Page 21 of Taming Waves

Anson gathers our wet garments and hangs them over the back of the barstools and kitchen chairs to dry while Parker walks to the gas fireplace and flips it on. The flames flicker to life.

He glances back at Heather and me standing by the door, shivering. He tosses the towel over the coffee table and motions for us to join him.

“Come sit here by the fire.”

We both claim a towel and wrap our dripping hair, and then we take the seat he offered while he goes to the kitchen pantry to find candles and matches.

“How’s everything at Sebby’s?” I ask as Avie comes and sits beside us.

“They’re fine. Sebby fired up the generator, and Sabel and Leia are watching a Disney movie.”

“That’s good.”

She smiles a tight smile. “I guess. I wish Leia was here with us. This is the first big storm we’ve faced since moving here. I don’t want her to be scared.”

“Sounds to me like her grandparents have things under control. This isn’t their first rodeo with Mother Nature,” I state.

“You’re right. They’re great, and if we can’t be with her, I’m glad it’s Sebby and Sabel.”

“I think it’s best if you all hunker down here tonight. Sebastian and Avie can take Anson’s room, and you girls can have mine. Anson and I will bunk out here,” Parker calls, as he looks at his phone.

“You don’t think we can make it home after the worst passes?” Avie asks.

“Another emergency alert just came in. It’s reporting that the storm has stalled over us. I don’t think you should risk it,” he replies.

Her worried eyes go to Sebastian.

“She’ll be okay. Gramps and Nana will make it an adventure and we’ll get to her first thing in the morning. Besides, they’re safer on that side of the island,” Sebastian assures her.

Avie nods, then moves her attention back to Parker. “We don’t want to put you out of your beds,” she says.

“We don’t mind. We fall asleep out here in the recliners all the time,” he assures her.

“Yeah, besides, we need help eating all this food,” Anson says. I turn to see him shining a flashlight inside the darkened fridge.

Thunder booms outside and shakes the walls.

Avie’s wide eyes come to mine. “I guess we’re having a sleepover.”

How did this happen? I was having a pleasant evening, enjoying a night of turtle watching, and now, I’m sitting in Parker Alston’s living room in the dark, planning a slumber party.

Fuck my life.

Avie must sense my feelings. “I’m sorry you guys got caught up in the chaos tonight. I should have never taken off on that ATV. I knew the storm was coming in too fast, but I was worried about the eggs. They’re permeable, so if the sand washes away and exposes them, the gases and water go in and out of the egg membrane and kill the babies inside.”

“I would have gone too,” Heather says.

“Me three, and at least we know the hatchlings made it to the ocean,” I say.

“They did?” Avie asks, her eyes welling with tears.

“They sure did. They started digging out just as the guys ordered everyone off the beach. Then, Parker and Anson stayed and helped us guide them. The waves were rocky, but they made it,” Heather tells her.

“That’s what counts. If they were able to get beneath the water and to the current, they have a fighting chance.”

“And I checked the nest before we left to make sure there were no more coming,” I add.

“Oh, that’s good—so good,” Avie cries. “I’ll go back and conduct an evacuation in a couple of days and count the eggshells.”

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