Chapter 24
24
B y the time Skeeter was due to arrive, Maileah had the surging demand under control. Working in Sailor’s living room with the windows open to the breeze, she was focused on editing and uploading videos for promotion.
While she did that, Sailor called on fellow surfers for old, broken board donations and fielded questions online about his father.
With his help, Maileah had made more progress than she’d hoped. They’d accomplished so much.
The front door opened, and Skeeter rushed in. “I just dropped my things at Dad’s, and he is still walking on air. This is the most exciting thing that’s happened to him in years.”
“We’re thrilled, too.” Maileah greeted her with a hug. Skeeter already felt like a sister. “I’ve already enabled preorders for “Unbroken” on the charity’s site and linked back to the social media posts. The orders and donations are pouring in.”
“I’ve been answering all sorts of questions on his site, too,” Skeeter said.
Sailor gave his sister a high five. “I didn’t imagine there’d be so much support for the charity from off the island.”
“You had a lot to do with that,” Maileah said. “When you asked people to listen to your father’s song, many people thought that was touching.”
“Doesn’t hurt that they think you’re good-looking.” Skeeter shrugged. “I guess some people have no taste.”
“Hey,” Sailor said, wrapping an arm around her neck in mock protest.
Laughing, Skeeter wriggled out of his grasp. “I’m starving. Aren’t you going to offer me anything to eat?”
“You’re so demanding.” Sailor rolled his eyes. “We made a layered Mexican dip with guacamole, refried beans, tomatoes, and sour cream. Want that with tortilla chips?”
“Good enough,” Skeeter replied. “You wouldn’t happen to have an icy cold margarita to go with that?”
“I’ll see what I can find for you,” Sailor said.
After her brother disappeared into the kitchen, Skeeter turned to Maileah. “I’ve never seen Sailor or our father so happy. Our family needed this. You’re our good luck charm.”
Maileah laughed with her. “I love being around all of you.”
“Especially Sailor, right?” Skeeter waggled her eyebrows.
“We’re getting to know each other,” Maileah replied carefully.
Skeeter crossed her arms. “Well, don’t let him take forever.”
“We’re getting there,” Maileah said. “He called us perfectly imperfect together. I like that.”
Just then, a noise erupted in the kitchen, and they rushed in. Slushy margarita mix was flung all over the counter and floor.
Skeeter laughed. “Forgot to put the top on the blender again?”
“Something like that,” Sailor said, shaking his head as he mopped up the mess with a dishtowel. Then, he sat back on his heels and laughed at the situation. “I guess no one’s perfect. ”
“Even you, bro,” Skeeter said.
“At least you missed the food,” Maileah said, laughing with him. “And I love your imperfections.”
When Sailor looked up and caught her eye, she realized what she’d said. She pressed her fingers to her lips, unsure what to say or how he’d take that. They hadn’t used the love word between them yet. Had she spoken too soon?
“I, uh, think I need to make a call,” Skeeter said, glancing between them. “Be back in a few minutes.”
Sailor tossed the towel in the sink and turned to her. Drawing a breath, he slid his hand along her arm. “Did I hear that right?”
Feeling heat rising in her cheeks, she nodded. “You did.”
With a lazy smile, he said, “It’s about time.”
“Wait.” She pressed a finger to his lips. “Not here, not yet.”
Whatever her overcaffeinated brain had spit out, she had to understand this feeling and become more comfortable with it. Or would her heart always beat stronger around him?
He nodded and drew her fingers to his lips, kissing them between words. “You want…to be sure. I’ll be here.”
Had he just answered her heart’s question? Still, for once, she wouldn’t rush.
Smoothly changing the subject, Sailor said, “We’ve had quite a day. How about margaritas all around?”
“Why not? I don’t have far to walk. Shall I make a salad?”
“Sure. I’ll throw some shrimp and garlic on the grill, too.”
“Sounds good,” Maileah said, trying to seem nonchalant, but her emotions were coursing through her.
