Chapter Three #2
Her brow arched. “Wow, that sounds like a big job.”
“It is. He got hired to oversee the new Purity hotel. He’s, like, gone all the time, and I’m bored out of my mind and there’s really no one to hang with except Tom—who’s my driver and really nice but really old.
And I try to go to all these places and meet people but everyone’s either on vacay or only wants to surf. ”
Rowan tried not to judge her father, who’d dumped his daughter for the summer. “Why don’t you take some lessons? Take advantage to learn something new?”
Kelsey wrinkled her nose. “I wish. I can’t surf. I suck.”
Rowan peered at her from over her glasses. “You don’t suck. You’re young and fit. Try it.”
“I did.” She shrugged and gave a little laugh. “I took a lesson yesterday at that surf place by the Hilton. It was awful. I couldn’t understand his instructions, and he looked really frustrated with me. I guess I’m clumsy.”
A bolt of anger coursed through her. “Wait—this instructor made you think it was your fault?”
Another shrug. “Yeah, but it was. Said I was terrible at popping up or something? Then he took me into the water and I swallowed so much I was choking. He got annoyed, so I cut the lesson short.”
Oh, Rowan was pissed. She stared at the girl in frustration. “Kelsey, that’s horrible. There’s no bad students, just bad teachers. Sounds like he had an attitude problem.”
“I just think he didn’t want to waste his time. I’m not important like some of his other students.”
“How do you know that?”
“He told me. Said he tutors big-time surfers and that he usually doesn’t give lessons to casual observers, but he’d do it.”
“After you paid him?”
“Uh-huh.”
“What did your father say?”
The girl gave a half laugh. “Oh, my dad doesn’t know. He’s too busy. I don’t want to bother him.”
Rowan was ready to drive to this place and give them hell. Just because Kelsey was a tourist and young didn’t mean she should be disrespected or treated like crap. “What’s this guy’s name?”
She pursed her lips in thought. “Dennis, I think?”
Oh, she knew the guy. All ego and muscle, with a decent list of clients.
He shouldn’t be taking odd jobs with tourists or dealing with beginning students.
Bet he figured it’d be an easy gig, grabbing the young girl’s money.
Kelsey would’ve been better off with Brie and Chelsea.
They’d torture her but give her some decent skills.
“I know him. Forget what he said, okay? He shouldn’t have tried to teach you. I’ll find someone you can trust.”
“No, thanks. I’m not embarrassing myself again, especially in front of a guy.” Her brows pulled down in a thoughtful frown. “Unless you can teach me?”
Rowan shook her head. “Oh, I don’t give lessons.”
“Why not?”
There were a million reasons why she’d never get back on a board. Teaching someone else such an important skill took care, respect, and effort. As anything in her life, she couldn’t do anything half-assed. It would be too much for her. “Just because.”
“I think the girl asked a fair question.”
Rowan turned as Tino walked out, wiping a rag over his dusty hands. His wrinkled face warmed. “Aloha. I’m Tino.”
Kelsey jumped up with a big smile. “Aloha! I’m Kelsey. I love your surf shop. It’s super cool.”
“Thank you. So, you want to learn how to surf?”
Kelsey looked back at the group of girls laughing and playing in the surf, colorful boards on the sand. Longing flashed over her face, but it was more than the surfing. It looked as if she wanted to belong somewhere, and that’s what bothered Rowan the most.
Once, she’d been exactly like that. But her father taught her to surf, and from then on, she always felt like she was enough. The ache built in her throat, but there was nothing to do to clear it.
“I’d like to but probably not a good idea.”
“Do you know how to swim?” Tino asked.
“Oh, yeah, I’m a great swimmer.”
“Are you afraid of the waves? Sharks? Being tossed around like you’re in a washing machine?”
Rowan stared at her boss like he’d been possessed. “Tino! Don’t scare her!”
Kelsey looked serious as she met his gaze head-on. “No. I love body crashing the waves back home. Jones Beach and the Jersey Shore make you tough. They’re not nice.”
Tino laughed with delight. “I can imagine. It would be a disservice not to try. Rowan was a champion surfer and would be a wonderful teacher.”
Irritation rippled. “I’m not a teacher. I’m retired.”
Kelsey glanced back and forth and bit her red lip. “Um, sorry I asked. It was stupid. Rowan’s too good to be teaching me—I’m pretty clumsy.” Cheeks flushed, she turned. “I better go and I’ll—”
Bagel took the opportunity to hop madly through the open door, down the steps, and pose in front of Kelsey.
