Is that why you built the wall to hide the piano? She looked at him only indirectly. When I went inside, it wasnt that hard to miss.
Steve shook his head. No. I did that because I love you.
Ronnie flashed a brief smile, hesitating before taking a seat beside him. They watched the waves rolling steadily up the shore. High tide would be here soon, and the beach was half-gone.
Whats going to happen to me? she asked.
Pete is going to talk to the owner, but I dont know. A couple of those records were real collectors items. Theyre pretty valuable.
Ronnie felt sick to her stomach. Have you told Mom yet?
No.
Are you going to?
Probably.
Neither of them said anything for a moment. At the waters edge, a group of surfers walked past, holding their boards. In the distance, the swells were slowly rising, forming waves that seemed to collide before immediately re-forming.
When are you going to call the aquarium?
When I head back inside. Im sure Jonahs getting hungry anyway. I should probably start dinner.
Ronnie stared at the nest. With her stomach in knots, she couldnt imagine eating. I dont want anything to happen to the turtle eggs tonight.
Steve turned toward her. So what do you want to do?
Hours later, after tucking Jonah into bed, Steve stepped out onto the back porch to check on Ronnie. Earlier, after hed left a message at the aquarium, hed gone to the store to buy what he thought she needed: a light sleeping bag, a camping lantern, a cheap pillow, and some bug spray.
He wasnt comfortable with the idea of Ronnie sleeping outside, but she was clearly determined and he admired her impulse to protect the nest. Shed been insistent that she would be fine, and to some extent, he trusted she was right. Like most people who grew up in Manhattan, shed learned to be careful and had seen and experienced enough of the world to know it was sometimes a dangerous place. Moreover, the nest was less than fifty feet from his bedroom windowwhich he intended to keep openso he was confident hed hear something if Ronnie ran into trouble. Because of the shape of the windblown dune and the location of the nest, it wasnt likely that anyone walking on the beach would even know she was there.
Still, she was only seventeen, and he was her father, all of which meant hed probably end up checking on her every few hours. There wasnt a chance hed be able to sleep through the night.
The moon was only a sliver, but the sky was clear, and as he moved through the shadows, he thought back on their conversation. He wondered how she felt about the fact that hed hidden the piano. Would she wake up tomorrow with the same attitude shed had when shed first arrived? He didnt know. As he drew near enough to make out Ronnies sleeping form, the play
of starlight and shadow made her appear both younger and older than she really was. He thought again about the years hed lost and would never get back.
He stayed long enough to gaze up and down the beach. As far as he could tell, no one was out, so he turned and headed back inside. He sat on the couch and turned on the television, flipping through the channels before turning it off. Finally, he went to his room and crawled into bed.
He fell asleep almost immediately but woke an hour later. Tiptoeing outside again, he went to check on the daughter he loved more than life itself.
12Ronnie
Her first thought upon waking was that everything hurt. Her back was stiff, her neck ached, and when she got the courage to sit up, a stabbing pain coursed through her shoulder.
She couldnt imagine anyone ever choosing to sleep outdoors. When she was growing up, some of her friends had extolled the joys of camping, but shed thought they were deranged.
Sleeping on the ground hurt.
And so, of course, did the blinding sun. Judging by fact that shed been waking up with the farmers since shed arrived, she figured today was no different. It probably wasnt even seven yet. The sun was hanging low over the ocean, and a few people were walking their dogs or jogging near the waters edge. No doubt theyd slept in beds. She couldnt imagine walking, let alone exercising. Right now it was hard enough to breathe without passing out.
Steeling herself, she slowly got to her feet before remembering why shed been out here in the first place. She checked the nest, noting with relief that it was undisturbed, and ever so slowly, the aches and pains began to subside. She wondered idly how Blaze could tolerate sleeping on the beach, and then all of a sudden she remembered what Blaze had done to her.
Arrested for shoplifting. Serious shoplifting. Felony shoplifting.
She closed her eyes, reliving it all: the way the store manager had glared at her until the officer had arrived, Officer Petes disappointment on the drive to the station, the awful phone call shed had to make to her dad. Shed felt like throwing up on the car ride home.
If there was one bright spot in all that had happened, it was that her dad hadnt blown a gasket. And even more incredible, hed said he believed her to be innocent Then again, he hadnt spoken to Mom yet. As soon as that happened, all bets were off. No doubt Mom would scream and shout until Dad gave in, and hed end up grounding her because hed promised Mom that he would. After the Incident, her mom had grounded her for a month, and this was way, way bigger than just an incident.
She felt sick again. She couldnt imagine having to spend an entire month in her room, a room she had to share, no less, in a place she didnt want to be. She wondered if things could get any worse. As she stretched her arms above her head, she yelped at a stabbing pain in her shoulder. She lowered them slowly, wincing.
She spent the next couple of minutes dragging her things to the back porch. Even though the nest was behind her house, she didnt want the neighbors to guess that shed slept outside. Based on the grandeur of their houses, she pegged them as the kind of people who wanted everything picture perfect when they stood on their back decks drinking coffee in the mornings. The knowledge that someone had been sleeping beside their house probably didnt fit with their image of perfection, and the last thing she wanted was to have the police to show up again. With her luck, shed probably get arrested for vagrancy. Felony vagrancy.
It took two trips to get everythingshe didnt have the energy to carry it all at onceand then she realized shed left behind her copy of Anna Karenina. Shed intended to read it last night, but shed been too tired and had set it under a piece of driftwood so the mist wouldnt ruin it. When she went back to get it, she spotted someone wearing a beige jumpsuit advertising Blakelee Brakes, carrying a roll of yellow tape and a bunch of sticks. He seemed to be walking up the beach toward the house.
