Page 48 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

My mind reeled with bleak scenarios of me drowning and Tyler growing up without either of his parents. I bobbed nervously. I didn’t like the feeling of sand pulling me deeper into the ocean. Panic rose in my throat. I was going to be sucked under with the current and never rise.

“One. Two. Now, as high as you can, Abby,” Ian directed. “Jump.”

I pushed off on my toes, Ian’s vise grip locked on mine—a promise he would never let go—and raised me with him. The swelling wave caught and lifted us, and we passed through. To my surprise, I enjoyed it.

Ian wiped the water off his face and chuckled. “That wasn’t so bad, right?”

A joyful noise escaped my throat. “That was actually fun. I can cross this one off my bucket list.”

Ian stared at me incredulously. “You’ve never jumped over a wave before? You used to live in LA. You have a beach.”

“It’s just that I hate the feeling when the water and the sand flow out and pull me toward the deeper water. It terrifies me.”

“And yet here you are,” he said softly. His eyes roamed my face.

“I bet you’re not afraid of anything.” I craned my neck to check for another wave.

He tilted his head back, his lips slowly curving upward. “You’d be surprised, but I’m kind of afraid of horses. I’ve never been horseback riding.”

I blinked, incredulous. “Horseback riding. Are you pulling my leg? I don’t believe you.”

For someone from a wealthy family, a man who seemed to have experienced many things, it didn’t seem possible.

He raised his hands. “I promise to the moon and the stars, the universe, or whoever you want me to swear to, but I’ve never been horseback riding. My mother was very protective, especially about horses. And understandably so. One of her good friends fell off a horse during a ride when they were kids. Broke her spine and became quadriplegic.”

“Oh …” I slapped my mouth. “I’m so sorry.”

“But I still would like to ride one day. It’s on my bucket list. Have you?”

“I took Tyler last year for the first time. We went on a short trail with an instructor, so it was very safe. Well, as safe as possible.”

“Did he ride on a pony?”

“Yes. So how about we make a deal. You can take me zip-lining, and I’ll take you horseback riding.”

“It depends.”

I frowned and hardened my features. “Depends on what?”

“Do you think they’ll let me ride a pony?” He waggled his brows playfully.

I let out a belly laugh, almost sucking in water.

“Hey, that’s not funny.” Ian’s lips turned downward in a pout. “I mean it. You have to go slow with me.”

Water splattered my face, and I blinked. There was no wave like the last time, only the gentle tide. Then it dawned on me.

“Did you just splash me?” I shrieked and didn’t give him a chance to answer as I smacked the water toward him.

He ran a hand down his face. “And she fights back.” His expression darkened with mischief.

Oh, crap! Predicting his next move, I pushed sheets of water at Ian as he water-bombed me right back. We were acting like children, but I didn’t care. Nobody could see us.

I craned my neck away from his assaults, slapping at the ocean, laughing and laughing. It had been a while since I had laughed that hard. My sides ached, and my throat grew sore with screams and coughs in the salty spray. Ian was having a blast, too. Then his eyes grew wide.

“Oh, shit, Abby!”

Ian reached for me, but he couldn’t get to me fast enough. We had backed away from each other during the water fight. There was nothing dangerous about this situation. I had my feet solid on the ground. But the wave coming at us was double the size of the previous one, and I lost my courage.