Tanner is smiling too. “Hey, you still got time for me today?”
“Are you kidding? I’ve been waiting all weekend.” I don’t mean to sound so eager, but I can’t help it.
He comes inside to say hi to everyone and then asks if I want to go for a walk on the beach.
As we’re heading for the back door, we pass by Bree, who I can tell is totally jealous, which is a little troubling, because she’s too young for him anyway. Why can’t she just let me enjoy this for right now without sticking her nose in it? She’ll have her turn. But me? This could be my only chance to have a genuine relationship with a really cute guy!
As we walk, Tanner shares more fun facts about Cannon Beach. I always knew, for instance, that the giant rock out there is called Haystack Rock. What I didn’t know is that the smaller, pointy rocks near its southern edge are called The Needles…as in, needles in the haystack.
At one point Tanner wants to jog in the wet sand. I know I shouldn’t…but I do it anyway.
Oh my gosh, I’m so out of shape! As we’re jogging, I feel a sharp prick in my chest after about thirty seconds, so I tell him I just want to walk. I’m pretty sure he sees me flinch, because he asks if everything is OK. I lie and say I’m fine.
At least now I know what my limits are: Spending time with Tanner? Good. Jogging? Bad.
Tanner comes over again on Tuesday, but this time it’s kind of drizzly, so we stay inside and play games. Mom likes that a lot more, because she can keep an eye on us. Cade likes having Tanner there too, but Bree still seems jealous.
Oh my gosh…! Does she think he’s going to fall madly in love with her? Who knows what goes on in that girl’s mind sometimes.
On Wednesday, Tanner wants to go for a bike ride, but I tell him I’m not a big fan of bikes. I happen to love riding bikes, but it’s the only thing I can think of to get out of it. It’s a worthy lie, though, because instead of biking he takes me horseback riding on the beach!
Mom says it’s too risky for me, but when am I going to have another chance? Besides, it’s not like I have to do anything but sit in the saddle and steer.
The best part is when Tanner helps me climb on the horse. Even if it is brief, his hands are on my waist to lift me, sending butterflies through my stomach. The good kind of butterflies, not the ones that bite.
The next day when Tanner comes over, I’m in the mood for another walk on the beach.
“Fine,” says Mom, “but just to warn you, I might send Cade and Bree to spy on you, so be good.”
Sure enough, I catch the two of them sneaking along about fifty yards back. Tanner sees them too. “Too bad they’re there,” he says coolly.
“Why?”
“I dunno…I just thought…maybe if you wanted, we could hold hands. But they’d probably tell your mom.”
“They would definitely tell her,” I reply, feeling my cheeks getting hot. I quickly glance over my shoulder once more. Bree is watching us like a hawk. Perfect. I swallow hard, then tell him, “But I don’t care what they say.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Another rush of butterflies swarm as he takes my hand in his!
When I check over my shoulder, Cade is pointing at us. Bree, however, looks mad. She turns at once and stomps away.
When we get back to the house, Mom is standing on the deck with her hands on her hips. I figure Tanner might try to let go of my hand when we see her there, but he keeps on holding.
The first thing Mom says is, “Uh-oh…this looks like trouble.” I’m expecting her to be mad, but she seems more conflicted than anything. It’s like she’s happy for me and yet incredibly worried for my well-being. The second thing she says is, “Maybe Tanner should come over for dinner on Sunday and see what your father says about this.”
Dad is supposed to arrive sometime in the next hour, so after Tanner leaves, we all start preparing for his arrival. We haven’t heard from him all week, and Mom seems a little on edge.
Is that what love does over time? Twenty years ago, did my mom feel butterflies when my dad held her hand? Did they laugh and talk like they’d known each other forever, even though they’d only just met? Then what happened? They kissed, got married, had kids, and suddenly forgot that they loved each other? Forgot how it felt when it first started?
I don’t ever want that. If I live long enough to get married, I’ll love that person fiercely, every single day. It may be someone else’s heart that I have to use, but I’ll love him with the whole of it…
Chapter 25