Chase grinned as she jumped onto the gangplank. “Thanks, Arden. I wouldn’t want to miss this.”

Arden gave her another smile as she worked the opposite chains loose. “Look me up later?”

“Appreciate it, but I’ve got the campers.” She shrugged apologetically.

Arden gave her a look and a knowing nod. “Uh-huh. Some other time then.”

“Thanks again,” Chase said and hustled up the gangplank with Arden, who’d finished releasing the moorings, close behind.

The crew waiting shipside pulled in the gangplank, and the William Henry slowly eased away from the dock with its characteristic three-blast salute from the ship’s booming horn. As Chase made her way forward, the captain’s voice came over the intercom.

“Welcome to the William Henry,” her voice rang out through the loudspeakers. “Our cruising time tonight is three hours and thirty minutes. We will be traversing beautiful Lake George on a route through the picturesque Islands of the Narrows. Weather report says clear skies and sunny all the way. En route, our guides will be informing you of the natural and historic wonders along the shore as we range first up the eastern shore and return along the western shore at sunset. Dinner will be served compliments of our crew in one hour. Enjoy the ride.”

The first level was packed with campers and the majority of their families. Natalie and most of the district rangers not out on call were also present to celebrate one of the favorite evenings of the summer season. Chase wended her way through the crowd, slowing only long enough to return quick greetings, until she spied Sarah on the second level not far from the stairwell.

“Hi,” Chase said as she edged into a place by the rail. “Everything okay? Sorry I’m late.”

“I thought you’d missed it altogether,” Sarah said, giving her a quick appraising glance.

Chase knew the look. Sarah surreptitiously, or so she thought, checking her over. Ever since her fall, Sarah looked for injuries after she’d been out on a call. Before that, she’d been looking for signs of forbidden teen activity. Maybe one day she’d stop trying to protect Chase from herself. Maybe. Chase spread her arms as far as she could in the crowd. “All in one piece.”

Sarah smiled. “Always glad to hear that.”

“Have you seen—”

“She’s up on the top level, toward the bow,” Sarah finished. “She wanted a spot with a view.”

“Thanks. I’ll just go see how’s she’s doing.”

“Chase,” Sarah said.

Chase turned back with a questioning look.

“You know what you’re doing, right?”

“Relax, Sarah.” Chase gave her sister’s arm a squeeze. “We’ve got it under control.”

“All right then,” Sarah said quietly. “Enjoy the ride.”