Page 36 of Between Two Shores

“Okay. I guess I have nothing to lose. The water isn’t cold if I fall in.”

His toes curled into the sand when a more substantial wave pushed against him. Nick glanced to the horizon. No more large waves for a while. She should get a few minutes of grace while she worked out how to manage her balance.

“Okay. You’re good to go. Keep your head up rather than chin down.”

Beth pushed from the board and shuffled to her feet. He gritted his teeth as he held the board still. He smiled as he gazed up at his queen, standing high with her sceptre.

Nick trudged through the water to take her waist-deep. “You ready for me to let go?”

“If you have to.”

He chuckled. “Yes, I do. I want to get on my board and join you. Look at the view.”

Beth scanned her surroundings and nodded at him. “It’s pretty amazing.” She breathed in deeply and exhaled. “Okay. You can set me free.”

He gave a gentle push, parallel to the beach line.

Beth gave a little squeal of delight. Too cute. And she looked great in her matching aqua swim shirt and shorts.

Nick glided through the water toward the shore, then stomped through the wet sand. He grabbed the t-grip handle of his rented board and turned back to the sea. Beth remained standing and gave small flicks with her paddle, barely gaining traction. He shook his head and grinned. He cupped one hand around his mouth and called, “Turn the paddle the other way.”

She looked over her shoulder and squinted at him. He bent and picked up his paddle and demonstrated the action. It was an easy mistake. In canoeing, the ore angled in the opposite direction. Beth did as he said, then resumed paddling side to side.

To his right, Sonny and Michael strode toward the beach line with Standup Boards too. Argh. He tried to keep a distance from the other guys so he could have Beth all to himself. He’d spent all day with the sailors, and he needed a break. They’d soon realize she belonged to him. He dashed into the water, creating mini waves, splashing either side of his body. He whacked the paddle across the board and pushed off with his feet, then laid flat as he skimmed toward Beth.

She flinched but smiled as she spotted him coming. But one moment later, she wobbled, windmilled her arms to gain balance, and hollered. Her feet shuffled forward, then backward, forward, and oh, no—the board tipped to one side. Splash. He winced.

Beth came up spluttering and scratching at the board like a drowning cat. Her legs had curled under the board. She kicked but that helped little, causing the paddle board to flip and whack her head. Ouch, that would’ve hurt.

He let go of his board as it was strapped to his ankle anyway, swam to Beth, wrapped an arm around her waist, and hoisted her onto the deck.

“Are you okay?”

She huffed dramatically and wriggled her nose, then swiped it with the back of her hand. “No.”

“Don’t give up, honey. You can do this. Best to get back up before you think too much about it.”

Beth feigned a growl, making him laugh.

“Sorry. I should be more sensitive.” Strands of hair matted to her forehead. She looked a sight. But he couldn’t hold back the smile within a smile.

“At least one of us is having fun.” She wriggled like a caterpillar to the middle of the board.

Nick handed over his paddle and looked to find where hers floated. There. He swam to get it, then got on his deck to demonstrate how to do it correctly. But when he turned, she had paddled away. Ha. Miss Independence didn’t need him anymore.

NICK

One hour later, Nick and Beth picked at the last remaining fries at Blue Lips. Beth had showered and changed, but he still wore his damp board shorts and a fresh t-shirt.

Bellows of laughter came from inside the fish and chip shop. The sailors were everywhere, taking over the quiet town. He hoped he didn’t come across as anti-social, but his days with the Navy were numbered. He’d have some extra time with the guys on the way back to the States. But right now, right here, his priority was his new fiancée.

“What do you say to scuba diving tomorrow morning?”

Her brows furrowed. “Don’t I need a license for that?”

“You don’t have one?” He shrugged. “Silly question?” He smiled. “There’s snorkeling with the Whale Sharks. You up for that?”

She gasped. “Sharks!”

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