Kinsey didn’t understand. She would have been outraged if it was anyone besides her best friend doing this to her. How dare she bring some man out for her to meet in front of all these people. She now had a strange man’s hand on her shoulder and she was being forced to look up at him, and then she’d have to act excited just to let people know she appreciated the gesture her friend was doing for her. He must be real good looking or something and she’d be impressed with that is what Jessica must be figuring. How dare her, Kinsey thought, as she looked behind her at the man standing with his hand on her shoulder.
Jessica watched as Kinsey exploded in a single burst of overwhelming emotion as she recognized that the date was Tanner. Kinsey screamed and stood. Then she collapsed toward the floor and Tanner had to reach around her and hold her up.
Tanner said, “It’s me. Don’t let go. Just hold on and never let go.”
Kinsey reached her hands up around Tanner’s neck and he pulled her into him and engulfed her in a hug that was cosmic in its intensity. They both began to cry and Jessica realized she herself was crying, almost bawling, and she looked about the room. Dale was crying, everyone was crying at the wonderful intensity of the moment – it was a sea of tears.
Without realizing she was doing it, Jessica stepped around the table and wrapped her arms around both Tanner and Kinsey. “I’m so happy for you,” she cried to them both.
Kinsey remembered later, describing that moment as a washing of emotion, a washing so powerful that it left her empty of herself then full of a love that so overwhelmed her as to be only able to come from God himself.
She’d looked back over her shoulder expecting some nice, but unknown, man to be standing there waiting to sweep her off her feet. He did sweep her off her feet, but he was no stranger, indeed not, it was Tanner and Kinsey felt as if her heart would explode as she rose to behold him. She simply gushed. There was no other way to describe it. She emoted from every pore in her body and she found herself unable to stand. Tanner held her up the rest of the evening’s dinner but they didn’t stay long. As soon as the toasts were completed Dale handed them two champagne glasses and a chilled bottle of champagne and told them to get the heck out of there and be with one another.
Jessica walked up to Kinsey and hugged her and Kinsey found herself crying again and telling Jessica how much she loved her, tears flowing, over and over, as Jess led her toward the main entrance to the restaurant.
Tanner and Dale shook hands and Tanner said they’d see him and Jess the next day for their wedding.
Tanner took Kinsey by the hand and led her toward the door. As they walked out into the night Jessica yelled to them, “Tanner’s last name is Brodie, Kinsey, and her last name, Tanner, is Appleton. Don’t you guys ever forget them. I don’t think I could put up with you two losing the other again!”
Kinsey heard Dale and Jess laughing as the door closed behind them and she found herself alone, finally, with Tanner. She squeezed his hand tight and said, “Do you mind if I hold tight to you for a while? I’ve missed you more than I can ever tell you.”
Tanner put his arm around her and led her into the door well of a ladies’ shoe store that was long closed for the night. He tucked Kinsey into the shadows in the back and he pushed her against the glass of the window display. He cupped his hand to Kinsey’s chin and pulled her lips up to his. He kissed her and Kinsey felt overcome with a splendid weakness that began in her knees and worked its way up her spine and into her heart, her brain, and her very soul. She kissed him back with all she knew she could be, knowing that it was more than he could stand as well.
13
Carriage Ride through the Holy City on a Moonlit Night
Tanner and Kinsey toasted one another in the alcove of the shoe store and thanked God for the answers to both of their prayers. They drank from their glasses quickly and left them and the remainder of the Champagne in the alcove and then walked into the night where the city wrapped its arms around them and took them into itself. It hid them in the shadows of its old and looming homes then showcased their steps in the light of the moon as they took to the sidewalks and streets – going deeper into the city, the night, and themselves with each step of their new journey – together, arms wrapped around the other, trying never to let go. They walked through a small park, and the live oaks, draped in Spanish moss, hid them from the world and its seeing eyes, letting them embrace, kiss, and taste one another. Theirs was the walk of lovers in an old black and white movie – nothing but moonlight and shadows – the only color being their love for the other – lighting the world around them like a thousand and one candles.
Then after a long walk, with Tanner holding Kinsey’s shoes in his hand and Kinsey barefoot, a horse drawn carriage made its way slowly down the street. It was far from its beaten path, away from where the tourists populated the downtown of the city, but it was right on this night for it to happen by and Tanner stopped the driver (he seemed to be expecting Tanner to call him to the curb) and he helped Kinsey into the back of the carriage.
“Where to my friends?” the driver called over his back.
“Anywhere your horses choose to go,” Tanner replied, and they pulled out into the night once again, this time, under a blanket, and leaning against the other, with their hands touching and eyes searching deeply into the reflections of shining moonlight that reflected from the other’s eyes.
They kissed for what began as only a long minute but soon grew into the most passionate kiss that the city of Charleston had ever witnessed and when they came back to themselves the driver and his horses had somehow found and stopped the carriage at the front door of what was a familiar home.
Kinsey looked about as the carriage stopped. She turned to Tanner with a puzzled expression, “This is Ms. Lester’s old home. I stayed here many years before. It’s where I painted the Naked Sunset for you. Why are we here?”
