Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
“Glad to hear it.” I don’t tell her we stayed all night, but given her sixth sense or whatever, she’s probably figured it out.
Beth brings out her creation, which reminds me of a charm bracelet with the crystals dangling in a row. “This is great. She’ll love it. Thank you.”
She pats my hand. “Of course.”
Once she rings me up, we stand there awkwardly. “Well, I guess this is goodbye.” I consider asking her whether she’ll be attending the barbecue, but it’s just as well to say farewell now.
She winks. “Uh-huh. Doubtful it’s the last time we cross paths.”
“What does she mean?” Rocco asks, curiosity in his voice.
“Beth is intuitive, which means she reads energy.”
She waves me off. “I’m not always spot-on.”
“So that’s why you said you’ll see Aaron again?”
“Just a feeling.” She grips her chest. I can see how cautious she’s being, and I feel bad for her. “But it’s a strong one.”
Rocco raises an eyebrow. “Does your intuition have to do with a certain service station owner?”
“That’s enough,” I say because I’m going to wring his neck. No way I want them lobbing predictions back and forth about my private life. “Thanks again.”
I urge him toward the exit. She walks us out the door, then stares strangely toward the ocean as if in a trance. “Beth?”
When I hear a familiar melody, I turn to see Mr. Goodson parked on the same bench, playing the ukelele for his wife, and I’m filled with melancholy.
I try to shake the feeling just as Beth says, “Don’t mind me. Got lost in thought.”
“No worries.” I lead Rocco in the opposite direction.
When we’re far enough away, Rocco looks back at Beth and chuckles. “A bunch of BS, right?”
I shrug, feeling protective of Beth—or possibly the very fabric of this town. “Maybe, maybe not.”
We pass the man selling good-luck charms from his cart.
“Protect yourself,” he calls out, and I wave him off. The fact that he plants himself near Spellbound irks me. No wonder Beth feels so defensive.
“From what?” Rocco asks.
“Some say this town is cursed.”
He winces. “Okay, maybe we dodged a bullet.”
I bark out a laugh just as I spot Jack’s truck pulling up to the diner. He meets June in the middle of the sidewalk, and their worried faces make alarm bells go off in my head.
My legs start moving toward them. “Is everything okay?”
Jack looks taken aback by my presence. “Have you seen Cain in town?”
I shake my head. “Only earlier, with you.”
“His board was found on the beach, along with his other things,” he says with a frown. “His surf buddies got worried, so they sought my help at the service station.”
“I saw him this morning when I went to check on the turtles,” Beth says suddenly from beside me. “It was a distance away, but I know that board.”
“What time was that?” June blurts out.
“Just after dawn.”
She must’ve just missed us leaving.
June’s expression shifts to distress, and Beth grips her hand. “Don’t worry, it won’t be like last time.”
Jack rounds on her. “Haven’t you done enough?”
“Jack!” June snaps. “Let’s just go.”
She slips into the passenger seat of his truck with anguish written all over her face, and not a moment later, Jack is pulling away from the curb.
“Someone fill me in,” Rocco says, and I startle, having forgotten he was there. All I can think about is how worried they must be.
“Cain is June’s son and a surfer. Remember I told you we last saw him with his board this morning?”
“Come on.” Beth tugs on my arm. “I’ll drive us down in my car.”
I only hesitate momentarily, and then we’re all inside the sedan, and she takes off. Rocco is looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.
I lean over and whisper, “I told you, people in this town look after each other.”
It’s not lost on me that I’m not part of this town, which is likely the reason Rocco is struggling to understand why I’m going along.
A crowd of mostly surfers has formed on the beach not far from where we watched the turtles hatch. Cain’s board is near the foamy surf and looks like it washed up on the shore. A towel with his shirt, wallet, and phone is nearby. June and Johnny are speaking in hushed whispers to Cain’s surfer buddies, and Jack gives me a grim look as we approach.
Shit, was this what it was like for them that fateful day?
“He’ll be okay,” Beth says in this ominous voice, not addressing anyone in particular. “It won’t be like last time.”
I squeeze her shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts. “I’m sure you’re right, but maybe you should hang back this time? It’s awesome that you’re here to offer them support. You’re a good person.”
She opens her mouth as if to protest, then nods.
“Rocco will keep you company.”