"Are you going to miss me, wife?" he asked.
She was nearly undone by the tenderness in his gaze. "Yes, Nathan," she whispered. "I will miss you."
"Then come with me."
Her eyes widened in astonishment. "You would let me come with you?" she stammered out. "But that means you aren't going… I did jump to conclusions. You have put it all behind you."
"Sara, what are you rambling about?"
She pulled his head down for a kiss. "I'm happy you would let me come with you, that's all," she explained. She sat up and leaned against his side. "I don't need to go with you now. It's quite enough to know you'd let me."
"Quit talking in circles," Nathan ordered. "And while I'm thinking about it, I want you to explain what was going on in your head earlier today. You were upset about something. Tell me what it was."
"I was afraid you wouldn't come back for me," Sara blurted out. It was a lie, of course, but her arrogant husband couldn't possibly know that. In fact, he looked quite pleased by her statement.
"I would never forget to come back for you," he countered. "But I'm talking about before, Sara."
"Before what?"
"Before you even knew I was leaving to get supplies. You were acting oddly then."
"I was feeling sorry for myself because my time with Nora was soon going to end. I shall miss her, Nathan."
He gave her a fierce look while he tried to make up his mind if she was telling the truth or not. Then she smiled at him and told him she was once again ready to go back into the water. "I haven't quite mastered this floating business yet," she said.
Husband and wife stayed in the pool most of the afternoon. They ate their apples as they made their way back down the mountain. Sara's delicate skin was already beginning to burn. Her face was as red as the sunset.
When Nathan put his arm around her shoulder she let out a squeal. He was immediately contrite.
Nora met them at the kitchen door. "Matthew and Jimbo and I held dinner so that… goodness, Sara, you're as red as a beet. Oh, child, you're going to suffer tonight. Whatever were you thinking of?"
"I didn't think about the sun," Sara replied. "I was having such a good time."
"What were you doing? Were you swimming all the while?" Nora asked.
"No," Nathan answered when his wife glanced up at him. He smiled at her and then turned back to Nora. "As a matter of fact, we were-"
"Floating," Sara blurted out. "I'll just be a minute, Aunt, while I change my clothes and brush my hair. You really shouldn't have waited for us," she added over her shoulder as she rushed toward the stairs.
Nathan caught her at the bottom step. He slowly turned her around, then tilted her chin up and kissed her. It was a long, lingering kiss that made her feel she was going to swoon. It wasn't like him to show such affection in front of others, she realized, and he never kissed her unless he wanted to make love to her… or shut her up, she knew. Since he looked too exhausted to make love again, and since she hadn't been arguing with him, she could come to only one conclusion. Nathan was being affectionate just because he wanted to.
She was further confused when he leaned down and whispered into her ear, "I thought what we did all afternoon was called making love, wife, but if you prefer to call it floating, that's fine with me."
Her face was too sunburned for anyone to know if she was blushing or not. She smiled up at him even as she shook her head at him. He was teasing her. Good God, Nathan had a sense of humor, too. It was too much to take in all at once.
Then he gifted her with a slow wink. She knew she'd died and gone to heaven then. The sunburn didn't matter any longer, nor did her audience of Jimbo, Matthew, and Nora. Sara threw herself into Nathan's arms and kissed him soundly. "Oh, I do love you so," she cried out.
She wasn't even disappointed when he grunted in reply and didn't shout his love for her then and there. It was too soon for him to tell her what was in his heart, she decided. The feelings were too fresh, too new, and Nathan was quite stubborn. It might take him another six months before he could finally say the words she wanted to hear. She could wait, she told herself. She was, after all, patient and understanding. Besides, in her heart she already knew he loved her, and the fact that he wasn't ready to know it didn't bother her at all.
She didn't make it downstairs for dinner. Once Nathan had helped her remove her gown she seemed to swell up, and the thought of putting any clothing against her burning skin made her want to scream.
Nora provided a bottle of green paste. Sara carried on something fierce while Nathan gently applied the sticky lotion to her back and shoulders. Fortunately the front of her hadn't been burned. She slept on her stomach, and when she couldn't stand the shivers she slept on Nathan.
The next day Nathan didn't make a single rude remark when he kissed Sara good-bye. He pretended he didn't mind looking at the mask of green paste covering her face.
Sara spent the next two days with her aunt. The Reverend Mr. Pickering came back for a second visit. He was much more civil. Sara explained the reason she'd used such foul words in his presence. Pickering broke into a smile. He looked relieved by her confession, and his manner toward Aunt Nora warmed considerably.
During the course of their visitation the reverend mentioned that there was a ship leaving for England the following morning. Sara immediately went to her aunt's desk and penned a letter to her mother. She told all about her adventure, how happy she was, and boasted that Nathan had turned out to be a kind, considerate, loving husband. Reverend Mr. Pickering took the missive with him to give to the captain of the vessel.
When Nathan came back the following morning Sara was so happy to see him that she burst into tears. They spent a peaceful day together and fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms.
Sara couldn't believe it was possible to be so happy. Being married to Nathan was like living in paradise. Nothing could ever destroy their love. Nothing.
She wished everyone could be as happy and made that remark to Nora and Matthew late one evening. The three of them sat in wicker chairs on the verandah while they waited for Nathan to return from an errand.
"I believe Matthew and I know exactly what you're talking about," Nora announced. "One doesn't have to be young to experience love, my dear. Matthew, are you ready for a brandy?"
"I'll fetch it," Sara volunteered.
"You'll stay put," Nora countered. She stood up and started for the door. "Your burn's still tender. Keep Matthew company. I'll be right back."
As soon as the door closed behind Nora Matthew whispered, "She's too good for me, Sara, but I'm not going to let that stand in my way. As soon as I put my affairs in order I'm coming back to live out my days with your aunt. How are you feeling about that?"
Sara clasped her hands together. "Oh, Matthew, I think that's wonderful news. We must have the wedding ceremony before we leave for England. I don't want to miss the celebration."
Matthew looked uncomfortable. "Well, now, Sara, I didn't exactly mention marriage, did I?"
She bounded out of her chair. "You'd best mention it now, Matthew, or you aren't ever coming back here. A single night of passion is one thing, sir, but a plan to live out the rest of your days in sin is quite another. Think of Nora's reputation!"
"I am thinking about Nora's reputation," Matthew defended. "She couldn't marry me. It wouldn't be right. I'm not worthy enough."
The seaman stood up and stared out toward the sea. Sara walked over and jabbed him in his stomach with her finger. "You bloody well are worthy enough. Don't you dare insult yourself to me, sir."
"Sara, I've led a… speckled life," Matthew stammered.
"And?" she asked.
"And I'm only a seaman," he said.
Sara shrugged. "Nora's first husband was a groom. He was probably just as speckled as you think you are," she added. "Nora was blissfully happy with her Johnny. She must like speckled men. Nora confessed to me that you are a dear, tenderhearted man, Matthew. I know you love her. She must love you, too, if she let you into her bed. As I said to Nathan not long ago, this would solve many problems. Uncle Henry wouldn't send anyone after Nora if he knew she had someone strong to protect her. You'll look after her interests. And I would be so very proud to call you Uncle."