“Wow.”The single word was repeated as Courtney and Lisa joined them, along with Matt and Doug.
“Having grown up here, I do tend to take this for granted.”Emily stood, holding her fiancé’s hand.
“Still want that walk?”Doug asked.
Nodding, Emily squeezed his hand.
“Coming, sis?”
Amy’s heart took a small leap.Sis.That was the first time Doug had called her that.She’d almost shouted, “Absolutely,” when something inside made her reconsider.“You two go ahead.I want a closer look at those surfers.See if I can find the Big Kahuna.”
Doug eyed her warily before finally nodding.
“Is he always this protective of you?”Ray asked.
A vise squeezed around her heart as the wordsI don’t knowrose to her lips, and then an image of a young Doug fixing her grilled cheese sandwiches came to mind.Another memory surfaced of him rocking her to sleep after something had frightened her.The pressure on her chest eased, and a smile teased at the corners of her mouth.“Yes.Yes, he is.”
“I know how he feels.”
“Oh my.”Courtney stared in the direction of a couple of strapping guys in wet suits cut off at the knees.Each holding a board over their shoulders, they ran toward the water, firm muscles strutting across the sand.“Hot dang.”
“Wedding.Saturday.Drew,” Matt said slowly.
“I’m just appreciating the view.”Courtney winked.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready for a snack.”Lisa pointed toward a row of food and souvenir kiosks.
“I’m in.”Matt turned and led the way, Lisa following in tow, and Tish, shrugging, fell in step beside her friend.
“Hungry?”Ray asked Amy.
“Not really.I just want to dip my toes in the water.You know, to say I’ve played in the North Shore, even if I’m not brave enough to rent a board and give it a try.”She and Doug couldn’t have been more different had they been born to different parents.Where he had taken risks all his life and thrived on adrenaline, she was fond of the tried and true.The safe route.Though she’d love to tell Ray or anyone else she’d chosen a business major because she had a plan, the truth was, it was a safe and practical choice.The same with her MBA.It was the safe route.The sure choice.
“In that case…” Ray toed off his sandals and, holding them in one hand, reached out with his other.“Ready?”
When they returned to the bus, Ray strode to the back to reclaim his seat next to Tish.He found Courtney standing in the aisle, chatting with his sister about wedding details.
“Ray, would you mind swapping seats with me for the next leg?”Courtney asked.“I’m just filling Tish in on the plans for the bachelorette party.”
“No problem.”He trod back down the aisle and stood beside Emily.“Tish and Courtney want to sit together.So if you don’t mind…” He indicated the window seat, and, smiling, Emily got up and let him slide in.
“So,” Emily turned to Ray.“You’re all here for Courtney’s wedding.You came from Los Angeles?”
“Yes, I was there visiting my sister.I actually live in Oklahoma.”
Across the aisle, he noticed Doug’s brow furrow.
“What’s that like?”Emily asked.
“God’s country.Flat farmland for miles.I’m really enjoying the coastal scenery here.”He glanced out the window, then turned back to his seatmate.“Are you from San Francisco?”
“Oh, no.I live in Kona.On the Big Island,” she added, apparently deriving from his expression that he was clueless as to what and where Kona was.
“Can’t imagine living in Hawaii all year long.That must be nice.”
“There’s a reason it’s called paradise,” Doug said.
“I’m the only one from San Francisco.”Amy talked across Doug, across the aisle, and across Emily to reach Ray.“And the rest of our wedding party of course.They’re arriving today.My roommate Carrie is the bride, and my other roommate Linda is the maid of honor, and I’m one of the bridesmaids.Carrie wanted a destination wedding so—”
