Page 145 of Van Cort

They both swerved with their momentum carrying them.

“So do I!”

Marshall barged Preston back, and they kept knocking each other off course, back and forth, until they arrived at the boathouse in a mass of limbs, half out of breath, half laughing. Preston didn’t stop, though. He jumped into the boat to secure his spot next to the motor, a triumphant smile erupting over his face.

Conceding, Marshall set about untying the ropes. “Fine. I get to steer on the way back, though.”

Both of them were capable of handling the boat now. They’d seen both dads doing it plenty of times leading up to this point. But Dad West had always been out here with them more. He seemed to love the outdoors more than Dad Rhett.

Preston pulled the chord and the smell of gas plumed in the confined space until he set them out onto the water.

Fresh, chilled air hit them as they left the shallow water, not yet warmed from the late spring sun. It was their favourite time of year. The snow had melted, and they could go explore in the woods and visit the island. They’d been going there for the last few years and would argue about who would steer the boat every time. And Mom didn’t like the idea of either of them on the water alone, so one of the dads - who knew who - must have convinced her this time. Or both of them.

As they made the familiar trip over the water, the little jetty came into view. And with it, another boat already moored.

“I knew it was too good to be true,” Marshall grumbled.

Preston savoured the small win, hoping Marshall would get the same satisfaction on the return journey. “At least we did it onour own this time.” He lined up the boat and eased the throttle so the boat coasted in.

“Dad, why are you here?” Marshall called, as they saw Dad West walking towards them.

“I didn’t want to miss all the fun with you two.”

“I thought we’d have our first time on the island ourselves before you came later with Mom.”

“Mom and Dad will be along soon. He’s almost home. Family time, remember?”

Marshall jumped out of the boat first and handed the rope off to Dad West to secure it, grumbling to himself some more. Preston followed, and they resumed their race off towards the shore, both ignoring their dad left on the jetty.

Preston took the higher ground immediately, searching the edge of the forest and collecting a long stick to turn into a sword. His brother needed no encouragement and picked up his own weapon to race after him. They duelled back and forth, running this way and that, and repeating the pattern they were happy to follow. The island used to be their dads’ special place. That’s what they’d been told, anyway. It used to be theirs, but now it belonged to a new set of twins. It deserved to be used and explored, to have fun laid on its shoreline, according to Dad Rhett.

Preston looked at the two backpacks set against the front stoop of the cabin and stopped. “What’s all the stuff for?” he called back to Dad West.

“Camping. We thought it was time to christen this place with an overnight stay.”

The twins looked at each other, a frown furrowing their brows. “All of us?”

“All of us. I told you Mom and Dad are joining us.”

“Where will you guys sleep? The cabin isn’t big enough for everyone,” Marshall questioned.

“Sure it is, but I pitched a tent for you guys anyway. We’ll take the cabin. We didn’t think you’d—”

“Thanks, Dad!” they both yelled, as they hurtled off to find the tent.

Sure enough, behind the cabin, in the small clearing that served as a garden of sorts, was a domed tent, all ready. “Cool.” Marshall’s assessment echoed Preston’s thoughts.

***

“Boys?” Their mom’s voice sounded from outside the tent, before she pulled the zip and poked her head through the front. “I hear this is where you’ve been hiding out.” She eyed the bedrolls and sleeping bags they’d lined up.

“Yep. We’re all set,” Marshall bragged.

“Very nice. It will get cold, though. So, make sure you wrap up, and you’ll need to keep both these closed.” They both rolled their eyes.

“We know. Dad’s already been through it with us.”

“Okay. Well, did you want to help them with the fire? They’ve planned a little cookout and we’ve got s’mores, too.”