“I prefer something that feels like home, too.” He had a strange, wistful look on his face. Then, he brightened. “We might as well enjoy it while we’re here, though. Shall we explore the house?” He rose from the couch and held out his hand. She took it automatically, thinking there wasn’t anywhere she wouldn’t go with him.
They wandered through the main floor, finding a guest suite, a well appointed recreation room, and a few bathrooms. The second floor was filled with opulent bedrooms and an ornate office. The last room they came to, at the end of the second floor hallway, was a large library. The walls were alternately filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and windows that looked out onto the beach. Bright sunshine streamed into the room, falling on the overstuffed couches that filled the center of the room. She couldn’t imagine a more perfect place.
She drifted to the bookshelves, running her fingers along the book bindings and taking in the eclectic combination of modern art coffee table tomes, red leather classics, and ancient books that looked like they might crumble if she tried to open them. David’s face held the same look of giddy excitement as hers. They pulled a few books from the shelves and settled into opposite ends of a couch, bare toes playfully intertwining. Later, David found an Austen collection and snuggled her close while he once again read to her. His deep, sweet voice resonated as her head lay on his chest. Austen with a hint of a Polish accent made the corners of her lips curl up. She toyed with the fabric of his shirt, but he didn’t seem to mind. When he paused, she reached up to kiss him lightly on the lips.
“What was that for?” he asked, smiling.
“For reading so well.”
“Well, I’ll have to do more of that.” He turned back to the book. She very much wanted to kiss his angel face again, but she restrained herself, returning her head to his chest and looking out at the sun sinking down towards the water.
“Oh, no!” She sat up suddenly.
He looked alarmed. “What is it?”
“We’ve got to get back to the boat! What time is it?” They scrambled to find a clock, and then hurtled through the house, scooping up their picnic basket and things. The last boarding call at five o’clock left little time for them to get to the ship before it left. As they sped down the winding highway, Eliza laughed.
“What if we missed the boat?” she asked. She looked sideways at him, her dark glasses fending off the glare of the sinking sun.
He grinned. “Well, I guess I’d be stuck on a tropical island with you forever.”
“Would that be so bad?”
“I think I could endure it.” A wicked smile played on his lips, as his hand slid across the console to capture hers. “Might get kind of boring though.”
“Boring?” she said, slightly affronted.
“There’s only so much paradise I can handle in one sitting,” he said. “It would be much better to be trapped in Italy with you. Or perhaps we could go to Australia?”
“Okay,” she said, “but if we’re going to hack through the outback, you’re going to need to protect me from the wild dingoes and probably bring lots of first aid as well.” He laughed heartily as they sped down the highway, and she was entranced by it. He must have broken whatever speed limits existed on the island, because they were back at the boat in no time. The last passengers straggled up the gangplank as they ran hand-in-hand down the pier. They received some arched eyebrow stares from the crew at the boarding desk, but they were safely aboard.
As they entered the ship, she suddenly wondered if this was good-bye. Was this where they parted? Before she could get too panicked, David pulled her close and kissed her quickly.
“Meet you in an hour for dinner?” he asked.
She hoped her relief didn’t show too strongly as she nodded.
“I’ll pick you up.” He grinned and hurried off. Afraid she would spend the next hour trying to find her cabin, she caught the sleeve of a passing crew member and asked him for directions. She checked in with Mia and Johnny, saying she would be having dinner with David. They weren’t surprised, and she dodged questions about their day on the island. She would have time to explain everything to her mom later, and she had no interest in Johnny ever knowing. She needed to shower and get the sand off before David returned.
She assumed dinner would be formal again. She frowned at the white dress her mom had picked out. It looked woeful next to Tea’s selections. Then she realized she might not see Tea again, either, and that thought weighed her down. She pushed it away as she hopped in the shower. No sad thoughts tonight.
The air was thick with steam from the shower. She breathed it in, trying to release the leftover pain of the day. She wanted the rest of their time to be happy and loving, but dread tugged at the edges of her mind. She knew when the end came, it would hurt like nothing she had ever felt before.
* * *
Tomasz was getting ready for dinner when David arrived back at their cabin.
“Hey! How’d the big day go?” Tomasz asked.
“Great.” He tried to be casual and inhibit further questions, heading for the shower.
Tomasz frowned at him. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, it went fine,” he said. “I need to get a shower. I’m taking Eliza to dinner.”
Tomasz smiled. “Well, that’s the only excuse that would get you off the hook with Mom, you know.”
David forced a smile in return. “So, everyone’s eating together tonight?”
“Yeah, I think we’re eating with Eliza’s parents again. With you two not there, we’ll probably end up talking about you most of the time.” Tomasz laughed.
David grimaced. He wasn’t sure which was worse—enduring the family dinner or having his family talk about them in their absence.
“You could give me something to tell them, you know,” Tomasz said.
“Not a chance.” David smirked as he got in the shower.
“I’ll just be forced to make something up,” Tomasz threatened loud enough to be heard over the shower. David ignored him.
