didn’t suit her. Isabella saw everything clearer now.

It dawned on her that she might appear like a threat to their failed marriage. Dinah viewed every woman as a threat right now, whether they were or not. She wanted Remy back, there was no doubt about it. And she was desperately trying to hold on to him, which didn’t serve to her benefit.

“I’m sorry, it must be difficult for all of you.” She’d never been in a situation like that herself, but could easily imagine how hard it must be. They’d been together for many years and knew each other very well. And in the blink of an eye, everything was over. Both of them were alone again and had to start all over. Create new relationships and build friendships.

“Luckily, Fiona is taking it well. She’s known for a while,” said Remy.

“She seems like a sensible girl.”

“Fiona is more like me than her mother. We have the same interests, food and boating.”

It was easier to see everything in context now that she knew more. This must be the reason Remy didn’t feel guilty when he kissed her earlier in the week. He felt free to do as he pleased. He wasn’t attached to his wife anymore, so Isabella didn’t have to feel bad, either.

She still wasn’t comfortable being in the boat with the two of them. It was one thing when she thought they were married and everything was bliss. It was something else altogether now that she could be seen as something entirely different. She didn’t know how she felt about it but decided to make the best of the situation. She had no intention of wasting this beautiful day thinking. It would have to wait until she got home.

Remy was still standing close to her while she was steering the boat. His hand was resting on her neck, but her breathing was more normal.

“Should we speed up a bit?”

“Again?” They were already going pretty fast, but she was enjoying it. “Fine with me. I feel safe having you here.”

He stroked her neck with his thumb, so maybe he’d misunderstood her words. She breathed deeply and kept an eye on the surrounding boats. None of them came too close, and she sped up some more. The boat hit the waves, and she felt a gentle sprinkle of seawater on her bare arm. “This is so much fun.”

He watched her, satisfied. “I’ll take over now. We’re going to dock at one of the islands over there.”

“Anything I can do?”

“You can go get Fiona. She knows what needs to be done.”

Isabella went below deck to the others. “Are you okay, Dinah?”

“No.” Her look was as surly as her answer.

“Mom is doing better,” Fiona said.

She was glad to hear that. “We’re going to dock now. Remy needs you.”

Fiona put the ice-bag into the freezer. “That’ll have to do.”

“Tell Remy to come down to me, and I’ll put sunscreen on him,” Dinah demanded.

Isabella hid a smile. The madam was too easy to read. And even easier to read now she knew the truth. But she could relate to her. Dinah was going through a tough time.

“Ok.” Fiona went upstairs and called to her father, “Mom wants to rub sunscreen on you.”

“I’m sure she does.” His voice didn’t leave any doubt as to what he thought of her suggestion.

Remy dropped the anchor, before docking as close to the shore as possible. Fiona took the rope and jumped ashore. She tied the rope to a big rock. She’d done this many times before.

Isabella jumped after her. Not as elegantly, but not too clumsy.

“How is Dinah getting off the boat?”

“Good question. Dad has to carry her, I suppose.”

“That sounds risky. We’re high up.”

“They can wade to shore from the other side of the boat. That might be better,” Fiona said.

“And you say that now?”

“You managed fine. Why make it easy when you can challenge yourself? I learned that from Dad.”

“Why am I not surprised?” They looked at each other and burst out laughing. “They’re wise words,” Isabella said.

They sat on the beach while waiting for the others. Remy came around carrying Dinah and placed her on the sofa. From there, she had a view of the beach and could sit like a queen, making sure everything proceeded correctly.

Remy jumped ashore and went over to them.

“Is Mom staying on the boat?” Fiona had taken off her shorts and t-shirt and was in a bikini, ready for a swim.

“That’s what she preferred.” Remy shrugged as if he had expected it. “She’ll let us know if she changes her mind.”

“You bet.” Fiona winked at her father. They clearly knew Dinah well, and Isabella had to smile at the odd family. Fortunately, they were far enough from the boat that Dinah couldn’t hear them. But she was certainly keeping a close eye on them from behind her sunglasses. Better to behave.