Laurel agreed. “She did have a lot to say to Mr. Berry and me when we arrived. At first I thought she was trying to keep us from you, but then I realized she just needed to unburden herself. I’m glad she’ll have money.”
“Yes.”
There was nothing more to say. Call watched Laurel drift away on the current and then scull toward him again. She lifted her damp face to the sun. Her complexion glistened and tiny prisms of color appeared in the mist around her dark hair.
Laurel looked at him, smiled. “I have lovely memories of this particular spot.”
“Mm. So do I.”
“We’re outdoors,” she said, trying to sound casual about the observation.
“Indeed we are.”
“You’re standing.”
“Your powers of observation have no equal.”
“They really don’t,” she said. “I notice you don’t have any flowers.”
“Sadly, no. They’re all around, though. You could take that into consideration.”
“I could. I suppose that depends.”
“On what?”
“The promises you make. You are going to make them, aren’t you?”
“I said I would.”
She waited, but he remained silent. “Well?”
“Oh. You want to hear them now.”
“I could drown you, you know. And I’d make a better job of seeing you stayed on the bottom than Carter did with Mr. Pye.”
Call made a face and feigned a shiver. “Don’t remind me.”
Laurel lightly pressed her fist against his hard belly. “And don’t make me laugh.”
“All right,” he said, covering her fist and raising it higher so it rested against his heart. Her fingers splayedunder his hand. “Come here.” He placed his free hand on her bottom and urged her to wrap her legs around him. When she was comfortably settled, he said, “You know I love you.”
“Mm. I know.”
“That’s forever, Laurel. I promise that’s forever.”
She felt herself tearing up and didn’t try to hide it. She gave him a watery smile instead.
“I promise that there will be occasions when you’ll find me unbearable.”
Laurel nodded. “It’s difficult living with someone who thinks he’s always right.”
“Whoknowshe’s right. You see the difference?”
“I do,” she whispered. She kissed him on the mouth. “Unbearable.”
“We’ll argue,” he said.
“Isthata promise?”
