Beyond the Waves (Pacific Shores Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

back and grabbed his hands, laughing. “I keep telling you, you need to get into shape so you can join the youth group in the after-church basketball games. The kids would love to have the chance to beat their fearless leader in a game.”
    He sighed and turned to lean his forearms against the rail. “Yeah, I know. You’re right. Sports are just not my thing, Taysia.” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “I’d much rather do math than jog any day.”
    Taysia gave a mock shudder. “To each his own. How is your mom?”
    He sighed. “She’s a little better. I talked to Dad today. He said she had her last chemo treatment this morning. So she should really start feeling better as far as the nausea goes in a couple of days.”
    “I’m glad. I’ve been praying for her.”
    He turned toward her, his face suddenly serious. “That means a lot to me, Taysia.” He kept his eyes on her face, his expression changing subtly.
    An uneasiness began in her stomach.
    His gaze dropped to her mouth.
    She stepped back quickly. “Well”—she purposely leaned down and began to stretch out her legs—”I better get going if I’m to get to bed at a decent hour tonight. We have the youth group bake sale tomorrow, don’t forget.”
    “Yeah. I didn’t forget.” There was disappointment in his voice. “I need to get home, too. I have a Sunday school lesson to finish preparing for.”
    “Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.”
    As they moved down her steps, Kylen pulled in next door. He drove his squad car into the garage and then stepped out, eyeing them quietly.
    Blaine draped an arm around her shoulders, and her irritation sparked.
    “Kylen, right?” Blaine asked.
    Kylen nodded. “Blaine, good to see you again. It’s been a while.” He transferred his gaze to Taysia.
    Blaine tightened his arm around her. She would have stepped away from his embrace, but didn’t want to embarrass him in front of Kylen.
    She looked up. “Good night, Blaine. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Blaine placed a kiss on her temple.
    Full-blown anger threatened to burst forth in a blaze of glorious harangue, but Taysia merely folded her arms and looked at her tapping toe.
    “G’night, Taysia.” With a final squeeze and a meaningful glance in Kylen’s direction, Blaine climbed into his car and backed out of the drive. Thick, awkward silence filtered across the night.
    Kylen stepped over the narrow flower bed that separated her drive from his and walked toward her. Even in the moonlight, she saw his dark gaze take her in from head to toe and felt her cheeks flame. She hoped the darkness hid it. She hadn’t bothered to shower after finishing her last class. She ran a hand over her hair, sure it must be escaping from her ponytail by now and wishing she’d at least taken time to run a comb through it . Stop it, Taysia, you’re here to jog, not win a beauty pageant .
    “You’re not going jogging alone, are you?”
    Was that anger she saw in his eyes? She nodded. “I’ll only be a few minutes. Thirty at the most.”
    “Do you know how dangerous it is for a woman to jog alone at night?”
    Taysia sighed. “Kylen, this is Marinville !”
    He stepped toward her, his black eyes glittering fire, and Taysia swallowed. Yes. It was definitely anger she saw.
    “Yes. Marinville.” He turned his burning gaze on the road where Blaine had just disappeared before transferring it back to her. “Pittman was just going to let you go by yourself? What kind of an idiot is he?”
    Taysia’s anger flared as hot as his own. “Maybe he just doesn’t overreact like you do!”
    He opened his mouth to respond, then snapped it shut. Swallowing, he rubbed one hand over the top of his head and down his neck. His voice was husky when he finally spoke. “I need you to promise me you won’t go jogging by yourself. Especially at night.”
    Taysia resisted rolling her eyes. “Kylen, the most dangerous thing in town is Mrs. Murton’s