“I have no idea why we happened to stop here and you’re correct – this is Ms. Lester’s old home, but it also happens to be my new home.”
Kinsey stared at Tanner, “I don’t understand.”
Tanner turned to Kinsey in the carriage, “I hunted it down. In my search for you I discovered the view that was in your painting. It took a long time but I found it. Or, I should say, God led me to it. He led me to Ms. Lester. She took me in, or under her wing, I should say, and I came with her one day to her home and I almost lost it when I saw the view of the church from the bedroom balcony.”
“She took you in? And you had that good of a memory to know the view of my painting? I’m in love with some kind of genius,” Kinsey said, laughing quietly.
“She took me in just like she did you as a painter all those years ago. I’m a writer now. She read some of my journals and found an agent and publisher that were interested in my work. I have a new book coming out but since you’re back in my life again I’m going to have to change the ending. As far as your painting and my memory I can explain that later.”
Kinsey tilted her head, she nodded yes to Tanner, then looked to the house, “What kind of car do you have?”
“A Mercedes. Why?”
“Is it white?” Kinsey asked, then she kept speaking not giving Tanner time to answer, “Of course it is. I was standing out here just the other night and I saw you pull up. I turned and left because I wasn’t ready to go in the house. I was going to ask the owner if I could come in and look out from the bedroom again. I almost met you. I think God was pulling us together.”
I’ve felt like that for the last two years. When I saw the view from this house I knew you’d come back to it.”
The horses whinnied and the driver turned to Tanner asking, “Should we continue our ride or would you like to be dropped off here for the night?”
“That’s a good question,” Tanner answered, “Do you mind if we consider it for a moment?”
“How about I take a walk, leave you for another minute and smoke myself a cigarette?” The driver asked.
“Good plan. See you in a few minutes,” Tanner said. Then after the driver had stepped from the carriage he turned to Kinsey, “If I take you into that house I’m worried where it might lead us. I’ll be way too tempted to carry you upstairs and make love to you and know you and I don’t think we should be doing that as yet.”
“I won’t stop you.” Kinsey said, then added, “I want you more than anything, ever. But I feel the same way. We should wait,” She looked up to Tanner, she imagined herself running her fingers through his hair, trying to pull him in deeper as he made love to her, and she almost asked him to take her inside, but then she wanted to do this right. She wanted his hand, his last name, and his body all at once and all as one. She wanted to become one with him as God intended a man and a woman and so she asked, “What should we do then?”
“I have an idea,” Tanner answered, “Let me talk to the driver. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Kinsey nodded and watched him step from the carriage and walk up the street towards the orange ember of light, the driver’s lit cigarette, just up the street under a great live oak.
She looked about her as she waited for Tanner. It was late, the full moon was high in the sky and there was the beginning of a breeze moving down the street. Tanner appeared soon enough and he said, “Come with me,” as he reached his hand up to Kinsey and helped her step from the carriage.
“Where are going?”
“I have a surprise, two surprises. Let’s go.”
Tanner led Kinsey to the great door of the home and produced a key from his pocket. He opened the door and led Kinsey inside.
Kinsey remembered the home as Tanner took her by the hand and led her to the stairs. In her mind she intuited where he was taking her but she had no idea why he would lead her to a bedroom, even the one from which she’d painted her masterpiece, if they were not going to make love. It would be all she could do to keep her hands off him if he put her in a room with a bed in it.
“I know where you’re leading me, Tanner. I’ll attack you if you take me into that room. Don’t do it!” Kinsey said in a high and excited voice as he led her up the long stairway. “You’re too good looking and I’ve been away from you way too long,” Kinsey found herself out of breath. “Okay, then maybe I’ll lay on the bed and dare you not to ravish me.”
As Tanner opened the door to the bedroom where Kinsey had stayed many years before, she laughed, then said, “I’m warning you, Tanner, I’ll throw myself at you and show you how much I can love you.”
She stepped into the room and stopped cold in her steps, she gasped, and then began crying, “That’s my picture. The one I lost in the fire. I gave it to you and then it burned. How did you get it?” Kinsey felt Tanner at her side, he had his arms around her and she realized he was holding her up from falling, from collapsing to her knees.
“Here, sit on the bed and I can explain,” Tanner led her to the bed and Kinsey sat down on the edge of it.
Tanner began to kiss her through her tears and speak at the same time, “I took it from the firemen as they brought it down from the hotel room. They said I couldn’t have it and I took it. I had to have a part of you and they would not give it to me. I went to jail for it but I hid the painting and I never told them where it was hidden. Then I was in the hospital and I dreamed of you. Of finding you. That’s how I healed. I prayed for you and I dreamed of you. I have burns on my back from where the fire burned me, some bad scars.”
Tanner leaned back from kissing and speaking and looked at Kinsey and she thought that perhaps Tanner was worried that she’d be turned off by him having scars, “You saved two children. The scars are a badge of honor. If they still hurt you I’ll make them better. I’ll love you Tanner and wrap my arms around your naked back every chance I get.”
Tanner nodded, “I’m not so sure about that. You haven’t seen them,” then he changed the subject. “I think God gave me this gift, your gift of this painting to me those many nights ago, as like a treasure map – I found you – I followed the painting and I found you.”
