Page 28 of Seal of Approval

I shook the memory away. “Ready?”

He looked at me closely. “Are you alright?”

I nodded.

He studied me a moment longer before he said, “What’s the plan?”

“We need to clear debris off the road, check on the campers and other residents, make sure our infrastructure is OK.”

“What about the sea lions?”

It was always the sea lions with him. It didn’t bother me like it once would have. It didn’t come from a place of selfishness, but genuine care.

“They’re last on the list.”

Ethan nodded. I wasn’t surprised that he didn’t argue. He never did. How hard would it be to hold everything inside all the time? I couldn’t do it. I’d done it for ten years with Max and vowed never to lose my voice again.

Ethan joined the kids outside.

“We’ll take the ute and load any debris into the back of it,” I said.

Bailey spun around, a grin taking over his face. “Are we going to build a bonfire?”

“Sure are.”

“Woohoo.” He jumped off the porch and started gathering fallen branches.

“Yay,” Rose cheered as she followed him. The fear from the storm had passed. Nothing bad had happened. She could rest easy now.

We made our way slowly to the shop, picking up the debris on the way. Most of it was from trees in yards. At each house, I went to see the occupants to make sure they were OK.

The campers in tents had left yesterday when Ethan advised they needed to leave for safety reasons. There was only one caravan left. It was parked next to the bathrooms, using them as a wind shelter.

I approached the owner. “How did you fare in the storm?”

“Quite good. No damage to the van.” The lady from the tour stood in the doorway. “I swear I thought the storm was never going to stop.”

Bailey ran up to her. “It was gnarly.” He swayed like a tree amid the wind.

She laughed, then watched Rose and Ethan carrying a branch to the ute. “Your family had no problems?”

“No, we’re experts at storms now.”

My family. For the second time, I didn’t correct her. I watched Ethan and Rose clearing the grounds. He was always holding himself apart. Not wanting to truly connect, until last night.

“Better go and help,” I said. “Call us if you need anything.”

“Will do.”

We finished the clean-up and headed to the boat. Bailey and Rose put their life jackets on without being asked. Ethan undid the moorings and then stood beside me, scanning the sea, as we made our way to the colony.

We rounded the point. Debris had washed up onto the rocks and sand, but apart from that the area was untouched. I slowed the boat and skimmed the shoreline. A juvenile sea lion lay on his own, away from the others, on the sand. I reached for the binoculars at the same time Ethan did. Our hands brushed. Warmth spread up my arm, and his fingers curled round mine. A wave of energy followed the warmth. I released my grip, almost dropping the binoculars. Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I watched Ethan study the sea lion. His jaw stiffened, hardening every feature on his face. I peered in the direction the binoculars were pointed but couldn’t see what caused his reaction.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Ethan

“He’s injured. We need to help him.” I handed Jasmine the binoculars, making sure not to brush her skin. It had been an accident. But the way she’d jerked away told me the touch had been unwanted.

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