Her grandparents had been so wrong in so many ways, and she wished they were still alive so she could confront them with their cruelty. Was it always wrong to think ill of the dead? They’d tried their hardest to destroy her, and they’d almost succeeded, so she didn’t think so in this case. As long as she didn’t descend into anger and bitterness, they wouldn’t control her from beyond the grave.
It was amazing how much could change within a person in such a short amount of time. She knew she had a long way to go before she’d be the person she wanted to be, but because of Crew, she was much closer than she’d ever been.
Taking a soothing breath, she gripped the doorknob and emerged from the warm bathroom. She could hear the crinkling of the paper as Crew turned the page. After closing her eyes for a moment to imprint everything to her memory, she moved forward.
No matter what, she wouldn’t cry. Why make him feel guilty about her pain? Everything he’d ever done was meant to help her feel better about herself.
He mumbled a good morning as she sat and poured herself a cup of coffee, and grabbed a chocolate croissant. With the churning in her stomach, she doubted she’d be able to eat, but it was such a habit now to sit at this small table while he read the paper and she nibbled on the goodies before her while downing a couple of cups of espresso.
“I was thinking of playing hooky today, Haley, and taking you out to see the Catalina Island Conservancy so you can see the bison. You told me last week that you wanted to do some exploring.”
Crew set down the paper to focus all of his attention on her. Normally, he finished reading first, then gave her his undivided attention. On the morning she had to tell him goodbye, his extra attention hurt even more. Could the man get any more perfect? Was he really as flawless as she’d made him in her mind, or was she just placing him on a pedestal?
There was no need to drag this out, so she plastered a fake smile on her face. “I really need to pack today. My train leaves early tomorrow,” she said, proud she’d been able to say the words without trembling.
Crew froze and his face lost all expression; his eyes bored into hers. After a few moments, he finally set his cup down.
“I don’t want you to leave.” It was simple and to the point and her heart began to swell in joy…but wait. Maybe he’s just saying that.
“I know, Crew. I’m having a wonderful time here, too, but the package I won was for only two weeks, and my time is up…” she said, her voice starting to crack just the slightest bit.
“Screw the contest. Are you happy being here with me?”
“Of course I am,” she replied with exasperation. It wasn’t about her happiness; it was about her time being up.
“Do you have a job to get back to?” She shook her head no. She’d quit to come on this trip.
“Aren’t you on break from school right now?” Again, he was correct, so she nodded.
“But, Crew —”
“I don’t see any reason for you to leave. I want you to stay. You want to be here, and you have no obligations calling you back to Seattle right now. Let’s cancel your return and go see the bison.”
She wanted that so badly, but…
“Look, Haley. Let’s not make this complicated, OK? We like each other. It’s still new and exciting, and I’m not asking you for forever, here. I’m asking you to give me a chance. Let’s have fun together, light the sheets on fire, and not throw this out the window just because of semantics.”
He rose from his chair and came around to her, kneeling in front of her and caressing her thighs. She couldn’t think when he touched her like this. She knew she should protest, just a little, but she’d suddenly forgotten why. And she wanted to be with him, wanted to feel his touch, sleep in his bed, hear his words of encouragement. She wanted to continue having the feelings of love and affection she felt while in his arms — whether hot and heavy in the bedroom or just cuddling on the beach. Was she asking for too much?
Really, what would it hurt for her to stay another week or two? It wouldn’t alter her life in the least. It may even make her that much stronger in the end.
“I don’t know…” she hedged, trying not to be rash.
As if he’d already won, Crew smiled before standing up and pulling her into his arms. “Let me convince you, then,” he said as he lifted her up and carried her toward the bedroom.
“I need to think, Crew,” she whispered as he set her on the bed.
“No you don’t. Obviously you get poor ideas in your head when you try to reason out what the right choice is. Let me remind you of why you can’t leave,” he replied as he parted her robe and began nibbling on her neck.
“Ohh,” she moaned, trying to focus but quickly losing the battle. The man did crazy things to her crazier mind, and that was fine by her.
As he began moving his head down her body, she gave up any ideas of going “home.” Her heart was right here — at least for the moment.
They didn’t make it out to see the bison…
*****
Haley kept checking the calendar, counting the days, and shaking her head in disbelief. August had hit and she was still with Crew.
Marlin had told her that Crew was choosy about his women, that the scandals about him in the papers were made-up lies. Still, even Aunt Mae was surprised by the length of time that she and Crew had been together. He wasn’t known for long relationships. Should Haley still be afraid? He’d said nothing of a more permanent relationship, but he also didn’t seem in the least bit of a hurry for her to go. She had to make a decision about whether to get back to the real world or not, though. School started in a month. She needed to choose that or travel…
Most mind-boggling of all was that he continued his lessons with her. She found small trinkets on the nightstand, flowers on the bathroom counter, her favorite coffee waiting for her when she woke up after he’d had to rush out and miss their breakfast together.
The greatest present she’d received had been the day he’d taken her on his private boat to a secluded beach on the island. They’d had a picnic, and he presented her with a map he’d had made, then walked with her as she went on a treasure hunt.
At the end of the hunt, she’d found an antique chest, and inside had been a beautiful old journal, antique sterling silver cup and hankie from the eighteen-hundreds. She’d treasure those items forever. Already, she’d spent countless hours poring over the words of the journal, tears falling as she read about the heartbreak of the woman writing in it when she’d lost her infant child.