29. Learning Experience

29

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

T he last thing Aster thought he'd be doing was diving into the ocean and swimming alongside dolphins, but he had to admit it was relaxing...and fun.

Saturday after they'd gotten to their room and talked, they'd changed, grabbed a light snack from a cafe by the beach on their hotel's property, and walked up and down the beach for an hour talking about how beautiful and peaceful it was.

He wasn't sure what Raine's comment about not needing to plan everything meant but then realized she might have been joking.

He didn't care all that much. He was just thrilled he was able to convince her to come on this trip.

He might have agreed to let her pay for some things, but there was no way she was paying for it all.

Easter Sunday, they'd lounged by the pool, eaten their fill, and had a nice relaxing dinner after exploring the island some. He even let her pay for their meals to get it out of her system right away.

When she brought up snorkeling, he found an afternoon boat tour that included lunch and snorkeling. More than she'd spend and he was able to secure it with his credit card before she could.

She'd been annoyed, but he agreed to let her pay for swimming with the dolphins and then rent kayaks later today to spend more time on the water.

They might not be sitting still much, but they were both relaxing.

"This is exciting," she said when he parked the rental car he'd gotten. He didn't want to have to worry about waiting on taxis and being taken advantage of either. They were early and the place wasn't open by the looks of it so might as well sit here for a few minutes.

"I'm glad you're having so much fun," he said. She hadn't stopped smiling much. He was glad to see it and was positive he was matching her expressions.

"Me too. Totally worth waiting thirty years for a trip like this."

"It was," he said. He never knew what he was missing in life. He'd seen a lot of the world and not much of the good in it.

For once it was nice to see this and be able to provide it for Raine.

He was just thrilled that she never once seemed to ask or look at the cost of the trip. He would have loved to fly first class just to experience it but knew that might be overkill and got them regular tickets.

He didn't even get a hotel or room he would have liked because he didn't want to alert her to something that might not make a lot of sense either.

Maybe he was trying too hard and decided he was who he was. Money or not, he couldn't be someone to blow it on a few days' trip.

"You know," she said, "you get to do some of these things right at home. Sunset water view, kayak on the water by your house. I'm jealous. I know why Lily lives on the property she does, but Zane's cabin has a better location."

"It is nice," he said. "At some point, I'll find my own place and I think the water might be the way to go."

"Good luck," she said. "They are pricey, but you can always get something that needs work. We know you can do it."

"That's my plan," he said. Just because he had millions in the bank, didn't mean he was going to buy something that he wouldn't be able to afford on his own salary. He'd like to pay cash and could, but that would be stupid when he could let the money continue to build in the investments he'd been setting up.

His parents didn't get it, but he didn't have as much liquid as he could. He'd been taking his time finding the right way to invest. Conservative ways for now.

Just too many things going on in his life for him to focus on that, but it'd be stupid to let it sit there and not earn more.

He had to hold back the laugh over his thoughts.

There was a time growing up that he had part-time jobs just to pay for a used car to get him to those jobs. Then he left that car for his sister who was still driving it. He wasn't sure how it was still running all these years later and imagined she put more into repairs than it was worth.

At least he'd talked her into selling it and getting a car when she moved here.

She didn't even fight him on it. He said he'd take her car shopping if she wanted and she agreed. He didn't want her taken advantage of either. He hated that it happened, but Raine had said it happened to her and she walked out and then went somewhere else with Brooks and got a great deal.

"Hey," Raine said. "You're lost in thought. What is going on?"

"What?" he asked.

"You," she said, grinning. "You got quiet and weren't saying anything. Everything okay?"

Aster turned to look at her. "Yes," he said. "Just thinking about Daphne for some reason. The comment about living on the water hit me. She'll be doing that in a way. Not on it as close as the main house but within walking distance on the McGill Estate. Maybe that is part of why she's feeling so uneasy and out of her element."

"Could be," she said. "But I think she'll be fine. Reese is so laid back. If you passed him on the street you'd have no idea the wealth he comes from."

He snorted. "I said that to Daphne too. I remember the first time I met him I had no clue who he was. He was just some guy coming into the plant with Poppy, holding his daughter. He was wearing jeans with stains on them and worn work boots."

"That is funny considering that Poppy never has a hair out of place and is so put together. Ivy said Poppy is the stylish one of the three sisters. Lily is professional, but Poppy is just so on top of trends and makes it seem effortless."

"That's her job," he said. "Or why she's good at it. I think everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses."

"Just like I try to tell my students that. And they are going to love the pictures I'll show them when I get back. I'm having so much fun. In only a few days, we've done more than I ever thought we would. Tomorrow I think we can take it as it comes and explore the shops some. Maybe I'll get some braids in my hair. What do you think?"

"I think they'd look very cute in your hair and the kids would love them too."

She giggled and it was a sound that warmed his heart more than he thought anything could.

He was starting to understand how Zane, Luke and Trace felt in their lives too.

"They will," she said. "I want to see if I can find something fun to bring back for the kids. Like shark teeth or shells or something. I know there will be all sorts of those things in the shops."

"Are you going to use them for an activity?" he asked.

"Of course I am. Everything in life should be a learning experience. Doesn't mean we can't make it fun and that is what I'm trying to do."

"You've surely added some fun to my life," he said. "And it looks as if it's open."

They got out of their rental and moved to the office to check in. Other people had been waiting too.

Once they gave their names, people were broken up into groups. No more than four to six people were in a group and then instructions were given and they were taken to where the dolphins were.

An hour later, Raine's smile wouldn't leave her face.

"I feel like one of my kids right before Christmas break. Then on Christmas morning and got everything I asked for. All of it rolled into one. I'm not sure I've ever felt this way in my life before. I can't thank you enough for this trip."

He pulled her under his arm, felt the tightness again and a sharp pain in his chest and armpit but made sure he didn't let it show. It was only scar tissue. Nothing to worry about. He wasn't letting Raine know it happened again and have her get concerned, even if he couldn't get the nagging thoughts from his brain.

"No thanks needed," he said. "Because I'm starting to feel the same way as you."

"We are good for each other, aren't we?" she asked.

"The best," he said. And meant it one hundred percent.