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ago,” he said. “You both will have to excuse me, but I have some work to do.”
    Andi waited until he left before she spoke. “He should have thanked you for remembering the ropes.”
    “What ropes? Oh, you mean untying us from the dock? That was no big deal.”
    “It would have been if you hadn’t remembered.”
    “He probably didn’t thank me because he’s embarrassed that he forgot. He doesn’t think he can afford a mistake, especially since Dad died. Once upon a time the guy knew how to have fun, but lately he’s been nothing but old sobersides.”
    “Look, Bowie, I know you’ve engineered this trip partly to encourage him to relax, but he might not. Will you be okay with that?”
    Bowie stared at the light dancing on the water. “I guess I won’t have a choice,” he said, his voice low. “But Andi, if he can’t loosen up in a place like this, he’s more of a mess than I thought.”
    “There’s no such thing as an attractive maternity swimsuit,” Nicole wailed as she came down the hallway and walked to the front of the boat so Andi could see her.
    “Look at this, sis. I’m afraid if I go in the water somebody will try to harpoon me!”
    Bowie rushed to her side and threw a protective arm in front of her. “I would never allow that, my love.”
    “Aw, Nic, you’re very cute,” Andi said. The loosefitting white suit made Nicole look like an egg on stilts, but the effect was very endearing, especially when Andi considered that soon Nicole would have a baby girl for her troubles. Vanity didn’t seem much of a price to pay for that. She wished their mother could have lived closer to take part in this pregnancy—she suspected Nicole missed that. “Motherhood looks good on you,” she added, meaning every word.
    “I absolutely agree,” Bowie said gallantly, giving her a quick kiss.
    “And it will all be worth it in two months,” Andi said.
    “You’re right,” Nicole said. “I haven’t a complaint in the world, except that right now I would kill to get into that cool, clear water.”
    “Your wish is my command, love,” Bowie said. He shaded his eyes and swept himself into a one-legged stance while he gazed off toward the continuous shoreline. “Land ho!”
    “All ashore who’s going ashore!” Andi decided it was time to take charge of the fun around here. “Sailor, go tell His Stuff-shirtedness that he’s needed on the bridge. He can go commune with his laptop after we beach this sucker. It’s time to party!”

4
    T WO HOURS LATER , Andi, Bowie and Nicole sat on the rear deck in plastic deck chairs, their feet propped on the railing, and fishing poles dangling over the end of the boat. The prow was wedged firmly into the sand of a secluded little beach, and stout iron stakes held the mooring ropes for extra stability. Chance had taken the helm to run the boat aground and had helped Bowie drive the stakes into the sand and tie the mooring ropes. Soon afterward, he’d claimed he had reports to type and had disappeared inside the boat while the rest of them took a swim.
    “We shoulda bought some live bait,” Andi said, taking another sip of her beer. She and Bowie were indulging, while Nicole, the pregnant lady, had to settle for a soft drink.
    “I agree,” Nicole said. “These lures may be from Jefferson’s finest stock, but the Lake Mead fish are not impressed.”
    “I want to try something,” Bowie said, handing his fishing pole to Nicole. “Mind the line for me a little while. I’ll be back.”
    “No problem. Nothing’s biting anyway,” Nicole said.
    Andi was glad for the moment of privacy with her sister. She was determined to get Nicole’s opinion about her latest career plan, but she didn’t want Bowie or Chance, especially not Chance, throwing in their two cents worth.“Listen, before he comes back, I want to talk about this idea I have.”
    “Please tell me this isn’t about artificial insemination.”
    “What?”
    “Don’t do it, Andi. I’ve seen