Page 27 of Taming Waves

Audrey walks back to my room to place her call while the rest of us eat. When she returns, she’s wearing her clothes from last night, and her hair is pulled up into a top knot. She thanks Avie and hands the phone back to her before taking the seat across from me at the kitchen table.

“Everything good?” I ask.

She shrugs. “Mom was frantic, and I had to talk her down,” she says.

“So, I take it Rand did go looking for you.”

“Yep. First thing this morning, and when I wasn’t home, he started searching the island. Including Heather’s house.”

“What did you tell them?”

“The truth.”

My eyes go wide with surprise.

She sighs and continues. “Heather and I went out to the beach to watch the turtles hatch, got caught by the storm, and ended up being rescued by the husband of one of the officials from the rehabilitation center. We decided it was best to stay with them for the night.”

I nod. “That is the truth. Did it ease their minds?”

“Dad still wanted to come get us, but I told him that we were going to hang out until it was safe, and then we were going to hunker down at Heather’s for a few days. It seemed to pacify them.”

“I think it’s sweet that they still fret over you,” I muse.

She rolls her eyes. “Oh yes, it’s awesome being a twenty-seven-year-old woman and still being treated like you’re twelve.”

I chuckle. “You’ve always been the apple of Rand’s eye. Nothing wrong with having a father who gives a damn.”

“I guess,” she says, but her tone says she doesn’t really mind.

Anson walks over and sets a plate of toast and a jar of jam in front of her. “Here you go. Eat up.”

“This is great,” she says as she smiles up at him.

“I’ll get you a knife. You want coffee?” I ask as I stand.

“Please.”

I pour us both a mug, adding cream and sugar to hers, grab a knife for the jam and return to her.

“You still take it light and sweet?” I ask as I hand her the steaming cup.

“I do. Thank you.”

I like this. I could get used to waking up with her in my house and having breakfast at my table.

Patience. I remind myself.

Audrey

It took the better part of the day for the water to recede enough that Sebastian thought it was safe to drive the Bronco. However, the Audi isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Anson and Heather hang back while Parker and I accompany Sebastian and Avie to their house, where Parker left his truck last night.

The ride is awkward—mostly because it’s not awkward at all.

The three of them act as if we always frolic around the island together. Yes, I know them. In the same way, I know all my regular customers, but until last night, I wouldn’t have considered them friends.

I knew Parker a little more intimately, but that seems like a lifetime ago.

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