Chapter Seven #3
This wasn’t about her. It was about his daughter.
He trudged forward. His designer shoes sank into sand, and the ocean wind whipped his tie from its clip. Great, once again he was looking ridiculous chasing after both of them. They seemed like a team. Damned if he didn’t feel like an invader in their world, which only pissed him off more.
Rowan saw him first and straightened. The glow on her face dimmed. Those green eyes flipped to cool and distant. She raked a slow, assessing gaze over him that clearly showed she found him lacking. Ignoring the sting, he focused on Kelsey.
“Dad! What are you doing here?”
“You didn’t tell me you were coming here. I thought your lesson was at our beach or one of the hotels.”
Kelsey bit her lip. “I tried that with the first lesson, but the guy made me feel stupid.”
His brows snapped down. “Who? I’ll go talk to him and make it right.”
Her sigh was all teenage suffering. “No, Dad. I didn’t want to take lessons with anyone but Rowan.” Her chin jutted out in stubbornness. “Rowan used to surf in competitions and she’s really good!”
He waited for Rowan to jump in, either to defend or boast, but she just kept staring at him impassively.
“Wanna see what I can already do?”
“No, I think we should—”
Kelsey ignored him and turned back to the ocean. Rowan followed. His daughter paddled out a few feet while Rowan steadied the board, chattering instructions with easy confidence.
Everett opened his mouth to regain control over this shit show, but the words died in his throat as Kelsey caught a small wave and actually stood, wobbly but radiant, riding it almost all the way to shore.
Rowan grinned. “Nice balance.”
The pride in her voice twisted something in his chest. Kelsey ran back with excitement. “See? I like it! And you said once I find something I like, no matter what it is, I have a responsibility to commit one hundred percent to learning the ins and outs.”
He smothered a chuckle. “I was talking about school, not surfing.”
“Dad, Rowan said she could give me daily lessons and I really want to do it. I like it here.”
“You should’ve told me exactly where you were going. We discussed this.”
Her face upturned in that innocent, pleading look she’d perfected too young. “I told you I was going to surf lessons and Tom drove me. You didn’t ask where! I wasn’t hiding it, I swear.”
Rowan’s lips pressed together as she stifled a laugh.
Yeah, amusing when it wasn’t your daughter who knew how to play you like a violin.
It would be better to shut this down now.
He didn’t want Kelsey taking lessons on a far-out beach with a woman he didn’t trust. They’d already formed a bond.
What if Kelsey started rebelling or adopting philosophies he didn’t approve of?
What if she got the ridiculous idea to be a surfer or live in a shack on an island?
This summer was supposed to be simple. Enjoy Hawaii, finish the hotel, and get back to their real life.
But . . .
Kelsey was happy. She’d been struggling since they arrived, and if an hour a day in the ocean was going to put the smile back in her eyes? How could he say no?
“Okay, I want to talk to Rowan alone for a few. If you’re going to continue, there will be rules.”
Kelsey flashed him a mischievous grin. “Rowan had a bunch of rules for me, too.”
Rowan spoke up. “Why don’t you go grab an ice pop from the freezer.”
“Thanks!”
She raced over the sand, light on her feet. Everett watched her go and gathered his patience. He’d keep this simple but clear. He might not like it, but a compromise was needed to get through the rest of the summer unscathed.
“Do you own any casual clothes?”
Her drawl made his head snap around. He hated the rush of embarrassment that coursed through him, which made his tone sharper. “I had to leave an important meeting to track my daughter down. Again. Let’s just say I didn’t stop to dress for the occasion.”
She slowly blinked. Her lashes were naturally thick and lush, setting off those piercing green-gold eyes. “What did you think would happen to her?”
“Anything. Everything.” He paused. “I don’t know you. She could’ve drowned.”
Pink lips twitched in an almost smile. “Doubt she’d drown in three feet of water, Mr. Hale.”
“Everett.” The command blasted from his lips before he could contain it. She only tipped her chin with acknowledgment. “I don’t think you realize how a teen girl can get into trouble in only three feet of water.”
Her stare gripped his. Tension stretched between them along with something else that he’d never name.
“Not on my watch.” Her voice was low, mingled with layers of confidence he hadn’t seen in CEOs.
“You’re her father, and I made that clear to Kelsey.
I won’t do lessons unless you give her permission.
But I can promise she’ll be safe with me.
Most of us know each other here. Tino usually works on the boards all afternoon and will also watch out for her. ”
Everett shook his head. “You can’t make those promises. No one can. Surfing is too dangerous. I’m sure she’ll find another sport to study.”
Those eyes flashed with temper that made him pause to look deeper. Shoulders thrown back, chin up, jaw clenched, she was like an immovable object yet filled with a furious righteousness that drove the breath from his lungs.
He’d been wrong about her calm. Underneath the surface was pure fire.
“She’s a kook with the heart of a surfer. I didn’t realize it until I got her on the water.”
His brow shot up. “A kook?”
“Inexperienced. She needs guidance, but the previous instructor missed her ability.”
“No offense, but Kels has always been a bit clumsy. We laugh about it, but it’s simple truth.”
Her head tilted. The heavy strands of hair escaped the knot and lay against her cheek. “On land, maybe. But not on the water.”
He had no clue why shivers shot down his spine at the intense way she said those words. What would it be like to be the recipient of all that focus? “You just met. Why are you taking an interest in a kid you don’t even know? She said you refused to teach her.”
A shadow passed over her face. “I did. And I don’t. But—” She broke off and seemed to struggle for words.
“What? You’re looking for extra money?”
Her lips pursed as if she’d tasted something bad. “I’m sure for you, it’s all about money. Not with me.”
“Then why interrupt your schedule when you’re so . . . busy.”
Direct hit. He knew he was being a bit of an ass, but he simply didn’t understand her lack of interest in success.
What was life for if not to attack the next challenge?
To consistently strive to be better? Why had she given up?
And how could he guarantee she wouldn’t affect his daughter when she seemed so unmotivated?
Rowan drew back in pure distaste, and he was surprised to feel a blink of regret. “Because Kelsey deserves someone to help her.”
He blinked. “With surfing? What’s the big deal?”
Her smile cut and slashed with smugness. “Exactly. You don’t realize it is a big deal. She needs the water and someone to believe in her. She deserves that when she’s not getting it at home.”
His jaw fell. “Did you just call me a bad father?”
“No. You did.”
He spit out a curse, ready to walk. How did this woman push all his buttons?
How dare she judge him? He was in charge of a multimillion-dollar investment property and dozens of employees who looked to him for leadership!
He was the one who took care of Kelsey in all ways, ever since her mom abandoned them.
“Somehow, I think Kelsey would be better off taking lessons from anyone but you.”