He took his time in the shower, hoping Tomasz would leave. The day had started out great, gone disastrously wrong on the beach, but somehow still ended up okay. She seemed to be over the hurt—or at least the worst of it. Their brief time together simply wasn’t enough for him. They seemed alike in so many ways and yet opposite in others, as though she was his mirror. He heard a small click that he hoped was Tomasz leaving for dinner. When he got out of the shower, he threw on a gray polo and khaki slacks. He pulled the shell from his cargo shorts and tucked it away in his drawer, retrieving the small box and placing it in his pocket.
He was early again, knocking on Eliza’s door. He wondered if she had figured out his maniacal tendency to be on time. When she opened the door, she had dressed for dinner in another beautiful dress that clung in all the right places. Her hair was put up. He didn’t know if he liked it better down where he could touch it, or up so he had better access to the graceful curve of her neck. He decided he was a lucky man either way.
“Hi.” He grinned. “Am I too early?”
“No,” she said softly. “I was hoping you would be.”
The white dress highlighted a slight sunburn on her cheeks. He frowned and ran his finger across her cheekbone.
“I think I kept you too long at the beach. Does it hurt?” She caught his hand in hers and pressed it against her cheek, closing her eyes. She shook her head. The feeling of her cheek on his palm, soft and pulsing with the warmth of the burn, made his breath catch. He pulled her into him, kissing her softly. Their kisses had been soft and sweet since the ardent and unfortunate time on the beach. He found himself wanting more now and yet afraid. He peppered her reddened cheeks with his kisses to erase any awkwardness.
He pulled back and eyed her dress. “I’m afraid you may be overdressed for dinner.”
“I was planning on the Fifties Diner.”
“Ugh. I can go change—it will only take a minute.”
“Absolutely not!” He pretended to be outraged. He took her hand and towed her down the hallway. She protested only a little.
The diner was nearly empty, most passengers having opted for the final, formal dinner of the cruise. Their booth was private and had a great view of the sun sinking into the water. The last rays brought out the golden highlights in her hair. He realized he was staring when he didn’t hear what she had said.
“Sorry?”
“I said, ‘What are you thinking?’” She laughed.
Taken in by your beauty? “Um, hoping you’re not disappointed with the down home fare at the grill?” he scrambled to answer.
“I’ve never had so many formal meals as I’ve had on this cruise. It’s nice to have something normal for a change.” He thought nothing was ever going to be normal for him again. He never knew there could be someone like Eliza in the world for him. He wasn’t sure what that meant, but it definitely wasn’t normal. He had wanted to wait until the end of their meal, but it was taking time for their server to arrive. He fished the small box out of his pocket.
“I have something for you.” He watched her reaction carefully as he placed the box in front of her on the gingham checked tablecloth. “Something for you to remember me by.” Her eyes went wide, and she seemed at a loss for words. She stared at the box like she thought it might bite her.
“Well, at least open it up before you decide you don’t want it.” She threw a disgusted look at him and reached for the box. Inside, nestled in some white cotton, lay a tiny golden lifesaver ring on a delicate gold chain. Her lips formed a silent Oh, and she lightly touched the ring.
“Do you like it?” he asked. He was afraid she might think it strange, this token of their life saving adventures together.
“It’s perfect,” she whispered. Her hands seemed to be trembling, which he didn’t understand, until he saw his were doing the same thing. She was having trouble getting it out of the box, so he went to her side and knelt down on one knee. He took it from the box, unclasped it, and looped it around her bare neck. As he moved in close to clasp it behind her, he couldn’t resist brushing his cheek against hers.
She touched his cheek, the one that had just touched hers. “Thank you.” She seemed hesitant, as though she didn’t know if she should kiss him. But when she touched his face like that, he had a hard time not kissing her, and so he did. Fervently. Until he realized they were still at the grill, and it probably was neither the time nor the place for that kiss. He grinned sheepishly and went back to his seat. She bit her lip in the most appealing way.
He smiled. “We may have caught the waitress’ attention with that one.” The server strolled their way, and they laughed together, managing to compose themselves before she arrived. They ordered and talked, and dinner passed too quickly. Occasionally she would reach up and finger the lifesaver ring, sliding it up and down the chain. It made his heart swell each time.
By the time they finished dinner, it was dark. The deep indigo sky was fading to black, and stars were starting to twinkle. They wanted to take a walk on deck, but it was too windy, the ship having made it to open water. Instead, they walked the hallways aimlessly for a while, holding hands and chatting. It was getting late, and passengers started to fill the hallways, making their way to their cabins. He reluctantly steered them back to her cabin. His heart started pounding in his chest as they rounded the corner to the hallway where her cabin lay. They had fallen quiet, their conversation giving way to an uneasy silence as they approached her door.
This was the part he had been dreading. He couldn’t find anything at all to say and felt the blood rushing in his ears. She seemed nervous as well, and her fingers flew to the little lifesaver hanging around her neck, wringing it. That simple motion touched him deep inside. He pulled her to him and kissed her with all his unspoken feelings. She teetered on her dangerously high heels, and he caught her, trapping her to him. When he released her, he was breathless.
