she stepped close and put her hand on the cool, smooth shoulder. "Dan, let's go for that swim." Later, in the cold water, Dan and Shauna frolicked near the point of exhaustion. Luxurious moonlit waves tumbled them, laughing and shivering, toward the shore, the taste of salt in their mouths. Then they'd run back out, splashing in the shallow pool of water, daring the waves to make them fall, diving through the big ones. They stayed close, two-strong against the forces. Dan was security, pulling Shauna through the giant swells, sheltering her from the pounding curls when she faltered. It was rough and wonderful. Their muscles ached with tiredness. Their smiles were salt-starched and chattering. They noticed the moon, climbing higher, and it's outline growing sharper in the night. Time pulsed with the roar and whisper, and Shauna knew it was getting late. As they stumbled toward the shore again, Shauna's mind tried to know what would happen when Bryce finally came. Her crystal plan had shattered, and now her careful naughtiness might have an entirely different effect. Maybe she had better just forget the whole thing and try to make it back to the house before Bryce came home. How revolting she thought. But then, he could be driving in at this very moment. No, there was still time. There had to be. Even if he was home right now, it would be a while before he ran the twisted cliff road and found her on the beach. Shauna and Dan had reached the dry sand now and turned to watch the white explosions on the water. The salty dampness had become a heavy warmth, and they were statues under its weight. Unmoving, Shauna spoke. "It's getting late." She didn't really want him to go, but Bryce would be coming. Dan's clear voice was close. "Yes, but it seems so early. You know, Shauna, you're wonderful. This night has turned out to be something really great." His hand touched her arm lightly. "Let's go out just once more, and then we'll let it end. Okay?" Before Shauna could answer, Dan had clasped her hand firmly and was pulling her behind him as he ran. She stumbled and laughed, pulling back, then lurching forward. Her legs splashed the cold water. "Oh, Dan, we really shouldn't." "I know," he said, and they kept running, side by side now, breathlessly leaping and splashing, then stroking and jumping into the waves. Shauna's thoughts whirled with the motion. If Bryce came now, what could she do? It wasn't really a very explainable situation. He'd be mad, furious...but eventually, he'd have to be sorry he had left her alone in the first place. After all, it was really his fault. They were in deep water now, coldness tingling over their bodies, splashing into their faces. Shauna smiled at Dan's glistening face, the blue, blue eyes, and the long, light hair, dripping water. He laughed and flung the hair back. Then he motioned and yelled. "Hey, let's dive through this one." And he was gone. Shauna wasn't ready. She gulped for air and choked on stinging 36 salt water. Then the wave hit and knocked her backward. She tried to yell as she went under, fighting the forward surge of water, but her voice drowned in the water. Eyes and throat burned, and she couldn't get control. She stroked and kicked madly as she felt her body turning under water. Her eyes opened, and water burned around them. She gulped and pawed, still with the force of the wave behind her, over her. A breathless panic hollowed her chest and pushed into her throat. "Bryce! Bryce!" The name pounded in her head, and his face juggled before her eyes. Her limp muscles floundered for him. At last the wave billowed under her and roared away. A strong arm circled her waist, and a hand lifted her head. Shauna felt the last inch of energy go happily out of her. "Oh, Bryce," she said, "thank heaven." She hardly felt the lift and jerk of being carried. She only noticed a strange sensation as if long strips of gauze were being wrapped around and around her. A long time later the sand leveled under her, and the dizziness solidified. "We'd better get you back home pretty quick." It wasn't Bryce's voice. Then Shauna remembered...Dan, She opened her eyes and found him sitting quietly by her on the sand. He looked straight ahead for several long seconds before he spoke again in a quiet, level voice. "You're all right now, Shauna." He turned to her and gently pulled a piece of seaweed from her hair. "You had a rough go, but you're all right now. I should have been there sooner, but you made it anyway." Shauna's voice sounded hoarse and shaky. "Thanks, Dan. I almost drowned. I'll never forget." They moved simultaneously upward. She shivered as he lifted and helped her to her feet. He shook her crumpled beach robe and put it around her shoulders. They walked in silence toward the cliff road. The sand was cool against their feet. Shauna's scattered thoughts began to settle. What had happened to Bryce? Surely he would be back by now. Why hadn't he come? Or had he? Maybe he had come while they were out in the waves, too far out to be seen in the moonlight. And if he had, what now? She had meant to scare him...but she had also meant for him to find her on the beach. Anxiety twinged through her limbs. She had to find him quick. It seemed very late on the beach. Cool breezes licked Dan and Shauna's wet bodies, making them shiver as they walked. The cliff road, just beyond them, looked much longer that it ever had before. The house and its splotch of light increased its distance. Shauna felt impatient energy tugging at her legs and pumping through her lungs. They reached the road. Dan said huskily, "Shall I go with you part way?" Shauna faced him and touched his hand. Her voice scratched. "Thank you, but I'll go alone from here. Dan, you've been wonderful. Goodby," He closed his hand lightly around hers for an instant. "You sure you'll be okay?" 37