By the time shed retrieved her book, the man was closer and hunting around the dune. She started toward him, wondering what he was doing, and then he turned in her direction. When their eyes met, it was one of the few times in her life that she actually felt tongue-tied.
She recognized him immediately, despite the uniform. She flashed on the way hed looked without a shirt, tan and fit, his brown hair wet with sweat, the macramé bracelet on his wrist. He was the guy at the volleyball court whod crashed into her, the guy whose friend almost got into a fight with Marcus.
Coming to a halt in front of her, he didnt seem to know what to say, either. Instead, he just stared at her. Although she knew it was crazy, she had the impression that he was somehow pleased to run into her again. She could see it in his dawning recognition, in the way he began to smile at her, none of which made any sense.
Hey, its you, he said. Good morning.
She wasnt sure what to think, other than to question the friendly tone.
What are you doing here? she asked.
I got a call from the aquarium. Someone called last night to report a loggerhead nest, and they asked me to come here to check it out.
You work for the aquarium?
He shook his head. I just volunteer there. I work at my dads brake shop. You wouldnt happen to have seen a turtle nest around here, would you?
She felt herself relax a little. Its over there, she said, pointing.
Hey, thats great. He smiled. I was hoping it was near a house.
Why?
Because of storms. If the waves wash over the nest, the eggs wont make it.
But theyre sea turtles.
He raised his hands. I know. It doesnt make sense to me, either, but thats the way nature works. Last year, we lost a couple of nests when a tropical storm came through. It was really sad.
Theyre endangered, you know. Only one out of a thousand live to maturity.
Yeah, I know.
You do? He sounded impressed.
My dad told me.
Oh, he said. He motioned down the beach with a friendly wave. I take it you live around here?
Why do you want to know?
Just making conversation, he answered easily. My names Will, by the way.
Hi, Will.
He paused. Interesting.
What?
Usually when someone introduces himself, the other person does the same.
Im not most people. Ronnie crossed her arms, careful to keep her distance.
I already figured that out. He flashed a quick smile. Im sorry about running into you at the volleyball game.
You already apologized, remember?
I know. But you seemed kind of mad.
My soda went down my shirt.
Thats too bad. But you should really try to pay more attention to whats going on.
Excuse me?
Its a fast-moving game.
She put her hands on her hips. Are you trying to say it was my fault?
Just trying to make sure it doesnt happen again. Like I said, I felt bad about what happened.
With his answer, she got the feeling that he was trying to flirt with her, but she didnt know why. It didnt make senseshe knew she wasnt his type, and frankly, he wasnt her type, either.
But at this early hour, she wasnt in the mood to try to figure it out. Instead, she motioned to the items he was holding, thinking it was probably better to get back to the subject at hand. How is that tape supposed to keep the raccoons away?
It doesnt. Im just here to mark the nest. I run the tape around the dowels so the guys who do put up the cage know where to find the nest.
When are they going to put it up?
I dont know. He shrugged. Maybe in a couple of days.
She thought about the agony shed experienced upon waking, and she began to shake her head. No, I dont think so. You call them and tell them that they have to do something to protect the nest today. Tell them I saw a raccoon last night hovering around the nest.
Did you?
Just tell them, okay?
As soon as Im finished, Ill make sure to call. I promise.
She squinted up at him, thinking that was too easy, but before she could dwell on it further, her dad stepped onto the back porch.
Good morning, sweetheart, he called out. Ive got breakfast going if youre hungry.
Will looked from Ronnie to her dad and back again. You live here?
Instead of answering, she took a step backward. Just make sure you tell the people at the aquarium, okay?
She started back toward the house and had stepped onto the porch when she heard Will call out.
Hey!
She turned.
You didnt tell me your name.
No, she answered. I dont suppose I did.
As she headed for the door, she knew she shouldnt look back, but she couldnt help stealing a quick peek over her shoulder.
When he raised an eyebrow, she kicked herself mentally, glad that she hadnt told him her name.
In the kitchen, her dad was standing over a frying pan at the stove, stirring with a spatula. On the counter beside him lay a packet of tortillas, and Ronnie had to admit that whatever he was making smelled terrific. Then again, she hadnt eaten since yesterday afternoon.
Hey there, he said over his shoulder. Who was that you were talking to?
Just some guy from the aquarium. Hes here to mark the nest. What are you making?
A vegetarian breakfast burrito.
Youre kidding.
It has rice, beans, and tofu. It all goes in the tortilla. I hope thats okay. I found the recipe online, so I cant vouch for how it tastes.
Im sure its fine, she said. She crossed her arms, thinking she might as well get this over with. Have you talked to Mom yet?
He shook his head. No, not yet. I did talk to Pete this morning, though. He said he still hadnt been able to talk to the owner yet. Shes out of town.
She?
It seems the man who works there is the owners nephew. But Pete said he knows the owner pretty well.
Oh, she said, wondering if that would make any difference.
Her dad tapped the spatula on the pan. Anyway, I just figured that it might be a good idea if I held off calling your mom until I have all the details. Id hate to have to worry her unnecessarily.
You mean you might not have to tell her?
Unless you want me to.
No, thats okay, she said quickly. Youre right. Its probably better if we wait.
Okay, he agreed. After one last stir, he turned off the burner. I think this is just about ready. Are you hungry?
Starved, she confessed.
As she approached, he took down a plate from the cupboard and added a tortilla, then scooped some of the mixings onto it. He offered it to her. Is that enough?
Plenty, she said.