What Love Remembers Excerpt

Outside, the evening breeze lifted her long, blond hair and filled her lungs with delightful salty air. The sound of the waves drew her toward the shoreline, where she could see dots of twinkling lights from boats far out in the water. Rhythmic beams from a distant lighthouse played across the choppy gulf.

Walking in the semidarkness, she nearly bumped into the man seated on a big mahogany log that had drifted in from the sea. To her astonishment, she recognized Wes.

“Sit down and join me for a few minutes, Kristen. I just walked out here to gather my thoughts for tomorrow.”

“I didn’t know you were out here,” Kristen said, dropping down beside him. She hoped he wouldn’t think she had followed him. “I thought you were upstairs with Janelle.”

“She’s asleep already. She had an exciting day. She’s really worn me out, but I sleep better if I come out here first for a little meditation and relaxation. I hope you’ll be able to discover the wonderful peace this island can bring.”

“Will you be back again next weekend?” Kristen hoped her voice did not betray her anticipation.

“Yes. I’m going to bring Marla here next Saturday. I hope you can smooth the way with Janelle. She’s resisting the idea.”

Kristen hesitated before asking the next question. “Is this when you’ll announce your engagement?”

“No,” Wes answered quickly. “Marla and I have not made that kind of commitment yet. It’s too early in our relationship to know how that will work out. But for Janelle’s sake and for mine, I have to hope it will happen.”

“Wes,” Kristen said softly. She hoped he would not think her too personal, but he seemed relieved to have someone to talk to, and she needed to know. “Do you love her?”

Wes hesitated before answering. “I’ve known real love once, and I lost it.” Deep pain was revealed in his voice. “I’m not sure I would want to risk that again. But I might settle for companionship, mutual respect, and a nice, stable home for Janelle.”

After a thoughtful pause, he turned to her and asked, “How about you? Is there a special man in your life?”

He caught her off guard. She was grateful for the darkness that prevented him from seeing the flush that spread over her face. Her first impulse was to deny the existence of a special man, but standing so close to him, with her heart overflowing with love, she could only answer honestly. “Yes. Yes, there is.”

She stood quickly, before he had a chance to pursue the subject, and as he stood beside her, his arm brushed hers.

“Why, you’re trembling,” he said. “You must be chilly. Here. Take my windbreaker.” He offered the light jacket he had been carrying. As he wrapped it around her shoulders, his hands fell upon her upper arms, and he gripped them and looked down into her eyes.

Kristen thought she read a look in his eyes she had not seen there before.

Then abruptly, he dropped his hands to his side and said huskily, “We’d better get back to the house. Tomorrow will be a busy day, and we have to get an early start.”

Their shoes made soft, crunchy sounds as they walked through the sand toward the house.