Read Online The Sphere Chronicles: A Holding Kate Series Book by LaDonna Cole - Free Book Online

to the engaged couple.
    “Three months.” Kim leaned forward, resting her elbows on her board.
    “You in the wedding?”
    “Of course. We’ve been best friends for years.”
    “So are you the—what do you call it—honor maid?”
    “Maid of honor. Yes, I am, though Mel would have been, but Karen changed her to matron of honor now that she and Donnie are married. That leaves me as maid of honor.” She flourished her hands in spirals to her sides.
    “How did she take it that her baby sister got married first?”
    “They all adore Donnie and knew it was inevitable. They’ve been together since middle school, did you know that?”
    “Yeah, there’s not much I don’t know about them.” Dirk laughed. “We’ve been through some intense stuff together.”
    Kimberly raised her eyebrows and nodded. “Yeah, I can imagine that’s true.”
    “This one looks pretty good.” Dirk nodded to the approaching wave.
    “No, wait for the next one.” Kim stretched to look over the ocean swell. They rode the crest and dipped down on the other side. “This one. Akaw!”
    They turned around and began paddling faster as the large wave drew them into its billow. At the peak of the wave, they stood and took the drop, Dirk in the lead with Kim riding the face a bit longer before dropping in behind him. They carved the wave until it frothed off then Dirk tried a 180 and wiped out. Kim bailed in a fit of giggles and they washed up into the shallows, weak from laughter, collapsing in the froth.
    “Choka,” Dirk huffed out, laying on his back in the sand as the water eddied around him.
    “What was that back there?” Kim sat up and broke the leash on her ankle. “You kook!”
    “Kook?” Dirk sprang up and grabbed Kim around the waist, hoisting her over his shoulder.
    She squealed, “Yes, you are a kook! Show off, barney!”
    “I’m no kook. You are the kook!”
    “ Contraire mon fre’re , I taught you how to surf. I am the local; you are just a benny! A kook!”
    “Yeah, Red, I can see you are definitely a native with your bright ginger roots and freckles. How are you not sunburned perpetually, Whitie?” He tossed her into the ankle busters and dove in after her.
    They took turns dunking each other and wrestling in the waves until spent, then plopped down beside their surfboards, cheeks burning from laughter. Kim dug her fingers into the wet sand and watched it drip into a pile beside her.
    “Your drinks are getting warm.” Matt and Karen floated umbrella-topped beverages in front of them.
    “Mmm, I forgot, thanks.” Kim took hers and slurped the icy fruit.
    Dirk accepted his from Matt. Matt sat down beside him. Karen lowered herself on the other side of Kim. They slurped and watched the waves break. A gentle breeze caressed them and something roasting in a nearby pit tickled their senses.
    “Dang, that smells good.” Matt turned to look at the hotel staff tending the pits. “We are gonna eat good tonight.”
    “Right, the luau. I forgot that’s tonight.”
    “I just want some more of that coconut shrimp we had last night.” Kim shivered in delight. “That was so good with the pineapple mango sauce.”
    “Kim, your dad is so nice to let us stay.” Karen stirred her straw, breaking up the ice in the bottom of her glass.
    “Yeah, the Village was going to pay to put us up. He didn’t have to do that,” Dirk agreed.
    “He was happy to do it. Perks of being the hotel manager’s daughter.” She nudged Karen. “The honeymoon suite is still available for your wedding weekend if you change your mind!”
    Karen cut a smoldering glance to Matt. “Matt has a surprise planned. He won’t tell me where we are going.”
    “Nice, dude.” Dirk grinned at Matt and held out a fist.
    Matt bumped his fist, flashed his brows, and grinned. “Hey, Dirk, walk with me.”
    “See you girls later.” Dirk scrambled up and followed Matt into the east crescent.
    “You know, I’ve got six brothers.”
    “Yeah, I’ve met