Page 35 of Summer Affair

Finally, Dean reached the boy and once again started swimming sideways along the shoreline until they were out of the pull of the rip current. She met him in the deeper water when they finally got close.

“Is he?” she asked, helping Dean stand up in the waist-deep water.

“He’s breathing. Shallow.” Dean coughed up some water. “He was fighting like hell and thankfully a good swimmer, but passed out when I finally reached him,” Dean said between heavy breaths. “Is the younger one okay?” he asked, motioning to the other child.

“Yeah, thank god for CPR training,” she said as she helped him carry the larger boy’s unconscious body to shore once they were in ankle-deep water.

By the time they had carried the boy to safety, into his waiting family’s arms, help had arrived.

The coastguard and police took over with the children. They wanted to take both boys to the hospital to be checked out. The mother was in tears, thanking Andrea and Dean over and over.

“I just looked away for a moment,” the mother had sobbed to them. “They were pulled away from me so quickly. Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Andrea put a comforting arm around her. “It’s okay. They’re going to be okay,” she assured her and then watched as the family was shuffled into the back of a truck and taken off the beach to a waiting ambulance.

After talking to the authorities and giving their statements, Andrea and Dean headed back up the beach towards her house. They were both exhausted, but there was a quiet satisfaction in knowing they had helped save those boys.

“How often does that happen here?” Dean said as they sat on the back deck sipping beers an hour later.

“Too often,” she admitted. “I’ve lived here almost five years. I’ve witnessed it more than a dozen times just on this small patch of beach.” She motioned to the view. “What gets me is the idiots who come down here to watch a hurricane and jump in the water.”

“Or the ones that go in on a double-red-flag day,” Dean added. “There are signs everywhere telling tourists what the different colored flags mean.”

“Double red flag. Don’t even put your toe in the water.” She sighed.

“Still, when people come here, they think because they spent money on a rental place that Mother Nature will pause for them.” He leaned back in his chair. “That family got really lucky today.”

She nodded and watched the water for a moment before turning towards Dean. “You were amazing out there.”

Dean shrugged, but she could see that there was a glint of pride in his eyes. “We did what we had to do.”

Andrea reached out and took his hand. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me.” He squeezed her hand gently. “You were pretty amazing too.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, watching the waves gently lap against the shore. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the water. How had she lost track of time? It had been so easy to just hang out with him. All those hours they’d spent talking, not once had she felt awkward. Nor had their conversation dipped for a moment.

“Do you ever think about the future?” she asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

Dean looked at her, his expression thoughtful. “Sometimes. I think about my sister a lot. About what life will be like for her after…everything.”

Andrea nodded, understanding the unspoken words. “She’s lucky to have you.”

“I’m the lucky one,” Dean said softly. “She’s my rock, even when she’s the one who needs me.”

Andrea felt a lump form in her throat as she thought of her own sister. Amy and Sophia were like night and day.

What would she be like if she’d had a sister like Sophia instead? How would her life have been different?

“You’re a good brother,” she added as she sipped her beer.

“And you’re a good friend,” he replied, reaching over and squeezing her hand again. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She felt a blush creep up her cheeks. “I’m glad we have each other.”

They sat in silence again, the sound of the waves and the distant call of seagulls filling the air. The sky was now a brilliant canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples, and Andrea couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace.

“I’ve always loved it here,” she said quietly. “The beach, the water, the sunsets. It’s like a little piece of paradise.”