Before he could answer, she turned on her bare heel, grabbed the surfboard, and headed back to the shop. Kelsey broke from Tino and raced toward her. Rowan’s voice floated to his ears. “Your dad agreed to lessons.”
Her shriek of excitement was the moment the tide turned against him. No way could he back out now. Grinding his teeth, Everett swore to keep a close eye on both of them, even if it would take some time from his schedule. He’d work with Jessica and show up for the first few lessons, confirm Kelsey was safe, and let them have the rest of the summer together.
He’d handle it, like he handled everything.
Chapter Eight
Everett Hale had shown up.
Surprise rolled through her. Rowan figured he’d send someone to soothe his guilty conscience and confirm she wasn’t a criminal, but here he was, acting like a grumpy security guard forced to work a double shift.
She couldn’t imagine the man had anything else in his wardrobe except designer suits. At least this time he’d removed the jacket and rolled up his sleeves, showing off muscled forearms and an indecently expensive watch. He looked like a business meeting that had accidentally washed up on the beach.
Rowan pretended not to notice.
The ocean shimmered and sunlight skipped across the waves. They spent the first portion perfecting Kelsey’s pop-up and reviewing basics. When they were ready to hit the water, she watched Kelsey paddle out with determined strokes, waiting for Rowan’s signal. Already, her body was getting looser, and it was only her second lesson. Something about the girl kept dragging Rowan back to the past, reminding her of the first time she realized the water was her second home. She’d been lucky to have her father protect and nurture the spark. She hoped Kelsey found someone to do the same, because God knows it wouldn’t be Everett.
Rowan focused on the girl, not on the father pacing the shoreline a few feet away with a phone pressed to his ear. Why did he bother to show up if he wasn’t even watching?
Kelsey popped up on her board and promptly fell off. Rowan grinned. “Nice tumble! Best one yet.”
The girl surfaced laughing. “I almost had it!”
“Almost counts.” Rowan steadied the board as Kelsey clambered back on. “Paddle out.”
She watched carefully as Kelsey tried again and finally caught a small wave. Her laugh carried all the way to shore. Rowan smiled. She loved this part—the joy on a new surfer’s face the moment they realized the ocean didn’t care who they were as long as they showed up.
She turned to check that Everett was watching his daughter. He wasn’t.
His eyes stayed on the screen, thumb scrolling like he was allergic to free time.
Rowan bit back a sigh. “Try a few on your own,” she called out, standing in the shallows to watch. As soon as the girl was out of earshot, she couldn’t help poking the bear a bit. “Hope your stock portfolio is worth missing what she just accomplished.”
His head jerked up. “Excuse me?”
“She stood up for almost five seconds.” Rowan motioned toward the water. “That’s a big deal for a beginner.”
He followed her gesture, blinking as if just remembering why he was here. “She’ll tell me all about it later.”
“You could just watch it happen.”
The words came out sharper than she meant. He pocketed the phone, gaze cooling. “I’m watching now.”
Rowan turned away and refused to show frustration. She hated how Kelsey lit up when her father arrived, as if soaking in the attention. It was a big deal because soon, she’d want nothing to do with him. Boys and girlfriends would become her main focus. Rowan remembered feeling the same push-pull at fifteen, desperate to be older and begin her life.
A bite of regret sank in. She wished she could tell her father she was sorry for being a bitch. Even though she bet he’d say with a deep laugh that it was her job as a teen, just as it was his job to let her go.
Kelsey paddled in again, panting but glowing. “Did you see that, Dad?”
“I did. Impressive,” he said, voice mild enough to make Rowan want to shake him. Kelsey didn’t seem to notice. She beamed and paddled back out.
Rowan folded her arms. “She’s working hard.”
“She’s always been determined.” His gaze tracked the horizon. “She gets that from me.”
“Or maybe from herself.”
He glanced at her. “You don’t believe in inherited traits?”
