“Hey, you’re okay. This old boat’s been through a lot, but it’s still pretty dependable.”

She didn’t know the boy beside her, but her hands were clamped down on his shoulders, and his eyes were so close that she could make out soft, green flecks beneath his lashes.

“Oh,” she murmured and pulled away, conscious now of the rocking movement of the ferry and the flush creeping over her cheeks. “Oh…I didn’t…I mean…I’m so sorry—”

The green eyes laughed at her. “Don’t apologize. Women throw themselves at me all the time—I’m used to it. Look,” he bent down to peer into her face. “You’re still pretty pale—I’ll get you some water.”

“No, really, I feel fine. Don’t go to any trouble—”

“No trouble,” he grinned. “Be right back.”

She gave a halfhearted nod and leaned back against the wall, watching him disappear down a stairway at the far end of the deck. That dream again! Kelsey shut her eyes against the memory, but the images began to gather like old familiar reruns, so she forced herself to stare at the vague outline of land in the distance. Beverly Island. She had never even heard of Beverly Island before, but Eric Connell, her mother’s boyfriend, was coming here this summer to work on his plays and spend time with his kids, and he had invited Kelsey and Mrs. Tanner for a visit. Kelsey hadn’t wanted to come—she’d had her heart set on going with her best friend to Jenny’s family cabin in the mountains.

“His sons are lifeguards,” Mom had tried to tempt her, “and his daughter can’t wait to meet you—”

“We’ll probably hate each other, and I’ll probably hate the island, too!”

“You’re going,” Mom had said. And that was that.

Kelsey groaned and grabbed hold of the wall as the floor took a sudden slant beneath her feet.

Water. As far as she could see, choppy, gray water. An eternity of it.

“Here you go.”

She slammed back against the railing as a hand reached out to steady her.

“Hey, easy—I really think you should sit down. Before you fall down.” And it was him again, green eyes and wide, lazy smile, and strong hands guiding her back to the wooden bench, safely away from the sea.

“Just drink this and stay put. I’m a lifeguard, but I’d rather not have to rescue you this far from shore.”

Kelsey’s ears pricked up. “Lifeguard? Are you Eric Connell’s son?”

For a moment Kelsey felt a twinge of uneasiness, looking into his eyes. He stared at her, his grin slowly fading. “No. Skip Rochford. But I know both his sons. Are you…a friend?”

“Sort of. I’m just visiting.”

“Oh. Then I guess you haven’t heard.”

The uneasiness began to spread. “Heard what?”

Skip opened his mouth, but before he could answer, Mrs. Tanner rushed up, smiling as if she’d known him all her life.

“Isn’t this boat great!” Mom waved her arms in the air. “I can’t believe we’re really here, can you, Kelsey? No city for two whole weeks! I wanted you to feed the gulls with me, but you were having the best nap, and—”