His eyes melded into hers and she wondered if his shortness of breath was because of the exercise or their dance together. Her heart pounded from both. Chad glanced away and put on his business-as-usual face. Then it hit her. He was waiting for her to make the first move. He’d kissed her twice, but never tried again. She sighed. Merissa had never met a more patient and selfless man. Before she chickened out, she leaned across the table and planted a sweet kiss on his lips. She’d only meant for it to be a peck, but he responded with a quiet urgency – as if he’d been waiting these many days – and soon she succumbed to the moment. As they separated she opened her eyes and met his.
“I’m falling in love with you, Merissa James.”
Could she voice the same sentiment? Was this what love the second time around felt like? He squeezed her hand and sat back.
“You don’t have to respond. I just wanted you to know how special I think you are,” said Chad.
“You’ve become special to me. I feel privileged to know you.”
“I brought something for you to see today,” said Chad.
Chad rummaged through his bag and withdrew a sketchpad. He handed it to her.
“The portraits!” Merissa squealed. “Skip says you show these to no one, ever.”
“You are my inspiration. How can I refuse to unveil the art to you?”
“I never asked,” Merissa said. “I would never force such vulnerability on an artist. I’ve learned you need to be the one to show yourself to the world or the trust dies.”
“You learned that from Kyle. He was an author, right?”
“Yes. His pen name was Aiden Kyle.”
“Really? My mother was his biggest fan! She cried the entire day when the news broadcasted his death in a car crash. She was so upset I made a trip out to see her.”
“It’s a small world.” Merissa looked down and opened the first page. She gasped. “Oh, my!” she examined the portrait of herself at the customer service desk that first day – he’d caught that determined set of her jaw.
The next one was of a woman in awe of the Hemingway House at first sighting. He’d uncovered that look-of-wonder that Kyle always said he loved about her.
Merissa flipped the page where he’d drawn the group of four seated in the formal dining room that first night. He even remembered what she’d been wearing.
There was one of her at the poolside dance event. He leaned over. “I will do another one of those. Today’s dance merits a brand new clarity into us as a duo.”
Merissa blushed as she remembered their brief but captivating dance-encounter on the deck just a short time ago. “Yes, that dance will provide ample material for your imagination.”
“Was it my imagination?”
She bit her bottom lip and made eye contact. “Probably not.”
Merissa concentrated on the book again. The next sketch was of Chad and her by the rail, lost in their first kiss. The setting behind them so tranquil and tender, making the mood feel sweet and sensual.
The next picture surprised her. It was her right hand with her diamond on the ring finger. Every detail was there but clouded with a mysterious mist. It breathed all of her uncertainty without even showing her face on the page. She sighed and turned to the next drawing.
Chad holding a tray filled with the crafts they’d created, and her stretching to place them on an undecorated Christmas tree made her laugh out loud. “Yes, that was such fun.” With his pencils, Chad caught their excitement, and it filled the entire picture with an air of happiness. “Yes, one of my best memories this week.”
The next caught her breath, and she bolted back. Chad apologized. “I forgot that one was there. I was angry the night that man attacked you and had to get it out of my head and on paper before I could fall asleep. I drew it in the bathroom with the light on so as not to wake Skip.”
Merissa attempted to ease his mind. “I’ll never forget that look on your face when your fist connected with his nose. You are my knight in shining armor. Thank you, sir.” He’d captured its ugliness to a terrifying degree. Merissa turned the page quickly, the memory of the hateful act still fresh in her mind.
Racing down the beach on the back of a horse, Merissa saw he’d caught expressions of freedom and sheer joy on her face. Her long hair cascaded behind her and white-knuckled hands gripped the horn of the saddle.
The last picture in the sketchbook was Merissa lying on a lounge chair at the beach. She had her eyes closed, but Chad’s model wore a faint smile that warmed her heart today just to see it. Merissa had won emotional victories this week. Sometimes they’d overwhelmed her with expressive highs and lows, sending her teetering from triumphant peaks back to relive the grief. But she’d come out the other side a whole person ready to face the future.
Merissa took extra care and time in preparing for the evening’s activities.
Amy teased her friend. “You’ve tried on every dress you brought. Feeling festive tonight?”
Merissa reached deep inside for a casual remark to hide the real reason. “I saw Chad’s sketches today. He has an uncanny way of seeing past the image and creating an atmosphere you’d swear was breathing life into the picture.”
“Suppose you’re determined to make the next, best, sketch in his pad unforgettable then leave him drooling over the memory of you,” Amy said.
“Memory? Do you ever wish we could cruise for the rest of our lives?” Merissa asked.
“Not particularly. But I think what you’re really saying is that you don’t want to say goodbye to Chad. Am I right?”
