Excerpt One from Reluctant Housemates by Linda Barrett
“I don’t think the lifeguards are still on duty,” her dad had said as Rachel left the house.
“Not to worry. It’s a hot August night. I’ll find someone to keep an eye out when I swim.” She gave him a quick kiss.
“Just be careful.”
Dusk had fallen a while ago, and the beach was not very crowded. It had been a long time, however, since she’d walked along the shore, and she was enjoying everything about it--the scent of the salt air, the whoosh of the waves as they ebbed and flowed in their steady rhythm. She also enjoyed stretching her legs and using her muscles walking against the sand. Very different from hard cement sidewalks. Too bad there were no oceans in Kansas!
She’d kept a good pace for two miles, almost half the length of the entire beach, and felt warm despite the evening breeze blowing off the ocean. The moon was rising now, illuminating her way in the growing darkness. A perfect time to hit the water. Rachel scanned the area for someone who had a few minutes to spare while she swam. Her best hope was the party of teenage boys who were horsing around near the shore line. At least she wouldn’t be taking them out of their way.
She jogged toward the group, vocalizing her request as she approached.
“For Pete’s sake, Aunt Rachel, you don’t need a lifeguard. You could be a lifeguard!”
“David! Is that you? Let’s see what a year’s done to you, kiddo!”
Her nephew embraced her, and she had to lift her eyes to his. “Seems like the Goodman genes haven’t skipped a generation….
She turned to his friends. “Hi, guys.”
They chorused a greeting. Rachel looked at the array, recognizing the incarnations of small boys she used to see playing with David. She shook her head. “This is what happens when I turn my back,” she complained. “You all grow up!”
She dropped her towel and pulled off her shorts. “Can you hang out for a few minutes? I won’t be long.” Without waiting for a response, she ran into the water, giant-stepping through the shallows until she could strike out toward Europe.
She did freestyle strokes for a while, totally at home in the ocean, enjoying the water caressing her skin. Enjoying the exertion of energy. When she was beyond the breakers, a fair distance from shore, she flipped to her back and began swimming parallel to it. The backstroke was her second best stroke. She could keep it up for hours if she floated at regular intervals and rested.
“Sweetheart, I know you’re having fun, but it’s time to get yourself back to land.”
Surprise almost made her go under before she turned herself around and treaded water. A few feet away, a man faced her, quietly keeping himself upright, too. She couldn’t see much in the shadowy moonlight, just a lot of hair plastered to his head. Where had he come from? And how had he managed to approach without a sound?
The ocean was an equalizer and she was better than most. She took definite exception to being ordered around. Narrowing her eyes, she said, “And you are....?
“The guy your nephew sent over to haul you in if you resist going to shore under your own steam.”
She couldn’t quite make out his expression, but his voice was rock-steady, and she knew he was serious. Of course, he could be a serious lunatic. Or... “What does my nephew have to do with this? Where is he?”
“The kids had their own plans. They asked me to babysit. So, please get your sweet tush in gear. I’ve got other things to do.”
She turned away from him, still yearning for a long swim, her body hungry to cut through the expanse of water around her. “Don’t even think about it.” He purred like a tiger.
Suddenly, the ocean-as-equalizer theory dissipated. She reversed position again and stared at him. From the light glistening off his shoulders, he was at least twice her size across. Broad chest and big arms, he easily treaded water. Was probably a good swimmer. And stronger than she was. No point in arguing even if she would have liked to remain. “Shoot!” she murmured in frustration.
Was that a chuckle she heard? She glanced toward the man, but couldn’t make out his expression. Turning toward shore, she began a leisurely crawl.
“At this rate, we’ll be here all night,” said her new partner. “You can do better than that.”
“Well, Aquaman, I’m not in any hurry. But don’t let that stop you from surging ahead.”
He said nothing, just paced himself to match her stroke, and her hypothesis was confirmed. He had good form. Her curiosity was aroused, but when she eventually touched bottom, she resisted the urge to chat. Instead, she walked toward the beach without giving him a single glance. She pushed her hair back and scanned the area for her towel.
“To the left,” came the deep voice, more relaxed now.
That voice could still belong to a lunatic. She reached for her towel and started drying off. Her escort stood a few feet away, quietly watching. When she put her shorts back on, Rachel studied him--all of him--for the first time. She looked up. And up. Interesting.
“Good-night,” she said, turning to leave.
“You’re welcome,” he replied, his pointed tone carrying a message.
She made a half turn and counted to three under her breath. “You’ve been a good Boy Scout, and I’ll commend you to the community. But I don’t recall asking for assistance.”
His silhouette blocked the moonlight and once again, she couldn’t make out his features. All she knew was that his full attention was focused on her. But he didn’t reply.
Instead, he shook the water from his arms and tried to dry himself off with his hands. Obviously, the man hadn’t expected to take a dip this time of night. Rachel threw her towel to him.
“Thanks,” he said.
She nodded.
As he used the cloth, Rachel took the opportunity to study his muscled arms and legs. Her second assessment of him in the water had been correct. The man had a swimmer’s build--a definite natural for the butterfly stroke.
He returned the towel and said, “Next time, don’t swim alone.” He turned on his heel, muttering something about women, water and trouble.
The man was leaving without getting what he’d deserved, and somehow, Rachel took no satisfaction in it. “Thank you,” she called.
He pivoted back to her. “You’re entirely welcome.”
She couldn’t see his smile, but it came through in his tone.
“Maybe I’ll see you around,” he added.
She shook her head. “Sorry. I’m only here for a few days visiting family.”
“Well, have a nice time, and have a nice life. Stay safe.” He headed for the opposite end of the beach without looking back.
She stared at his retreating figure. He seemed happy to be rid of her…. She shrugged. Just as well. Her own life was complicated enough right now.
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