Squaring his shoulders, Josh approached the registration desk. He would set about conquering the seven seas, just as he'd conquered the inside of countless rodeo arenas. With hard work, determination, perseverance and heart. Don't worry, Dad. I'll see all those places you wanted to see, all those places we talked about. And that sail we dreamed of taking together? Well, it's as good as done.

Of course, in spite of all the reading he'd done about sailing, he'd still need to start with the basics. But it shouldn't prove too difficult. The staff here was topnotch, and he was an intelligent man. Had the college degree to prove it. And he was a world-class athlete. Had those gold belt buckles to prove that.

His gaze skimmed over the turquoise pool, then settled on the azure ocean beyond. A ripple of unease trickled down his spine, but he firmly pushed it aside. Nothing to worry about. The waters here were advertised as calm and crystal-clear.

Besides, how the hell hard could it be to learn to swim?

Lexie smiled and waved goodbye to her class of young swimming students. "See you tomorrow," she called after them. The youngest, four-year-old Amy, turned and blew Lexie a kiss.

Lexie snatched the invisible offering from the air. "Got it!" she said, planting the "kiss" on her cheek, much to the child's delight. She would definitely miss adorable Amy when her family left the Whispering Palms at the end of the week.

Hoisting herself out of the pool, she grabbed her towel and dabbed at the water clinging to her skin as her gaze wandered over the beachfront landscape she loved. Dozens of people frolicked in the gentle surf while a group of youngsters built an enormous sand castle. Parents, singles, honeymooners and teenagers reclined on aqua-and-yellow-striped lounge chairs, sunning themselves, reading, napping, chatting, sipping frothy tropical drinks, complete with paper umbrellas, each enjoying their vacation in their own way.