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  Learning to Love

  New Zealand Sailing, Volume 1

  Trinity Wood

  Published by Romance Cafe Publishing, 2021.

  Learning to Love

  New Zealand Sailing Book 1

  Trinity Wood

  Learning to Love, Copyright © 2021 by Trinity Wood

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  WARNING DISCLAIMER: This work is suited for Adults 18+ only. It contains sexual situations and adult language. All characters depicted are of legal age.

  * * *

  Cover Design by The Cover Fling

  Editing by Empowered Writing

  For everyone who wants to publish their work, and is still thinking about it.

  * * *

  I believe in you.

  No wind blows right for the sailor who doesn’t know where the harbor is.

  ~ Norwegian Proverb ~

  Contents

  Glossary

  Chapter 1

  Sam

  ***

  Ellie

  Chapter 2

  Sam

  ***

  Ellie

  Chapter 3

  Sam

  ***

  Sam

  Chapter 4

  Ellie

  ***

  Ellie

  ***

  Sam

  ***

  Sam

  Chapter 5

  Ellie

  Chapter 6

  Ellie

  ***

  Sam

  Chapter 7

  Ellie

  Chapter 8

  Ellie

  ***

  Sam

  Chapter 9

  Ellie

  ***

  Sam

  Chapter 10

  Ellie

  ***

  Sam

  Chapter 11

  Ellie

  Chapter 12

  Sam

  ***

  Ellie

  Chapter 13

  Sam

  ***

  Ellie

  Chapter 14

  Ellie

  ***

  Sam

  Chapter 15

  Ellie

  ***

  Sam

  Chapter 16

  Ellie

  ***

  Sam

  ***

  Ellie

  Chapter 17

  Sam

  Chapter 18

  Sam

  ***

  Ellie

  Chapter 19

  Sam

  ***

  Ellie

  ***

  Sam

  Chapter 20

  Sam

  ***

  Ellie

  Epilogue

  ***

  Ellie

  Connect with Trinity

  Acknowledgement

  About the Author

  Glossary

  Tui - The tui is a boisterous medium-sized bird native to New Zealand. It is blue, green, and bronze colored with a distinctive white throat tuft.

  Kauri - Kauri are among the world's mightiest trees, growing to over 50 m tall, with trunk girths up to 16 m, and living for over 2,000 years.

  Pounamu - Traditionally, pounamu, or greenstone (jade), is regarded as a talisman. Māori designs and symbols carved in pounamu carry spiritual significance.

  Nikau - The Nikau is the only palm tree native to mainland New Zealand.

  Pohutukawa - Also called the New Zealand Christmas tree, it’s a coastal evergreen tree in the myrtle family that produces a brilliant display of red flowers.

  Jibe - Also gybe, in sailing it means to change course by swinging the sail across a following wind.

  Tim-Tam - Tim Tam is a brand of chocolate biscuit made by the Australian biscuit company Arnott's. It consists of two malted biscuits separated by a light chocolate cream filling and coated in a thin layer of textured chocolate.

  Kawakawa - Kawakawa is a versatile herb and one of the most important in Māori medicine. It has been used traditionally to treat cuts, wounds, stomach and rheumatic pain, skin disorders, and toothache.

  Kiwi - a flightless bird native to New Zealand, also a nickname for New Zealanders.

  Ka pai, tamariki (Te Reo Maori) - Well done, children.

  Chapter 1

  Sam

  The best ideas come to me when I'm on the water. Through the ocean expanse in front of me, the waves, or speeding through in a sailing boat, I can just be. The lingering stillness, the sun, the bird calls, the loud pounding of the surf have been my favorite music since I was a boy.

  I lean against a doorway, fading evening sun on my face, drink in hand, and close my eyes, imagining I’m back on the water, my pulse slowing down …

  “Stop hogging the doorway, Sam.”. Gracie’s impatient words snap me out of my reverie. I crash land back into the jam-packed house party on Auckland’s North Shore. Too much noise. Too people-y. This is why I never go to parties.

  Gracie rushes past me with what looks like a small mountain of vegetables ready to topple over. She drops them on the counter. “Come out of hiding and help Ellie here with the salads, and then we’ll see you both outside. Shout if you need anything.” With barely a glance over her shoulder, Gracie, ever the perfect hostess, waves towards the door. A woman, petite—can’t be more than a few inches over five feet—curvy, hair dark velvet, eyes the color of an ocean sunset - just stands there as if she isn’t some sort of sea goddess.

  Who could notice any other damn thing with a whirlwind like Gracie flying through? No wonder I hadn’t seen the girl trailing behind her, struggling with two large bowls. I hastily put my drink down, relieve her of the bowls, and clear some space on the counter.

  The sea goddess named Ellie pushes hair behind her ear and smiles shyly. “Hey there. Gracie asked me to prepare some salads for the barbecue. She said you could help us out. Hope you don’t mind.” Ellie flicks her gaze in my direction then back down at the countertop.

