Chapter 1

Sandy was always doing things on her own, not having met the right partner yet. So she decided on visiting her family and friends back home in Australia. She’d been working in the States for the last nine years and, in that time, had only been back once for a quick visit.

Most of her friends felt sorry for her, but Sandy was happy enough. Some were married with children, others in solid relationships—they all wanted her to find a partner and Sandy did, too, but up until now, no one really took her interest. Why bother for the sake of just being with someone?

Instead of being depressed, she found herself enjoying her freedom, and before long, she drove her way along the Victorian coast, heading toward her favourite beach.

Sandy loved the roar of the ocean on cold wintry days, as well as blistering hot ones like today. With the wind rushing through her bleached blonde hair, she enjoyed the heat from the sun browning up her already golden tan as she manoeuvred her sports car around the Great Ocean Road. The Australian coastline, with its treacherous waters and breathtaking views, lifted her spirits.

Sandy hadn’t realised she’d missed the area because she hadn’t been out there for years. Now as she drove, memories flooded her thoughts. She thought back to when she’d still been at school, even University, and how all her friends would come out to Lorne for the weekend—it was the place to be. Surfing, sunbathing, and wild parties on the beach. Those were the days, although now they seemed like a lifetime ago.

She’d recently caught up with some of her old friends, but most were too busy in their daily lives to go to the beach and definitely had no more time for weekend adventures.

Sandy did want what her friends had— solid relationships and people around her who cared, really cared. She realized she’d been living a lie for too many years, always trying to please others. It was time she let people know who she really was, time to make some changes.

Pleased when she found a parking spot so quickly, Sandy locked her rental car and eagerly headed up the embankment to soak in the view. Spectacular. The grassy incline lead to clean, soft sand where the roar of the pounding ocean surf washed away all negative thoughts and had her feeling alive and vibrant.

She stood there for a moment breathing deeply, slowly scanning the horizon as the wind teased some strands of her hair and made others lash at her face. She shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun and saw, in the distance, two container ships slowly making their way to port.

She removed her shoes and walked along the water’s edge, enjoying the waves as they lapped at her feet, the sand squishing through her toes. The sea spray was refreshing, cooling her down as it rained lightly upon her. She was happy she’d found her way here.

Noting the many couples languishing on the sand, she walked through the shallows for a while, then headed out toward the rocks where all the surfers gathered. She wanted to watch them ride the waves. She admired their free spirit, their belief in themselves and their own abilities. Sandy had always wished she had learned to surf, but there had never been enough time. She’d always been too busy partying, being someone she was not.

Sandy knew she was a good-looking young woman. In her late twenties, Sandy was fit from working out at the gym a few times a week. She loved to play volleyball, and when she wasn’t playing, she coached a junior squad from a school in her area. The kids were great and the parents appreciative.

Now with her new job as a train driver, she’d have to change her schedule to suit her job. She was so looking forward to beginning this new career. She’d been a qualified accountant long enough. The job was boring and her clients draining. Everyone was out to screw the taxman and she was sick of it. Sandy remembered the reaction she received when she passed what she considered to be good news onto her mother.

“Are you crazy? A train driver! What on earth do you want to be a train driver for?” her mother had asked.

Sandy’s jaw clenched at the memory. It was her life she was living, not her mother’s. Sandy had spent her whole life trying to please her parents, teachers, and friends. Not anymore. She’d be damned if she was going to continue to allow her mother or her friends control her.

That was one of the reasons she’d gone overseas. She’d needed to get away from it all—the pressure of pleasing everyone was too much, so when the company she worked for had an opening in San Francisco, she took it immediately.

Sandy shook her head, clearing away the negative intrusions that had slipped inside her mind. Those days were over. It didn’t matter to Sandy she was alone; it didn’t matter if she never had a date. Sandy could function on her own. Her mother was always hounding her about finding the right guy. She wondered if she’d ever find anyoneshe could be truly happy with. If only she could discover that feeling she’d heard so much about, that animalistic urge which hit when the right one came along.