He tried to clear his mind and enjoy the moment. The temperature was in the high seventies, the sun was out, the sand was warm. He had to focus on the little things.

Keith did a quick head count and realized Lissa was missing. He stood up and looked around frantically, only to catch sight of her talking with a lifeguard. Of course she was, he thought grimly as he started toward them. When the guy put his arm on his daughter’s shoulder, Keith began swearing.

Lissa stood with her back to him, so didn’t see him approach. He hated her tiny bikini and wished she’d put on the T-shirt he’d asked her to wear. Instead of agreeing, she’d rolled her eyes and walked away. She was doing that a lot lately.

“Can I help you?” the lifeguard asked.

Lissa turned and saw him. “Dad!”

Keith ignored her and stared into the reflective sunglasses of the lifeguard.

“She’s seventeen,” he said bluntly. “I’ll press charges.”

The lifeguard took a step back. “You said you were twenty.”

Keith grabbed her arm. “She lied. You should know better, in your line of work.”

“Da-ad!” She shook off his hold and starting walking toward their pile of belongings. “You’re so annoying.”

“Back at you.” He pointed to the towels. “Go destroy your skin by tanning. Or hang out with the guys in the water.”

“Oh, you’ll trust me with them?”

“Sure.” He smiled. “They’re all afraid of me. I like that in a young man.”

“You think you know everything but you don’t.”

“I know a lot.”

Lissa darted toward the water. He watched her go, relaxing when she joined Andy and Luka in the surf. The guys would take care of her.

Just then his phone buzzed. He pulled it out and saw he had a text from Ellen.

Where are you?

Lifeguard station 20, he texted back. Can you see it?

There was a pause. Yes. I’m at 18. Be right there.

He headed north, looking for her. He spotted her, a large tote bag in one hand, her sandals in the other. Her long dark hair blew in the breeze and she had on sunglasses. When she saw him, she smiled and instantly the world righted itself.

Damn, she looked good, he thought absently. All female and sexy. The skirt of her wrap sundress was blowing open in the breeze. He found himself wanting to pull her close and kiss her until they...

He came to a stop. Kiss her? Kiss Ellen? No. Not going there. No kissing. No anything. They were friends. He liked being friends with her. She was a constant in his life and he liked that, too.

She walked up to him and leaned her head against his chest. “I’m trying to be brave, but it’s hard. Jeremy was there. I’ll admit I was half hoping he wouldn’t show, but he did and Coop was so excited.”

Keith put his hands on her upper arms. “It’s going to be fine.”