Page 153 of Tides That Bind

I place my hands on my hips, still breathing heavily and turn to Riley. “You did it,” he tells me.

Holding out a hand for a high-five, I correct him again. “We did it.”

Our hands slap together, Riley’s large palm overtaking mine as our fingers lace and then we both burst into excited laughter and I gasp when he pulls me to him, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around. We won nothing today. No prize, no reward. But when Riley stops spinning me and I look at TheShack, seeing Lucas’s little head bopping around the front through the open doors, I know, there wasn’t anything to win.

We already have it all.

“I’d kiss you now, but—”

I don’t wait for the right moment when it’s just the two of us. I kiss Riley. Long and firm, no hesitation and with total sincerity.

“You should teach him,” I say when I pull back.

A swell of emotion brews in Riley’s light eyes that he drops to the ground, unable to look at me even as I step back into the space between his feet.

“I know Nate would’ve wanted you to be the one he has this experience with.”

“You said this meant a lot to you.”

“I said that when I really thought I was the only person in Lucas's immediate life looking out for him. I didn’t see how much you have been his entire life, how much you mean to him until Nate died. And…” I look out at the water, taking a deep breath. “I’m sad Lucas lost out on so much with his dad. But I’m so happy he has you.”

When I turn back, Riley is smiling with tears in his eyes.

“Precious cargo though,” I add with a laugh. “Be careful with our boy, Riley.”

We share one more look before Lucas is running toward us, dragging his board and stealing our attention.

Stepping back, I ask Lucas, “Are you okay with Riley teaching you? I’ll watch the whole time.”

Lucas nods enthusiastically and moves toward Riley, who takes the board, laying it in the sand.

I back up as Caroline and Finn approach. She hands me a towel, and Finn walks over to Lucas and Riley, dragging another board, something shorter and more manageable for a one man show.

“I’m sorry,” I say to Caroline before I wipe my damp face and arms. “I know you know and I hate that neither of us actually told you. But you did marry his best friend.”

She sighs and sits down. “I’m notmad,” Caroline tells me. “I get why you didn’t, or don’t want people to know.”

I join her in the sand, burying my own feet. “A lot of people might not understand. But I guess, the important people do.” I look to her.

“You know you’re basically my sister anyway.” Caroline nudges me with her shoulder. “And if it’s you and Lucas who got Riley believing he could do something other than this…that’s not for nothing. Not at all.”

We both look at the boys. All three of them.

“We’ll go foroneride,” Riley tells Lucas, holding out a single finger for emphasis. “And then we’re starting from the bottom. Form. Technique. All of it. Welcome to surf school.”

Riley takes Lucas's hand, leading him toward the water. I expect him to hold the board steady beyond the break so Lucas can climb on, but instead, Riley lifts him onto his back.

“Go get ’em, Lucas!” Finn hollers before coming up and sitting next to Caroline before telling me, “He’ll be alright, Harper.”

The waves aren’t big, but have grown choppier since we came out of the water. But I’m filled with a sense of ease regardless.

“I know.”

Riley paddles out further from shore with Lucas in tow on his back. I stand to get a better view, watching Riley’s long arms turn the board so they face us. Over Riley’s shoulder is Lucas's little face and I make out the streak of nervous excitement that comes out off his smile even from far away because I know that exact kind of anticipation. It’s the look of knowing your breath is about to be stolen in the best way possible.

I just felt it, after all. I thought maybe there was no better feeling in the world than that moment. But no. Being a mother and watching your kid live through it? That’s the best feeling.

Riley begins to paddle, and I’m amazed watching the easeand grace he manages to have while popping up with an extra sixty pounds clinging to him.

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