Chapter 25
25
W ith so much to do to prepare for the big event, the last few days passed quickly for Maileah. Now, the day before the charity event, Maileah sat on her patio staring at her computer, wondering what else she could do.
All the videos she’d made had been uploaded and donations were coming in. She had set up the auction tables at the Majestic Hotel earlier today with the help of volunteers. Little remained until the main event kicked off tomorrow morning.
Her phone rang, and she saw that it was her grandmother. She picked up, glad to take her mind off the preparations for a while.
Ella’s bright greeting rang out. “Hi, darling. Are you ready for tomorrow?”
“I can’t think of anything else to do.”
“Then why don’t you and Sailor come over? You can relax and recharge before the event. We’ll have pasta and salad.”
“Sailor is turning in early. He likes to have a good night’s sleep before competitions. But I’d love to join you.”
“I’ve also invited Junie. It will be just the four of us again like old times. ”
“Or like the night before final exams,” Maileah said. “When you’ve studied all you can and just want to chill.”
After a final check, Maileah closed her laptop. She had done everything she could. A short time later, she arrived at Ella’s rosy-pink home on Beach View Lane. Junie was in the kitchen with their mother and grandmother.
The tantalizing aroma of roasted garlic filled the air, and a sweet Doris Day song played amidst the chatter. This was Maileah’s idea of home, more so than where she’d grown up in Seattle. Looking back, her father sadly had a way of putting them all on edge. But here, her memories were mostly of happy times. On reflection, she realized the arguments she’d once had with Junie were mostly her fault. But she was different now.
“Hello, everyone,” she said cheerfully. “It’s hard to believe we were all living here less than a year ago.”
“So much has changed since then,” April said as she sliced vegetables. “And all for the better.”
Maileah nodded. “More than I ever imagined.”
“Oh?” Junie looked up with interest from the stovetop, where she was stirring tomato sauce. “Anything you want to share?”
“I was talking about my new business,” Maileah replied, teasing her.
Her sister looked disappointed. “I hope that’s not all.”
“And how is Sailor?” April asked.
Even as Maileah thought of him, happiness filled her. “We’re definitely more than friends now.”
Her grandmother brightened. “That’s wonderful to hear. Friendship and shared interests are just as important as love in a marriage.”
Maileah smiled. “I went surfing the other day. And this time, I stood on the board.”
“Well, look at you,” Junie said. “I remember when you crashed my lesson with Sailor.”
“I didn’t crash it—you invited me,” Maileah said .
Junie chuckled as she scooped roasted garlic into the sauce. “I was so upset with you?—”
“And I was a brat?—”
“But it’s all working out,” Junie finished, turning to her with a spoonful of sauce to taste. “I’m happy for you. You and Sailor seem right for each other. You both like travel and adventure. Knox and I are such homebodies in comparison. Penny keeps us plenty busy.”
Maileah hardly knew how to answer that. She wanted the same thing Junie did, just in a different way. Instead, she blew on the sauce and tasted it. “That’s delicious.”
“I have to admit, I wasn’t so sure about Sailor at first,” her mother said as she arranged slivers of parmesan cheese over a bed of romaine lettuce. “But as I’ve come to know him better, I find him genuine and charming. I can see that you enjoy each other’s company, and that’s what matters most. You’ve changed, darling.”
Maileah was relieved to hear that from her mother. “He’s much smarter than he lets on. I didn’t know he had a degree in business. He told me Nana tutored him in science.”
Ella nodded at the memory. “Sailor is from a fine family with good values. That’s more important than people realize in relationships.”
April nodded, but she still looked concerned. “But what will he do after his surfing career?”
“He told me he has investments and plans,” Maileah replied. “He seems smart about his career.”
Ella rose from her chair. “Since I’ve relinquished my chef duties to Junie, would you help me set the table outside?”
“Of course, Nana.” Maileah placed flatware and napkins on a tray as she’d often watched her grandmother do. Her action wasn’t lost on Ella, who smiled approvingly.
A realization dawned on Maileah. She had changed since arriving on Crown Island. She felt it, and others could see it. Knowing that felt good.
When she and Ella were outside setting the table, her grandmother’s eyes brightened. “Tell me how you’re doing, dear.”
