“Spiced apple juice and honey,” David told her, raising his own. “It’s really good.”
“I hope it helps,” Sherry said, the lines on her forehead deepening with worry.
The office phone rang and Sherry headed out and shut the door behind her.
Cara blew into her cup and peeked at David. Their eyes met and energy sparked between them, a light buzz now, rather than the stronger surge she experienced when they’d both touched Crossback.
“I probably look like I drowned,” she said.
He sure didn’t. He looked even more handsome, with pinker cheeks, brighter eyes, and the sweetest smile she’d ever seen.
“You look great,” he said, his lopsided grin turning up one corner of his mouth.
He held her gaze, but she looked into her mug. “Only because I snuck to the restroom to try to make myself look less scary.”
“You don’t look scary to me.”
She took in a large gulp of hot juice that blistered her tongue and scorched her throat.
He held up his cell. “Can I get your number?”
She coughed and stared at his phone. “My number?”
His cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink. “Yeah, I’m hoping you’ll go out with me this weekend, to celebrate our survival?”
He sure was cute. And he’d helped save her life. She wanted to say yes, but she couldn’t be sure he was trustworthy enough to date.
In her head, a small voice said, You can trust him.
She’d heard the voice before. It often warned or encouraged her, though it usually sounded like more of a whisper and had never been as clear as just now. She’d never regretted heeding its guidance.
“How long are you going to be in town?” she asked.
“I moved here last month, actually.”
“Wow, a new local.” And finally a dating prospect she felt good about.
“I figured you were a local, too, when you told me you knew the grays. Do you work here at Liberty Charters?”
“I volunteer as an assistant once a month. But I’m planning to take marine biology courses at the University of Washington.”
David set his mug down on the table. “Then you’ll be moving?”
“Not till next summer.”
“That’s good,” he said with what sounded like relief, and ran his fingers through his hair. “I mean, the University of Washington’s a great school.”
He couldn’t get much cuter.
“So, if you want to go to dinner Saturday, maybe you could pick the place?”
She set her mug down and gestured for him to give her his phone. As she sent herself a text to swap numbers, she brainstormed for restaurant options. After waffling between fancy and casual, she opted for comfortable.
“There’s a great place that overlooks Seagoer’s Cove, where we fell overboard.”
His lopsided smile returned. “That seems fitting.”
“It’s called the Cove. It has the best clam chowder in town.” She handed back his cell.
He stood. “Can I pick you up at seven on Saturday, then?”
Best not to have him pick her up at home. “How about I meet you there?”
“Okay.” He laid his blanket over her lap. “I’m gonna head out, but I’ll talk to you soon.” His smile turned into a concerned frown. “Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”
“I’m fine. Thanks to you.”
David held out his hand. Surprised, she placed her hand in his. That same strange energy flowed more strongly between them when they touched.
“I’m glad I got to meet the grays.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “And I’m especially glad I got to meet you.”
* * *
Cara called her mom and left a long-winded message about the overboard incident and how she’d accidentally scraped Rick’s truck. After she hung up, she took a few minutes to analyze her encounter with David. For once, she welcomed sappy thoughts about a guy.
Rick and Sherry came in and interrupted her reverie.
“I’m sorry this happened, kiddo,” Rick said, pulling off his cap. “It was my fault. It’s my duty to make sure everyone on my boat is safe.”
“No. I’m the one who forgot to fasten my life jacket. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Sherry handed over Cara’s insurance card, along with the outfit she’d worn when she’d fallen overboard, which was warm from the dryer. “We’ll give you a ride home.”
Cara shook her head, grabbed her backpack, and stood. “Thanks, but I’m fine. And I don’t want to leave my car in the lot.”
“You go ahead and change, then, and we’ll send some of that spiced apple juice home with you,” Sherry said.
Sherry and Rick both turned to leave, but Cara couldn’t get one question out of her head. “Do you think the orca’s bump was a friendly one?”
Rick faced her with a frown. “Not sure. I’ve never seen a transient that close and this is awful late in the season for them to be here.” He scratched his head. “Don’t you worry, though. They never stay in one place. I’m sure they’ll be gone soon.”
“The orcas in the San Juans were social … playful. Hopefully these transients were just curious,” she said.
Rick nodded. “I’m just glad you’re all right, kiddo.”
Cara was all right, physically. But just thinking of the transient killer whales caused a cold, dark feeling to creep into her soul.
THREE
In the lot, David’s green eyes and bright smile lit up on the screen of Cara’s mind as she pulled out of her parking spot. She felt a sickening thud against her car’s rear bumper. Yelping, she slammed on the brakes. Her head flew forward, then whipped back.
Her fingernails dug into the vinyl on the steering wheel and a heavy weight sank to the bottom of her stomach. Her heart stopped, then took off at a gallop.
In the rearview mirror, she saw the face of a teenage boy, about her age. She had no idea where he’d come from. Twisting around, she got a better view of the guy through the back window. Sky blue eyes stared back at her.
