Today's prompt is waves.  Levi has found his recent life pretty rough sailing with his recent hospitalization due to his battle-related injury. On top of that, his only relative, Uncle Roy, died without him resolving the hurtful words that kept the two of them apart. 

He finds himself drawn back to the small home that sheltered him after his parents died. The lake provided solace along with the solid presence of his uncle.  Too bad, an interloper stands in his way to returning to less complicated time.

The Inheritance 8
The time he and Roy shared working on the boat meant more to him in retrospect than it did at the time. It meant a great deal then.  Life dealt harshly with him or so he thought, leaving him with an uncle he barely knew while taking his parents. His anger at the world he heaped on his only remaining relative.  Instead of becoming angry or distant, his uncle taught him what he knew about reading the waves, sailing, even making a boat the old fashioned way as opposed to the factory made fiberglass shells.

His hand caressed the side of the boat. Sweat, determination and love went into the boat. It hadn’t been a fast build. The oars dipped into the water, pulling the boat across the still surface. His impatience must have chafed on Roy, but all he would do was murmur that things worth doing took time. Two years passed before they completed the project.

Levi resented school that took him away from working on the boat. He didn’t make too many friends at his new school at first. The large chip weighing down his shoulder had him looking for fights that he easily found as a new kid. Old Roy knew what was going on, but instead of lectures on staying out of trouble, he taught him to fight. Quick, dirty moves his relative learned on dangerous shores where the American fleet was not always welcomed. Eventually Levi became someone not to anger. It was then he developed friends, at least guy friends who decided it was better to be his pal as opposed to a potential punching bag. Girls were a different matter, though. As a tall, tongue-tied and combative male, he was not a chick magnet. In that regard, not much had changed.

Today's prompt is rough, which is something that Levi is finding his life to be in this selection, There's a change in POV and we get to hear his side of the story.












Levi watched the woman walk away with a sigh. He’d enjoy watching her rounded hips climb the path, but what was the use? Clearly, she wanted nothing to do with him. Turning to stare at the water, he watched the early morning light slide across the lake. Shoving both hands in his pockets, he pondered his gentle rejection. He’d never earned a reputation as a charmer, which he just amply demonstrated.

Squatting near the edge of the dock, he grabbed the rope tethering the rowboat to the dock and pulled it closer. He might as well go for a row, not as if anything else was going to happen this morning. He awkwardly lowered himself to the dock keeping his left leg out straight. His mysterious woman didn’t even know that combat turned him into a cripple, but she still passed on him. Putting all his weight on his real leg, he eased himself into the boat. Some of the amputees at the rehab assured him that his new leg would be easier to use than his remaining one, but he doubted it.

What was he thinking, flirting with a woman? It would only last until she got a glance at the straps attaching his new leg to his stump. Then, she’d disappear with some mumbled excuse that she had to look for her dog or something. The thought surprised a harsh bark of laughter. Well, no matter, the woman already used that excuse.

The rope came loose from the pier after he flicked the rope a couple times, releasing it from its hook. His left hand steadied his balance as he reached for an oar. Slick cool wood rested under his fingers. The slats he and his uncle bent together to shape the vessel. He never appreciated what he had then. Wisdom always came too late.

We are back to Melody's  story. I will admit to taking liberties with our picture prompts of water and steps leading to a shore and coming up with a dock on the lake. 

Melody met a handsome man on the dock when she hoped to go for a short row to clear her mind after the threatening letter she received. The legal missive told her that Levi  was going to take back the house and  boat via court.

Surprised to see a man where she suspected none. She found herself drawn to the charming man until she spotted the same slate colored eyes her benefactor had. In fact,  the stranger bore several traits that reminded her of Roy McDaniel. She realized she was standing a foot away from the man who wanted to see her in court. 

The Inheritance, Part 6

Melody looked at his outstretched hand and took a step back. Something inside her urged her to take his hand. She probably would if he were someone else. Being a strong robust female, as Roy like to call her whenever she swung him up out of his wheelchair, had advantages. Even though she initially though Levi would push her out of the boat if he knew who she was, he’d have a hard time doing so.  Playing football with the neighborhood boys when she was younger not only made her tough, but also willing to use any underhanded methods to secure the ball.

A boy who cried foul when she bested him ended up ridiculed by his teammates. The brighter fellows soon learn to avoid her sharp elbows, gouging fingers and troublesome knees. Confusion sent Levi’s eyebrows winging upward at her refusal. His outstretched hand fell abruptly by his side.

 Melody felt guilty rejecting the man, despite knowing who he was. An attractive man on the right side of forty flirting with her was not an everyday occurrence. Biting her bottom lip, she tried to think of an excuse. “Can’t today, I need to go pick up my dog.”

Disbelief flickered in his eyes, but he chose not to call her on it. “Okay. If you change your mind, you have a rain check.” He smiled again, causing his tanned skin to crinkle attractively around his eyes. Her heart gave a little jump as she turned to walk off the dock.

It was better this way.  A trip across the water would give him time to work his charm on her. She’d be offering the house and rowboat with both hands. No sir, she needed it more than he did.

His voice interrupted her thoughts. “What’s your name?”

She kept walking, pretending not to hear.

 

Today's prompt is smooth. See if you can find it in the next section while Melody deals with the man on her dock.
















The man’s lips tipped up in a smile and his familiar slate-colored eyes warmed showing interest, which surprised Melody. Men didn’t normally pay attention to her. Not that she could consider herself an expert on men since most of the ones she dealt with were at least sixty-five. 

Still, the words of her last date haunted her. Words her date never meant for her to overhear. Her now married ex-roommate Linda fixed her up with a friend of her husband’s. The four of them went out to dinner and movie. She and Linda were returning from the restroom when she heard his damning words.

“Melody is bigger than I like my women.”

Her new outfit was a wasted investment. No way she could pretend she wasn’t five nine and curvy.  On dates, she usually wore flats because men obsessed over their own height. The rest of the night was uncomfortable with her pretending she hadn’t heard what he’d said. Fortunately there was no second date. A rich baritone voice brought her back to the present.

“Nice morning, isn’t it? The lake is smooth, making it perfect for an early morning row.” He nodded in the direction of the rowboat.

Melody automatically smiled back. “Yes.” The one word escaped her lips as her mind tried to translate what he meant. Was he going to row Roy’s boat across the lake? Did he invite her? The idea of sharing the close quarters of the boat tempted her. Her breath hitched, testifying to his appeal. If he knew who she really was, he’d probably toss her overboard.

Turning up his smile a notch, he explained, “I was going out for a row and would welcome company.”

The idea tantalized Melody, but she knew better than to climb into the boat with Levi McDaniel.