Maileah’s heart lifted at Ella’s words. She had often confided in her, perhaps more than anyone else in the family. “These last few months have been the best of my life. And I hope that trend continues.”
“Why wouldn’t it?”
“I have confidence in my new business,” she began, folding blue napkins beside the vintage white place settings. “But there’s more.”
“Are you referring to Sailor?”
Maileah nodded. “He says he wants a life with me, but I’m not sure what that will look like. His lifestyle is unconventional.”
Ella followed her, placing the flatware. “Are you worried he won’t be there for you or be a good father?”
“Like Junie said, we have similar interests, but I still want a partner and a family. Sailor is my best friend, and I’ve grown to love him. I can’t imagine settling for anyone else, but I wonder if I’m cutting myself off from a family. Am I making a mistake?”
“There isn’t one way to be a family, dear. I’m sure you know that. Neither of you fit the traditional mold.”
“So why start now, is that what you’re saying?”
“Something like that.” Ella took her hand. “Sweetheart, you need to listen to your inner GPS.”
Maileah grinned. “My what?”
“Your inner guidance system,” Ella explained. “You might call it your intuition, a gut feeling, or faith. We all have small sparks of insight and wisdom. Learning to trust that feeling can guide us better than anyone else might advise us. And ignore it at your peril.”
Ella sat on a cushioned bench and patted a spot beside her.
“That’s a good point.” As Maileah sat down, she recalled listening to her intuition when she was younger. Somewhere along the way, in an effort to please others—bosses, men she was dating—she had started focusing on what others wanted, prioritizing their desires over hers.
“I’ve watched you push boundaries your entire life. Not that there is anything wrong with a traditional role. My darling Augustus and I had that sort of marriage, although he allowed me great freedom. Times were different then. Would you be happy trying to fit into the usual roles?”
Maileah considered this. “I thought I wanted that, but probably not. I know I’m different. But could Sailor and I make a nomadic life work with a family?”
“Live your dreams, not your fears.” Ella smiled. “Your life is what you both make it. But look around; I don’t think you have to look too far to find different examples. And by all means, talk to him about it before you make any life-changing decisions.”
“Dinner is ready,” Junie called from the kitchen.
Maileah hugged her grandmother. “Thanks for the advice, Nana. I’ll help bring out the food.”
As she walked inside, she realized she’d been listening to her instincts about her business. It was time she started doing that with her personal life, too.
She had to be honest with herself—and with Sailor. Yet the fear remained; what if he wanted something entirely different?
She’d been trying to fit herself into someone else’s expectations instead of finding alignment with someone she loved. That would be a risk she had to take.
“I’ll take out the food,” Maileah said to her mother. “Why don’t you relax and join Nana?”
April smiled at her. “How nice. Thanks, sweetheart.”
Junie watched the exchange as she poured the sauce over the penne and added a garnish. After their mother left, she said, “You have changed. For the better.”
Maileah laughed, but she appreciated her sister’s compliment. “ I guess I took a little longer to grow up. Hope I don’t regress.”
“I don’t think you will. Crown Island seems to have a good effect on people.” Junie grinned. “But no guarantees if you leave.”
Maileah put the salad and pasta on a tray. “Good, because I’ve decided to stay put.”
Over dinner, the conversation turned to the charity event tomorrow.
“I can hardly wait to see Sailor on those waves,” Junie said. “Should we get there early?”
“I think you should,” Maileah told her. Ella had already heard and approved the plans with the board. “The surfing competition begins in the morning. I’ve also organized a beach reception later with the surfers and fans for photos and autographs. You have no idea how many asked if Adrian would be there, so I asked him, too.”
“Maybe he’ll finally get that record deal he’s always wanted,” Ella said.
“And a girlfriend,” April added, chuckling. “He’s a sweet guy, and he deserves it all.”
Ella raised her brow. “I thought he always liked Deb.”
“That was a long time ago in high school,” April replied, shaking her head. “He had a variety of crushes, like we all did back then.”
“Adrian is so excited to play at the dinner tomorrow,” Maileah said. “His friend is still visiting, so he’ll join him. This event will be a lot of fun, and remember, no fancy dresses. Strictly island casual.”
