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Wickedly Wonderful(51)

By:Deborah Blake


Beka’s stomach did acrobatic flips at the thought. Or maybe it was the notion of spending the afternoon on the sand watching Marcus and Tito’s mother, who was undoubtedly lovely and unmagical and completely Human.

“Uh, no, that’s okay,” she said. “You guys go ahead. I don’t want to horn in on your day out.”

Her treacherous dragon-dog butted her in the back of the knees with his huge head, almost sending her flying down the step. Marcus reached out one large hand to steady her, laughter chasing away the shadows that had been lurking in his hazel eyes.

“It looks like Chewie thinks you should come with us,” he said, lips twitching. “And even I know better than to argue with Chewie.”

Tito’s face was a study in amazement as he looked at Beka’s companion. “What the heck kind of dog is that? He’s humongous!”

“He’s a Newfoundland,” Marcus said, at the same time Beka said, “That’s because he’s part dragon.” They all laughed.

“Can he come to the beach with us?” Tito asked, a little wistful. “My mom and me can’t have a dog in our apartment, but I really like them.”

Beka patted Chewie regretfully on the head. “Sorry, dude, but someone has to stay here and guard the bus from marauding pirates. Besides, he’s really too big to take out when there are innocent bystanders. Believe it or not, some people find him kind of intimidating.”

Chewie woofed in indignation, sounding like a train in a long, winding tunnel.

“Maybe next time,” Marcus said gravely to Chewie. “This time, we’ll just borrow Beka, if that’s all right with you?”

Chewie woofed again, and gave Beka another not-very-subtle shove. She glared at him, to no noticeable effect.

“I guess I’m going,” she said, trying to act as though that wasn’t exactly what she wanted. “Let me go grab that board for you.” She hadn’t been able to give Tito the treasure he wanted the day they’d been out on the boat, but at least she could give him this.

“Whoo hoo!” Tito shouted.

Marcus grinned at her. “Ooh-rah.”

Beka rolled her eyes. It was going to be a long day.


* * *

DOWN ON THE beach, Tito’s mother Candace was just as lovely as Beka had imagined, despite the dark circles under her brown eyes and the lines of strain that worry had etched around her generous mouth. But her enthusiasm when she greeted Beka seemed quite genuine, and her gratitude made her hard to dislike.

“It’s very kind of you to let Tito use your surfboard,” Candace said in a soft voice that was almost lost behind the raucous sounds of the beach at midday.

Beka was so used to the quieter morning setting, when the only people out and about were serious surfers, people walking their dogs, and a few folks practicing Tai Chi on the hard-packed sand, the noise and commotion of the afternoon crowd caught her by surprise. Children raced up and down the beach, shrieking and laughing, and groups of women clustered under umbrellas chatted as they compared recipes or talked about the latest books on their Kindles. Gulls swooped overhead, competing for the abundant treats left behind by careless snackers, almost louder than the gathered Humans below. The smell of sunscreen overwhelmed the more delicate briny air of the sea. It was like being in a different universe.

Beka didn’t much like it. But she wasn’t here for herself, so it didn’t really matter.

She and Candace sat on a striped beach blanket, watching Marcus show Tito the basics of how to catch a wave and balance on a board. The guys were still practicing on the damp area toward the edge of the water; the ocean itself would wait until Tito had gotten the hang of things, and even then they would stay in the shallow bit for today. Tito looked to be having a grand time anyway.

“I suppose you think I’m crazy for letting a kid who is in the middle of chemotherapy try to learn how to surf,” Candace said. Her shoulders were hunched and she gazed anxiously at her son as he toppled over again, giggling madly.

Beka shook her head. “Are you kidding? Look how much fun he is having. I’d think you were crazy if you didn’t let him come down here today.” She took a deep breath, breathing in a moist and salty lungful. “Besides, I can’t think of anyplace more healing to be than here.”

Candace gave her a grateful smile, relaxing a little. “It sure beats hospitals,” she said, gazing at Tito sadly. “Do you have any kids, Beka?”

“No,” Beka said, watching the children racing around on the beach. As always, the sight made her heart clench at the thought of never having one of her own.

“Ah,” Candace said. “I hadn’t planned to have any, myself. Tito was a ‘whoops.’ His father never even bothered to meet him. And sometimes it has been tough, doing things on my own. But I wouldn’t trade him for anything.” Tears shimmered in her eyes, refusing to fall. “Marcus has been just great, ever since he met Tito and me in the waiting room at the chemo center. He’s a real sweetheart. You’re lucky to have him.”