Rolling her eyes, she took the steps down to the galley. Below, the room was dark and cool after the brightness of the sun. Sliding her glasses up, she noted the tiny galley and a booth; beyond that a bed consumed an entire room. The cabin was pleasantly tidy, but she supposed it had to be; otherwise things would bump around.

As if reading her thoughts, the boat turned, and Kate sank onto the soft blue cushions of the booth. A fake plant was anchored to ivory Formica, and Kate smoothed her hands over the surface, appreciating the solid coolness against her palms.

She hadn’t known sailing would disconcert her. She hoped she didn’t get motion sickness. Just my luck I’ll be hurling over the side of this thing while Lucas laughs at me. Gee, how fun.

Was her stomach feeling unsettled now, or was she imagining it? She swallowed compulsively as the boat turned again. Was he zigzagging? For heaven’s sake, can’t he just point the thing in one direction?

She remembered the soda Lucas had mentioned and walked carefully across the galley, grabbing a Sprite from the fridge before falling onto the bench as the boat heeled once again.

How long would Lucas want to be on the water? Was this an all-day thing, or would a couple of hours suffice? She checked her watch and wondered if she’d have time to finish her list once they got home. She didn’t want to spoil his fun, but there was nothing to do down here, and she hadn’t brought a book to read or writing materials to work. What did people do on boats? She didn’t see anything in the small cabin to occupy herself, but the thought of going up on deck was enough to weaken her legs.

Suddenly, the boat slowed, its change in momentum bottoming out her stomach. Had something gone wrong? She wanted to go see but couldn’t make herself leave the booth’s security. Instead she sipped her Sprite, then realized her stomach felt worse. Please, God, don’t let me puke!

Footsteps sounded, and Lucas entered the cabin, ducking under the header.

“Is something wrong?” Kate asked.

He grabbed a soda from the fridge, then a brown bag, which he dangled in front of her. “Thought you might be getting hungry.”

“You packed food?” He intended to be out here awhile. Her spirits sank.

“Just sandwiches. Hungry?”

Kate’s stomach protested, but the sooner they ate, the sooner they could return. “Sure.”

He put the food on paper plates with sides of potato salad and chips, all the while whistling “This Is the Day that the Lord Has Made.” When he finished, he headed up the steps. “Coming?”