Page 10 of His Secret Gift

So, I continue moving up and down.

“I’m going to come soon,” I announce a few moments later because I’m not sure if I need to pull out or not.

“Okay,” she says breathlessly. And she claws into my back tighter, so I take that as an indication that we’re good just as we are.

I’m breathing heavily by the time it’s done.

“How was that?” I whisper in her ear.

“Wonderful. I love it when you’re spontaneous.”

We give each other one more peck before climbing back on board.

She puts her pajama set back on, and after rubbing a towel against my wet hair, I use it to drape over my bottom half.

“Breakfast?” I ask before kissing her on top of the head. She’s now sitting down and reading a magazine.

“Yes please.”

I go into the gallery and start making her favorite—French toast with raspberries and maple syrup.

It’s the dish that made her fall in love with me, after all. She was still new, and she obviously didn’t know that I do most of the cooking on the yacht.

“Oh, my god. Who made these?” she asked one morning.

“I did,” I answered with pride.

Her eyes opened wide. “You, Mr. Shelley?”

I nodded. “Indeed.”

“They’re so good!” she exclaimed before taking another bite.

“I’m glad you like them.” One of the ways I show love and appreciation is through cooking, and when someone likes my food that much, it’s an added bonus.

But when I go to present the latest batch to her, she isn’t on the deck anymore.

“Harper?” I call after her as I search.

I finally find her in our room. She’s kneeling by my closet.

“Wha—” I move closer and see she’s trying on my mother’s ring.

The rage I felt in that dream wakes me.

I exhale loudly before sitting straight. Then, I look around and remind myself of the reality that she isn’t on the boat or even in my life anymore.

Next, I get up and walk over to the closet and pull out mother’s ring.

Still here.I sigh in relief. It’s one of the last things I have of hers.

Bryant soon comes in and alerts me to his presence with a loud clearing of his throat.

“Sir.”

“Oh, Bryant. Hello. Please come in.”

With raised eyebrows, he asks, “Are you sure? You look preoccupied.”

---