12. Chapter 12
Chapter 12
GRAY
T he minute Elle directed her welcome smile at me, I realized I was in trouble. Okay, maybe it was when I invited myself on her kayak trip. But the allure of witnessing Elle, in her element on the water, proved irresistible. It was this very thing that had first ignited my fascination with her. Never had a woman captivated me so thoroughly. All my well-laid plans of maintaining a prudent distance seemed to dissolve into nothingness in her presence. Oh man.
Settling into our kayaks, the lapping of the river against the hulls blended with the distant calls of Lowcountry birds. We set off, moving upstream. Elle paddled just ahead of me as I called out directions. I’d navigated these waters numerous times, yet the splendor of our surroundings fascinated me anew as I saw it through her eyes. The verdant banks of the river seemed more lush and alive than ever, the sunlight danced more playfully as it filtered through the leaves of the trees, and the river itself sparkled with a clarity I hadn’t noticed before.
Even though I’d seen her kayaking on Saturday, I was again struck by her strength and grace. The way she navigated the currents, her every movement in sync with the rhythm of the river, it was more than just skill—it was a dance with nature, and I was an awestruck spectator. Her presence, her way of seeing the world, it changed the river for me. It was as if I was experiencing this familiar journey for the first time, with a fresh perspective that only she could bring.
“It’s clear you rock at kayaking,” I said, my voice carrying over the water. “Last night you mentioned blogging about it. Does that mean it’s your job?”
Elle’s paddle dipped gently into the water, creating a small whirlpool as she glanced over her shoulder. “No, it’s just a hobby. I am trained as a preschool teacher. But I majored in English, so I’m also a copywriter. I write copy for several kayak companies and earn some cash through affiliated marketing on my blog and Instagram page. It’s been my side hustle for years, but while I’m on the road, it will be my sole income. I’m not earning loads, though. It’s part of why I decided to stay at the hostel. I didn’t budget for expensive beach accommodation. But yeah, before this I used to teach. I’m not sure what I will do after this year of travel.”
At her mention of her life back home, I wondered if she was in a relationship. I wasn’t sure how to ask her about that without giving her the wrong impression. Instead, I asked, “Do you paddle with anyone back home, or is it a solo hobby?”
“Yeah, I used to paddle with a friend, Tom. But after he found a girlfriend, we didn’t paddle together anymore. Then I got used to solo paddles and haven’t tried to find a permanent paddle buddy again.”
Good on you, Tom. Many happy returns on your relationship. Seizing the moment, I tentatively said, “So, no Mr. Kayak in your life then?”
Elle paused, and I instantly regretted my boldness. She glanced back, her eyes searching mine, perhaps gauging my intentions. I put my oar across my lap and raised my hands in defense. “Whoa, no need to answer. I meant nothing by that question. Only trying to figure you out.”
“Nope. No, Mr. Kayak. I wouldn’t travel the coast for a year and leave a partner behind. It wouldn’t be fair. Besides, I don’t have the emotional capacity for something serious right now. No relationships this year. It’s a rule,” she said, her voice firm yet gentle.
Her response was both a relief and a pang of something akin to disappointment. I wasn’t sure why the latter emotion surfaced—after all, I wasn’t pursuing anything romantic with her. Or was I? It was confusing. Well, at least now I knew where we stood.
“It’s a wise rule,” I said, and tried to temper the bitterness in my voice before I continued, “Long-distance relationships can be dangerous. People can lie too easily when they’re miles away.”
“Ouch. It sounds like you’re speaking from experience,” she said, slowing her pace to move alongside me.
“Guilty,” I said, sighing at the painful memories.
“I’m sorry,” she said, and I could feel the empathy radiating from her.
“It was a long time ago, so it’s no longer as painful. It helped me create my own rule, though. No dating tourists.”
Elle’s lips curved into a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Oh really?” Her voice was light, teasing, yet there was an undercurrent of something more. “Well, if we both have rules, then we can definitely be friends. ”
The word ‘friends’ hung in the air between us, a safe label, yet it felt like a veil thinly concealing the truth. I could feel my heart tugging me in a direction I’d sworn off, but I masked it with a casual nod. “I’d like that,” I said, and it was true, but there was more, so much more I wanted too.
“What do you do for a living?” Elle asked, changing the subject.
I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck as I pondered the best way to describe my unconventional occupation. “Well, I have an Airbnb business. It started with just one garden cottage five years ago, and now I’m the proud owner of several properties. The business pretty much operates on its own these days. I’ve got a rental manager who handles almost everything.”
Her left eyebrow arched. “Impressive! If it’s all self-sufficient, what do you do with the rest of your time?”
I leaned back and allowed my momentum to carry me forward. “Well, a good chunk of my time goes to the church. You know, community projects, mentoring kids who think I’m cool, and playing in the worship team. The usual superhero stuff,” I said, a playful glint in my eye.
Her eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and amusement. “Really? Kids actually think you’re cool? ”
I feigned shock, placing a hand over my heart. “Ouch, Elle. First you attack my singing ability and now you’re going after my coolness factor. Good thing I have all these amazing muscles to withstand all the blows.”