While Sailor made another pitcher of frozen margaritas, Skeeter returned with a broad grin and a wink. “It’s getting steamy in here. Let’s eat on the patio.”
“Good idea.” Maileah picked up a tray and loaded food and utensils on it.
With cool margaritas in hand, they sat outside around the table talking about the success of Maileah’s video campaign .
“And that’s not all,” she added, telling Skeeter about the auction for broken boards. “Some will be painted, and others signed.” As she spoke, she had the feeling that everything in her life was finally on an upward trend. All she had to do was keep it moving in that direction.
When they were cleaning up, Sailor asked, “Who wants to catch some waves with me in the morning?”
Skeeter flicked a look in his direction. “I brought my gear, but I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
“We’re not competing; we’re only going to paddle around. Maileah, you did well in that lesson you took. Come join us.”
“That sounds like fun. Then we can fire up that fancy coffee machine afterward.” Maileah couldn’t do much more than paddle around, but she would rise before dawn to lend Skeeter moral support.
“Alright,” Skeeter said, letting out a breath.
“Then we’ll see you on the dawn patrol,” Sailor said. “I’ll pick you up at Dad’s.” He turned to Maileah. “I’ll have a wetsuit for you. The water is cold, so bring a sweatshirt for when you get out.”
Maileah would have to wake early, but she was excited to be in the ocean with Sailor again, now that she understood more about surfing than she had that first time.
Maileah joined Sailor and Skeeter on a sparse beach on another side of the island in the pre-dawn hour. He opened the rear hatch and brought out their gear.
While Maileah watched Sailor put on his wetsuit, the first light illuminated the hazy marine layer. She shivered in the chill morning air.
Sailor nodded toward the wave sets. “Waves are smaller here. This is a good spot for beginners or those who just want to cruise.”
“Or rebuild their confidence,” Skeeter added as she pulled on her wetsuit .
“You’ve got this,” Sailor said as he helped Maileah put on her suit. “You’re no paddlepuss. We’ll find the right wave for you, and I’ll be with you.”
Maileah nodded, eager to get into the water to move around and warm up her limbs. “Let’s do this.”
Sailor hoisted his board, though Skeeter hung back, her eyes fixed on the waves. “Maybe I’ll watch you guys first.”
“Just hang out on your board with us,” Sailor said, acting like it was no big deal.
With a nervous look, Skeeter eased onto her board in the water. They paddled out together, Sailor’s strong arms cutting through the water with ease while she and Maileah followed.
Though the water was chilly, the wetsuit helped Maileah retain her body warmth. As she watched the sunrise, the ocean’s magnetic power and rhythm was exhilarating. This hour of the morning was magical. This is the thrill she’d been missing.
Sailor went ahead, catching a few small waves while Maileah hung back with Skeeter, watching him as the wave sets rolled in. She began to feel like she could do that, too.
When a small, pointed wave approached, Sailor said, “Okay, this one is ours, Maileah. Follow me.”
Maileah paddled after him. As the wave swelled and lifted her board, she pushed herself up, wobbling slightly before finding her balance. For a moment, she was flying with the wind in her hair and the spray in her face, riding the wave with gusto until its energy was spent.
“I did it,” she said, whooping with glee and pumping her fist. It might as well have been a thirty-foot wave for the adrenaline high coursing through her.
“You looked good,” Sailor said with a broad smile.
Skeeter cheered for her. “You’ve got this, congrats.”
Sailor called out to his sister, “This next one is for you, Skeeter.”
His sister bit her lip, conflict clear in her eyes. “I don’t know... ”
“It’s so much fun,” Maileah said, her heart still beating wildly.
Sailor paddled toward her. “No pressure. We’re right here with you whenever you’re ready.”
Maileah nodded encouragingly. “We’ve got your back. Promise.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Skeeter took a deep breath. “Okay. Here I go.”
Sailor followed his sister protectively. As they paddled out, Skeeter’s movements seemed tense, but determination was clear in her expression.
