Her feet carried her into the warm sea, water splashing around her until she got to the surfboard. The joy on Michael’s face was the most beautiful thing Ellie had ever seen. She burst into tears.
“El…ly. Sad?”
She shook her head.
“She’s happy, dude. Happy to see me, do you think?” Ben grinned at Ellie. “I’d offer you my hand but need both to keep this precious cargo upright.”
Water lapping around her waist, Ellie brushed the tears away, eyes back on Michael. “Looking good, Michael. And those were happy tears.”
“Ben. El…ly. Yes?”
Another wave interrupted and Michael laughed in delight again.
“What are you doing here?” Ellie asked Ben once the wave passed.
“Turns out there’s a job going locally. Thought I’d check out the surf before I make a decision.” All of a sudden, the usual confidence disappeared from Ben’s face. “That’s if you don’t mind me living closer.”
The sand moved a bit beneath Ellie’s feet, or maybe the tide tugged at her. It couldn’t be anything else.
“Your divorce is final?”
She nodded.
Ben may not have had a spare hand, but she had two. One squeezed Michael’s arm so he looked up, and the other touched Ben’s face as she smiled. “Ben. Ellie. Yes.”
About the Author
Phillipa lives just outside a beautiful town in country Victoria, Australia. She also lives in the many worlds of her imagination and stockpiles stories beside her laptop.
Apart from her family, Phillipa’s great loves include the ocean, music, reading, the garden, and animals of all kinds.
Please stay in touch for the latest books and news.
www.phillipaclark.com
Also by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Christie Ryan Romantic Mysteries series
The Stationmaster’s Cottage
Jasmine Sea
The Secrets of Palmerston House
Taming the Wind
Martha
Charlotte Dean Mysteries
The Christmas Tree Thief
Deadly Falls
Deadly Secrets
Deadly Past
Doctor Grok’s Peculiar Shop Paranormal Shorts
Colony
Table for Two
Wishing Well
Simple Words for Troubled Times
Acknowledgments
First and foremost are my family who deserve acknowledgement for their support and encouragement. There are times I lose faith in myself but they never do. This means everything.
I have a small, strong team who know me and how I function as well as I know myself. Nas Dean is my wonderful editor who helps take each book to a new level of quality. Jade from Steam Power Studios continues to amaze me with her cover designs and it is always a pleasure to work with her.
Also, many thanks to the beta readers who step up and help out, sometimes on short notice. Helen, Jane, Marcia, Kaz, Carol, Christie, Dianne, Sue… if I forgot anyone please accept my apologies. You all rock.
To the authors who share my books, offer support and friendship, and help me learn, I thank you all.