Chapter 230: Beach Walk

A BIT OF WIND — a cool blast off the ocean's waves — twists my hair and pushes past where Nate, Emma, and I walk along the beach. Emma squeals in her stroller. She's always loved to be near the water.

"Are you cold?" Nate asks, looking at the goosebumps running across my arms.

I wipe them away and they stay gone. "No, every once in a while the breeze picks up, but I'm not ready to go back."

We spent the day together, walking the beach hand in hand. Emma played in the sand, knocking down all the tall sand castles Nate worked so desperately hard to build for her. It was a wonderful afternoon. The sun warmed my skin, and the birds squawked in the sky while the waves crashed against the shore. It has been one of those days I'll remember for the rest of my life but each time I'll wonder if it was as amazing as I recall. It'll seem too good to be true.

But that's what it is. Perfect.

Nate stops and then pushes down the parking brake on the stroller. He stares out into the water wit