Sailing Away 6

This is a non-sexual story but depending on how it is received I have plans to spice it up later. Let me know what you think.

It was a perfect day for a sail, good breeze from the north so we could tack up wind to the place I had in mind and sail before the wind on the way back. I figured 6-8 hours tops. I had the boast just about ready when my phone buzzed with your text "at the gate" so I hurried down the dock to let you by the security gate at the end of the dock. I saw you were wearing a pair of khaki shorts and what looked like a men's white button down shirt. You were also carrying a soft sided cooler and I remembered you saying you wanted to bring snacks and lunch. I opened the gate and greeted with you with a polite hug and took the cooler from your hand and then took your hand in mine and said, "sometimes the dock can get slippery" and I saw you smile your bright smile.

When we go to the boat I put the cooler inside the cabin and then showed you around, explaining she was 26 at the water line, 30 overall and was sloop rigged with a main sail and the jib forward. You gently reminded me you had sailed before and knew what you were doing on a boat. I grinned and continued with the safety brief, showing you the life jackets, the auto inflators ones we would be wearing, the fenders and lines, last but not least the "man over board" ring and line at the stern.

I asked if you were ready and with a grin you replied Aye aye Captain Sir, awaiting your orders. I smiled knowing today was going to be a good day. I asked that you put on your safety vest and then go forward to release the bow line and I would get the stern one. I started the electric engine and ordered the bow line released which you did and as I spun the wheel over and put the prop in gear I released the stern line and swung the bow away from the dock. The wind caught her as pushed her away from the dock more so I brought the wheel to the center and guide her out of the marina.

You joined me in the cockpit and as soon as we cleared the the end of the breakwater I asked the you take the wheel and hold her steady while I got the sails up. I ran up the main first and paid out the main sheet after warning you to watch your head and you ducked below the boom and it slide over down wind. I then raised the jib and tightened the sheets as the wind took hold and she healed over just a bit. I joined you at the wheel and shut off the engine and now the only sounds we heard was the slushing of the water alongside the hull, the snap of the sails and wind through the rigging.

As you looked like you were enjoying your time I asked if you want to keep the helm to which you said yes but you need to tell me where to go. I checked the wind directions and pointed out a place across the lake that looked like a good point and told you to get her headed that direction.

After about 30 minutes and seeing that the sun was bright and hard on us I figured you would want to put on sunscreen if you had not already done so. I asked if you had any and you said you did in your bag, but it was in the cabin. I took the wheel and said go get some on and bring me back a bottle of water please. I admired your beautiful legs and long dark hard as you made your way to and into the cabin.

After a few minutes you came back out only wear a small bikini, when you saw the look of surprise on my face you said you wanted more sun and the shorts and shirt were a bit warm. I said whatever you want Honey the day is yours. You spread sunscreen on your arms front and on your legs and then came back and asked if I would do your back, having no reason to deny you that I asked that you take the wheel and then rubbed the sunscreen all over your back from your shoulders to the top of your bikini bottoms.

As by now we were well across the lake and needed to tack I asked if you would man the wheel while I trimmed the sails, you readily agreed so I explained that when I said "tack" you would turn the wheel to push the boat's nose through the wind and on to the new course which I pointed out by showing you a large tree that was on a long rocky point out into the lake. I released the main sheet from the cleat and asked ready? You nodded your head and said ready so I commanded tack and as you spun the wheel over I hauled in the sheet and brought the boom across the boat and let it run free as the jib snapped over when I released its sheet. I quickly sheet both jib and main and we settled down for another long tack up and across the lake.

As I wanted to enjoy the sun myself I pulled my tee shirt off and stowed in in a cubby. I asked if you were having fun and you smiles and said yes, much better that work. I knew you had had a rough week at work with a few issues that you and the other staff there had to work out. The medical field can be hard on both the staff and the patients. I watch with admiration as you handled the wheel making slight adjustments according to the whim of the wind yet you maintained the proper course towards the tree. I kicked back and watch you while we sailed along, enjoying the day, the sun and wind and each other's company.

With a start you turned to me and said, you need sunscreen before you burn, and being a cancer survivor you should know that. I said OK and spread the sunscreen on my arms, legs and chest. You directed that I take the wheel and that way you could spread it on my back. After you rubbed the lotion on my back I felt you learn forward and give me a hug and whispered "thank you" in my ear.

