Page 22 of The Bride's Secret

“Nah, come on!” He ran past her. “Race you to the sand.”

She picked up her pace, taking the lead for about three strides until he came up beside her and they ran, side by side the rest of the way. She was giving it everything she had and she was sure he only ran at half mast, but she loved the feel of her lungs stretching and her thighs burning.

They ran out onto the sand, turned in circles and then stopped. “Nothing.” Carisa kicked into the hot sand with her shoe. “It’s completely empty.”

“Maybe it’s not the season after all.”

“True.” She ran toward the water. “But hey, ocean.”

He took off after her and kicked off his shoes in the process. Then they sat on the edge of the hot dry sand, right before the waves touched the beach and took off their socks. With bare feet tickling in the sand, they turned to each other. Carisa knew Wyatt was gonna want to go in, but hike back in wet clothes?

“You know what I’m thinking.” Wyatt indicated the water. “You in?”

“You know what I’m thinking. Gross sandy clothes chafing my legs all the way back.”

He pretended to be deep in though, rubbed the scruff on his chin for emphasis. “And your thinking supports my thinking, cause now I’m thinking we ditch the clothes.”

Her face immediately flamed red. She could feel it and a delicious fear filled her. “No way. Anyone could come down here. Or see us from the trail.”

“I’m not sayingallour clothes. I’m not an exhibitionist.”

“I should hope not.”

“Just to our unders. I’ve seen yours already. See. Sports bra. You’ve been wearing it this whole time.”

She thought about it for a minute and took a second to discretely remember which panties she was wearing. “Ok, I’m in.” She pulled off her shorts and she was ready. “Now, I hope so bad you have whitey tighties on today.”

“Ha! No way. I’m in my compressions.”

“Even better.”

She ran ahead, splashing forward into the water. The sand beneath her feet was hard and rippled, and free of rocks. The water was perfectly clear. It glistened and sparkled as it gently crashed to shore. She waded further in, and Wyatt joined her.

“You look amazing.” He bumped her when he caught up. “I had to stand there and watch for a second.”

“Dude, you know how that sounds, right?”

He shrugged. “Only if the person saying it is a creepster. I’m just someone who is more fascinated with you every minute.” His eyes captured hers. Sincerity shone back to her and she warmed. Then said, “Okay. Look all you want then.” She ran ahead and dove into the next low rolling wave to come in. Overwhelmed, she stayed under longer than she would have. Wyatt was everything. She loved being around him, enjoyed his humor, his personality, trusted him, was totally attracted to him. Could this be for real? She just didn’t trust a relationship started on such a huge rebound.

She surfaced and Wyatt was right in front of her, grinning. “What?”

He turned. “Look.” His voice, quiet, made her think, mystery. She followed his finger with her gaze and gasped. “Oh. They’re here.”

A huge turtle was paddling its way onto shore. And another followed.

“They must have swam right by us.”

“Do you think?” She was in awe. “This is so dorky, but I love turtles.”

“There’s nothing dorky about that, what are you talking about?”

“Well, all the other little girls loved bunnies and hamsters and unicorns, but I have always loved turtles.”

He tapped her nose. “I love that about you.”

She stepped closer. “Do you?” Their bodies were almost touching. A wave came and pushed her into him. He held his hands around her. “Steady.”

She nodded. And placed her hands up on his chest. She loved the feel of it under her fingers.

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