“Geez, doctor, you’re a serious Debbie Downer.”
“That’s what my wife says.” He pulled a sheet of paper from his clipboard. “Here’s your discharge form. Go see the nurses at the front desk and they’ll take care of everything else.” He looked at Carson. “And you’re sure you won’t let me do a quick work-up on you?”
Katie could see the effort Carson employed to keep a smart remark (No, mom, I’m fine!) from bursting forth. Instead, he gave the thin smile of someone who had answered a question more than once. “Doc, I appreciate the concern, but I’ve jumped into colder water more times than I care to remember. I’m all set.” The doctor gave him a head-to-toe visual appraisal before nodding and heading to other patients.
A few minutes later, in matching celery-colored scrubs, they went to the nurses’ station for their things. It turned out the boat captain had retrieved Carson’s pack and Katie’s purse (which had stayed on her shoulder and made it back on deck with her) so, items in hand, they followed a hospital volunteer to her car and were driven back to the Sandpiper parking lot.
It was nearly 4 p.m. when they were dropped off at the bar next to Katie’s Volkswagen. The rain had passed, and the day was right back to being clear and warm, with only a slight breeze belying the turmoil from earlier. Carson gestured to the sky and shook his head. “Figures.”
Katie had to laugh. It was amazing how quickly she’d gone from the anticipatory nervousness of a first date to sheer terror and then back to being relaxed enough to giggle about the weather. Oddly enough, it made her glad she had been aggressive in pushing to spend time with Carson, even though that was what put her in danger earlier. Life could turn on a dime, but it was difficult to have fun without a little risk, so she embraced the situation for what it was.
“Well, Admiral Fischer, thank you for taking me out today. I can tell you that, without exception, that was the most exciting first date I’ve ever had, and I certainly hope I never top it!”
Carson shrugged. “I’m not even going to ask you if you had a good time. I think I already know the answer to that one.”
Katie gave him her brightest smile. “I’m sure you do. I had a wonderful time.”
“You did? That’s your idea of a good time?”
“What wasn’t fun? I got out on the water on a – for the most part – beautiful spring day with a handsome, nice guy and saw dolphins and whales. Yes, there was that little hiccup, but it ended up being the best part of all.”
“The best part? Are you unbalanced?”
“Yes and no, in that order. Sure, it was a little scary for a moment, but now I have my own personal knight in shining armor who, tossing any concern for his own safety to the side, braved dark, cold, treacherous waters to save his damsel. That’s quite chivalrous, much more than giving directions in a state building. I don’t know anyone else who can say that, so I’ve got the topper story to beat all stories!”
“I guess,” Carson said, shrugging his shoulders in an “aw, shucks” kind of manner.
“The only bad part,” she continued, taking both of his big hands in her daintier ones, “is that I didn’t thank you properly.”
“Sure you did. You said ‘thanks’ at the hospital.”
“Well, yeah, but as the rescued maiden, the rules of chivalry require a more substantial expression of gratitude.”
“OK. How about 20 gold pieces and two oxen?”
“Um, no. Not with the price of gold and beef these days. But how about something in the middle?” As Carson furrowed his brow wondering what she meant, she tugged at his hands, bringing his face down to hers so she could kiss him.
He jumped slightly in surprise as their mouths met, then again as she moved her lips gently, enough to disqualify the kiss as friendly. He tasted like salt-water, but an underlying scent of sandalwood and leather, mixed with a faint tinge of English cologne, came through. She breathed it in. Carson was a good kisser, matching her energy but not being sloppy, as too many men were wont to do. She snaked her tongue out through her slightly parted lips, sliding the tip into his mouth just enough to be clear about her intentions while promising more to come in the future.
After a few seconds she backed away, lowering herself off of her tip toes. She used her big blue eyes to set the hook more deeply so it would be easier to reel him in when the time came. “I was thinking something along those lines,” she said softly.
Carson still looked surprised, but he appeared in no mood to object. “I think that’s about right,” he said. “It’s the right color. It even fits perfectly.” They separated, but his body language told Katie it wasn’t exactly what he wanted to do.
“Good. I knew you’d like it.” With another beaming smile, she hopped into her car and started it, choosing not only to leave the top up, but to turn on the heat as well. She did roll down the window.
Carson leaned on the top of the door. “So, I’m going to go out on a limb and say it would be OK if I called you sometime.”
“Heroic and observant,” Katie replied. “I think I hit the mother lode. Just give me a day or two.” She nodded towards her soaked purse on the passenger side floor, which was still soaked. “I really doubt my phone survived the plunge, so I’ll need to go get another one as soon as I can, and it won’t be today.”
“Fair enough,” Carson said. “Have a safe ride home, OK?”
“Now you start
