They looked out at the ocean together, watching the girls frolic and laugh. Somehow, Brie had decided to be Kelsey’s mentor after the beach get-together. She’d introduced Kelsey to a few more young surfers, and invited her to practice and hang with them. Rowan wondered if it was because Kelsey wasn’t a rival, so it was easy to befriend her. Maybe it was Kelsey’s obvious dedication to her practice, or simply her sweet disposition that softened Brie’s tough heart. The reasons didn’t matter.
Kelsey was blossoming more every day.
Everett untangled himself from his new friends and headed over. “Hi,” he said, offering his hand to Lea. “I’m Everett.”
Lea grinned so wide she looked like a Cheshire cat. “I’m Lea.”
“Rowan told me you were a good friend.”
“I am. The best. Hey, if you can get her to listen at all, especially in bed, convince her to get back on the board. Rowan’s more stubborn than Bagel. That means it’s bad.”
“Lea!” she groaned.
Everett laughed. “Not sure I have any sway, but everyone says she’s special to watch.” His gaze swiveled to meet hers head-on. “I’d love to see her fly.”
Lea whistled. “Dayum, there is some serious heat going on, and I do not mean a surf set.”
“Please go away,” Rowan whispered. “I’m begging you.”
Her friend cackled with laughter. “Fine, I’m going. Hope to see you around, Everett.”
“Me, too.” His lip quirked when she left. “I guess our secret relationship isn’t so secret?”
“I’m sorry. No one will say anything to Kelsey.”
“I know, it’s okay.” His gaze heated. “I don’t care if anyone else knows.”
“Keep looking at me like that and it will be front-page news.”
He laughed again, and her heart did a flip. She’d been a bit giddy this week, and loved that he’d surprised them at Kelsey’s lesson. The girl had shown off with pride. On cue, Kelsey raced up the beach to them. “I’m starving!” she announced. Skin flushed, a towel thrown over her shoulders, barefoot and tan, she looked like she was part of this place, where a few weeks before she’d been a stranger.
Everett tugged on her braid. “Go at it. Be adventurous.”
“Any bone marrow?” she teased, gathering a plate and utensils.
“No, but I can get you some,” Rowan joked. Kelsey made a face. “On a serious note, I think you’re ready for the next step.”
The girl stilled, blue eyes wide. “Bottom turns?” she whispered.
Rowan laughed. “Yep. You did some small ones at Threes, but it’s time for you to really dig in. And for that we go to North Shore.”
She gave a shriek. Everett glanced back and forth with a frown. “What’s a bottom turn?”
“I told you when we went to dinner—OMG, Dad, it’s fire! It’s the beginning basic foundation of real surfing! It’s what you do right after you drop in on the wave—you bend your knees, shift your weight, and carve up the face to build speed. Rowan says it’s where all your power comes from. If you mess it up, the whole ride’s a disaster. But if you nail it”—she mimed turning an invisible board, hair flying into her face—“you feel it. Like you’re flying and the ocean’s letting you borrow her strength for a second.”
A rush of emotion hit. Hearing Kelsey explain it with such zeal broke down the walls she’d built to keep herself together. How had this father and daughter team exploded into her life to rip away all her barriers?
And why did it feel so right?
Everett’s face softened, as if caught in a cherished memory. “Sounds like your bottom turn isn’t just about surfing,” he said quietly. “Sounds like it’s about life.”
Goose bumps riddled Rowan’s skin, but Kelsey only rolled her eyes. “That’s such a dad thing to say.” She heard her name called and took off with her plate, leaving them alone again.
Everett blinked. “Thought it was profound.”
She patted his arm. “It was. You’re getting better with the ocean analogies.”
“Why won’t you get back on the board?”
