Beka swallowed hard, fighting back a moment of jealousy. She knew that the boy’s mother was single, and she tried to tell herself that they were all just hanging out together for Tito’s sake. And that even if they weren’t, it was none of her business.
Then she met Marcus’s eyes and saw the sadness there, and realized with a shiver that he was afraid that if Tito didn’t get to try surfing soon, the boy might never be able to do it. Looking at Tito, she saw the same fear, bravely held beneath the surface, but there nonetheless.
“Of course you can borrow a board,” she said, suddenly not caring about her failed magical experiment. “I’ve got a smaller one that should be easier for you to start out on. I’m sure you’ll pick it up in no time.”
Tito’s face lit up as if he had swallowed the sun. “Cool! Marcus said he taught his brother when they were younger, so he can definitely teach me.”
Beka raised an eyebrow at Marcus. She’d gotten the impression he didn’t talk about his brother much. Tito must really be getting under his skin. “I’m sure Marcus will do a great job teaching you.” She grinned mischievously. “He’s very patient.”
The former Marine made a decidedly undignified face at her. “Ha,” he said. “Just because some people drive me crazy doesn’t mean that everyone does.” He held out a hand in invitation. “Why don’t you come with us? You can meet Tito’s mom, and give him pointers if I leave out anything important.” He almost looked like he wanted her to come, although she was pretty sure he was just being polite in front of the boy.
“Oh, please say you’ll come, Beka!” Tito said, practically jumping up and down with excitement. “It’ll be great! My mom even packed us a picnic to eat on the beach.”
Beka’s stomach did acrobatic flips at the thought. Or maybe it was the notion of spending the afternoon on the sand watching Marcus and Tito’s mother, who was undoubtedly lovely and unmagical and completely Human.
“Uh, no, that’s okay,” she said. “You guys go ahead. I don’t want to horn in on your day out.”
Her treacherous dragon-dog butted her in the back of the knees with his huge head, almost sending her flying down the step. Marcus reached out one large hand to steady her, laughter chasing away the shadows that had been lurking in his hazel eyes.
“It looks like Chewie thinks you should come with us,” he said, lips twitching. “And even I know better than to argue with Chewie.”
Tito’s face was a study in amazement as he looked at Beka’s companion. “What the heck kind of dog is that? He’s humongous!”
“He’s a Newfoundland,” Marcus said, at the same time Beka said, “That’s because he’s part dragon.” They all laughed.
“Can he come to the beach with us?” Tito asked, a little wistful. “My mom and me can’t have a dog in our apartment, but I really like them.”
Beka patted Chewie regretfully on the head. “Sorry, dude, but someone has to stay here and guard the bus from marauding pirates. Besides, he’s really too big to take out when there are innocent bystanders. Believe it or not, some people find him kind of intimidating.”
Chewie woofed in indignation, sounding like a train in a long, winding tunnel.
“Maybe next time,” Marcus said gravely to Chewie. “This time, we’ll just borrow Beka, if that’s all right with you?”
Chewie woofed again, and gave Beka another not-very-subtle shove. She glared at him, to no noticeable effect.
“I guess I’m going,” she said, trying to act as though that wasn’t exactly what she wanted. “Let me go grab that board for you.” She hadn’t been able to give Tito the treasure he wanted the day they’d been out on the boat, but at least she could give him this.
“Whoo hoo!” Tito shouted.
Marcus grinned at her. “Ooh-rah.”
Beka rolled her eyes. It was going to be a long day.
*
DOWN ON THE beach, Tito’s mother Candace was just as lovely as Beka had imagined, despite the dark circles under her brown eyes and the lines of strain that worry had etched around her generous mouth. But her enthusiasm when she greeted Beka seemed quite genuine, and her gratitude made her hard to dislike.
“It’s very kind of you to let Tito use your surfboard,” Candace said in a soft voice that was almost lost behind the raucous sounds of the beach at midday.
Beka was so used to the quieter morning setting, when the only people out and about were serious surfers, people walking their dogs, and a few folks practicing Tai Chi on the hard-packed sand, the noise and commotion of the afternoon crowd caught her by surprise. Children raced up and down the beach, shrieking and laughing, and groups of women clustered under umbrellas chatted as they compared recipes or talked about the latest books on their Kindles. Gulls swooped overhead, competing for the abundant treats left behind by careless snackers, almost louder than the gathered Humans below. The smell of sunscreen overwhelmed the more delicate briny air of the sea. It was like being in a different universe.