Maileah hung back, admiring Skeeter’s tenacity. Still, she was concerned for her. She knew all too well that easing into the moves helped. From experience, she knew she had a higher chance of falling if she was nervous on her snowboard because she wasn’t relaxed enough to sense, recognize, and make small corrections as needed.
“Feel the waves and move with them,” Sailor reassured her. “You’ve done this a hundred times.”
“More like a thousand,” Skeeter said, waiting for the right wave.
She’s got this , Maileah thought, pulling for her.
When the water swelled, Skeeter paddled into it and pushed up, crouching shakily on her board before tumbling into the water.
Sailor paddled toward her. “Are you okay?”
Skeeter nodded with a small smile. “That wasn’t so bad. Let’s go again.”
She did but took another tumble. Yet, the next time, she stayed up a little longer. Finally, she caught a wave and rode it through.
Maileah and Sailor cheered Skeeter on as she yelled, “I’m back!”
As Skeeter paddled to them, her eyes shining with joy, Maileah and Sailor exchanged a proud look.
“You did it,” Sailor exclaimed .
“I knew you could,” Maileah added.
They caught more waves until they finally trudged onto the beach. Maileah was depleted from the exertion yet filled with happiness, especially for Skeeter.
When they reached the sand, Skeeter flung her arms around her brother. “Thanks for getting me back out there on the baby waves, even if you were a nag about it.”
Sailor laughed and spun her around. “You can always count on me for that.”
As they laughed and celebrated like kids, Maileah realized this was definitely another thing she’d been missing—the thrill of a new challenge and the joy of sharing it with people she cared about. Each of them had overcome fears of some sort.
She flopped onto the beach, exhausted yet feeling fully alive.
Maileah could only imagine how terrifying it was to approach a monster wave. But how intoxicating it must be to ride waves few people can.
To really live, to energize the entirety of your being. To be one with the power of nature for a few moments that seemed like an eternity. She’d known that feeling. She breathed in, filling her mind with the memory and her lungs with fresh ocean air.
That incredible power never leaves you.
That’s what she loved.
Sailor understood that, maybe more than she did.
This is how she wanted to live her life. Out here on this island with Sailor beside her, doing what she loved and doing what she did best.
Only one question remained in her mind. Considering her ultimate desire for family, would she be forced to choose one over the other?
Overhead, the sun broke through the marine layer, warming Maileah’s face. She didn’t need to decide today. However, someday that might be a painful choice to make.
Sailor brought towels from the Jeep and wrapped one over her hair before propping himself up beside her. “You did great. And so did Skeeter.”
“All because of you,” she said, kissing him. “You didn’t give up on your sister.”
“I don’t give up easily on people,” he said. “That’s something you should know about me.”
While Skeeter peeled off her wetsuit near the vehicle, Sailor took Maileah in his arms. “I meant what I said yesterday, even if I didn’t say it in so many words.”
“Did you really?” Her heart fluttered with hope, yet she’d heard similar words before.
Sailor nodded. “I hope you meant it, too. I won’t rush you though.”
“You’re not.” She searched his face and the dazzling blue eyes that took her breath away.
He tipped her chin, staring into her eyes as if peering into her soul. “I love you, Maileah. I have from the moment I first saw you, even if you ignored me for months and tortured me with a parade of other guys.”
These were the words she’d longed to hear, yet she needed more from him. “And I love you more than I ever thought possible. But do you remember…” Her voice trailed off as her heart clenched with the need of knowing.
“What you told me?” He swept damp strands of hair from her face. “I want a life with you.”
Maileah drew her lower lip in, hesitating. “And what would that look like?”
Just then, Skeeter called out to her brother with a question, breaking the moment between them.
Sailor smiled with a sigh and pushed himself up. “To be continued,” he said, offering his hand. “Can you wait?”
“This is our last break until after the event,” Maileah replied. “But I can wait for you.”