Page 16 of The Holiday Puppy
“I try to get to the Y for laps several times a week,” she said cautiously. “But I really don’t think—”
“Then you should be good. You can tie Sniper just over there, by the surfboard rental stand. I know the gal who’s working today. Then come with me and I’ll give you a start.”
“Okay, but you might be sorry. I’m not the most coordinated person you’ll ever meet.” Lucy took Sniper over to the woman at the surfboard place and asked her permission, then tied Sniper in a shady spot.
Nick looked over his shoulder at her as they started toward the beach and winked, then put his sunglasses on again. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay right with you. I promise you will be safe.”
Safe.His words seemed to wrap around her like a protective, immutable force. After seeing the sculpted muscling of his upper back and shoulders, she believed it.
But did he have any idea of just how compelling that wink and the flash of his smile could be? If not for that, she would be sitting safely on the beach.
Despite her doubts, she found herself following him into the warm water until it was shoulder-high.
He stood beside her and steadied both the board and her upper arm. “Okay, now hop on, lay on your stomach and center yourself lengthwise on the board. If you’re too far over to the left or the right, you’ll tip over.”
She awkwardly clambered up onto the surfboard and nearly went off the other side before righting herself. “Here?”
“Scoot back a little.”
She wiggled back a few inches. “Here?”
“Good. If you’re too far forward on the board, the nose will dip under the water and you won’t be able to catch a wave. Too far back and the nose will point way up and you’ll flip.”
Noneof that sounded good.
“Maybe I should just stand right here and watch everyone else. Better yet, you take the board and I can enjoy watchingyou.”
Laughing, he studied the gentle waves rolling in. “Nope. You shouldn’t miss your chance to do this. You’re going to head straight for the beach to make this first time easier. Get on your hands and knees when you’re ready.”
She almost fell in when the board wobbled, but Nick held tight.
“Good. When I give you a little push, find your balance and then try to rise to a crouch low over the board. If you can, slowly stand—your left foot ahead of the other, your left arm extended, and your knees slightly bent.”
She felt a flicker of excitement. There werelittlekids out here doing exactly that, so it couldn’t be as overwhelming as it seemed. “Then what?”
“If you can, ride it toward the shore until the wave dies. The board will sink a little, and you can hop off. Then bring the board back out here. Get ready...”
She felt the board rise with the next wave and a gentle push that propelled her forward. She shakily managed to crouch, wobbled, then rose and tentatively slid one foot forward.
A feeling of exhilaration shot through her. “This is so cool!”
This was nothing like the surfing she’d seen on TV, where surfers battled towering, dangerous waves.
But the propulsion of the wave and the smooth, effortless glide of the board toward the shore reminded her of downhill skiing in the mountains and that incredible feeling of flying. Freedom.
Grabbing the board, she headed back to Nick and impulsively threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “That was the best thing ever!”
He steadied her in his arms and looked down at her, his eyes dark and compelling. Everything around her seemed to fade away as time stood still.
Then he cleared his throat and stepped back to steady the board. “Few first-timers make it to shore like you did, so that was a great start. Ready to go again?”
“You bet!” Shedefinitelywas.
They stayed in the water for an hour while he coached her until her confidence grew. It would take a lot of practice to be capable of more challenging waves.
But now she was going to sign up for surfing lessons and keep at it until she flew home.
Excitement still thrummed through her veins when she and Nick headed across the beach to collect Sniper. “What a gift you’ve given me. I wonder what my kids would think of me now?”