Page 35 of Peach

The list of names she was given was overwhelming. There were so many people, and her gaze kept being drawn to the ocean.

“Let’s go out to the water,” Ava said.

“It looks so angry,” Haisley said.

"It's not the worst I've seen it, but the winds are high right now, and the waves are big. Some days, it's not too rough," Wild said.

She made it to the sand and paused. “Is it weird that I’ve never stepped on sand like this? You know, at the ocean.”

"No, not at all," one of the guys said. She didn't know if it was Bear or Jax. Later, she would get Peach to print out a photo and mark down who everyone was.

“You’ve never been to the beach. It’s awesome to witness this,” Harry said.

"Yeah, it's great," Rory said. "It's like Christmas morning when you have nieces or nephews, and you get to see the wonder, and it reminds you that something you've grown to think is commonplace really is wonderful."

“I love the ocean,” Wild said. “I would love to have a house on the water. It’s too expensive, but I love this.”

“It really is beautiful,” Jessica said.

The kids had been playing nearby, and they came over. “Are we going to the water?” the little boy asked.

“Yeah, let’s go,” the man she thought might be Bear said.

The kids whooped and hollered as a few of the men ran out onto the sand. Ava came over and put her arm around Haisley’s shoulder.

“I know the names can be overwhelming.”

"Oh man. It's bad. I think I have all the women, but it'sonly because I've already met Mel and Rory, plus you. Then Jessica and Ingrid."

"I'm with Bear," Ingrid said. "And the two kids who aren't Ava's girls are mine. Ethan is the boy, and Mia is the girl."

Haisley nodded. "So Ava, you and Ingrid have kids."

Ingrid smiled. “Yes, and Mel is having her first.”

She felt bad because she didn’t know their names. “I’ll eventually know everyone.”

Rory nodded. “It takes time.”

Ava turned to her. “Have Peach get a photo of us. Then he can write down our names.”

“I was thinking I would have to do that,” she said.

“Hey, Haisley,” Peach called out as they approached the water. The guys were watching the kids, which she thought was wonderful.

Excitement filled her. “I took my shoes off so I can get my feet wet.”

Peach waved her to him. “Come on over.”

She set her shoes down and moved to stand closer to him. The sand was cool, and the waves washed up close to her. She squealed and ran backward. The kids all laughed and then encouraged her to get into the water.

Hesitantly, she stepped forward, moving one inch at a time, until she was standing so close that when the next wave hit, cold water washed over her feet.

“Oh my God!” she yelled before a shiver snaked through her. “It’s so cold.”

“It is cool this time of year,” Peach said.

“Do you get into that water and swim?” The water being so cold shocked her. She’d seen so many beach scenes that looked like fun in movies, but it being this cold wasn’t fun.

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