“You could’ve asked them to stop. They would have, you know.” As far as I could see, those two would do pretty much anything for this young lady here.
“I—I didn’t want to let them down,” Maddie said quietly. “I know it sounds stupid. It’s not like they were going to judge my worth on how hard I tried, but it was something they liked, so I tried to like it, too.”
I nodded as I opened another water bottle and sat down next to her. “I figured as much. Do you always try that hard to be liked?”
She shrugged. “Sometimes that’s what it takes.”
“Yet you had no problem putting the Annas in their place in public—twice.”
Maddie gave a hint of a smile. “But I don’t care if they like me. With Kincade and Jessie, I do.” She hesitated and then looked up at me. “With you, too.”
The fact that I was tacked on to the end of her statement didn’t faze me, because I understood how Maddie had meant it. I wasn’t an afterthought—it was just harder for her to say it to me because I was right here next to her.
Plus, it’s not like we’d ever had all that much conversation and one-on-one time… until now.
“Those guys like you for who you are, not how long you’ll try out something new.”
“I know.” She took another long drink. The poor thing must’ve been parched. Being out in the saltwater can do that to you. “But I guess I’ve always had a sort of fear of rejection. Of having someone who’s my friend suddenly stop being one.”
“Has that happened to you before?”
She nodded. “More than once.”
Her candid confession touched me. “It won’t happen with Jessie and Kincade. Or me.”
Her eyes were on the gravel before us. “You can’t know that for sure.”
“I can, actually. I know those guys like I know myself. I’ve got your back—and so do they, even if they were idiots earlier.”
She glanced up at me. “Well-meaning idiots.”
“Those are the worst kind.”
She gave a faint grin.
“Now, tell me what you want. More water? To go back to the lodge?”
Maddie tilted her head to the side as she thought it over. “More than anything, I want a shower. I feel so gross between the sand and the salt.”
It was a reasonable request. “Let’s get you back, then.” I stood, but when I reached for her hand, she hesitated.
“It’s just so quiet and peaceful here. If it wasn’t for feeling so sticky, I’d want to stay here a while longer.”
“Let’s split the difference, then. Ten minutes relaxing here and then we head back.”
“Sounds good.” Her eyes focused on the hand I still held out. “I thought you said we were staying.”
“We are. But there are better places to relax than sitting on a log with your bare feet on a pile of rocks and shells.”
She took my hand and I lifted her to her feet—and then off them. No way was I letting her walk over the gravel without shoes on.
I carried her to the edge of the still water.
“I don’t want to swim,” she said as I waded into it. “I’m really tired.”
“I know that.” I smiled down at her as I carried her in deeper. It felt a little like I was about to baptize her or something, but I thought I knew something that would relax her and make her feel cleaner.
The water was up to my waist, and I knew her legs were getting wet. I bent my knees, lowering both of us into the water. Maddie started to put her feet down, but I supported her under her back, as if she was a child. “Just lay back. I’ve got you.”
Maddie’s eyes were full of trust when she nodded at me. I wasn’t sure how exactly I’d earned it, but it was nice to see.
Moving carefully, I encouraged her to let herself float, her legs stretched out. She dipped her head back and her hair swirled around her head. “You’re doing great,” I told her. “I’ve got you—just relax.”
She nodded almost imperceptibly, and again, I was moved by her trust. Slowly, I shifted around so that I was behind her head, supporting only her shoulders. It was strange to look at her upside-down face. Tension drained out of her forehead and the muscles around her mouth relaxed as she closed her eyes.
Gently, I guided her through the water, making sure she was well-supported. The water felt good to me, too. I loved the surf, but this calm little inlet had its own charms.
As did Maddie.
Ten minutes passed, and then fifteen. I was convinced she was asleep when she spoke softly. “Brock?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for bringing me out here.” Her voice was so soft. So feminine. “It’s beautiful and peaceful. It’s just what I needed.”
“I’m glad.” Giving into temptation, I leaned down and pressed my lips briefly against her forehead. “Are you ready to go back?”