She thanked God he was standing. Her trembling hand fumbled with the gearshift until she managed to put the car in park. She left the motor running, stepped out, and drew in a strained breath of seaweed-scented air.
Inching over to the stranger, she saw that—by some miracle—he stood straight, apparently unaffected by the impact of her car.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, shaking inside and out. “Should I call 911? Are you hurt?” Her cheeks flamed.
“No, you just tapped me,” he said, his voice deep and melodic. “I’m fine.”
A smile turned up his lips, and his bottomless eyes brightened in the morning sun. She sank into the depths of those eyes and a softness enveloped her, like an invisible hug.
That morning, when the red Jetta had nearly crashed into her, she’d been furious. Yet this guy, whom she’d actually hit, didn’t look or sound mad at all.
“You should be careful and remain alert when you’re driving. Over ninety percent of car accidents are due to operator error,” he said.
Normal people didn’t say things like “remain alert” or “operator error.” And he’d just spouted a statistic. Maybe he was going into shock.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked.
He nodded, but his face remained expressionless.
“Did you want to report this?” she asked, dreading the trouble she could get in, yet knowing it would be the right thing to do.
“No. I thought I’d look into a whale-watching tour.”
She considered warning him about the transients, but she didn’t want to relive the events she’d just been through. Rick could fill him in.
“You live here,” he said.
She wasn’t sure how he’d gathered that just from looking at her, but she nodded.
“I’m new in town. My name’s Garren.”
Odds were slim that she’d meet one new local, let alone two in the
same day. The people she met on whale-watching tours typically came from a steadily streaming pool of tourists who passed through the tiny seaside town.
“I’m Cara. Liberty doesn’t get many new residents. What brings you to the Oregon coast?” She realized she’d been too caught up in her connection with David to ask him the same question.
“My family loves the ocean.”
She waited for him to elaborate, to tell her his dad decided to become a fisherman or something, but he just said, “I’ll be a senior at Seaside High.”
That was a surprise. The way he talked, he seemed older. Or maybe just odder.
“So will I.”
He continued to stare at her. Maybe he was surprised, too. She did look older than her age.
As she examined him more closely, she saw that he was flawless. Loose, sandy-blond curls brushed his jaw line, his nose and cheekbones were magazine-ad worthy, and he had a perfectly proportioned mouth. His build appeared trim, yet firm, outlined by jeans and a white waffle-knit shirt. He stood a few inches taller than her, at least five feet nine.
Cara suddenly realized she was staring at a guy for the second time that day. Yet, despite his perfection, she knew her rapid heartbeat now was only an after effect of having hit him with her car. She searched his eyes again. All she felt was a calm comfort, as if she could float away on their currents.
A boat’s horn blasted in the distance, jolting her back to her senses. She glanced back and forth between the stranger and her idling car. After what she’d done, she was leery of maneuvering a car again.
He walked over and put a hand on her shoulder. She tensed, but then her tight shoulder muscles relaxed and her shakiness subsided. Gently, he guided her back to the open driver’s door. He was being awfully nice, considering she could have killed him.
“The best thing for you to do would be to learn your lesson and get back behind the wheel,” he said.
Not seeing any hint in his face that his weird words were anything less than sincere, she eased into the driver’s seat.
“Take care, Cara.” He smiled and stepped away from the car.
She shut the door and secured her seatbelt. Checking both the rearview and side mirrors, then looking over her shoulder, she slowly backed out of the parking space. With a feeble smile in Garren’s direction, she drove out of the lot and kept her full attention on the road as she made her way home.
FOUR
Cara’s mom must have left work early after she got the message about the overboard incident, because her Outback sat in the driveway. Cara parked on the street, closed her eyes, and leaned against the driver’s seat. If circumstances that day had been different, she could have wrecked, drowned, or killed someone. She had a lot to be thankful for.
Grabbing her backpack and the jug of apple juice concoction Sherry had given her, she sighed and climbed out of the car. As she walked up the path to the front door, she drew comfort from the details of the modified Cape Cod perched on a hill a few blocks from the water, the home she often took for granted. From the inside, many of the house’s large windows showcased ocean views. Sometimes she didn’t need to venture farther than her bedroom to score sneak peeks of her whales.
In the family room, her mom sat in her usual spot on the blue gingham-covered love seat. Spotting Cara in the doorway, she set down the stack of college students’ psychology assignments she’d been grading and hurried over to pull Cara in for a hug.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you, honey. Are you sure you’re all right?” Her mom held her by the shoulders, examining her.
“I’m fine. It probably wouldn’t have been as big of a deal if I’d remembered to fasten my life jacket. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Did something else happen?” her mom asked, releasing her and watching as she absentmindedly sloshed around the contents of the jug.
“Sherry sent this home with me.” Cara gripped the jug’s handle with both hands and made a conscious effort to hold it still. “The guy who helped me in the water is a new local. We’re going to dinner at the Cove this Saturday.”
Her mom looked at her with her characteristic sideways gaze. “You don’t have much dating experience. What do you know about this guy?”
