Page 37 of Kayak Girl

Elle’s eyes shimmered with a depth of emotion that seemed to transcend words. With a grace only she possessed, she touched my arm. “I want that too,” she whispered, her voice melting my anxieties away.

Relief surged through me, overpowering the weight that had been pressing down on my chest. I couldn’t bear the distance any longer. Why had I chosen kayaks for this? The water was shallow around us. So, I stepped out of my kayak, the water reaching my waist. Without hesitation, I reached for Elle, lifting her into my arms. She clung to me and whispered into my ear, “Last night, I told you I couldn’t say no to you. It’s still true. You’ve done it now. You’re going to be stuck with me, Mr. Gray Eyes.”

“Good.”

Gently, reverently, I tilted my head and pressed my forehead to hers, basking in the sweet nearness. As the silky strands of her hair whirled around us, teased by a playful breeze, my heart twisted in my chest, aching with a blend of longing and relief.

She reached up, her fingers tracing the contours of my face with a delicateness that was almost unbearable. Her touch was light, yet it ignited a fire within me. My breath hitched as she gently guided my face closer to hers.

Our lips met in a kiss that was tender yet charged with a fire that spoke of long-held desires, a kiss that seemed to stop time itself. I could feel every beat of my heart, every rush of blood in my veins.

As we kissed, I whispered to her, each word punctuated with another soft kiss. I told her of my desire for her, of the joy I found in her presence.

I tucked her closer, my arms encircling her in a gentle yet firm embrace. She melted into me, her body fitting against mine. It was more than just physical closeness; it was as if our hearts were syncing up, beating in a rhythm that only we could understand.

Chapter 27

ELLE

Ican only describe the rest of the week as pure bliss. Gray, in his quiet strength and unexpected tenderness, became not just a part of my days, but the very essence of them. The children, with their laughter and boundless energy, filled the spaces in between with light and life. God was working in their lives, and it was a privilege to be a part of it.

Now that Gray had his Jeep back he was able to fetch his kayak from home, we’d spent countless hours gliding through the serene rivers and lagoons. Our adventures together had been thrilling. He was the best kayak partner one could ask for—strong, steady, and always making me feel safe.

We’d also gotten into the habit of texting or calling each other after we had gone to our rooms for the night. These conversations became the highlight of my days. The sound of my phone buzzing with a message from Gray would send a thrill through me. Our talks stretched on, spanning hours, yet it felt like mere minutes. We spoke of our dreams, shared our fears (most of them), and laughed over the simplest of things. It was in those quiet hours, with the world asleep, that I truly began to understand the depth of my feelings for him.

He also had this charming way of leaving little surprises at my doorstep each morning. It wasn’t just the gifts themselves but the thoughtfulness behind each one that touched me deeply. An iced coffee paired with a bowl of cherries, a bouquet of vibrant flowers, and a beautifully crafted map of the Atlantic coast, complete with adorable pins to mark destinations. Each gift was accompanied by a simple yet heart-melting note about how he felt about me.

I could hardly contain my excitement when Becky confirmed that she could visit and spend Thursday and Friday with us. I was overjoyed; I couldn’t wait for her to meet Gray and be a part of the summer camp.

On Thursday morning, the sun had barely crested the horizon when Becky bounced into the camp’s dining hall, her arrival timed perfectly as we lingered over the remnants of breakfast. Her presence was like a burst of sunlight, her chocolate brown hair swaying in a long bob, each strand seemingly infused with her boundless energy. Her smile, wide and unwavering, seemed to pull me from my sleepy state. She enveloped me in a hug that felt like being wrapped in pure joy.

“Elle!” she exclaimed, her voice a melody that could brighten the dreariest of days.

As she released me from her embrace, her gaze flitted across the room, and landed on Gray and Weston. I knew Becky had social media stalked Gray as much as she could with the information I’d given her so I watched as she sized him up in person. Her gazed then drifted to Weston who sat slumped over his coffee, his posture a stark contrast to Becky’s vibrancy. Gray nudged Weston, a silent prompt to acknowledge our new arrival. Weston’s head lifted in response.

“Is that the famous Weston?” Becky whispered to me, her eyes twinkling with curiosity and something akin to a challenge. I nodded.

Gray approached us, his eyes welcoming. “You must be Becky. I’m Gray,” he said, extending his hand.

Becky beamed as she shook Gray’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Gray. Elle has told me so much about you.”

“I hope you enjoy it here. Did you manage to sort out all the paperwork with Amy? I’ve asked Weston to co-lead with you. I hope that’s okay.”

“Yes, I sent everything over yesterday. I can’t wait!” Becky said, and I watched her take a deep breath before she approached Weston with a confidence that could only be described as fearless. Curious to see how this would unfold, I couldn’t take my eyes off the pair of them.

“Hi, I’m Becky!” she chirped, extending a hand towards Weston with a smile that could melt ice. Weston’s eyes flickered up to meet hers, a mix of surprise and irritation flashing briefly before he composed himself.

“Weston,” he replied, his voice gruff, the word more of an announcement than a greeting. He glanced at her hand but made no move to shake it, his eyes returning to his coffee as if it held the secret to escaping this interaction.

Undeterred, Becky slid into the seat next to him. “So, I hear we’re going to be co-leading. I literally squealed when I found out that today’s main activity is a treasure hunt. Do you have any ideas on how we could make it even more exciting for our group of kids?”

Weston’s eyes flicked up to her. “It’s fine as it is. The key is efficiency, not unnecessary flair.” He sighed, setting his coffee down with a deliberate slowness. “Look, I’m co-leading with you because Gray asked me to. Don’t expect me to start doing cartwheels.”

Becky’s laugh was light, a clear bell in the quiet morning. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it. But a smile wouldn’t hurt, would it?”

Weston’s response was a deeper frown, as if his face was allergic to the very concept of smiling. “I’m not here to make friends,” he said, his tone final.

A smile tugged at my lips. The dynamic between Becky and Weston was like watching a dance between the sun and a storm cloud.

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