Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Her next stop was the tourist’s clothing store. She couldn’t quite pinpoint why, but she had always wanted a swimsuit, cover up and big beach hat from one of these stores. Caroline chose three different suits, two bikinis and a one-piece. The salesclerk said she would need both, especially if she planned to go out on the water.
Caroline wore her new hat outside, not caring what the locals thought. She stopped at a rack of pamphlets and took one of each and then went into Starboard’s for lunch.
“Just one,” she told the hostess. “Near the window, if possible.”
Caroline followed the hostess to the front of the restaurant and thanked her. She glanced through the menu but had already decided what she wanted to eat long before she walked into Starboard’s. She wanted to try their famous lobster roll. According to their website, it was world famous.
“Hi, welcome to Starboard’s. What can I start you off with?”
“May I have one of your frozen lemonades and the lobster roll I’ve heard so much about?”
The waiter smiled. “Hot or cold?”
“For what?” Caroline asked.
“The roll. It comes either hot or cold.”
“Oh, I don’t know. What do you recommend?”
“I prefer hot.”
“Perfect.”
“If you’re looking for something to do, I suggest Blue Lobster Adventures.” He pointed to the pamphlet on top of the pile. “They’re the best in the business.”
“Thank you.”
She handed her menu back to the waiter and picked up the brochure. “Let the Carter family show you around Seaport. Daily tours leave every hour, on the hour. Check our website if it’s raining,” Caroline read aloud to herself.
“Where are you from?” the waiter asked when he returned with her lemonade.
She looked at him quizzically before answering. “Is it that obvious?”
He laughed and nodded. “The hat and brochures gave it away.”
Caroline felt her cheeks heat up a little. Was it that obvious? Even though she was a tourist, she still wanted to fit in. “I’m from Connecticut. I arrived last night.”
He nodded toward her stack of pamphlets. “You’ll find a lot of things to do in there, and if you’re unsure, ask a local. We love telling people what they should and shouldn’t see.”
“Thanks.”
“If you’re brave, you can always rent a scooter and go all over the island. There are a lot of things to do around here.”
“I appreciate the guidance. Thank you.”
“No problem. I’ll be right back with your lobster roll.”
By the time he returned, Caroline had arranged her travel guides in three different piles: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. That would give her four days to sit on the beach, read, and shop. And maybe rent a scooter and explore the rest of the island. She had almost three months to do nothing but relax, eat food, and enjoy island life.
dune
Dune Carter stretched and did his own form of yoga in the wet sand while the waves washed over his feet. He’d woken before the sun had started to rise and made the early morning trek to the beach to watch the sunrise. He enjoyed the solitude the morning brought; it was the quiet before his hectic day of entertaining started. There were very few people on the beach this early in the morning—mostly surfers and locals who wanted to let their dogs run free, which was against the rules, but no one gave a shit. Dune thought it was stupid to leash your dog before the beach officially opened at nine in the morning.
Once he’d finished his routine, Dune stripped down to his shorts and dove into the sea. Immediately, he felt the familiar tug of the ocean's currents and the familiar wave of invigoration that ran through his veins. He swam out a safe distance, letting the waves rock him back and forth. He found it calming, the motion of the sea, like holding onto a piece of home no matter where his travels had taken him.
Dune rode the waves back and forth, his body suspended in the water and his mind at ease. The ocean was a comforting presence, cradling him in her embrace and reminding him no matter what happened, the sea was always there. He was grateful for this moment, for the chance to leave his thoughts on the shore and just be in the moment.
Close to him, a few people surfed. This cove was for beginners and a lot of tourists paid the daily fee to come and practice here. There was a beach farther down the road where you’d find the skilled surfers.
After a while, Dune made it back to shore and grabbed his sweatshirt and flip-flops before trudging his way through the sand. In the distance, he heard the sandboni coming down the beach. By the time the beach opened for the day, the sand would be free of debris and trash, and the sand would be smooth. Of course, it would be a heck of a lot easier if people did their part and took out what they brought in . . . yeah that will never happen.