Elle laughed and scooped water up with her hand and splashed me. “You’re impossible. Okay, fine, now I’m curious. How’d you get your phenomenal muscles? Don’t tell me you’re a gym bro .”
“You think my muscles are phenomenal? I’m touched.” That comment got me another splash, and I laughed. “To answer your question though, when I’m not saving the world one church event at a time, Weston kidnaps me for his triathlon training. I’m his unwitting training dummy.”
She laughed. “You make it sound like you’re his personal fitness guinea pig.”
I shrugged. “Well, someone’s got to do it. He’s intense, but hey, it keeps me in shape.”
She giggled at my silliness. “Jokes aside, it sounds like you have life all figured out, Gray.”
“Not by a long shot, but I’m grateful for the life I lead,” I said, offering her a simple smile.
“I’m curious about your childhood now. What was it like growing up as a pastor’s kid? ”
“I am an only child. My mom and dad have been the head pastors at Grace Bay Fellowship for twenty-plus years. My home life has always been stable. But our position in a successful church brought with it some challenges. Like always having our actions scrutinized. If I had a penny for every time someone accused my dad of something horrendous, I’d be rich. People seemed so desperate to catch a pastor out that they often created drama from nothing. We’ve gotten better at dealing with it over the years, though. Sadly, we all learned to keep our guards up. Our family has a zero-tolerance policy for lies, that’s for sure. But, hey, I got to grow up in this magical piece of the world, so I can’t complain.”
“Growing up here must have been amazing, but I can imagine how hard dealing with church politics could be. I’m glad you guys have learned to cope with it.”
“Thanks. And hey, now I can boast about being friends with Elle, the kayaking sensation and blogger extraordinaire.”
She gave me a contemplative look. “Kayaking sensation, huh? I’ll take that title. And I’ll admit, I’m proud to be in the esteemed company of Gray, the multitasking church hero.”
We both laughed .
As I paddled alongside Elle, I couldn’t resist the urge to stir up some mischief. “So, what are the odds I could tip you out of your kayak?” I asked with a grin.
Elle shot me a skeptical look. “Pretty slim, I’d wager.”
“How about a friendly bet then? Whoever flips the other’s kayak over first is the winner.”
“And the winner gets?” she inquired.
“If I win, I get your phone number.”
She chuckled. “Why on earth would you need that?”
“Just in case I find myself in a dire kayaking crisis,” I joked, trying to keep a straight face.
“Trust me, you don’t need me for your ‘kayaking emergencies’,” she said with a dramatic roll of her eyes.
I shrugged nonchalantly. “You know what they say. Better safe than sorry.”
Her laughter rang out again. “Fine, but if I win, you’re stuck with dish duty for the rest of the week. Solo.”
“Deal.”
I maneuvered my oar, aiming to wobble her kayak, but Elle was ready, brandishing her oar like a seasoned warrior. “Easy there, Lancelot,” I joked. “We’re not in a medieval joust.”
“I don’t like losing,” she said, her competitive spirit shining through .
“Neither do I,” I declared, and with a sudden splash, I was out of my kayak, swimming towards hers.
“That’s cheating!” she protested, but I was already in motion.
“It’s not cheating if my kayak is still afloat,” I countered, reaching her. Despite her efforts to fend me off, I tipped her kayak, sending her tumbling into the water with a delightful squeal. But she was quick to resurface, her eyes sparkling with playful defiance and a dash of feigned anger.
Elle swam toward me and I knew what was coming. Her hands found my shoulders, and with a playful shove, I was submerged. I let myself sink, embracing the cool rush, a silent concession to her moment of triumph.
When I broke the surface again, we were inches apart, so tantalizingly close that our breaths mingled. Instinctively, I reached out to hold her waist, ensuring I wouldn’t accidentally kick her. That was my undoing, though. The moment my hand touched her, my heart took off like a racehorse. A delicate flush painted her cheeks a soft rose. Was she feeling this magnetic pull too? Yet, before words could escape my lips or the moment could evolve into something more, she pushed off, retreating back to the safety of her kayak as if nothing out of the ordinary had transpired. Perhaps, in her world, nothing had. Or maybe she was just being wise, while I had momentarily lost all sense of reason.
We righted her kayak together, and I clambered back into mine with a heart still racing from the nearness of her. “Ah, victory is sweet,” I declared, a playful boast that masked the whirlpool of emotions she’d stirred.
Elle climbed back into her kayak and sighed in mock defeat. “Alright, you win. Here’s my number,” she said, and rattled off the digits. “But if you didn’t catch that, it’s your loss.”
“Hey, that’s cheating,” I protested, struggling to recall the numbers.
“Takes one to know one,” she shot back, her laughter echoing across the water as she paddled away.
Frantically, I replayed the sequence of numbers in my head.
We chatted with ease for the rest of the paddle. Elle was a fiery mix of life, beauty, and mystery. I’d be her friend, but Weston had a point—it would be best to limit my exposure to her. I could get burned.