I thought the path would be harder going this time, but the moon is bright and the trees not as thick here as they are on the mainland. I’m in flat sandals this time too, and a light sundress and a cardigan.
Jeff always said I looked like a librarian in this outfit. He meant it derogatorily, but I love that thought now. A lover of books, running through the night on the greatest adventure of my life.
Clint’s cottage is dark, but when I go around the back, through the gorgeous meadow and past the trellises, I see his room has a light on.
I stop, suddenly thwarted by my own lack of planning. He won’t hear a knock on the door, or a pebble on the window. What do I do? Break in and scare the pants of him inside?
I’d rather get his pants off some other way.
While I’m standing there debating, something brushes against my leg.
I scream.
But when I look down, I see a fluffy brown cat. She weaves in and out of my legs, her little collar jingling.
I smile. “Hey, Barbara.”
An idea comes to me. I have no idea if it will work, but what else have I got?
I reach down to pet her, then slip the rose I’m holding—a little wilted from the day—into her collar.
Barbara meows, trying to get it off.
“Sorry,” I say. “It’s just for a minute.”
She almost seems to huff. Then she saunters away, slipping through the cat door I saw earlier.
It only takes a minute before Clint appears, shirtless, in the doorway downstairs. He’s breathing hard, like he leapt down all the stairs at once.
We walk toward each other almost tentatively. I wait until he’s close enough, then realize it’s likely too dark for him to read my lips. I reach forward and tap his pocket.
He frowns, pulling out his notepad with a questioning expression.
I hold my hand out. It’s my turn to write.
There’s just enough moonlight.for both of us to see the page.
I’m sorry, I write.I would have come back sooner, but we thought you might need some air. Actually, the truth is, I didn’t know if you wanted to see me again. I’m not here for the dress, by the way, I just… I needed to see you. There were too many people, and you’re just one person, and I wanted to?—
I hesitate, but Clint waits patiently.
I’m rambling.
I ramble a little when I’m nervous,I confess. Then I take a breath and write it out fast.
Clint, please—can you tell me if the rose and giving me that note back—were those a goodbye?
Clint stares at the words, and for a moment, I think he’s going to say yes. That he’s going to give me a handshake or something.
Instead, he gives me that big, broad smile. That beautiful, angelic smile that communicates so much more than words.
He shakes his head. Says, “no.”
I let out a gasp, so relieved I feel like I was just saved from certain death.
Which I suppose, thanks to Clint, I was.
I laugh, teary, exploding with feeling as he takes me in his arms, whirling me around and around like all the best books. My librarian dress goes flying in the moonlight.
