The Reservoir Read Online Free PDF Page B

forward, you’ll take a face plant, and too far back, well, obviously, you’ll fall backward.  We’ll go slow until you get the feel for it.  If you want to go faster, do this.”  She proceeded to demonstrate a series of hand gestures, and finished with the one to indicate that he wanted back in the boat.  “So if you want to stop, do this.”  She held up a single hand and pushed at the air.
    “Yeah, that’s pretty obvious,” he said with a chuckle.
    Holly nodded and returned to her seat.  Zack sat, facing behind him toward Daniel, and then turned to look forward.  “Oh, shoot!” he cried.  “Get the orange flag up.”
    Holly gasped.  How had she forgotten the flag? 
    “Niqui, it’s beside you, in the pocket.  Hold it up, quick!  We have to alert other boaters that we have a man in the water.”
    “Man?” Kendall said with a chuckle.  “You mean, we have a boy in the water.”   
    Niqui sent her a rueful glance and raised the flag. 
    “It has to be up until we get moving,” Holly told her, glancing around.  Fortunately, there were no other boats on the water.  She frowned.  Where were all the boats this summer season?  It was Friday, and typically the reservoir was wall-to-wall boats at the start of a weekend.
    She forced away the questions, realizing she needed to focus on Daniel.  She kept an eye on him, should be fall and need to be retrieved and pulled from the water.  Zack glanced her way.  “Are we good?”
    She nodded.  “Good to go.”
    He started the boat, eased the throttle forward, and motored slowly along until Holly told him the rope was taut.  With a nod, he urged the throttle farther forward, rapidly picking up speed.  Holly could see Daniel was experiencing a bumpy ride, and advised Zack to pick up more speed.  The boat leveled out then, and his ride evened out as well. 
    It was evident by the wide grin on his face that he was thoroughly enjoying the tube.  After a moment, he gave the signal to weave, and Zack began moving the boat along a side-to-side course. 
    Daniel swung across the wake, and then back across to the other side, each time Zack altered his direction.  When he turned in a complete, wide circle, Daniel flew—a grin of pure delight on his face.
    Zack straightened out, glanced back to assure his friend was fine, and continued along a varied path for several moments.  “Is he all right?” he called to Holly.
    “He’s fine,” she assured him.
    “Shall we head back toward the cabin?  I’m thinking dusk is about to settle,” he said, glancing up at the darkening sky.
    “So soon?” she muttered, checking the sky.  “You’re right.  It’s already getting dark.  Is a storm coming, do you think?” she called out.
    He shrugged in response, sent a quick glance at Daniel behind him, and then turned forward once again.  Holly guided him away from any perils, pointing out the island again, as well as a single, giant tree that’s top broke a foot or so above the surface.
    “Why doesn’t someone cut that down?” he yelled above the sound of the prop.
    She shrugged.  “Don’t know.  You can only see it when the water level drops.”
    “So it’s dropped?”
    “Must be,” she called.
    Holly studied Daniel’s face again, assuring he was still enjoying his ride.  He gestured for Zack to increase speed and to forgo driving so straight.  Zack began weaving, increased his speed, and gave him a wilder ride—but all the while careful not to put him in danger.  When Daniel gestured for Zack to speed up even more, he shook his head this time.  “Fast enough,” he told Holly.
    She couldn’t help but respect him.  She knew he would never put his friends in jeopardy.  He hoped to be a police officer someday, and she acknowledged she couldn’t think of anyone better for the occupation.  He had a maturity beyond his years.
    Zack continued along until they neared the cabin.  Dusk was settling much faster than either would have