Sailor paddled toward her. “Are you okay?”
Skeeter nodded with a small smile. “That wasn’t so bad. Let’s go again.”
She did but took another tumble. Yet, the next time, she stayed up a little longer. Finally, she caught a wave and rode it through.
Maileah and Sailor cheered Skeeter on as she yelled, “I’m back!”
As Skeeter paddled to them, her eyes shining with joy, Maileah and Sailor exchanged a proud look.
“You did it,” Sailor exclaimed.
“I knew you could,” Maileah added.
They caught more waves until they finally trudged onto the beach. Maileah was depleted from the exertion yet filled with happiness, especially for Skeeter.
When they reached the sand, Skeeter flung her arms around her brother. “Thanks for getting me back out there on the baby waves, even if you were a nag about it.”
Sailor laughed and spun her around. “You can always count on me for that.”
As they laughed and celebrated like kids, Maileah realized this was definitely another thing she’d been missing—the thrill of a new challenge and the joy of sharing it with people she cared about. Each of them had overcome fears of some sort.
She flopped onto the beach, exhausted yet feeling fully alive.
Maileah could only imagine how terrifying it was to approach a monster wave. But how intoxicating it must be to ride waves few people can.
To really live, to energize the entirety of your being. To be one with the power of nature for a few moments that seemed like an eternity. She’d known that feeling. She breathed in, filling her mind with the memory and her lungs with fresh ocean air.
That incredible power never leaves you.
That’s what she loved.
Sailor understood that, maybe more than she did.
This is how she wanted to live her life. Out here on this island with Sailor beside her, doing what she loved and doing what she did best.
Only one question remained in her mind. Considering her ultimate desire for family, would she be forced to choose one over the other?
Overhead, the sun broke through the marine layer, warming Maileah’s face. She didn’t need to decide today. However, someday that might be a painful choice to make.
Sailor brought towels from the Jeep and wrapped one overher hair before propping himself up beside her. “You did great. And so did Skeeter.”
“All because of you,” she said, kissing him. “You didn’t give up on your sister.”
“I don’t give up easily on people,” he said. “That’s something you should know about me.”
While Skeeter peeled off her wetsuit near the vehicle, Sailor took Maileah in his arms. “I meant what I said yesterday, even if I didn’t say it in so many words.”
“Did you really?” Her heart fluttered with hope, yet she’d heard similar words before.
Sailor nodded. “I hope you meant it, too. I won’t rush you though.”
“You’re not.” She searched his face and the dazzling blue eyes that took her breath away.
He tipped her chin, staring into her eyes as if peering into her soul. “I love you, Maileah. I have from the moment I first saw you, even if you ignored me for months and tortured me with a parade of other guys.”
These were the words she’d longed to hear, yet she needed more from him. “And I love you more than I ever thought possible. But do you remember…” Her voice trailed off as her heart clenched with the need of knowing.
“What you told me?” He swept damp strands of hair from her face. “I want a life with you.”