“Not much,” Cara had to admit. She and David had shared an intense experience, but they were still strangers. It might be wise to talk to him on the phone first, or by text or email—to get to know him better before she went out with him—especially since she hadn’t dated in over two years.
“Even if I decide to wait to go out with him, though, it can’t hurt to have something to wear. I’m hoping you’ll take me clothes shopping, to help me pick out an outfit?”
Cara knew her mom would say yes to this. Clothes shopping ranked at the top of Mary Markwell’s list of Most Favorite Activities. Cara liked shopping, too, for books and music and whatnot. But since sophomore year, she usually only picked up the basics for her wardrobe. She just hadn’t cared what anyone thought of how she looked. Until now.
“You actually want to go clothes shopping? Today?” her mom asked.
“If you’re up for it.”
Her mom only hesitated for a second. “You sure you’re up for it?”
“I’m good. Really.”
Her mom sprang up off the love seat. “Then it’s a date.”
* * *
“What style are you going for?” her mom asked, as they left the station wagon behind in the outlet mall’s parking lot.
“Mature and responsible?” was the best Cara could come up with.
“How old is this guy you met?” her mom asked, with a suspicious sideways gaze.
“I’d guess he’s in his early twenties.”
“I’m not sure I like the idea of you dating someone older.”
“Trust me, younger guys aren’t necessarily safer. Besides, David can’t be that much older than me. And I’m sure I’ll meet guys his age in college next year.”
Her mom’s steps fell short. Then she continued walking. “Let’s try feminine, but conservative.”
They walked along a concrete path lining a row of storefronts. Her mom ushered her through a glass door and sifted through items on the store’s racks. She mixed pieces to create outfits with the expertise of a professional shopper.
Cara’s phone buzzed in her purse. She pulled it out to read a text from David:
Watching the water and thinking of you. Hope you’re doing well?
She drew in a heady breath and masked her sigh with a cough. He was thinking of her. Any thoughts of canceling their date that weekend dissipated as she reread his sweet message.
Her mom looked over and her brows furrowed, likely because she couldn’t make sense of Cara’s giddy grin.
Cara slipped the phone back in her purse.
“I knew you just needed to go clothes shopping to fall in love with outfits like these.” Her mom loaded her up with clothing hanging from a tangle of hangers and shut her inside a changing room that felt like an upright coffin.
Cara hung up the clothes and pulled out her phone.
Keep it casual, she thought, as she shot David a response:
I’m out and about. Doing good. Hope you are too?
Facing the full-length mirror, she undressed and stood in her bra and panties. She wondered if David had seen her body this exposed on the boat. God willing, he’d been too busy trying to get warm.
Her skin still looked blotchy from her morning dip in icy ocean water. And the harsh overhead lights spotlighted every freckle and dimple. Still, she had curves in all the right places.
Her phone buzzed again. She grabbed it and read:
Looking forward to seeing you Saturday.
“Do you have one of the outfits on yet?” her mom asked from the other side of the door. “I’m dying to see you.”
“Hang on.” Cara tapped out a quick reply to David:
Me too.
She pressed “send,” satisfied her answer didn’t sound too enth
usiastic. And it was the absolute truth. If someone had told her the day before she’d be this excited about a guy, she would’ve laughed. But as things were, it would be a long three days until she saw David again.
* * *
Early Saturday evening, Rachel burst into Cara’s bedroom, armed with a surplus of makeup and hair supplies to prep Cara for her date. Cara groaned when Rachel dragged her away from the Scrabble game she was winning on her laptop. Scrabble was Cara’s main method of meditation and was currently her only means of keeping her jitters at bay.
Rachel arranged her arsenal on Cara’s desk. “I still can’t believe you didn’t get photo evidence of those beautiful boys you told me about.”
Cara pushed her hair back with a headband. “Don’t worry, you’ll meet David soon enough. And I have no doubt you’ll be impressed with Garren.”
You and every other girl at Seaside.
“It’s been a while since you’ve noticed any guys,” Rachel said, and dotted concealer under Cara’s eyes. “I’m worried your judgment might be off. Two hot new guys in Liberty? That’s hard to believe.”
“Believe it.”
“Guess I’ll have to take your word for it for now,” Rachel said with a smirk. She puffed a light coat of powder over Cara’s face and brushed on blush.
“Thanks for helping make me look pretty,” Cara said.
Rachel snorted. “You’re already pretty.” She smiled down at Cara and placed her hands on her shoulders. “I’m so happy for you.” Her smile drooped. “To be honest, though, I’m also super jealous.”
Cara took Rachel’s hands and held them. “Don’t be.”
Rachel hadn’t been part of the popular clan that had adopted Cara as a freshman. Back then, Cara learned from the “It” girls that, rather than the buxom beauty Cara saw, a lot of guys saw Rachel as a big-boned girl with a big mouth.
But Cara had faith that the right guy would come to appreciate Rachel’s unique appeal. Someone who would take the time to get to know and love her exuberant spirit.
Cara gave Rachel her most encouraging smile. “Your time will come.”
Rachel grabbed a hand mirror and showed Cara how her makeup job was coming along. The blush looked a tad heavy.
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