The Inheritance (14)

Beyond the tree line a dark gray mass was building, heralding a change in the weather. The various groups of picnickers continued in their leisure activities unaware of the pending storm. Out on the lake carefree boaters were the first to notice the change, a cool rush of air and a shadow growing across the lake, covering it, darkening it to an oily midnight blue. The water rippled as the growing wind brushed the surface.

Lily shifted her focus from the young water skier behind the boat to the sky above, frowning as she studied the advancing line of tumultuous dark clouds.

“Tom.” She called out above the sound of the engine and wind. “Looks like we are in for more than a ten percent chance of showers.”

Tom glanced sideways at Lily. She nodded, pointing beyond him at the sky. He turned to look just as a streak of lightening flashed in the dark heavens above the trees. Moments later a rumble of thunder reached them. Lily looked back at Matt cutting across the wake of the boat, his body leaning back against the pull of the motor, his ski throwing up a rooster tail of water, and waved, signaling for him to let go of the rope.

A brief skip of time passed before Matt reached the apex of his arc to the outside of the boat, straining he raced over the rippling surface even with the stern before shifting his posture to begin his return trip. He acknowledged his Aunt’s signal with a wave of his own and a flamboyant release of the towrope, letting himself sink into the water as his forward motion slowed.

“He let go.” Lily shouted.

Tom swung the boat around in a curve heading them back to the spot where his nephew bobbed in the water. He reduced speed as they approached, coming to a stop a few yards away and turned off the motor. Lily began pulling in the towrope, looping it in her hands as it came while Loren hung the portable ladder over the stern for Matt to use. In the water Matt removed his foot from the ski boot encasing it and pushing the ski in front of him began swimming toward the boat. Tom grabbed the ski, fishing it out of the water, freeing Matt to make his way along the side of the boat to the ladder. Where he climbed aboard accepting the towel held out to him from his cousin. A loud, menacing rumble sounded overhead. All four of the passengers looked up at the looming line of dark clouds building above the trees lining the western shore. Lily dropped her eyes to the distant beach along the eastern shore wondering if they had enough time to get there and get the boat out of the water before the storm descended. The strengthening wind cooled her skin, raising goose bumps on her bare arms. The shoreline was awash with sunlight, the bathers and picnickers engaged in their activities seemingly unaware of the storm poised to strike. 

To Be Continued...