Uncharted Waters

In the predawn darkness, she saw Drew standing just beneath the wing. “Hey there, sprout,” he said as Kevin approached.

She couldn’t see Drew’s face, but his silhouette was unmistakable. Broad, well-developed shoulders. Narrow hips. Legs slightly bowed with muscle. He wore a cap with the visor turned backward. A dark T-shirt revealed a flat belly and arms that were a lot more muscular than she remembered. His jeans were faded and snug, and the sight of his hips packaged so nicely made her look quickly away.

“Morning,” he said to her as she approached.

“Hi.”

He poured from a Thermos and shoved a cup at her. “Nothing fancy, but it’s hot.”

The smell of coffee made her mouth water. “You thought of everything.”

“Mommy, this is so cool! The plane’s tied up to the dock just like a boat!”

“I see that,” she said.

Shoving his hands in the back pockets of his jeans, Kevin grinned. “My mommy and me made a key lime pie last night.”

Drew stared blankly at the boy for a moment as if to ask “Why are you telling me?” “That’s nice,” he said slowly.

“Mommy made it for you.”

“Kevin!” she said sharply, but was too late.

“Mommy said you could come over tonight if you want to. She’s a good cook and won’t even make you put the silverware away if you don’t want.”

Drew glanced over at Alison and raised his brows. “I think there’s an invitation in there somewhere.”

Alison laughed, thankful it wasn’t yet light because her cheeks were on fire. “Kevin and I wanted to...thank you for inviting us here this morning.” She walked over to her son and knelt to tie one of his sneakers. “Why don’t you invite Drew over for dinner the way we talked about it last night, honey?”

Nodding, Kevin grew serious. “Would you like to come over for dinner tonight, Drew?”

For an instant, Drew looked uncomfortable, glancing quickly from Kevin to Alison then back to Kevin. “Hey, that’s nice but you sure don’t have to go to any trouble.”

“The pie’s already made,” Kevin said. “It’s really good. Mommy let me lick the bowl and everything.”

Alison finished knotting the shoelace, then cleared her throat, suddenly nervous because she wasn’t sure if Drew was going to accept their invitation. It had seemed like such a good idea the night before while she and Kevin were making the pie. Now, with Drew standing there with a scowl on his face, it didn’t seem quite so brilliant.

“Don’t feel obligated or anything,” she said quickly. “I mean, it’s not like Kevin and I can’t handle a key lime pie all by ourselves. Right, honey?”

Kevin put his hands together as if to pray. “Please, Drew. Pleeeeeease!”

Drew laughed. “Sounds like an offer I can’t refuse.”

“Yay! Now I can show you my Zoomer 57 Skyeagle. It’s so cool, Drew. Wait till you see it!”

Alison wiped her damp palms on her shorts. “I thought dinner would be nice. Give us a chance to do some catching up on things.”

Drew shrugged, but he didn’t look very pleased. “What time?”

“About seven, give or take,” she said. “We’re pretty flexible.”

He shrugged. “I’ll be there.”

She smiled. “Good.”

His gaze lingered an instant too long before he turned to Kevin. “How would you like to help me finish up my preflight check?”

“Me?”

Drew looked around. “You don’t see anyone else standing around, do you?”

Kevin giggled. “No.”

“Well, then, that means you, partner. Grab that rope lying next to my toolbox and set it on the dock near the hatch for me, would you?”

“Yes, sir!”

Alison’s heart swelled as she watched her little boy drag the too-large coil of rope to the point on the dock that was closest the hatch. He was working his little heart out when Drew pulled a brimmed cap from his rear pocket. Her heart melted when he set the cap on her son’s head.

“Now you’re the official copilot,” Drew said.

“Wow! Mommy, look at my hat. I’m the copilot.”

“Very nice,” she said, trying hard not to let the gesture mean too much. Ever since finding out that Kevin had asthma, she treasured every moment of his happiness. She knew it was silly; thousands of children led relatively normal lives with asthma. But Kevin had been faced with a double whammy of sorts. Not only were his physical activities limited, but he would never have the opportunity to know his father.

“Okay, Drew! All done!” he exclaimed. “I did it!”

“Good job.” Drew held out his hand and Kevin slapped his palm in a high five.

Brushing his hands against his thighs, Drew walked over to Alison. She watched him approach, refusing to acknowledge that her heart was beating a little too fast. The subtle scent of his aftershave seemed to fill the air around her and she was suddenly, acutely aware of his proximity.

He seemed a little more sure of himself now that he was in his element. She only wished she didn’t feel so far out of hers.

“We’re ready to board,” he said, then glanced up at the predawn sky. “It looks like Mother Nature is going to put on an extra good show for us this morning.”

“How can you tell?” she asked.

“I checked the radar when I filed my flight plan. There are a couple of storms off to the west.” He grinned at what must have been a worried expression on her face. “We’re not going to get close to them, but cumulus clouds make for one hell of a sunrise.”

Alison wanted to say something witty and intelligent, but her mouth had gone dry. Her heart was beating a rapid tattoo against her breast. Her palms were wet so she wiped them on her shorts. Good Lord, maybe she was coming down with something.