  Every word sounds a bit strained, like she is embarrassed. Or maybe afraid? I’m making her uncomfortable. I realize I’m staring and snap out of it. I’m not looking for a relationship. I’m not looking for anything casual, either. Corey says every time I start seeing someone, I fall. Hard. I might as well be a eunuch these days. But I won’t be for much longer if I stay near the goddess. She tempts me too much, and maybe… if I turned on the charm, she’ll say yes.

  No. Gotta shut those thoughts down hard. I’ll escape after dinner. Sooner if I can get these salads out of the way.

  No escaping from the salads though. I put on my well-worn camera smile. “Sweet. What are we making? How can I help?”

  My smile, albeit forced, seems to have put her at ease. She beams back, making my heart beat slightly faster. This is soooo not good news. Maybe if I went out more, I wouldn’t have such a response to one pretty girl.

  She points at one of the large bowls. “How about you wash the lettuce, then shred it into this bowl.” She points at one of the large bowls. “I’ll slice the rest of the veggies and make the vinaigrette. Then we’ll put it all together, toss in some grilled halloumi, and we’re ready to go.”

  She can cook, eh? My skills in the kitchen are limited to eggs on toast, so all this talk
of vinaigrettes and halloumi is making me more nervous than the last World Sailing Championships when it looked like we were losing. Racing heart, shaky hands. Hopefully no puking, though. I avoid looking at her, pick up the lettuce and carry it to the sink. As the silence stretches and we work side by side, I contemplate briefly what it would be like to have someone to cook with, to live with. The thought passes as quickly as it came. I can’t do it, and it would be foolish to pretend otherwise. I’m never at home. I don’t have time for a relationship, and unlike Corey, I don’t know how to keep things casual.

  “I’m Ellie by the way,” she says. “I don’t think I caught your name, but you look familiar. Have we met before?” Her eyes narrow and her head tilts to the side, considering, likely, where she’s seen me.

  I’m fighting an urge to kiss her. “I don’t think we’ve met before. I’d remember. Trust me.” Just what the hell am I doing? For a moment I feel reckless, like I’m back on the water, and a big surge is coming towards me. Her smile is everything. Seems like I can’t get enough of it. My flirting skills have always been subpar, but today I’m really feeling it. It sounds like a pickup line, but it’s the truth. Just met her and I can’t look away from her hair, her eyes, her lips. Damn, those lips. Her eyes widen, and her gaze flicks to my lips. And I’m less than a foot from her, leaning in as if I were about to kiss her. I pull back as if shocked.

  “Then maybe I’ve seen you on TV. Reality TV shows? The News? Hmm ...” She puts the final touches to her masterpieces. They look more like works of art than salads. I feel loath to eat them.

  Eating her up like the masterpiece she is, on the other hand … My resolve is going downhill fast. Man, it’s been a long time since I’ve dated or even been on a date. I should really go out more. I’m drooling like a teenager over someone I met ten minutes ago.

  “Ahem?”

  I’ve been lost in space yet again, and left her question hanging in the air between us. What time is it? If it’s after 7 PM, maybe I can make an excuse and get away before I do something stupid.

  “My name’s Sam,” I say. “I’m a sailor. I have a couple of days off, then I’m back with the guys on the water.” Two days, but standing in this kitchen, in close proximity to Ellie, it feels like a lifetime away. Paddy told me time stood still when he met Gracie, but I laughed it off.

  Well played Paddy, well played.

  “Sam … I think I recognize you now! You’re Sam Northcroft. From the sailing team.” The tongs she’s holding clatter to the countertop and she stares wide-eyed at me. “I’m not really into sailing, but you guys won the Olympics. That’s an amazing achievement, huge thing for our country.” She picks up one of the bowls, gestures for me to get the other one, and we make our way out to the barbecue area. I watch, mesmerized by the sway of her hips.

  “Sam, bro, come here.” The sunshine and Paddy’s words shatter the spell, hurl me back to reality. I put the bowl down on the table and join Paddy at the barbecue. That’s exactly what I need right now to get my mind off Ellie—Paddy and a bit of bullshitting. Some perspective would be good, too. And a lot of resolve.

  I’ve been friends with Paddy since we were five. We went to the same school in O'Neills Bay, then our paths separated when I took up sailing, and he became a rugby pro. We met again recently, and it felt like we’d never been apart.

  He’s more than met his match in Gracie, who always managed to handle him through his ups and downs. I’m very happy to see him settled, it suits him, but it’s obviously given me ideas I don’t need.

  I give him a pat on the back, just like in the old days. “Yo. What’s up?”

  “How’s it going, bro? We never see you these days. You’re always on the water. You need a woman to keep you on land, so we can see you more.” He tries to poke me with the meat tongs.

  I jerk away from the tongs and lightly punch his shoulder. These days it feels like everyone takes an interest in my love life, from my mum, to my brother, to my Nana who’s got dementia and half the time doesn’t remember who I am, to the newspapers.

  I take a deep sigh. “Maybe I like mermaids.”