Maileah was excited, too. Even though she would be working, this would be a day to remember.
When the first rays of sunlight filtered through the gauzy curtains of Maileah’s cottage, she whipped out of bed with excitement. Her mind was already racing, and nervous energy thrummed through her veins.
As she brushed her hair into a ponytail, Maileah’s heart skipped at a tap on the door. She padded across the hardwood floor.
Sailor stood on her porch, looking unfairly handsome in board shorts and a faded T-shirt that hugged his athletic frame. In his hands were two fresh cups of coffee.
She welcomed him with a kiss. “You read my mind.”
Sailor handed her a cup. “I thought you could use a kickstart.”
Maileah accepted the coffee gratefully, inhaling deeply. “You’re a lifesaver.” She took a sip. The potent brew was what she needed. “Wow, that’s bold.”
Sailor nodded, looking pleased with himself. “Only the best for you. Hey, I’m heading to the beach now to get a feel for the waves before the event. I know it’s early, but want a lift?”
“That would be great. I wanted to get there early and take some shots. I’ll grab my bag.”
She ducked back inside, retrieving the beach bag she’d meticulously packed the night before. She’d thought of everything they might need for the event: sunscreen, portable chargers, first aid kit.
“Ready,” she said.
“I’ll take that for you.” He reached for her bag.
She shrugged off his attempt. “I’ve got it.”
Sailor ran a hand over his jaw. “I know you’re capable of carrying it. But as a guy, it makes me feel good to do things for you—even the small stuff like carrying bags and opening doors. My dad always did that for my mom. Maybe that’s considered old school now, but it was a show of respect. We were only kids, but we understood that.”
She hadn’t thought about it that way. “Thank you,” she said with a small smile. She still had more to learn about him .
Once inside the vehicle, she turned to him. “How are you feeling about today?”
“I’m in great shape,” Sailor said as he fired the ignition. “Got a full night’s sleep and had a good breakfast. Feeling stoked about the day.” He tapped his temple. “Mindset is critical. I know it’s going to be a great day. I don’t allow any other thoughts or worries to intrude.”
“It’s game on, huh?”
He winked at her. “You bet. I’m amped.”
This is why he’s a champion, Maileah thought. His attitude spilled over into everything he did. “Was waiting for me like waiting for the perfect wave?”
Sailor chuckled, nodding. “I never thought of it like that, but I guess so. Surfing teaches patience.”
The drive to the beach was short but pleasant, filled with comfortable silence. They pulled up to a different beach than they had surfed with Skeeter. Here, the ocean roared with larger, more impressive waves. Seagulls soared overhead before diving into the fast-moving water.
“I’ll get my gear later,” Sailor said, helping her from the vehicle.
Maileah liked the feel of his arms around her. “And I’ll say hello to the volunteers.”
A team of people was already setting up, but otherwise, the beach was mostly theirs. They started walking toward the group.
“Hey, look who’s here.” Sailor waved to a couple watching three children playing in the sand. Two toddlers were building sandcastles while an older child splashed in the shallows. Their laughter carried on the sea breeze.
“Friends of yours?” Maileah asked, curious.
Sailor nodded. “That guy is a fellow surfer on the tour, and his wife was a women’s champion. They live in Northern California.”
“Do they always bring the family? ”
“Sure. Plenty do. They also have a business they run online.” He grinned. “A lot of folks are digital nomads.”
Maileah watched the family. She wondered how the woman managed travel, work, and the care of three young children. It seemed both daunting and oddly appealing. They were free to live how they wanted.
Sailor’s voice broke through her thoughts. “What’s going on in that amazing brain of yours?”
She turned to him, struck by the warmth in his eyes. “I’ve been thinking about how people live different lives. My grandmother told me to live my dreams, not my fears.”
“She’s right about a lot of things. I’ve always admired her.” Sailor paused, taking in the ocean swells. “The conditions look incredible today.”
The waves were much larger on this side of the island; she wouldn’t venture into the sea here. “That’s good?”
Sailor grinned and kissed her nose. “Oh, yeah.”
