Free Rogue Wave (The Water Keepers, Book 2) by Christie Anderson Page A

didn’t mean to joke about your relationship. I’m just so happy that you wanted to tell me about it.”
    I rolled my eyes. “You’re just lucky I’m used to all of your giggling by now.”
    She chuckled then scooted her chair closer. “If you ask me, your situation doesn’t seem weird at all.”
    “It doesn’t?” I asked, surprised.
    “No. I think, for some people, a break-up is the only way they’re able to realize how much they actually want to be together.”
    I sighed. “Well, what if the question isn’t whether or not we want to be together? What if it’s more a matter of whether we should be together; if it’s the right thing for our futures?”
    I wasn’t sure why I was even bothering to ask for my mom’s advice. She still didn’t know anything about Keepers or Healing Water, and she couldn’t possibly understand all the complexities of my relationship with Rayne.
    Mom nodded thoughtfully. “Sweetheart, I’m no expert on relationships, and I think love is a hard subject for anyone to figure out. But, I believe if you’re really meant to be with someone, things have a way of working themselves out. Our hearts have a way of knowing what to do. If the love is really there between you and Rayne, then you’ll find a way to mold your futures together.  If either of you can’t do that…then your love was never true to begin with.”
    I stared at her for a moment, repeating her last words in my head. Your love was never true to begin with . I lifted the corners of my mouth slightly. “Thanks, Mom. I’m sure we’ll figure it out.” But the small smile on my face was only an outward appreciation for my mother’s attempt to help. Inside, I felt more conflicted than ever.
    A few hours later back at home, Mom waltzed out of her bedroom with a twirl, showcasing an elegant, knee-length black dress. “What do you think? Do you like it?”
    “Wow, Mom. You look amazing.”
    She grinned. “Thanks, honey. Are you ready to go?”
    “I think so,” I said, standing up from the couch. I glanced down at my periwinkle sundress and white cardigan, feeling slightly under-dressed. “Maybe I should go change into something a little nicer.”
    Mom shook her head and kissed me on the cheek. “Don’t be silly. You look beautiful.”
    We drove in my mom’s car to the hospital where we were meeting Dr. Jensen before dinner. He was planning to take us in his Jaguar to the Rusty Pelican, an expensive restaurant with a view of Newport Harbor. I’d only been there once a few years ago when Heather’s mom had invited us to their traditional champagne brunch on Mother’s Day.
    As soon as we stepped off the hospital elevator and turned the corner to my mom’s department, I ran into a familiar face in the hallway. It was Brooke, one of the younger nurses who’d helped me after my car accident last November. We still chatted now and then when I’d come by the hospital to visit my mom.”
    “Sadie,” she greeted happily. “How are you?”
    I stopped and gave her a small hug. I was still feeling a little down from my earlier conversation with Rayne, but seeing a friendly face helped cheer me up. “I’m great,” I chimed.
    “Hi, Brooke,” Mom said. “Sadie, honey, I’m just going to say hello to a few people. I’ll be back in just a minute.”
    I nodded and turned my attention back to Brooke. She always looked so official and smart in her hospital scrubs. We talked for a few minutes about her new boyfriend and my plans for graduation less than two months away. But Brooke was on the clock and had to get back to her patients. I walked with her to the nurses’ station at the center of the department, expecting to find my mom there gabbing away, but I didn’t see her there.
    After looking around for a minute, I recognized an older woman sitting at the desk.
    “Have you seen my mom?” I asked her.
    The woman answered, tone dry, not interested enough to glance away from her computer screen. She lifted her pen