Under a Summer Sky Read Online Free PDF

open-air cars with bench seats. The tram stopped, and a throng of people climbed out, wearing bathing suits and sunglasses and carrying umbrellas, beach bags, towels, coolers, Boogie Boards—everything needed for a day at the beach.
    “Why wouldn’t you just go to a beach that has a parking lot?”
    “Because the Coast Guard Beach is the best.... Besides, the tram is fun, and it drops you off right here.”
    Laney nodded, suddenly wishing they were spending the day at the beach—the ocean looked so inviting.
    As if he was reading her mind, Noah said, “We’ll go for a swim on our way back.”
    “Sounds good,” she said with a smile.
    They got back on their bikes, crossed the driveway, entered the bike path, and sped down a winding, narrow hill to the long, wooden bridge that crossed Nauset Marsh. The tide was out, and the air was heavy with the thick, briny scent of decay and muck. Noah looked back and pinched his nose, and Laney laughed—she didn’t mind the smell. In fact, she loved it! She glanced down at the long marsh grass, swaying in the warm summer sun, and she imagined the plethora of wonderful organisms living in the boggy quagmire—just waiting to be studied.
    They followed the hilly terrain out to Route 6 and across the quiet side roads to the rail trail—an old railroad bed that was being converted into a paved path for cyclists, walkers, and runners. Noah cruised along through the shade and sun with his T-shirt billowing around him, and as they passed through Nickerson Park, Laney realized she enjoyed having him in front of her so she could watch his long, muscular legs, his broad shoulders, and the way his short sun-bleached hair cut across his tan neck—she was so busy watching him, in fact, that when he slowed down unexpectedly, she almost rode into him.
    “Whoa!” she said in surprise, bumping off the trail and squeaking to a stop. “Excuse me, sir,” she said, frowning, “but that was poor use of proper bike signaling!”
    “Sorry,” he said meekly. “I didn’t realize you were that close. Anyway, there’s a really good place for lunch just ahead. Are you hungry?”
    “That’s a silly question,” she teased, still frowning. “According to you and Micah, my appetite is insatiable.”
    He grinned. “You know we were just teasing.”
    “I know,” she said with a forgiving smile.
    After a lunch of burgers, fries, and milk shakes at Cobie’s, they headed back to the Coast Guard Beach for a swim. As their bicycle tires bumped back across the wooden footbridge, Laney looked down; the tide was coming in, and the marsh grass was now swaying under the gentle current of gray-green water. They climbed the hill, parked their bikes, and while Noah unstrapped the towels, Laney watched the weary line of sunburned people waiting to catch the tram back to their cars. Two little boys were chasing each other and giggling, and although their dad—with the patience of a saint—was trying to reel them in, his arms were full of the toddler his wife had handed to him before hurrying off to the ladies’ room. The two little boys, brown and sandy—and sensing their dad’s disadvantage—continued to chase each other until the younger one tripped and fell, scraping both knees. He let out a howl that would put wolves to shame, and his mom returned just in time to scoop him up; the tired little fellow wiped away his tears with a sandy fist, realized everyone was watching him, and shyly buried his face in her neck.
    “Boys!” Noah said with a grin.
    Laney shook her head and laughed. “Yep. Boys are trouble!”

8
    “Y ou have such a great family,” Laney said as they walked down the steep wooden steps to the beach. “Your uncle Isaac is so funny, your parents are wonderful, and their friends definitely know how to have a good time.”
    “Yeah, they’re a fun group—they’ve been getting together for years. My great -grandfather was the one who started the whole gin and chowder thing, but it