After about 3 hours of tacking back and forth up the lake our destination came into view and I explained that the island was known locally as "Snake less Island" as no one had ever seen a snake on it which was a good thing as I am not a fan of them. I also said that the way the lake was there was deep water almost all the way to the shore of the island and that we would drop the bow anchor as we approached and then I would swim the stern line ashore and tie off to one of the rings that someone had installed in large concrete blocks there many years ago then we could both swim ashore with the cooler. You went forward to release the bow anchor and I watched as you nimbly made your way to the foredeck and removed the anchor from its locker. I joking said "make sure you hold onto the rope when you drop it" to which you stuck your tongue out at me. You are sure one heck of a Lady.

At my command you dropped the anchor and watched as it sank down to the bottom about 20 feet down and then hooked into the rocky bottom, you paid out some more line than made it fast to the bow cleat as I dropped first the main sail and then the jib. I jiffy reefed the main and lashed the jib down and then taking the stern line in hand drove over the side and swam to the shore which was now about 10 yards away. I made the line fast to the ring and felt the tension on the line from both the pull of the boat and the bow anchor that you had set. I swam back to the boat and climbed aboard and by that time you had pulled the cooler out of the cabin and into the cockpit.

You asked how we were going to get it ashore, and I said I would swim with it if you would please get the black trash bag that was also in the cabin, and it had a blanket and dishes in it. As you were bringing the bag back, I slipped over the side and said just drop the bag in as it will float, lower the cooler to me and then you come in and drag the bag with you ashore. You dropped the bag over and then lowered the cooler to me and then I watched as you gracefully dove in.

You popped up to the surface and grabbed the tie cord on the bagging floating near you and with smooth strokes swam alongside me to the shore. We climbed up on a shallow rock shelf and were soon on dry land. I took the bag from you, tore the trash bag open and handed you one of the towels inside than took one for myself. We were soon dried off and then I pulled out a large blanket which I spread out on a sandy patch there among the rocks and we both sat down. I removed the rest of the stuff from the bag as you placed the cooler of the blanket and opened it. Inside you had pout several small bags of fresh fruit, cheeses, sliced meats and several rolls. Also, you had brought a couple of bottles of red wine

You looked around and commented on the location being a very nice place that was out of the wind shielded by the trees on the main part of the island and the rock ledges which made up much of the shoreline. The sun was shining down on us, birds were singing in the trees and the water was gently rocking the boat as we set out to eat our meal. After we ate our lunch and had a glass of wine you said you wanted to lay back and watch the clouds go by. As we laid down on the blanket you snuggled close to my side and I gently took you hand in mine. I heard you gently sigh as the sun warmed our bodies and we watched clouds go by overhead. We acted like little kids, pointing out the different shapes we saw in the clouds.

The hours passed by quickly as soon it was time to pack up and head back to the marina. We collect the leftover food and trash and placed it back in the cooler, then I rolled up the towels and blankets and placed them back into another trash bag I had to keep them dry for the return swim. I untied the mooring line from the ring and we held hands as we walked out to the deeper water, then taking the cooler I swam out to the boat followed by you towing the trash bag. I quickly scrambled aboard and then after pulling the trash bag up I reached down and helped you climb onto the boat.

Before I could grab a towel so you could dry off you wrapped your arms around me in a hug and said thank you for the wonderful day. We soon had the boat ready to sail again and I had you start pulling up the bow anchor line as I raised the sails. You stowed the anchor and line as I coiled the stern mooring line and soon, we were sailing before the wind, the boat skipping down the lake making good time.

You sat down beside me and leaned against my shoulder as I steered the boat. The only sounds were the snapping of the sails, the hum of the wind in the rigging and slap of the water against the hull. We softly spoke of the way we felt, the joy of being out on the water, the sun shining down on us, the simple joy of living.

All too soon we were back at the marina, so we dropped the sails, and I started the engine to guide us back to the dock. You got the fenders out of the locker and hung them off the side of the boat where I asked you to and soon, we were back in the slip. We secured the boat fore and aft, got the fender adjusted and sadly it was time to lock up the boat and head back to our homes. We secured the cabin hatch after ensuring we had packed everything up and then I placed the cooler on the dock along with the trash bag with the trash and wet towels and then held your hand as you stepped onto the dock.

As we walked toward shore you put one arm around my waist and leaned your head against my shoulder. You told me you had a great time and would enjoy doing it again. I walked you to your car and we placed the cooler in the trunk and then you hugged me again and quickly gave me a peck on the lips, smiled and jumped in the driver's seat and got the car started I watched as you drove away.

As I walked back to my truck, I thought you are one beautiful Angel, and I had a great day today.