Read Online Tides of Truth [03] Greater Love by Robert Whitlow - Free Book Online Page B

stuck his socks in his pocket. I slipped off my shoes and held them in my hand. The sand above the tide line was cool and dry. Pieces of shattered shells lay strewn about.
    “Why aren’t there any whole shells?” I asked.
    “They’re beaten up beyond the surf. Early in the morning, it’s possible to find a few nice ones when the tide comes in. Let’s see what the water feels like.”
    Zach rolled his jeans up above his knees and turned toward the ocean. He had the well-developed calf muscles of a former soccer player.
    There was a breeze blowing off the water. I’d not brought a hat and my hair splayed out behind me like an untamed bridal train. I followed in Zach’s steps. My footprints fit easily within his. He reached the water and kept going until he was knee-deep. I stopped at the edge. The next wave came farther up the beach and washed over my feet. The water was cold.
    “This is as far as I go,” I said, stepping back.
    “You should feel the Pacific,” Zach said as he jumped higher to avoid a wave. “This is like bathwater.”
    Zach waded out of the water with a huge smile on his face. “When are you going to visit California with me?” he asked. “During Christmas break would be perfect. My parents would love to meet you, and my sister will be home from Africa.”
    “What?” My mouth dropped open.
    “Do you want me to repeat it slowly?” Zach answered with a smile.
    “No, I heard you. I mean, I’m not saying no, it’s just the idea that I would go to California.”
    “It’s a four-hour plane ride. I’d like to buy the tickets as soon as possible so I can look for a good discount.”
    “I’ve never flown in a plane.”
    “It’s a bus with wings,” Zach said with a straight face. “My mother was excited when I mentioned it to her. I guess she’s been worrying I’d never find someone I like enough to bring home.” He paused. “Truth is I hadn’t, until now.”
    Although I was standing still, I felt slightly breathless.
    “I’d need to ask my parents.”
    “Sure, that’s why I brought it up. But please do it soon. If I’m going to get any kind of deal on plane tickets, I need to book the flight as soon as possible.”
    My mind was spinning at the thought of traveling across the country. We didn’t talk as we continued walking toward the south end of the island where Tybee Creek emptied into the Atlantic. We were completely alone when we reached the tip of the island.
    “Would you be able to swim across?” Zach pointed to the shore of Little Tybee Island.
    “Maybe, but I’m a much better runner than swimmer.”
    “Last summer, Julie said you claimed to be able to walk on water.”
    “She told you that?”
    “Yeah, but she said it with a smile on her face.”
    I dug my toes into the sand at my feet.
    “I saw Julie and Maggie this afternoon.”
    Zach turned toward me. “You went by their office?”
    “Yes. I didn’t know they would be there.”
    “What’s it like?”
    I told him about it and concluded by saying, “The spot they have for me isn’t nearly as nice as the office the firm has available for me down the hall from you. It doesn’t even have a window.”
    I dug my toes a little deeper into the sand, but as soon as I popped them up, the sand gave way.
    “Did seeing them and their office help you make up your mind?” Zach asked after a few moments of silence.
    “Yes. Working for Maggie and Julie would be a lot like building a house directly on this sand.” I paused. “And we both know what the Bible says about that.” The wind shifted and I brushed my hair away from my face. “It was a big relief. I didn’t say anything to Maggie. I’ll send her an e-mail later in the week.”
    “Do you want to go by the office and see if Mr. Carpenter is there? It would be great to tell him in person.”
    It was a much easier decision than whether to fly to California.
    “Yes,” I said. “It would be nice to talk to him in person. But if he’s not there, I can