some awesome Husky blue eyes. Know anybody capable of filling my order?”
He rolled his lips to keep from grinning. “I hope you guys don’t ever think of selling the place, Jo. I’d have to mortgage my life away to buy it. There are just too many good memories.”
* * * *
Apologizing to Ray set Jo’s day off on a good note. His acceptance proved he cared for her, faults and all. After filling out a county firefighter’s application, she signed up as a volunteer responder or volly. Already certified in pulmonary resuscitation, she was exempt from the CPR class.
Even though her legal issues were resolved, she provided her former probation officer’s name and number. If accepted, she would be required to pass a written exam as well as the grueling CPAT or Candidate Physical Abilities Test. Seven months of training at the fire academy would follow. She debated calling Ray, for help, but decided to wait to see if she was accepted.
Monday afternoon of Labor Day weekend, she neared the end of her last lifeguard shift for the season. The usual humidity was lacking as a bright azure sky spanned from horizon to horizon. Local surfers swarmed in full force.
“You staying, Jo?” A regular paused with a huge cooler on his shoulder.
If they broke out the weed like last time, she’d leave. Even being around illegal drugs was the last thing she needed after probation. “Maybe.”
“Come on, it’s the last one. We’ve got a bonfire permit and everything. You don’t need to bring anything, but your sweet self. Who knows if we’ll be lucky enough to have you stationed at Coquina next summer?” A smile warmed his face.
“Thanks.” Would she even be a lifeguard next summer?
The party intensified as her shift ended. She returned to her truck for a change of swimsuits. Although she wasn’t law enforcement, the red suit put the partygoers ill at ease. From her ever-ready bag of clothes, she retrieved her favorite bikini―a little lime green number with ornate gold rings. After changing in one of the stalls, she received a couple of wolf whistles on her return to the beach.
A surfer named Jazz tossed her a cool one from a boat-sized cooler as she chatted with regulars. Others dug a pit and before long, a warm fire glowed.
As waves reached their peak, so did the surfers’ rowdy banter. The urge to join the surfers topped her need to finish her beer. She turned to retrieve her board and stood nose-to-nose with Cindy.
She retreated a step and silently cursed.
“Joanne. Wow! Didn’t know you’d come home.” The DD cup former schoolmate smirked. “Guess there wasn’t much to do after losing your spot on the circuit.” She’d been one of the clique chicks hot after Ray. Thankfully, he never gave her a second look.
“Actually, I’m happy to be home.”
“So, I hear you’re playing lifeguard, again.” A hand on her hip emphasized her mocking tone.
“You know it’s amazing how some athletic people can’t swim a lick. So, how’s OBX’s number one volleyballer?” With your shredded knee?
“Coaching.”
“Ahh…a lot of people say they like coaching better than playing.” No athlete ever wanted to quit competing. Age and injuries were a competitor’s enemies.
“It’s fine.” Her lips pursed. “Hey, I saw Ray the other day having lunch with some blonde nurse at the hospital. Are you guys still friends?”
“Last he told me, he was doing twins.” Jo dipped her shades then winked. “You know Ray will never settle to one woman.” With a beer bottle salute, she moved into the crowd, and left Cindy slack-jawed.
Her heart rate slowed as she approached the water. She’d hated high school because of bitches like her. Jo’s best girlfriends were surfing competitors she met along the east coast.
Guess Bobby’s attempt to rile her up by mentioning the nurse was true. Crap. She had no one to blame but herself.
The surf beckoned. Nice three and four footers rolled in with minimal chop. She dumped
He rolled his lips to keep from grinning. “I hope you guys don’t ever think of selling the place, Jo. I’d have to mortgage my life away to buy it. There are just too many good memories.”
* * * *
Apologizing to Ray set Jo’s day off on a good note. His acceptance proved he cared for her, faults and all. After filling out a county firefighter’s application, she signed up as a volunteer responder or volly. Already certified in pulmonary resuscitation, she was exempt from the CPR class.
Even though her legal issues were resolved, she provided her former probation officer’s name and number. If accepted, she would be required to pass a written exam as well as the grueling CPAT or Candidate Physical Abilities Test. Seven months of training at the fire academy would follow. She debated calling Ray, for help, but decided to wait to see if she was accepted.
Monday afternoon of Labor Day weekend, she neared the end of her last lifeguard shift for the season. The usual humidity was lacking as a bright azure sky spanned from horizon to horizon. Local surfers swarmed in full force.
“You staying, Jo?” A regular paused with a huge cooler on his shoulder.
If they broke out the weed like last time, she’d leave. Even being around illegal drugs was the last thing she needed after probation. “Maybe.”
“Come on, it’s the last one. We’ve got a bonfire permit and everything. You don’t need to bring anything, but your sweet self. Who knows if we’ll be lucky enough to have you stationed at Coquina next summer?” A smile warmed his face.
“Thanks.” Would she even be a lifeguard next summer?
The party intensified as her shift ended. She returned to her truck for a change of swimsuits. Although she wasn’t law enforcement, the red suit put the partygoers ill at ease. From her ever-ready bag of clothes, she retrieved her favorite bikini―a little lime green number with ornate gold rings. After changing in one of the stalls, she received a couple of wolf whistles on her return to the beach.
A surfer named Jazz tossed her a cool one from a boat-sized cooler as she chatted with regulars. Others dug a pit and before long, a warm fire glowed.
As waves reached their peak, so did the surfers’ rowdy banter. The urge to join the surfers topped her need to finish her beer. She turned to retrieve her board and stood nose-to-nose with Cindy.
She retreated a step and silently cursed.
“Joanne. Wow! Didn’t know you’d come home.” The DD cup former schoolmate smirked. “Guess there wasn’t much to do after losing your spot on the circuit.” She’d been one of the clique chicks hot after Ray. Thankfully, he never gave her a second look.
“Actually, I’m happy to be home.”
“So, I hear you’re playing lifeguard, again.” A hand on her hip emphasized her mocking tone.
“You know it’s amazing how some athletic people can’t swim a lick. So, how’s OBX’s number one volleyballer?” With your shredded knee?
“Coaching.”
“Ahh…a lot of people say they like coaching better than playing.” No athlete ever wanted to quit competing. Age and injuries were a competitor’s enemies.
“It’s fine.” Her lips pursed. “Hey, I saw Ray the other day having lunch with some blonde nurse at the hospital. Are you guys still friends?”
“Last he told me, he was doing twins.” Jo dipped her shades then winked. “You know Ray will never settle to one woman.” With a beer bottle salute, she moved into the crowd, and left Cindy slack-jawed.
Her heart rate slowed as she approached the water. She’d hated high school because of bitches like her. Jo’s best girlfriends were surfing competitors she met along the east coast.
Guess Bobby’s attempt to rile her up by mentioning the nurse was true. Crap. She had no one to blame but herself.
The surf beckoned. Nice three and four footers rolled in with minimal chop. She dumped
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