Free Overboard by Sandra Madera

 
    OVERBOARD
     
    by
    Sandra Madera
     
    SMASHWORDS EDITION
     
    * * * * *
     
    PUBLISHED BY
    Sandra Madera on Smashwords
     
    Overboard
    Copyright © 2011 by Sandra Madera
     
    Smashwords Edition License Notes
    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.
This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you
would like to share this book with another person, please purchase
an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're
reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased
for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and
purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's
work .
     
    * * * * *
    Special thanks to Susan Blevins for lending her
superb editing skills. I really do appreciate all of your help.
    * * * * *
     
    Brenna Maren looked at the sunset from atop a group
of large boulders on the beach. Hearing the waves break against the
shore in a rhythmic fashion, she couldn’t help but feel a growing
sense of peace. Growing up in St. Augustine, the beach was apart of
her everyday life. At any point in her young life, it was not
uncommon to find Brenna sitting on the sand, soaking up the rays of
the bright Florida sun. Even in the most hectic of times, the
scenic view always made her feel instantly at ease. Life had been
pretty hectic the last couple of weeks as she prepared to go on a
sailing trip with her friends before she headed off to college.
    Feeling strong arms wrap around her waist, Brenna
nearly jumped out of her skin, forgetting that her boyfriend,
Dylan, was standing behind her. “Ready to head home?” his voice
whispered in her ear as he nuzzled her neck.
    “In a minute,” Brenna responded, wanting to enjoy the
last few minutes of the sunset.
    Dylan Brooks had been Brenna’s boyfriend throughout
all four years of high school, but she often wondered if it was
time to move on. Dylan was as handsome as he was intelligent. He
had an angular face, green eyes and black hair. His skin was
golden. His physique was muscular and lean, standing six foot tall
in height. He was physically perfect; yet, Brenna felt something
was wrong with her prince charming. Dylan had changed a lot over
the last year of school. He had grown distant. He used to be
talkative and agreeable, but in the past year, he seemed
increasingly guarded.
    “Around this time tomorrow we’ll be sailing to the
Florida Keys,” Brenna commented, brushing away the strands of brown
hair the wind had blown across her face.
    Brenna was not the most beautiful girl in high
school. That honor went to her friend, Marissa Seaton. Yet, there
was something quite pretty about her kind face. She had large brown
eyes which sparkled with life. Her hair was the color of mahogany,
falling limply to her waist. Her skin was like caramel. Her body
wasn’t as curvy as Marissa’s, and she often felt self conscious
about wearing a bathing suit next to her statuesque friend.
Standing at five foot four inches, Brenna barely weighed a hundred
pounds and still appeared to be a prepubescent teen. She had tried
to put on some weight, but it seemed that she was doomed to look
like a stick figure for the rest of her life.
    “Yeah, I was thinking about that,” Dylan responded
unenthusiastically. “Are you sure you want to sail all the way down
to the Florida Keys?”
    “Yes, aren’t you?” Brenna said, turning to face him
with narrowed eyes.
    He raised his hands defensively. “Don’t get mad,” he
said calmly. “It’s just that it’s going to be a long trip... The
five of us are going to be stuck on a boat together and in one
another’s space. It might get a little claustrophobic... Don’t you
think?”
    “No,” she answered abruptly. “Orman’s boat is
huge!”
    Orman Hurley was the richest kid in school. His
father was a multimillionaire and treated himself to expensive toys
which Orman had access to. Mr. Hurley’s crew had been preparing the
yacht to set sail for a few days