She secured the key on its cord around her wrist, turned on the ignition switch, and slowly pushed the throttle, instructing Tucker with each step.
“Hold on.” She kept the vehicle’s speed at five mph, increasing to ten, until they were safely away from the shoreline. “Are you ready for a fun ride?”
“You bet.”
Ellie gradually increased her speed until her hair was flying out behind her, likely in Tucker’s face. She told Tucker to lean with the craft as she executed a turn. He leaned too far, and the next thing she knew, the Jet Ski capsized, throwing them into the water.
The key jerked from the ignition by the kill switch cord as Ellie flew off. She went beneath the surface, then rose, sputtering and laughing, and whipped her hair out of her face.
Tucker bobbed up as she did, his face splitting into a grin. “You know how to show a guy a good time.”
She laughed and pushed the Jet Ski over, Tucker joining in. They hoisted themselves up from the stern into the seat. She gave him a few tips, drove him around, and they flipped over again.
They mounted the craft, and when they were both secure, Ellie said, “Hold on tight.”
She opened the throttle, and they flew over the lake’s surface, heading further away from shore. Ellie laughed with sheer delight, her hair flying around her face.
Exhilarated, she had a hard time slowing down so that Tucker could have a turn at driving the Jet Ski. She drove the vehicle back in the direction of the shore.
She looked over her shoulder. “Ready to take the driver’s seat?”
Tucker nodded. “I think I have the feel of it.”
Ellie slowed the craft to a stop. She turned the key over to him, and he slipped the cord over his wrist. They dismounted, and when they climbed on again, Tucker settled into the driver’s seat.
“Take it nice and slow.” Ellie had to lean to look around him. “Have you driven a motorcycle?”
He nodded. “One of my brothers got one when he was sixteen, and we all learned to ride it.”
“Consider this the motorcycle of water crafts.” Ellie slid her arms around his taut abs. “When you feel comfortable, open the throttle a little at a time.”
Tucker did so, and he kept the Jet Ski at a slow rate of speed, gradually increasing. He took a turn too tightly, causing them to capsize.
Once they were back on the craft, they rode around a while longer. Tucker glanced over his shoulder. “We should get the Jet Ski back to Jace.”
“He’s probably been sharing with the others.” Ellie settled her chin on his shoulder. “This was fun.”
He nodded, keeping the craft at a moderate speed, slowing to five mph as they got closer to the shore.
They dismounted and returned the craft to Jace, then removed their life jackets and put them in a chest on the lower deck at the stern.
“I’ve worked up an appetite,” Ellie said as they headed up the stairs to the upper deck.
Tucker’s stomach audibly rumbled. “You and me both.”
She tipped her chin and breathed deeply. “Dad’s grilling burgers.” She smiled over her shoulder at him. “Let’s get there before the boys so they don’t eat everything before we get a chance at our share.”
* * *
Dinner was relaxing and fun as they sat around the table on the upper deck. They ate grilled burgers and hot dogs, along with all the fixings, as well as BBQ-flavored potato chips, salt-and-vinegar chips, and tortilla chips. They drank beer and margaritas, and Hoss told a few tall tales during the meal.
Ellie had used sunscreen earlier, but she felt well-toasted. She was grateful she didn’t have a sunburn, given how much time they’d spent in the water.
After dinner, Greta brought out two authentic German black forest cakes that she’d made the night before. She was great at packing her desserts, and the cakes arrived at the houseboat with them just fine, looking as beautiful as they had when she made them.
Jace followed with a big tub of vanilla ice cream and a scoop, and Braxton brought the dessert plates and forks.
“Tanner’s and my favorite birthday cake.” Ellie found the twenty-eight candles flickering on top of each cake mesmerizing in the dim light. “Mom makes the best German pastries.”
