“They’ll both be wearing life jackets.”
I turned back to Liam.
“How long does it take?”
“About 20 minutes.”
Rebecca smiled.
“We’ve let him go dozens of times.”
“I promise I’ll bring her back before dinner,” Liam added.
Daniel looked at me.
“What do you think?”
Every protective instinct inside me wanted to say no.
Not because of Liam.
Because saying yes meant accepting that Maya was growing up.
She noticed my hesitation.
“Mom.”
One word carried an entire message.
Please trust me.
I smiled.
“Alright.”
Her face lit up.
“Thank you.”
She hugged me quickly before either of us could reconsider.
Daniel laughed.
“I think that hug was mostly for getting permission.”
“I’ll take it.”
A staff member handed them orange life jackets.
Liam checked Maya’s straps before securing his own.
They climbed onto the inflatable with six other riders.
I pulled out my phone.
“Look over here.”
They both turned.
Maya grinned.
Liam raised a thumb.
I took the photo just as the boat began pulling away from the dock.
The inflatable bounced across the golden water while Maya laughed and waved once more.
Daniel put an arm around my shoulders.
“You did good.”
“I almost didn’t.”
“But you did.”
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