Page 11 of In the Arms of a Hero

“Considering we’ll be out on the bay, I don’t think what I wear really matters as long as it’s jeans, big socks, boots, and my heavy coat to beat back the breeze.”

Bess scrunched her nose and nodded. “Yes, but you can add a cute knit hat and a scarf.”

Belinda had to laugh. Bess loved to accessorize, both with clothes and her apartment.

Climbing out of the shower, she dried off, pulled on her pajamas, and then walked back into the living area with Bess in tow.

“By the way, Mom called, and we were talking?—”

“No, absolutely not!”

Bess huffed but didn’t say anything.

Belinda jumped into the silence. “You need to go visit Grandma. It’s my fault for not realizing there were five Thursdays in November this year and agreeing to do a photo shoot on Thanksgiving weekend. It wouldn’t be fair to the rest of you or Grandma for you not to make this trip.”

Bess fiddled with the hem of her shirt and nodded. “I know you’re right, but I just hate for you to be alone on Thanksgiving Day.”

“It’ll be fine. I won’t lie—I’ll miss everyone, but I’ll stay busy. I might even order a turkey dinner from one of the restaurants around here. Honestly, Bess, I’ll be fine.”

The sisters shared a hug before Bess walked to the door. “I’ll let you get to bed early since I know you had a long day. I’m going to my place to see if I can work on my baklava recipe.”

Belinda called out her goodnights and stuck her head out the door until her sister was safely inside, then closed and locked her door. Deciding to read in bed, she flipped out her lights. As she walked into the bedroom, she thought about their conversation. It was going to suck to be alone for Thanksgiving, but she had a loving family, and even if she couldn’t be with them, she knew she was lucky.

Once in bed, she turned her mind away from the upcoming holiday to the next day, when she would be out on another date with Aaron. And with that, she fell asleep with sweet dreams dancing in her head.

Belinda leaned her head back and closed her eyes, letting the kiss of sunlight touch her upturned cheeks and paint an orange glow over her closed eyelids. The breeze over the Chesapeake Bay sent her hair whipping over her shoulders. She’d heeded Bess’s advice and worn a cute powder-blue knit cap so that at least her hair didn’t tangle in the wind. And the matching scarf certainly kept her neck warm.

Lowering her chin, she grinned at Aaron at the boat's wheel. His ease of steering as they bounced along the gentle waves spoke of familiarity and love of the water.

“You’re not too cold, are you?” His voice carried over the sound of the engine and the waves. His gaze was filled with concern.

She shook her head and smiled, her spirit lifted by the beauty of the day and the company she was with. “Nope! This is fabulous.”

He slowed the boat and expertly maneuvered into an inlet. When they’d left, he had the boat docked at the Baytown Harbor, but now he allowed it to rest near a wooden dock. Tying it off, he turned and offered her a hand.

She looked with curiosity at the cooler setting on the private pier, along with several blankets. He guided her to the wooden ladder and stood behind her with his hands on her hips as she climbed upward. He quickly followed.

“What on earth is this?” Her intrigue blossomed into excitement.

“My next surprise,” he said, winking. He spread one of the blankets that was lying on the dock.

When invited to sit, she acquiesced and her curiosity gained strength. Aaron sat next to her and draped the other blanket across their laps. He leaned over to open the ice chest and pulled out a bottle of wine and a plastic-wrapped charcuterie board.

“Oh my!” she exclaimed, reaching out to assist. There were plastic wineglasses, plastic plates, and napkins.

He placed the food on the top of the closed ice chest, and she pulled the wrapping off as he opened the wine and filled their glasses.

“This is crazy sweet!” Earlier, her cheeks had felt the sting of the breeze but now ached from her wide smile. “You are full of surprises, Aaron!”

He grinned and held his wineglass out toward her. She tapped hers against his and tilted her head as she waited.

“Here’s to a beautiful woman and a fun, sunshine-filled day, complete with a boat ride over the bay.”

“Hear, hear,” she agreed, then sipped the wine. “Oh, it’s sweet. My favorite.” Narrowing her eyes, she asked, “How did you know?”

“I may have stopped by the bakery yesterday to get the desserts that are at the bottom of the chest, but I also interrogated your sister about your wine preferences.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Bess didn’t say anything last night when I got in!”

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