Being here with him, the life she’d once envisioned for herself shifted, expanding to include new possibilities. What if she could travel the world with him doing this? It was an intriguing thought. Much of what she did, she could do anywhere with a laptop and a decent connection.
When they reached the spot where the competition would soon be in full swing, Maileah drew a deep breath of fresh ocean air. The day ahead would be busy, but she was ready for it.
While the sun climbed higher, they spoke to the volunteers and other participants. It wasn’t long before more people arrived. Sailor greeted other surfers and people who’d come to watch. Everyone seemed especially pleased to see him.
“Hi, Maileah,” Skeeter said when she arrived. “It’s going to be an awesome day.”
“Sure you won’t join us?” Sailor asked.
His sister laughed and bumped fists with him. “Not this time, but don’t count me out. I’m feeling better now.”
Skeeter left to speak to some of the young women she’d surfed with at other competitions. They were bringing out their boards and getting ready.
“I should get my things,” Sailor said.
“Need some help?”
Sailor nodded toward a figure walking their way. “Only to keep my dad company.”
“With pleasure.” Maileah gave Sailor a quick kiss before he left and waved to Adrian, who paused to say hello to people as he made his way toward her.
Maileah felt the warmth on her skin as the sun climbed higher in the sky, turning the ocean into a dazzling expanse of crystal-blue swells, curling waves, and frothy white water. She brought out her phone and adjusted its camera settings, poised to capture the action. All around her, the air buzzed with excitement. Energy seemed to build with each crash of a wave.
She scanned the scene, captured some video, and took photos before Adrian arrived. He greeted her warmly.
“Looks like it’s going to be quite a show today,” he remarked, assessing the ocean. “The waves are building to impressive heights.”
Maileah detected a note of concern in his tone. “Sailor thought they looked fine.”
Adrian laughed. “Of course, he would. He was always a daredevil.”
Apprehension rose within her. “Are these intense?”
“Only for Crown Island, not for Sailor.” Adrian smiled with reassurance. “Don’t worry. He’s a pro. You’ll get some good shots.”
Tamping down her concern, Maileah turned her attention to taking more photos of the gathering crowd, the expectant faces of the spectators, and the magnificent shoreline. She would use these for the social media campaign and promotions for the Majestic and local tourism.
She paused, turning to Adrian. “Are you ready to perform tonight? ”
“More than ever.” A look of gratitude filled his eyes. “I appreciate what you’ve done for me. I’m still in awe; I never thought I’d have so many people reaching out to me and enjoying my music. I can hardly believe how much music they’ve bought and downloaded.”
His appreciation warmed her heart. “Enjoy it; you’ve more than earned it. You’re going to have a wonderful evening.”
Sailor’s voice cut through the building chatter and laughter on the beach. “Hey there, beautiful.”
Maileah turned to see him jogging toward her, his wetsuit already half on. Her heart did a little flip at the sight of him, sun-kissed and radiant with energy. She took a few shots of him.
He greeted his father, then said to her, “I couldn’t go out there without another kiss for luck.”
Maileah felt herself blush as she touched his lips. Their kiss was brief but tender, leaving her slightly breathless.
“Good luck out there,” she whispered, her hand lingering on his neck. “Show those waves who’s boss.”
“You got it, Maisie.” With a wink, Sailor turned to join the other surfers.
Adrian chuckled. “Maisie?”
“One of my many nicknames.” She didn’t mind that anymore, even from Junie.
The crowd reached a fever pitch, and the new mayor, Isabelle Reyes, stepped up to welcome everyone to the event. “It’s going to be an amazing day here on Crown Island. Let the surfers begin,” she finished with a flourish.
Cheers and applause rang out, and the event was officially underway.
As they watched, the younger surfers took to the water first to compete.
The crowd cheered as the initial group of competitors carved their way across the face of the waves. Maileah was genuinely impressed by their skill and bravery. Only one or two wiped out, quickly resurfacing with determined grins on their faces.
While they watched, the woman with the children approached, her dark, silky hair gleaming in the sunlight. “Hi, I’m Kiana. I heard you’re with Sailor, so I wanted to welcome you to our ohana , our family. We have a canopy set up, so please join us.”