“Good night,” he said. He turned and walked away. The trembling in his body didn’t stop until well after he was back in his cabin, under the covers, desperately seeking the oblivion of sleep.
* * *
Passengers had to disembark by ten o’clock, which would seem to leave a tremendous amount of time to get ready, but she was traveling with her mom and Johnny, so naturally they were running late.
Good night, he had said last night, after that passionate kiss that left her breathless and bewildered. Not “good-bye” but “good night.” That meant she would see him again before they left, right? But there had been no sign of him. When it was obvious that her mom was going to push the deadline for disembarking, she had snuck up to his cabin, just to say one last good-bye, but he and his family had already checked out. She had the sinking feeling that she wouldn’t get another chance.
The brightness of the mid-morning Florida sunshine as she emerged from the ship stunned her. She had one small roller bag, but her mom had brought three, so she towed two bags down the gangplank. She scanned the pier below, thinking she might catch a glimpse of him … but nothing. She wrestled the luggage all the way to the bottom of the gangplank before finally tripping, sending luggage flying and barely keeping herself from falling.
And then he was there, holding her arm, steadying her, and looking into her eyes. She was so glad to see him, she forgot about the luggage and threw her arms around him. As he hugged her, her arms locked around his neck, not wanting to release him. When she finally let him go, he kissed her as he had the night before, with such tenderness mixed with passion that she completely stopped breathing.
Without a word, he turned and walked away, not looking back. She watched him disappear into the crowd, ripping a piece of her heart and taking it with him.
Chapter 11
Waiting
The days after the cruise dragged on, like the sad ending of a beautiful dream. Only Eliza couldn’t seem to wake up. She stumbled through a week full of post-vacation laundry, calls to friends, and bumbling motions of life. But she was never truly awake. Her mom and Johnny tip-toed around her. A couple of times her mom probed, but Eliza wasn’t ready to share. She wondered if she ever would be.
Addison noticed her gloom, of course. Eliza told her about David—the highly edited but still pertinent version. Addison suggested they have a sleepover and Austen marathon, her standard cure for any ailment. All Eliza wanted was to stay home. She vetoed the Austen marathon—it was still too raw a wound—but dragged herself to Addison’s house, finding popcorn and a stack of comedies by the TV. She felt better already.
Addison’s sleek blond hair was tucked behind her ears, her blue eyes somber and watchful. Normally, Addison never pried, reserving her investigative skills for the school paper. But she wasn’t afraid to make her point known, either. They settled into the couch, popcorn bowl wedged between them and remote control on standby.
Addison examined her for a moment and then said, “You should call him, you know.”
Eliza frowned, wishing that the more reserved Addison had shown up for the movies, instead of the smart, pointed one.
“I don’t have his number,” she said, hoping that would end it.
“Eliza, that’s lame!” Addison said. “You can get his number. That’s why God gave us the internet.”
Eliza gave a short laugh, the first since she had returned from Florida. It died quickly. “I’m not sure he wants me to call him, Addy.”
“Are you kidding? The man gave you jewelry.” Addison gestured to the small lifesaver around Eliza’s neck. She hadn’t taken it off since he’d put it on her. “He definitely wants you to call him.”
“Add
y, he …” She didn’t really want to say it, afraid that would make it true. “He probably just wants to move on and forget about me. I mean, it’s not like we’re ever going to see each other again. I don’t want to …” Her throat closed up.
“What?” Addison asked, softly.
“I don’t want to bother him. He’s probably gone anyway.” Her shoulders slumped. She kept thinking the pain would fade, but it continued to slice through her, a fresh wound each time. Addison was quiet, brows drawing down into the earnest look she got when analyzing something. Eliza almost smiled as she realized that David would like Addison—they were both serious, thoughtful. Eliza sighed and waited. Addison took a bite of popcorn and chewed it.
“You should write him a letter, then,” she finally said. “If he doesn’t want you to bother him, he doesn’t have to write back. If he does want you to bother him,” a grin snuck onto her face, “then he will write back. Simple.”
Eliza smiled and shook her head. The thought of writing David both terrified and thrilled her, but as soon as Addison suggested it, she knew she would do it.
“You know you’re the best friend ever, right?”
“Yup.” Addison grinned and hit the play button. Get Smart sprang to life on the screen.
The next morning, Eliza couldn’t stop thinking about writing him. It was Sunday, and the letter couldn’t even go out that day, but the idea wouldn’t let go of her. She decided to just do it, yet when she sat on her bed, stationery in hand, she couldn’t start. She stared at the blank sheet for half an hour before inspiration struck, and she decided to write Tea instead. She scrawled that she missed Tea already, wished her luck at Monterey Bay, and included Addison’s cell phone number. A cursory look at whitepages.com found a Jozef Marek living in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She addressed and stamped the envelope and laid it on the bed next to her. The blank page intended for David still stared at her. She took a deep breath and started writing.
Life, Liberty, and Pursuit Page 13