Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Thankfully, no one but Betsy seemed to notice anything, because Damien was still the center of attention. Which made sense, considering he’d just returned from a European tour.
“How does it feel coming back to earth with the rest of us mere mortals after being cheered on by thousands of fans night after after night?” Erin teased. “All of whom are holding up signs saying how much they love you.”
“You know me. I love touring, but I’m always happy to be home,” Damien replied. “I’m desperate to get in some surfing while I’m here. I’ve missed Carmel. Of all the places I’ve been, there’s no other place like it.”
Mila piped up again. “You should come to my weekend beginner classes for a refresher.”
Damien laughed. “It hasn’t been that long since I caught a wave, sis.” He took a sip of coffee. “Besides, I couldn’t imagine anything worse than you as my teacher. You’re so impatient.”
Mila leaned across her mother to pinch Damien on the arm.
“Ow!” he said, but with a small smile. “See? You’re still a bully! Just like when we were kids.”
“I’ll have you know that my students rave about me,” Mila informed him. “I’m an excellent teacher. Everyone thinks so.”
“Come on, you two,” Howie interrupted, shaking his head. “Play nice. Tessa already knows we’re a stubborn bunch—she doesn’t need any more insight into just how competitive we are.”
But Tessa wasn’t surprised. The Davenport siblings were all so successful in their individual ways—of course they were competitive. It was par for the course of wanting to do better. She was about to say so when Finn cleared his throat.
“Hey, why don’t we all head to the beach tomorrow morning? A little sibling surf session. And we can keep an eye on Damien,” he joked. “Make sure he doesn’t drown.”
The family broke into happy chatter, each of them talking about how long it had been since they’d all surfed together.
Arch grimaced. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” He pointed down at his leg with its walking boot.
Erin put her hand on Arch’s arm. “Don’t worry, you can still come and watch us crush it on the waves. You could even score us.”
Arch rolled his eyes. “How kind of you.”
Tessa laughed and told him, “You’ll be out on the waves again before you know it. And a morning by the ocean inhaling the salt air will do you a world of good. You’ve been cooped up indoors for too long.”
“See? Doctor’s orders,” Erin said. “You have to come now. We’ll buy you breakfast after.”
Howie let out a deep chuckle. “I love how you kids are already planning tomorrow’s breakfast while you’re eating today’s.”
The siblings laughed, and Tessa joined in.
“I hope you can come too, Tessa,” Erin added. “Do you surf?”
Tessa was filled with gratitude—it was so nice the way Arch’s sisters included her, as though she was part of the family. “I’d love to come,” she said, “but I have to admit I don’t know how to surf.”
Mila almost choked on her slice of bacon. “What?” she spluttered. “That’s a tragedy. I’m going to give you a one-on-one lesson. Watching you walk, and by the way you hold your body, I can tell that you’re a natural athlete. I could teach you to surf in no time.”
Tessa didn’t know what to say, but Arch did. “I’ll teach her, Mila. When I’m mobile. But I’ll do my best to convince her to come with me to score you guys on the waves tomorrow morning.”
His voice was gentle but firm. And rather than protesting, as Tessa thought she might, Mila simply nodded.
Clearly, something unspoken had just passed between brother and sister.
Breakfast went by quickly as the family caught one another up on news, and before she knew it, Tessa had cleared her enormous plate of food and Arch had volunteered for the dishes.
“Let me give you a hand,” Damien said.
Mila busied herself collecting plates. And then the three of them disappeared into the kitchen.
Betsy suggested the rest of them move into the living room to finish coffee, and Tessa followed. The room looked even larger than she remembered from Howie’s party. The cream sofas were plush and comfy, and she sank happily into a seat, belly full, feeling the warmth of family love all around her.
* * *
Arch began the mammoth task of rinsing all the breakfast dishes, then handing them one by one to Damien so he could stack them in the dishwasher. Mila took out her phone and began tapping away.
“How full are your plans for the week, sis?”
“My week’s looking pretty relaxed, apart from a few surf lessons here and there and continuing to look for a house for Jay.”
Perfect, he thought. “In that case, how does an afternoon of shopping sound? On my credit card.”
Mila’s head snapped up, and Arch grinned. It was so easy to get his sister’s attention when he wanted it. “I have an awards ceremony coming up, and Smith and I have been asked to present. I have to travel, and since I’m still not all that steady on my feet, I’ve asked Tessa to come and make sure I don’t make a fool of myself falling on the red carpet. I’d like to get her a dress and shoes for the event.”