Page 65 of Never Quiet

“When the waves smack you down, take a singing break.”

“Preferably, with friends who want you standing tall.”

“Who are there when the ocean seems to be winning.”

The song ended and they escorted her to the porch. She hugged them as hard as she could as her emotions rioted. Leaning back, Davis handed her a napkin off the table and she blotted her eyes.

“Thank you.” When she felt strong enough, she met Erick’s eyes. “I didn’t know you were here yet.”

“I’ve been here for an hour, watching you talk to people. You know everyone.” She shrugged. “I loved the photo op with Morgan. It’s being posted and everyone is tagging him in it. His die-hard fans are already sharing it, adding a bunch of hashtags like #whoisthatgirl and #heliosprotege.”

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “That’s the beginning.”

“People here love you,” Davis noted.

Leaning against the rail, she smiled. “I know them, they know me, and I’ve either babysat or tutored half the kids younger than thirteen.”

“Hard to leave it?” Erick’s voice was gentle.

“It’s hard to leave my parents, my little sister, my family. I’ll miss this house, the land, my horse. Coming back someday will feel incredible because I’ve never taken it for granted.”

Davis asked, “Remember when you thought you were going to spend most of your life under fluorescent lighting in a lab?”

“A simpler time,” she replied.

“Perhaps a little naïve as well.” She couldn’t hide her surprise. “I realize this is going to sound blatantly sexist but…look at yourself, Amanda. Women who look like you, they don’t make seventy grand a year analyzing soil. They just don’t. They donate to people who do that. They arrange fundraisers to raise awareness. They do photo ops at research sites.”

“Davis, that’s horrible.”

“It doesn’t make it any less true. Throughout history, extraordinarily beautiful women have used their gift of genetics to get what they want or make things happen. Because the world is the way it is, they’re usually standing beside a man with a fat wallet. I’m not saying it’s right. Not at all. I’m saying that’s the way it is. You have your own money so you don’t need the guy with the fat wallet.”

Tilting her head, she asked, “What are you suggesting?”

“If you still want to affect change, fucking do it. You’re going to be the most recognizable woman in the world because Morgan won’t stop until you are. People like him, they pick a pet project. Adoption, hungry kids, disabilities, cancer, and so on. Pick the environment, maybe human trafficking. You have the knowledge, even without a degree.”

He nodded at Erick. “Show up at his test site looking like a million bucks and let him explain what he’s doing.” Smiling, he added, “Throw money at the problem.”

“Implement change without touching the problem myself.”

Davis shrugged. “No need to get your hands dirty to get shit done. You’re so upset about being thrown off the track you expected to travel that you’re missing all the good you can do on the new one, cupcake.”

For almost a minute, Amanda stared at him in silence. “You’re right.” She looked at Erick. “I can live vicariously through your work.”

“You’re welcome to join me in the field anytime.” Arching his brow, he said, “You’re smarter than the PhD they have auditing my research.”

Grinning, she said, “I feel a lot better.”

“Excellent.” Davis rubbed his hands together. “Let me tell you something really interesting happening at my job.”

“Things have been so crazy, we haven’t caught up at all and I didn’t talk to you for two months. It was hell. If I’m not mistaken, you have a story that involves a woman.” Davis winked. “Outstanding, I want every gory detail. Let’s grab food and go in my library. I know Mom locked it so no one messed with my things.”

Davis made a ridiculous face. “You have a library?” He sighed. “There’s no hope for you, Amanda.”

“I know it.”

Making them a massive tray, Davis carried it while Erick carried another with drinks, utensils, and napkins. Reaching over the door frame, she found the old skeleton key and unlocked her personal domain for as long as she could remember. Swinging the door wide, she gestured at the antique table and chairs in the corner.

Davis murmured, “Well, okay then, Belle.”

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