Alexis enjoyed Pauley’s scrutiny. It was evident he was just as pleased as she at how she had matured. She turned slowly so he could see the waist length hair she had grown for him, and when she faced him again she knew he remembered because she was looking into the broadest smile she had ever seen him wear.
“You’re a beauty, Alexis,” he said finally, stressing her name slightly.
“Oi know, Pauley,” she said simply, and they both laughed.
He crossed the distance between them in two easy strides. He put his hands on her waist and lifted her into the air while she rested her palms gently on his shoulders. After a few turns they fell to the sand, breathless and dizzy.
“How has it been for you, Alexis?” he asked once he had caught his breath.
“Do you even have to ask? I have never been happier. George and Francine are wonderful—but you knew they would be.”
“I knew. I’ve already seen Francine. She told me where to find you.”
“Did she tell you what today is?”
“Of course. But I already knew that too. Your anniversary, isn’t it?”
Alexis nodded, smiling at her friend. Her delight was as readily seen in her amber eyes as it was on her lips. “Did Francine tell you I never doubted you would come back?”
“She told me that and a lot more. It seems you’ve been accomplishing all sorts of things. Francine couldn’t stop talking.”
“Oh! I wanted to surprise you!”
“You should know Francine can’t keep a secret long. Besides, she’s very proud of you and what you’ve been able to do.”
“She would be more pleased if I were married, Pauley.” Alexis sighed.
“Only if it were what you wanted. She trusts you to know when the time will be right.”
“Let’s not talk about this anymore. I want to hear about you and your family. Are they all right? Do you have any more children? What about—”
“Whoa! One at a time.” Pauley got to his feet and held out a hand for Alexis which she took eagerly. He led her along the beach toward the base of the cliff. “I don’t want to repeat myself a hundred times so I’ll answer all your questions when I see George and Francine.”
Alexis laughed. “I know Francine told you to get me up to the house so she can surprise me.”
Pauley gripped her hand tightly. “She said you would say that. But you’re in for the surprise; she was so busy entertaining me there will be no trifle when we get back.”
“That is a surprise. I think my first real one.”
“Francine said you are not the easiest person to fool.”
“I’ve been a disappointment to her there. She wanted a little girl and by the time I met her I was already too old.”
“And she wouldn’t trade you for all the babies in the world.”
“I know. I love her so much. And George too.” Alexis stopped suddenly and looked up at Pauley’s weather-worn face, a face that had changed little since she had seen him last. She met his warm blue eyes and whispered softly, “Thank you.”
Pauley was saved from blushing at her simple words because he saw Francine waving frantically to them from above. “Look. It’s Francine. George is probably back and she’s in a fine French snit because I’ve kept you so long.”
Alexis waved back to Francine then she began pulling Pauley along the cliff. “I’ll show you the fastest way up. No need to keep her waiting any longer.”
Neither Alexis nor Pauley realized until it was too late that Francine was trying to keep them away from the house.
When she reached the top Alexis stood still, shocked. Pauley, a few paces behind her, did the same. George was on the portico, pistols in hand, ready to fire on any of the six men approaching the house from Alexis’s right. Francine, directly behind her husband now and also with a weapon, called to Alexis to stay back.
Heedless of the warning, she broke Pauley’s grip on her wrist and ran across the yard to join her parents. “What’s happening? Who are those men?”
“Take her into the house, Francine,” George ordered sharply. “And you stay there too. Pauley and I will handle this.”
