‘What, this shallow?’
‘If we’re still, they’ll be drawn to us for shelter.’
Sophia looked down as the stirred-up sand settled.
‘I see them!’
Tiny fish darted around and between their legs. She started counting, but heavy drops of rain splashed onto the surface, obscuring them.
‘Isaac…’
‘Yes?’
Sophia lifted her head. ‘What would you call this level of precipitation?’
He frowned as a flurry of raindrops hit him. ‘A light shower?’
She gave him a look.
‘Er…’
Thunder rumbled.
‘Isaac!’
He pulled an embarrassed face. ‘I may have miscalculated.’
A bolt of lightning split the sky, then the heavens opened.
One moment, their upper bodies were a little damp. The next, they were standing under a waterfall, the surface of the sea a mist of spray from the pummelling force of the droplets.
‘I’m sorry!’ he shouted. ‘Can I carry you out?’
‘Someone might be watching!’
He nodded in understanding, then lifted and turned her so she was facing the beach.
‘Ready?’
‘Yes!’
As the rain poured down, Sophia hopped back towards her little cabin, Isaac holding her steady as she slipped on the sand. The situation was so comical she couldn’t stop a snort from escaping. Isaac chuckled beside her, their laughter escalating until they couldn’t stop.
Staggering onto the deck, the overhanging roof sheltered them from the rain, and they were cocooned on either side by the walls of the porch.
No-one could see them.
Dropping her crutch, Sophia hung onto Isaac as they laughed together. Each time she thought she’d got control of herself, she caught his eye and it set them off again until tears ran down her rain-soaked cheeks and her tummy ached.
Then the laughter ebbed, and every part of her was suddenly aware she was in Isaac’s arms.
Lifting a hand, he gently moved a wet curl of hair from her forehead.
She shivered.
‘Are you cold?’
Sophia shook her head. Pressed against the heat of Isaac, all she could think about was kissing him.