Epilogue
Storm put her toes in the sand. She had wanted to do that for weeks now. She never imagined she would do it at the Jersey Shore.
New Jersey was very different from Hawaii, but beautiful in its own way with its black jetties stretching out into the ocean. Waves tumbled over the sand and rocks. Seagulls called out.
The late June water was cold to the bone when the white foam circled her ankles, but she didn’t run away. She wanted to feel everything all the time. Only two weeks ago she almost lost her life. She would never take it for granted again.
She had an amazing man walking beside her to thank for that. Harlan held her hand in his big one. Since his promise in the hospital to be by her side, he’d done exactly that. She never went more than a few feet without him appearing with words about missing her and needing to touch her. But she suspected he was trying to protect her.
She didn’t need a whole lot of protecting anymore. Robin and Dennis were in jail, awaiting a trial. They had plead not guilty by reason of insanity. Convenient. Their motivations were still unclear. Had Robin tried to kill her so Dennis could have the job? Or was Robin simply so angry at the way she thought she was being treated by Storm? In the end, Robin and Dennis’ reasons didn’t matter. They were crazy.
Storm liked Harlan’s nearness, especially at night when he held her tucked against his strong body. That was the only place she ever wanted to be.
He had to return to Hawaii soon. More of his teammates needed help with some assignment out there. She was thinking of going with him. She was also considering staying here with his sister for a few more weeks. They were getting along well and Meg was healing with ease. Storm wanted to get to know Harlan’s family, and she had no family to return to.
This morning she put in her resignation. She had just told Harlan.
“Are you sure that’s what you want to do?” He bent down and picked up a shell, handing it to her.
“I think so. The college life is done for me. It doesn’t mean the same anymore. And hasn’t for a long time.”
“What will you do?”
“I don’t know. Become a lifeguard maybe?” She laughed so he knew she was joking.
“You could do whatever you wanted.”
“Would it be so terrible if I wanted to be with you a while longer?”
“Until the trial is over?” He stopped and turned to face her.
She went to him, because she did need to always be in touching distance. She hoped he didn’t grow tired of that.
“And after. What do you think?”
“I think you staying with me is a great idea. I still don’t know where I’m going to land, though. I don’t have a job. I’m kind of a slacker.” He winked.
“We can be slackers together.” She soaked in the beach and the boardwalk to her right. “This town is pretty nice.”
“It is.”
“But you don’t want to live here.”
“Not yet. Maybe one day. I do like to come visit, though. Do you want to go back to California?”
“Not near the school. I’m not ready for that.” She would have to pack up her things from the president’s house soon and put stuff in storage until she knew where she would have a new home.
“Hawaii?”
“That would be nice. Though, maybe not too close to the volcano’s pathway.”
“Good idea.”
“I have another good idea.” She leaned against him and enjoyed his strong body against hers.
“Yeah, what’s that?” He arched a brow.
“Take me back to the bed and breakfast and make love to me all afternoon.”
“Best idea I’ve heard all day.”
And so he did.