Page 19 of From the Ashes

I can’t help but morn that a little.

But today isn’t about me. I’m quickly reminded of that as we head to the spot where Anton said they’d settled, and our gaggle is met by the squeals of three excitable children. “They’re here! They’re here!” Rebecca cries, waving her arms as if she’s directing a plane to come in for landing.

“Hi, Becca Bean!” Yara yells back, waving back with just as much enthusiasm.

Rebecca, Nevaeh and Dashel all come running over to us, but the dogs meet them first, barking and jumping around with frantically wagging tails. The mood is jovial as we start laying blankets, erecting beach umbrellas for shade, and cracking open drinks and food. Anton is already set up with his daughter, and he’s joined by his best friend—also our colleague—Sawyer Nelson, as well as his ex-wife and her new husband.

Meagan had been engrossed in conversation with Elizabeth, Nevaeh’s mom, but she jumps up to hug us all as we set up around her. I adore that she’s been Anton’s number one fan since he had the courage to come out despite his family’s objections. Their divorce was swift and friendly, and Anton was even one of her bridesmen when she got married to Brent recently.

Rebecca’s stepdad is eager to help everyone pitch their beach umbrellas so there’s good shade coverage for those that want it. Lili stubbornly spreads her towel on the burning sand and flopsdown on it in her skimpy bikini like a starfish, informing all of us we can only disturb her if it’s time to turn over and cook her back. Yara is already passing around homemade sandwiches. Teddy hands out water while Sawyer hands out beer, and the kids frolic with the dogs at the edge of the surf.

It’s a pretty picturesque scene.

“How’s Nevaeh feeling?” I ask Elizabeth as I pluck a couple of grapes from a bunch to eat.

She nods and sighs happily. “I think today was exactly what she needed. I’ve also signed her up to some advanced swimming lessons. But just being here and seeing life going on as usual for all these other people has given her confidence. We had a nice talk with one of the lifeguards not on duty when we arrived as well, but honestly, having all you guys show up has made her feel like a celebrity.”

“I think she can be an honorary member of the One-Thirteen now,” Sawyer chimes in, raising his bottle in a toast. Several other people join him, and Elizabeth beams with pride.

We’re probably there for around half an hour when the parents call the kids back to us for a re-application of sunscreen, much to the little ones’ annoyance. I chuckle as they grumble and moan while they get coated in cream, especially Rebecca as she’s much lighter than the other two. But the process is interrupted when Nevaeh squeals and starts pointing and jumping up and down.

“Look, Mom! Mr. Colt came too! Just like he said he would!”

Despite the heat of the day, my blood runs cold. I whip my head around and see that, yes, Colton Ross is several feet away from us, apparently ready to join the picnic from the looks of the large cooler and beach blanket in his hands. He’s wearing a light-blue, short-sleeved, untucked shirt with the top buttons undone over knee-length khaki shorts. His sandals probably cost over three hundred dollars, and I imagine aren’t ever meant to getwet, and his fancy watch catches the afternoon sunlight like it’s sending out Morse code.

Everything about his outfit screams that he’s too good to hang out with the likes of us. However, he’s currently frozen in place like a deer in headlights. His eyes are covered by sunglasses, but he definitely seems to be staring at us all in mild horror. His hesitation throws me.

I glance at Yara, but she looks equally dumbfounded and shakes her head vehemently at me. Okay, so she clearly didn’t set me up in anyway. I guess he messaged Elizabeth Adams back after I gave him her number and he’s here to be a part of Nevaeh’s recovery as well?

Which means I can’t chew him out. Because that’s a really nice thing to do. But my heart is racing, and I send a silent curse out into the universe. Seriously? It’s only been a couple of weeks. Do our paths really have to keep crossing like this?

“Hey!” Elizabeth cries before I can look at anyone else. I feel like everyone must be staring at me, but realistically, nobody should know anything’s amiss other than Yara, and even she doesn’t know the full picture. My eyes are locked on Colt, so I can’t tell. “You made it!” Elizabeth continues as she waves him over. “Come join the party.”

It’s like Colt unfreezes as he laughs and takes a stilted step forward. “Uh, yeah. It’s quite the gathering. I’m not intruding, am I?”

“Not at all,” Elizabeth says, getting to her feet and brushing sand off her palms before moving to hug him. Then she keeps an arm around his back as she makes introductions. “Everyone, this is Colton Ross, the hero who pulled Nevaeh from the water when she got into trouble.”

“Oh, wow, nice to meet you, man,” Anton says sincerely as he shakes Colt’s hand. “You’re definitely welcome here.”

Elizabeth nods. “Colt, this is most of the first watch from the One-Thirteen firehouse, including Nevaeh’s best friend and the rest of her family. And of course, you know Zahir.”

Noweverybody’s heads swivel my way. I try and remain cool, but it’s difficult not to curl my toes against the sand in discomfort. “Um, yes. Hello again.”

“You know Del?” Lili pipes up, clearly curious. I’d pray for them all to stop talking, but I know it’s never going to happen with this band of troublemakers.

I see Colt falter for a second, but only because I still apparently know him so well. I’m sure to anyone else, his perfect lawyer façade seems natural. “We went to school together,” he says cheerfully.

“Did you also go to school with Lochlan?” Teddy yelps, his eyes going wide. “With Cassius Garda?”

A couple of people laugh, and Lili gives him a playful shove. “Give it a rest, Probie.”

“Naw, Del went to the fancy San Clemente Academy,” Lochlan says, winking at me. “Us lug nuts went to the regular high school.”

“Colton and I lost touch,” I say to give some explanation to the inquisitive faces around me. But it’s as if my gaze is tethered to Colt’s, and all other sights and sounds feel like they’re coming from underwater.

Yet again, I’m forced to reconcile the image I’ve held for so long of this man with the evidence in front of me. He clearly didn’t know we were all going to be here and is feeling awkward about the position he’s put me in. Which means he cares.

About me.

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