Maileah greeted her warmly and accepted. She and Adrian were happy to have some shade on the beach. They ducked under the canopy and sat in lightweight, foldable chairs. Kiana welcomed them with icy bottles of water.
After thanking her, Maileah was curious to know more about her. “Sailor told me you travel with your family and run a business online. I must say, I’m impressed. How do you manage it all?”
With a light laugh, Kiana said, “We make it work. I decided to home-school our oldest so we could continue traveling with Aaron on the surfing tour. Many others do, too, so the kids can learn together.” As she spoke, she picked up a ball one of her kids had tossed and threw it back to them.
“Sounds like you have a unique lifestyle.”
“We love it. We see so many wonderful places; I would hate for the kids to miss out. Like many sports, competitive surfing isn’t forever. That’s why I run another business for us.”
“Doing what?”
“I design a line of surf-inspired clothing, so we manufacture and ship directly to customers. Our fulfillment house handles the distribution, freeing us to be anywhere.”
Maileah’s mind was whirring with ideas. “Was it hard to set up?”
“Not really. The marketing and advertising take up most of my time now. I could do a better job of it, but with three little ones and homeschooling, it’s a lot to juggle. And we love to spend time with the kids and friends. You only live once, so we might as well enjoy the journey.” Kiana paused. “Sailor said you manage social media and online marketing. ”
Maileah nodded. “I could probably give you some pointers. My sister runs a boutique at the Majestic Hotel, and I set up her online shop and marketing.”
Kiana’s eyes brightened. “We should talk. I could use someone to take that over.”
“I might have some ideas.” They spoke briefly, and Maileah agreed to meet with her later. She learned they were staying on the island for several days.
Aside from that, a realization dawned on Maileah. Her goals could coexist. Adventure and family weren’t mutually exclusive.
“Are you a surfer?” Kiana asked.
Maileah smiled and shook her head. “I’ve only tried it a couple of times. I’m an absolute beginner, but it’s a lot of fun.”
“Has Sailor explained how the scoring works?”
“Only a little.”
“Since this is for charity and not part of the tour, everyone is more relaxed,” Kiana said. “Surfers will still be judged on the degree of difficulty, innovation, and variety of maneuvers. And, of course, their power, speed, and flow.”
“How can they judge that if the waves are different?” Maileah asked.
“The wave difficulty is scored, too,” Kiana replied. “Surfers are also judged on what they achieve in each heat, or limited amount of time.”
Kiana went on to explain what was going on as they watched.
After a while, April arrived with Ryan, and Junie followed with Knox and Penny. “We couldn’t miss this,” April said. “We were late, and it’s so crowded we worried we wouldn’t find you.”
“I’m so glad you made it, Mom. And all of you.” Having her family interested meant a lot to Maileah. She quickly introduced them to Kiana.
Behind them, Skeeter raced to join them. Breathless, she ducked in and hugged Kiana, who explained they’d surfed together.
Adrian greeted everyone, too. “You’re just in time. Sailor’s group is up. And Aaron, too.”
Maileah’s heart leapt. Skeeter must have noticed her tension because she touched her shoulder and said, “They’ve got this.”
Maileah watched as Sailor got into position. The wave rose heavily. Sailor dropped into the wave’s hollow tube as it curled, crouching and dragging a hand in the water. Her breath caught in her throat, not from fear now but from sheer awe.
Her adrenaline spiked, and she could imagine the exhilaration he must feel. Today was more than a charity competition; it was a view into how Sailor lived—boldly and without reservation.
And he encouraged her to do the same. She loved that about him.
As the wave broke, Sailor disappeared in the frothy white water. She sucked in her breath, waiting for him to surface, but it was taking a long time. She tried to control her fear, but her heart was pounding.
Even Penny’s sweet little face scrunched with worry. “Where did he go, Daddy?”
Knox said, “He’ll come up soon, sweetheart.”
Her mother’s arm quickly went around Maileah, and Junie pressed a hand to her shoulder.
The safety jet ski charged toward his last position, and people gathered closer on the beach.
Growing more concerned, Maileah bit her lip. This can’t be happening, she thought, praying for him to reappear. She couldn’t lose him now, so soon after finding him.