  “You’re a meme now, bro. Saw it the other day, Sam’s new girl. Picture of a seagull.” He laughs so hard, I think he’s going to choke. Maybe I wish he’s going to choke. I scowl at him, then I spot Ellie in a corner talking with some girls. She's a bit shorter than the others, but she looks stunning, and I stare a bit longer than I should.

  Paddy slides closer, looks the same direction as me. “Ah, so that’s how the wind blows, bro. Alright, alright. Good one.” He picks up the cooked meat, expertly lays it on a platter, and pushes it towards me. “Time for kai.”

  Nope, it’s time to go. The wind might push me towards Ellie the sea goddess - hell, she might even command the ocean winds to blow. But I can’t follow. Not her. Not anyone. Not right now.

  ***

  Ellie

  If Gracie doesn't stop trying to set me up with random guys, I'm going to change my name and move to a different town. Take an active interest in my life, my ass. It was bad enough last week when she set me up with ... Marcus? Mark? Methuselah? See, I can't even remember! But this. This is almost like betrayal because I'm sitting next to THE Sam Northcroft, Olympic sailor (and salad maker, apparently), and he's not saying a word.

  Earlier in the kitchen, when he looked at me with those smouldering eyes and said he’d have remembered me if we met before, I felt like we were THIS close to kissing. Now it's more like we’re oceans apart.

  I jump from the table, pull Gracie into a corner, lean in close. “Do you seriously think to hook me up with an Olympian?”

  Gracie held her hands up, palms to the sky. “Why not? He’s in his early thirties, so not too much older than you. And he’s VERY single.”

  “VERY single. So there are degrees of singleness?”

  Gracie nods. “Of course there are.”

  “Are there levels, then, like we’re in a video game? Level One when you’re just out of a relationship. Level Two means you’re ready to date. And Level Three is … what? Casual dating? What level am I?"

  "The level where you return to the table and talk to the very nice, very attractive, VERY single man."

  I grunt, but return. Very single, huh? That likely means he is the no-commitment type. Makes sense. He's a sailor, not often on land. He probably doesn't have a pet. Or a plant. Or socks. Maybe he does have socks. He does appear on TV occasionally. How would he get on with Daisy? And more importantly, do I care?

  What he does have is the ability to make me weak at the knees whenever I think of him. He’s not my usual type, if I have a type. I scan his profile. Too rugged, too tall, too windswept. Just too much. And too little commitment. Why Gracie thinks we would make a good fit, apart from the fact we’re both single, I’ll never know, but the attraction is definitely there. I’ve not felt attraction like this in … ever. But attraction means nothing. Right? But what if it means something? I’ll never know unless I try. What woman in her right mind would pass up a chance, no matter how small, with an Olympian? I gather my courage. Time to test the waters. “Hey stranger, we meet again.” I’m not good at flirting like Tayla. She would have had him lusting after her by now.

  “Hey yourself.” He fixes his blue-gray gaze on me, then turns away quickly. Why is he so skittish? Am I making him as nervous as I’m feeling?

  “How do you know Paddy and Gracie? I haven’t seen you around here before.”

  He puts down his drink, and seems to relax a fraction. I get a glimpse of that crooked smile again. “I’ve known Paddy since we were kids. We went to the same school. Life got in the way, but recently our paths crossed again. He’s a good one.”

  The chatter around us seems to increase, and instinctively we move closer to each other on the bench. Don’t know what it is, his scent, the nearness of him, is maddening. I want more.

  He’s quite close now. I wonder if he’ll make a move, but he seems so calm and collected, like nothing can ru
ffle him.

  “How do you know them?”

  “Friends of friends. Gracie is mates with my flatmate Tayla. She couldn’t come here today. She’s at a retreat.” I can’t stop babbling to keep the conversation going, yet his gaze never falls from mine. He watches me with quiet intensity, like every word coming from my mouth is a gem to treasure. We’re surrounded by lots of people, but it feels like we’re in a world of our own.

  “What sort of retreat? Yoga, herbal teas, essential oils?” He smiles and makes a wide gesture encompassing all that stuff.

  I bristle and turn to my plate feeling stiff. “Yoga retreat.” It’s clear from his dismissal he considers “all that stuff” airy-fairy, but it’s dear to Tayla, so it’s dear to me. I sniff and lift my chin.

  “I’m not knocking it! My friend Corey’s into that sort of stuff.” He chuckles. “They’re probably bound to meet at some point.”

  Through a haze I realize he’s talking about his friend and sailing partner Corey Fine. From what I’d heard, Sam’s like the Yin to Corey’s Yang. One’s quiet, broody, and awkward. The other one is cheerful, always puts a smile on the faces of everyone he meets.

  Sam intrigues me, from his deep silences, to his eyes. They look like they carry a thousand secrets. And I want to know every single one of them. “Maybe we should set them up. They could put those essential oils to good use.” I half laugh, half groan, mortified. My sense of humor is going to send him running for the ocean.