Ella beamed at her. “Sailor comes from good stock and goes after his dreams.”
April gave her an understanding smile before adding, “But a surfer? What sort of future would he have?”
“He’s more serious than most would imagine,” Ella said.
“I’ll keep all that in mind.” Maileah’s cheeks burned at the thought of him, but her mother was right. Of course, her grandmother had a point, too.
“Be careful,” her mother said, touching her shoulder. “This is a small town, and people talk.”
Ella raised a finger. “Don’t let that discourage you. People also fall in love in small towns—like your mother.”
“Well, yes,” April said, blushing slightly. “But Ryan and I are older.”
Ella arched an eyebrow toward her daughter. “And how does that matter, dear? Love is love, regardless of the age.”
“I don’t want to see her disappointed again,” April said softly.
“I’m standing right here,” Maileah said, smiling. “Sailor and I are friends first, and I’m a little uncomfortable talking about this just yet. It’s not as if we’ve been on a proper date. I only met him at Jo’s diner to listen to his father play.”
“And danced under a full moon at the taco outpost,” Ella added with a smile. “How romantic.”
“That was purely spur of the moment,” Maileah said. “We had to eat, and I wanted to see his boat.”
“Please be careful,” April said, drawing her brows.
Ella shook her head. “That’s the last approach she should take with Sailor.”
With a soft laugh, Maileah held up her hands. “Alrighty, you two. While I appreciate your concern, Mom—and your encouragement, Nana—this is my life. I know I’ve made mistakes in the past, but I’m determined not to make any more.”
Seeming somewhat contrite, her mother and grandmother exchanged guarded looks.
“We only want what’s best for you,” April said.
Maileah shrugged, mindful of their opinions. “And now, regardless of how it might look to others, I have to work with him on the broken surfboards.” She held out her hands. “Expect more gossip about that.”
If she analyzed her relationship with Sailor, she wasn’t sure where things stood between them. She only knew how she felt when she was with him. Even though spending time with him seemed right, she’d been spectacularly wrong before.
Would taking a chance on her feelings ruin a wonderful friendship? That was yet another reason she had to be sure.
21
“Ithought we might need some brain food while we work.” Maileah brought out a pitcher of lemonade, a bowl of berries, and a plate of oatmeal raisin cookies she’d made with Junie’s help. She placed them on the outdoor table on her patio. “Help yourself.”
“I will, thanks.” He bit into one of the cookies.
She held her breath, waiting for his comment. It wasn’t a big deal, but she was proud of herself. No one had asked her to do this. Junie had shared her recipe and visited last night for moral support. Maileah had insisted that she make them herself, so Junie enjoyed a glass of wine and coached her.
“These are delicious,” he said, reaching for another. “Taste like the kind my mom used to make.”
“I used Junie’s recipe.”
“No kidding?” He looked at her in surprise. “But I thought you weren’t into cooking.”
She shrugged. “I know how to make a few things.” She didn’t want to dwell on that, and they had a lot of work to do. He’d insisted on coming over to help her obtain donations from participants for auctions, even though she’d initially resisted.
“I can call some fellow surfers for you,” he said. “It will be easier that way.”
“Then I’ll take care of the rest of the details.” She sat beside him and opened her laptop, enjoying the cozy setting with palm trees rustling in a light, balmy breeze.
