Page 15 of Whispering Waves

“There is a rack out on the deck. I have already rinsed out your wetsuit.” He smiled. “You can go back to the base when everything is dry.”

“Uh-huh. So, I need authorization.”

“No. I mean that would be easier for me. There are ten guestrooms and plenty of towels for you to wear. It is very fetching.”

“Thanks. It’s surprisingly comfortable. So, what’s in the oven?”

“Some sweet rolls. I thought you could use a jump to your blood sugar.” He smiled. “Now, I am going to make omelettes. What do you like in yours?”

“Um, bacon and any standard cheese? Nothing with a blue streak.”

“Doable. How about ham instead of bacon?”

“Excellent.” Her stomach growled.

He smiled and reached out to a basket of eggs on the counter.

“Wait, where do you get fresh eggs?”

Kimo smiled. “Out back. I have ten chickens and one rooster. Eggs are a nice, reliable protein.”

“Do you garden as well?”

He laughed. “Of course.”

“Don’t you have some kind of day job?”

“Of course, I do. It is just done from home, but having things around to give me time to think is helpful.” He got ingredients out of his enormous fridge, and she blinked.

“That is the first time I have seen a fridge that tall.”

“It was a custom build. I don’t like crouching.” Kimo smiled.

“So, you are on solar?”

“And wind. Both provide what I need.”

She chuckled. “I thought you would be into hydro.”

“The land here isn’t suitable for it. I don’t want to impact water flow to the areas. The panels and windmills do fine.”

She paused. “I don’t suppose I could see your setup. It’s something I am curious about.”

“I am happy to show you everything I’ve got.”

She laughed. “Thanks for making it sound pervy.”

“Oh, I intended it to. But you are not dressed for climbing around the property. So, perhaps you would like a tour before we continue your certification.”

“You know, if I were on vacation, I would be certified right now.”

He shrugged. “I am very thorough, and this is blue whale mating season. I want to assure myself that you will know what to do when one of them rises underneath you.”

“Uh, scream like a big girl?”

Kimo laughed. “You wouldn’t be the first. But I would like to take you out to a reef so that you can see things that are bright and encouraging.”

“A gentler introduction?”

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