"Mama! Mama!" Abbygail exclaimed, running back up the beach towards me. She grabbed my hand and began to pull me with her to the water's edge. "You too long!"
"I'm going as fast as I can, sweetheart," I assured.
She let go, running back down on her own. "Tuwtle! Tuwtle! Tuwwwwtle, Mama!"
"Don't touch it, Abby!" I quickened my pace and got to her before she could grab the small creature.
She fell back onto her butt when I was at her side. "Mama, I want him." She looked up at me with wide eyes. "Please?"
Someone behind me chuckled and when I looked up I shied away, pulling Abby into my arms. "That poor guy has been here all day long."
The man was easily six foot tall, his cut off shorts and shirtless torso showing off his bulging muscles. He grinned at me, an easy smile playing on his face. A little girl was sitting on his shoulders, smiling at us.
Abbygail hid her face in my arms. Her body was already shaking slightly. "Mama," she whispered.
"My name's Quil," the man said, setting the girl on her feet.
She stuck her hand out to me. "My name's Claire," she announced, shaking my hand animatedly. "I'm three!"
Abby looked at her, slightly curious, before setting her eyes on my face.
"I'm Kaleigh."
They sat down next to us, the turtle staring up at me in wonder. I sighed, holding my hand out to it. Within the next few seconds the turtle began to climb onto my palm. Abby gave it a small grin, reaching out tentatively to pet its shell.
"Do you want to pet it?" I asked Claire.
She nodded, moving forward to touch the tiny animal. She giggled when it slipped back into its shell.
Abby gave me a disgruntled look before hiding her face again.
"So what brings you to La Push?" Quil asked.
"We just moved to the area," I told him, setting the turtle on my leg.
"From….?"
I didn't meet his gaze as I turned to look out at the waves crashing on the rocks. "We move around a lot," I said quietly with a shrug.
I saw him nod in my peripheral vision. "Well since you're new to the area...why don't you come have dinner with me and my friends?"
Shifting Abby slightly, I shook my head. "I don't think that's a very good idea."
Claire continued to pet the turtle as she looked up at me. "Please come. I like you." She grinned. "You look like the pwincess!"
I stifled a laugh as Abby peeked out at the small girl. "Snow White?" I asked softly.
The girl nodded her head energetically. "Mmhmm!"