“Nope, just tucked everything in here. I’m really looking forward to being outside all afternoon.” He crossed the porch and yard, got into the truck, and fastened his seat belt.

“Me, too. We haven’t been out on the boat in weeks,” Dixie said from the back seat.

“And we get Mitzi and Harry and Granny Fanny Lou today,” Tabby said. “It’s going to be wonderful.”

Alice drove right to the marina and had just parked when Mitzi pulled in beside her. All five of them unloaded, and Graham looked over everyone’s heads and winked at Mitzi.

Harry stuck out his hand. “Hey, Graham, looks like we’re outnumbered today.”

Graham shook it. “Looks that way. We might have to stick together to ward off all this femininity.”

“That’s what I figure,” Harry chuckled. “Which one of these things belongs to you?”

“The one with Just Cruisin’ on the back,” Dixie answered.

“Me and Dixie named it when we got it. We used to go out every weekend.” Tabby set her tote bag on a case of soft drinks and carried it down the boardwalk to the second slip.

“Hello.” Graham took a couple of steps and stopped in front of Mitzi. “Nice hairstyle you got there.”

She pulled her sunglasses down on her nose and looked up over them. “I’m glad you like my dog ears. I don’t like to sweat.”

“I do honestly like your hair, but your eyes mesmerize me.” He immediately wondered if that was too bold, if maybe he was coming on too strong.

She bumped his arm with her elbow. “And you said you were shy around women.”

“I usually am, but it’s different with you.” He winked.

It took two trips to get everything onto the boat. Then Alice rolled out the awning and started up the engine. When they’d gone out to the middle of the lake, she turned the steering over to Graham. “I’ll be right back.” She threw off her caftan, revealing a bright-red tankini underneath, and dove into the water.

Dixie and Tabby followed right behind her, tossing their cover-ups onto a side bench, and into the lake they went, headfirst.

“You swimming?” Graham asked Mitzi.

“Nope, not me. I don’t have a bathing suit.”

“Well, I do,” Jody said as she peeled out of her shorts and shirt. “It’s been years since I’ve gotten to be in the water, so here goes.” She went in feet first and emerged a few seconds later with her long braids floating behind her. “I swear, next week, I’m cutting these things off. They’re weighing me down.”

“You wouldn’t be the same without your braids,” Mitzi told her.

“Paula?” Fanny Lou asked.

Paula shook her head. “I’ll just sit right here in the shade and enjoy the scenery. How long do we leave them out there?”