Kinsey felt tears in her eyes welling up yet again. Boy, she was crying a lot, she thought to herself, “I put everything I had into that painting. It was for you. I thought it was gone and I thought you were gone and now I can sit on the edge of this bed and look at both of you. Life can be so strange. And sometimes so hard and sad. And sometimes it gets to be like what heaven must be.”
“I love you, Kinsey,” Tanner said and he pushed her back on the bed and began kissing her, he loomed above her and he looked into her eyes. He repeated himself, “I love you Kinsey. As you said, I could ravish you here for a short eternity, but instead, I have something that will help us do this right. It will help us do this God’s way. But you have to answer a question for me.” Tanner pushed himself off Kinsey and he sat on the edge of the bed. Kinsey leaned up and Tanner helped her to a sitting position.
Kinsey said, “I want to do this right, but you just brought me, my painting, your gorgeous self, and a bed together all in one room. I’m in love with you, Tanner, and I want to show you that love.”
Tanner stood, he walked to the painting and he looked at it. Then he turned to Kinsey. “I want to do something special with you, Kinsey, in the same church, the same church where your best friend is getting married tomorrow. I want to bring your friend’s wedding, your painting, you, and myself all together before God. I’m a Catholic now, Kinsey. In my search for you I discovered the Catholic Church and I want that to be a part of us as well.”
Kinsey stood and came to Tanner. He reached out to her and said, “Show me on the balcony where you stood and posed for your painting. I have a gift for you. I want to give it to you there.”
Kinsey nodded and led Tanner by the hand onto the balcony. The air had a chill to it but Kinsey felt nothing but warm inside. She looked out across the moonlit view of the Holy City. It was a beautiful night to be standing on a high balcony with the man she loved.
When she turned from the view and back to Tanner he was on one knee. His hand was out to her and in between his fingers was the brightest sparkle of moonlight she’d ever seen.
“Marry me, Kinsey. Take my name. Take me. I’ll take you to the ends of who I am and then keep going. I want to fill your tomorrows with happiness, and marriage, and children, and family, and the best things in life. I want to give you this ring to wear forever and then I want us both to follow the other for the rest of our days.”
Kinsey knelt down and reached her hand to the sparkle in Tanner’s hand. She said, “Yes,” simply yes. There was nothing more she needed to say. It was the biggest affirmation she knew she’d ever be called to do and the only way to do it was to be simple and truthful. So she said yes and her heart soared high into the night with her answer.
He held the ring out and placed it on her finger. Then they both stood and he kissed her in the moonlight as the skyline around them finally breathed and the moon smiled its light down upon them.
14
Honeymoon
Their honeymoon, of course, was in South Beach. They had waited six months, keeping themselves from the other until after their wedding. It was difficult but they had withstood the temptation to consummate their love prematurely and now it was finally their wedding night.
They’d left the wedding reception in a big send off with rice flying and Jessica hugging on both Kinsey and Tanner with the friendliest of passions. The limo took them straight to the Charleston airport and then they were on a flight to the Miami airport. It was a short flight and they soon found themselves eating dinner outdoors at a restaurant named, Casa Tua, at a small, intimate corner table. The lighting was low and romantic. Tanner was sitting across from Kinsey but he had his feet touching hers under the table as they ate and talked.
Both Kinsey and Tanner were excited, in fact, ecstatic, at being married in a way that felt intimate, right, and a long time coming. Being with the other made each feel happy and loved and while the food was better than excellent, neithe
r noticed it for the excitement that they were feeling and the anticipation that they had for what would, in just a couple of hours more, be the consummation of their marriage. A quick cab ride back to their hotel was not far in the future now that desserts were being served, then a walk through the lobby to the elevator and up to their room, a honeymoon suite, where their wedding bed and a bottle of Champagne on ice was waiting for them.
Kinsey looked across the table at her new husband and said, “I love chocolate and this dessert is terrific but I want you to take me back to the hotel soon. I bought you something.”
Tanner raised an eyebrow, “Something for me? I can’t wait, is it something I have to unwrap?”
Kinsey took a bite of her dessert and thought for a moment, “You can unwrap it. I’d say undress is closer to the mark. I have a little something I bought to wear for you, on this, our wedding night, with little being the operative word here,” she smiled slyly, with a mischievous glint flashing across her eyes before licking her upper lip slowly and demurely with her tongue. “I hope you like it.”
“You’re killing me, Kins. I’m thinking desserts are way overrated. What say we go?”
“You should be patient, Tanner. I think you’ll find I get better with age.”
Tanner turned and looked for the waiter. Then he said to Kinsey, “I’m tired of being patient. I want to make love to my new bride. She’s gorgeous. You should see her.” Tanner smiled at Kinsey across the table.
“I would love to see her. Why don’t you describe her for me?” Kinsey asked, “Is she here?” She pretended to look about the restaurant like she was looking for Tanner’s new wife.
Tanner was on it. “I will. I have the perfect view of her at the moment.”
Lights on the Far Horizon Trilogy Page 13