Free Ripples (DROPLETS Trilogy Book 2) by Meaghan Rauscher

Reaching the end of the pier, I looked down into the dark foaming waters that formed the mouth of the sea. With each slap-slap of the waves against the wooden poles, I felt my body ache for my fins, but I shook the thought from my mind. Resting against the railing, I looked out over the water at the passing boats entering the harbor. Through the falling snow I could make out the many fishermen covering their boats in the harbor, while those who entered were preparing their decks for the unloading of half a day’s catch. Others would continue to arrive throughout the day, but those stuck at the sea would soon have to fight the storm that was threatening on the horizon. From where I stood, I could see the white caps of the waves outside the harbor.
         I shivered and noticed a familiar boat docking at the harbor. The two pale heads were bent over their work as they prepared the boat for the oncoming storm. As if feeling my gaze, one of them looked up and saw me standing on the pier. He smacked his brother and pointed, from where I stood I could see the fear in their eyes. I shook my head and waved to them, working hard to smile.
         I won’t leave like that ever again , I thought. It would take them a long time to trust me again, even though I had made headway with my father.
         As the twins covered the boat with routine ease, I made my way along the pier and down the dock to their boat. Sliding my hands in my pockets, I could feel the coldness of my fingers but still felt warm all throughout my body.
         “Hey,” I said coming up on them.
         “Hey,” they both grunted as they pulled the cover tight over the boat, and flashed me identical grins. How I had missed seeing those dimples.
         “Need a hand?” I asked and moved to help before they answered. The motions all came back quickly, my muscles remembering better than my brain, instinctively tying the knots just right.
         The job done, the boys grabbed their cargo and began to carry it to the awaiting truck. I snatched a heavy tool box before following them.
         “I see you didn’t catch anything today,” I said and shoved the tool box into the bed of the truck.
         “Yeah, we just took her out for a routine maintenance check.” Derek said and helped me push my box in farther. “We thought it was a good day for it.”
         I nodded and looked up at the falling snow flakes as my hood fell backward and allowed the cool air to shroud my ears.
         I jumped up into the bed of the truck, without their asking, and grabbed the cover for the bed. Already flecks of snow were falling on the black vinyl, little specks contrasting the darkness with a sharp white. Handing the cover to Sean, I saw the approval in his eyes as he watched me move. I guess I had been right earlier, I had been cooped up for too long.
         “What are you doing out so early?” Sean asked as he pulled the cover on tight, his twin holding the other side so I could snap it into place.
         “Just went for a run,” I said and caught his curious look from the corner of my eye. “Great weather for it, huh?” I asked, feeling my sense of humor rising.
         He laughed, “Exactly what I was thinking.”
         “Are you headed back to the house?” I asked, somehow my legs had already recovered and I could feel the desire to get moving again.
         “Yep,” Derek said and slammed the bed of the truck shut. “Want a ride?”
         “No thanks,” I declined, “I’ll walk.”
         Sean looked to Derek, “I guess we can too, then.” His twin nodded and we all began to trudge down the street to the little pathway behind Darrow’s Catch. My legs shook as we began to climb the hill toward the house, but the feeling was both painful and wonderful at the same time.
         Up ahead we heard the sound of kids screaming playfully in the yard, beside me Sean and Derek began to walk faster. As if having