The girl gasped. “Oh my God, is this Bagel?”
“That’s him.”
“He’s so adorbs! He’s amazing—look at his tail and his nose, and how he hops.” She dropped to her knees, breathless with her admiration. “You have the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen! What a good bunny you are!”
Rowan waited for her companion to hop away or give that little strange growl he did to freak out strangers.
He simply didn’t care for people out of his circle, but he had no aggressive tendencies, so she felt comfortable having him at the store.
“Kels, don’t be offended, but Bagel isn’t great with . . .”
She trailed off and stared in surprise. The rabbit had pushed his furry body against Kelsey like he was a stuffed animal wanting to be brought home. Her gasp of pleasure and the way she pet him while lavishing compliments hit Rowan like a sucker punch.
She’d forgotten how Bagel had eased her awful loneliness after losing Dad. Watching the girl bloom at the animal’s quiet attention made her throat tighten.
“It seems Bagel has a new fan,” Tino said.
Rowan watched the exchange with an inner sigh. The universe was definitely throwing her a sneaker wave. “Guess he does.” Her lip twitched with a smile.
“Well, any friend of Bagel’s is a friend of mine. Would you like to hang out today with us? Maybe Rowan has time to teach you a few board basics.”
Hackles up, Rowan almost snapped at her friend, but Kelsey’s face brightened. Bagel snuggled into her as if sensing her loneliness. “I’d love to! Unless Rowan’s too busy? I don’t want to be a problem.”
Crap. No way could she send her away now. Rowan decided to compromise. “There’s a sunset party happening later. You’re welcome to come. But I can’t show you how to surf. Sorry.”
She ignored Tino’s heavy stare. Kelsey didn’t seem to notice. “That’s totally fine! I’d love to help with setup, or the store—put me to work.”
Rowan glanced at her pretty clothes and overdone face. “We’re pretty chill around here. No need to be anything but yourself on our island.”
Kelsey wrinkled her nose and looked down. “Yeah, I’m so used to New York. If you don’t have the designer stuff or look together, you’ll get ripped apart. I wasn’t really sure how to make friends around here.”
“You already did,” Tino said.
Kelsey smiled. The ice lodged in Rowan’s chest for the past year melted just a bit—like an iceberg softening from the sunlight peeking through the clouds.
“Lose the shoes, put your hair in a pony, and slather on some sunscreen. You can grab one of the T-shirts from the shelves so you’re more comfortable.
Oh, and text your dad so he knows where you are. ”
“Thanks, Rowan.”
Bagel’s ear twitched. Then he hopped away, leading his new friend toward the store. Kelsey happily followed.
“Tino?”
“Hmm?”
“I don’t surf anymore. And I’m not giving lessons. Especially to impressionable young girls.”
His grin flashed silver from his fillings. He always did have a sweet tooth. “She needs some confidence, girl. Hard enough being that age, but around here? Fish out of water. No mom?”
Rowan shook her head. “Honestly? Her dad doesn’t sound like a prize. Works all the time and leaves her with a driver and money. Why do people have kids when they don’t even want them?”
“Maybe there’s more we can’t see. I know one thing, though. Like recognizes like. One lesson won’t hurt you, but it may give her what she needs.”
Rowan shook her head. “Not falling for it today. I’ll keep her busy, put her to work, and send her to another teacher I trust. Pamela will be perfect.”
“If Kelsey lets her.”
“She will. Now, are you done sticking your nose in everyone’s business? Or do I have to tell Gio his new board will never get done?”
Tino laughed but didn’t seem bothered. Rowan had known him for years and had never seen the man lose his temper or even get irritated. She wished she could figure out his secret. At this rate, she’d be a spinster rabbit lady by the time she was thirty-five.
Ouch.
She’d spend the day with Kelsey, get her to take lessons with Pam, and enjoy the sunset.
Maybe she could even find a friend for herself.
It had been a long time since she’d been with anyone, but there were always men willing to see to her needs, then happily leave in the morning.
Her entire life had revolved around surfing, so relationships had never been her focus.
Now that she couldn’t surf?
She simply wasn’t interested. Sex was one thing. Love and commitment?
That was on a whole other level.
Rowan walked inside and left her thoughts behind her.