Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
He thought of the family dogs they’d had, including Buster, who would be here now if he didn’t bark when the Davenports went out surfing. He’d try to swim out to them, assuming in his doggy brain that they were hurt and needed to be saved.
It took every ounce of his willpower for Arch not to say, We can get a dog together. Because he could so easily picture the two of them walking their own dog on the beach.
But even more than that, he loved that she was sharing something more about her childhood. Little by little, she was letting her guard down and revealing herself to him.
“I bet you’ll have the dog of your dreams one day,” was all he allowed himself to say. And Tessa turned to him and smiled, making him feel happier than he could ever remember being. All because of her smile.
“There they are,” he said, pointing to his siblings on their surfboards. They’d come out early when a text from Mila reminded him all the Davenport kids would be hitting the waves this morning.
All except him.
He could see Erin’s petite silhouette and Mila’s white-blond hair haloed by the rising sun. Damien and Finn were crouched on the sand, tending to something on one of their boards. Nick had his board under his arm and was walking into the surf. Arch called hello, and they all turned and waved. He smiled at them broadly, glad to have all his siblings in one place. It didn’t happen as often as he liked, so he really appreciated it when they all were able to do something like this together.
As he and Tessa approached the tide line, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. It was a perfect morning, the waves coming in nice sets. No wonder all the Davenport kids were suited up and ready to go.
But patience was key. He’d be out there soon, the waves rolling beneath his board, the sun glinting on the water. And the next time he went surfing, he’d be teaching Tessa.
As if she could read his mind, she said softly, “Don’t worry. You’ll be out there with them again soon.” Briefly—far too briefly—she took his hand and gave it a squeeze, before dropping it, just in case anyone should see them touch.
His siblings grabbed their boards and headed into the water. When she was ankle-deep, Mila turned to Tessa. “Next time, we’ll take you out too. You definitely want me as your teacher, not Arch.”
Arch rolled his eyes as the rest of the Davenports paddled out into the ocean. He threw out the blanket they’d brought with them, and Tessa unpacked the Thermos flask of coffee.
It was still early enough that only the most dedicated surfers were out. Mila, Damien, Finn, Nick, and Erin paddled out toward the break. They got in position in a ragged line, then straightened and easily navigated the waves.
Growing up by the beach, his siblings had become experts on the boards, but Mila was clearly the best surfer, even post-career-ending injury. Her stance was the most natural, as though she was in communion with the movement of the ocean. Her style was so unique that it was hard not to be impressed with how effortless she made it look, when he knew surfing was not easy at all. He’d certainly had plenty of gnarly wipeouts in his time.
He took a sip of his coffee and relaxed back on his elbows. Now that he was healing well, he could appreciate chilling out a bit. No early call time, no huge crew waiting—each of whom needed him for something at the same time. No eighteen-hour days.
He loved his work, but the truth was that it felt good to relax. He’d thought he’d be bored stiff by a slower pace of life, but everything he did with Tessa took on a magical quality. He watched her concentrating on the surfers. She seemed genuinely captivated.
“It’s so inspiring,” she said, awe in her tone, not tearing her eyes away. “Especially Mila. I’d love to capture the fluidity of her movement in watercolor.”
Arch smiled broadly. How he loved seeing the world through Tessa’s eyes. Everything looked brighter that way and full of artistic promise.
His siblings caught wave after wave, riding in, showing off for one another—but mostly Tessa—each of them clearly having a great time, then turning and paddling back out to catch another wave. Between sets, he knew they’d be chatting about whatever came into their heads.
“Mila outshines everyone,” he said, “but look at Damien go. He’s getting some amazing rides, especially for someone who’s been on the road for so long that he hasn’t been able to get to the ocean.”
They weren’t out for much more than an hour. It was a workday after all. Mila caught a last wave and rode it all the way in to the beach. Damien was hot on her tail, and then all the others followed, walking up the beach, talking and laughing together with their dripping boards under their arms.