His exuberance, the glow on his face, the boldness of his actions—for her. Yes, it was great, and a smile sneaked up, but she wrestled it back down. “We need to talk.”
His boisterous laugh bounced over the waves. “Yes, we do. Hold on a minute.” He leaned over and conferred with the college boys, with much discussion and pointing.
The murmur of the crowd built, even as the space around her increased, everyone trying to get the best view of the woman on display.
Mary put on mental blinders, focusing on the man in the sailboat. So tall and handsome, so intelligent and strong, so thoughtful and enthusiastic. He was everything she ever wanted, everything she could ever want, but too many questions remained. She couldn’t let herself get swept away.
Yet the thought of getting swept away into his arms ... of feeling his kiss on her lips...
A tremble ran from her fingers straight to her heart, delightful and giddy and completely illogical.
No. She needed those cold hard facts. Why this sudden declaration when he’d never shown any interest in her?
Down below, Jim and the Harvard boys pointed to a spot, the sails luffing from inattention.
He said he’d never loved Quintessa? How could Mary have misunderstood? He’d been crazy about her in high school, confessed his love this spring, and when Quintessa arrived in Boston, he...
What had he done? He’d looked dazed. He’d asked Mary to come with them. He’d asked her about the kiss.
And what had she done? She’d told him the kiss meant nothing, told him his dreams had come true, and hustled them out the door.
Mary groaned. Oh dear. What had she done?
Jim straightened up, the same bright grin on his face, and he pointed toward East Boston. “See that wharf? Just north of where the ferry docks. Meet me there. Take however long you want. I’ll wait.”
Curiosity and regret would bring her, along with a sliver of residual anger for Quintessa’s sake, and sheer, ecstatic hope. “I’ll be there.”
The boat tacked away, and Jim blew her a kiss.
Mary pressed her fingertips to her lips to blow one back, but stopped herself, her eyes wide.
Jim laughed, winked, snugged his cover back on his head, and sailed away.
She stood alone on the deck, surrounded by an applauding, smiling crowd. First the press conference, then the pageant, and now this. Her greatest fears, her greatest triumphs, and her greatest joys.
Her chin quivered. If she hadn’t hoisted her sails, she never would have seen how the Lord could fill them and where he could take her.
No matter what Jim had to say, and no matter what she decided to do about him, she was a different woman, a better woman.
The crowd waited for her.
She turned, lifted a small smile, and headed toward the exit, determined to be first off the ferry. “Excuse me, but I have an officer to interrogate.”
46
If she said she’d come, she’d come.
Jim paced on the sailboat to keep warm and to relieve tension. The two Harvard boys had left to see a movie. They’d be back in a couple of hours for their boat, but for now it was Jim’s.
He spun and marched aft. Mary would keep her word. But what words would she have for him? Not only was she protective of Quintessa, but Jim had called down loads of attention on her. If Jim were in her shoes, he’d be furious.
But he’d do it again in an instant.
The pier creaked, and Jim wheeled around.
Mary approached, her arms crossed over her stomach, her eyes big, and her mouth small as a button.
Maybe the right gesture would dissolve the awkwardness and pull her straight into his arms. He stepped closer to the pier and held out his hand to her. “Come sail with me.”
