2. Chapter 2
Chapter 2
GRAY
I ’d seen nothing like it. This larger-than-life yellow van had just pulled into the parking lot. We were playing a game of catch on the beach so that children arriving for summer camp could easily spot us.
“Check out that giant,” my best friend Weston said, as he nudged me with his elbow and nodded in the van’s direction.
“I know. I hope the driver has enough sense to park somewhere else.” But before I had finished speaking, the van started turning into the only free parking spot left in the lot. I cringed as I watched it jerk and jump until it came to an abrupt halt. Weston just laughed and ran to pry the ball out of the clutches of two competitive kids .
A pretty woman with long wavy blonde hair sat in the driver’s seat and stared in our general direction. Curious to see how she’d exit her vehicle with it so tightly wedged, I stared right back. Then, without warning, she folded herself into the space behind the car seat. As she disappeared out of sight, I shook my head and refocused on the kids gathering around us.
June was the hottest time of the year on Hilton Head Island, and I was glad to be outside soaking up the sun. Today was the first official day of our church’s annual beach summer camp. Every year, we hosted a three-week-long day camp for grade school kids, both visitors and locals. As the pastor’s son, I’d been deeply involved in this camp for as long as I could remember. It was hands down my favorite part of the year because we got to teach kids about Jesus and provide a safe space for them to make loads of happy memories.
Several other leaders and I were playing catch with some kids that had arrived early. I wish I could say the kids had my full attention, but since the van had rolled up, I kept glancing in its direction. It was like this woman had some kind of attention-absorbing superpower, and I was just a hapless victim .
Lost in thought, I almost didn’t see the ball coming towards me.
“Get your head in the game!” Weston said, as he sent the ball my way. Thankfully, my muscle memory kicked in and I caught it. Message received. Quit looking at the mystery girl.
He was right. I’d been there, done that. Nine times out of ten, tourists like this mystery woman were just looking for a good time. Was she just passing through town? Moving into town? I shook my head. It didn’t matter; with a van like that, she likely wouldn’t have plans to put down roots anytime soon.
At this stage in my life, having gotten my Airbnb business to the point of thriving, I now hoped to find that special person to settle down with. Emphasis on settling down. No use giving this traveler any of my attention.
Five minutes later, without my permission, my eyes found her again and my jaw dropped. Who was this woman? She was now perched on a ladder, attempting to bring down her kayak. She’d break her neck.
“Hey Wes, please cover for me. I’ll be right back.”
I didn’t wait for a response.