Page 45 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
Carly’s brows shot up as she realized the implications of Daphne’s words. “Daphne, are you in trouble?”
“Carly, we both are!” Daphne’s voice lowered and was filled with fear. “I’m so sorry for whatever heartache and stress I’ve caused you over the years.” Her eyes darted around the room nervously, looking out over the beach before turning to Carly. “I know the truth now—all of it!” Her voice was barely a whisper. “You need to be careful. I fear you and Ethan are in danger.”
“Daphne, what’s going on?” Carly’s heart beat faster as she picked up on Daphne’s genuine fear and concern for her. “Why are we in danger?” Her brow creased. “Who do we have to …”
Carly’s words were cut off when a siren screeched through the Beach Hut as shouts came from the shore. She turned to see what had happened, and a new fear gripped her heart. It was the alarm for an injured surfer. Without thinking, she stood, shoving her chair back as her eyes scanned the beach, looking for Reef.
All thoughts of Daphne’s conversation evaporated as she searched for her son. Carly turned and joined two surf lifesavers rushing to the water’s edge, where a crowd had gathered around a surfer lying still on the sand. Carly’s heart hammered against her ribs as she pushed through the onlookers, her eyes desperately seeking Reef. Panic clawed at her insides as she spotted a familiar surfboard abandoned by the water’s edge.
“Reef!” Carly’s voice wavered, barely louder than a whisper, lost in the chaos around her. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear and dread when she saw another two lifeguards huddled around someone on the sand.
As she pushed through, Carly’s heart leaped to her throat when she finally caught sight of Reef’s tousled sandy hair amongst the rescuers. Relief flooded through her, and tears stung her eyes as she rushed to his side, pulling him to her.
“Mom!” Reef’s eyes were wide with shock. “I just saved a man.”
“And you?” Carly’s eyes scanned him. “Are you hurt?” Her voice trembled, her hands checking him frantically for any signs of injury.
Reef shook his head, still processing the adrenaline rush of his heroic act. “I’m fine, Mom. It was crazy. The man got caught in a riptide. I managed to get him back to shore before things got worse.”
Carly’s heart swelled with pride and relief, her son’s courage shining brightly in that chaotic moment. She hugged Reef tightly, grateful beyond words for his safety.
As they stood together, the crowd parting to give them space, Carly glanced around and saw Daphne standing within the crowd. There was genuine concern, mingled with regret and a hint of something else Carly couldn’t quite place reflected in her eyes.
“Reef, can you give us a hand?” The one lifeguard distracted Carly, who had to reluctantly let Reef out of her arms.
Reef stepped up to help get the man on the stretcher, and as they started carrying him back to the Beach Hut, the small ambulance arrived. As the crowd dispersed, Carly looked around to find Daphne, but she was gone.
Carly walked back to the Beach Hut and, once inside, went to the table she’d abandoned in her haste to get to the beach. She sat down, waiting for Reef to join her after he’d finished ordering his food.
Sunny, one of the waitrons, walked over to her carrying Carly’s purse, sunglasses, and hat.
“Your friend asked me to keep these safe for you while you went to find Reef, Miss Donovan,” Sunny said with a warm smile.
“Thank you, Sunny,” Carly said to the teenager, who was also one of Reef’s school friends. “Have you seen the woman who was at the table with me earlier?”
“She had to leave,” Sunny told Carly. “Can I get you another coffee?”
“No, thank you, Sunny.” Carly smiled.
As Sunny left, Reef wandered over to the table with a large glass of apple juice.
“How are you feeling?” Carly asked him as he sat in front of her.
“Fine.” Reef drank some of the juice, shaking his head in disbelief. “We tried to warn the dude, but he wouldn’t listen. The man was trying to show off, I think.”
“Thank goodness you were there,” Carly said. “I hope he’s going to be okay?”
“Danny came with the ambulance. She said he was going to be okay because I acted quickly.” Reef shook his head.
“What did you order for breakfast?” Carly changed the subject, still shaken with fright, having thought it had been Reef.
“Pancakes and a fruit bowl with granola and yogurt,” Reef told her with a grin. “All that rescuing made me hungry.”
They sat in silence when Sunny brought Reef’s fruity granola and yogurt bowl. “There you go, hero.” She folded the tray she’d brought the food on beneath her arm. “What was the dude thinking?”
“He was asking all sorts of questions about the locals on Plum Island,” Reef told them. “He asked about Riptide and where he liked to surf. Pinky, the idiot had to tell the dude.”
“Pinky never thinks before he speaks. That guy has no freakin’ filter,” Sunny said in disgust. “There are only two people on this island that can surf that stretch, and even they are weary of it at this time of year, and that’s why it’s off limits.” Her eyes darkened with anger. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed going after the man.”
