Page 24 of Never Leave Me
“I remember when we were madly in love.” The older woman pressed a jeweled hand over her heart.
Her husband cocked a brow at her good-naturedly. “Remember when? Aren’t we still madly in love?”
Mrs. Fletcher laughed, then leaned across the table, cupped her husband’s cheek, and planted a kiss full on his lips. As she pulled away, he beamed, as though he’d been rewarded a million pounds.
Harrison was tempted to give them a polite smile and end the conversation, but his mother’s training to be a gentleman in every circumstance held him in good stead. “I imagine you’ve had many happy years together.”
“Oh no, honey,” Mrs. Fletcher said with a breathy laugh. “We’ve only been married for three years. A second marriage for both of us.” She launched into the story of how they’d lost their spouses around the same time and then met on a cruise six months later.
“Neither of us was looking for a relationship,” Mrs. Fletcher finished. “But when second chances come, you have to grab them up while you can. Don’t you agree, dear?”
“I agree 110 percent,” Dr. Fletcher responded. “Don’t let second chances pass you by.”
Harrison wanted to echo their sentiments, wanted to explain that both he and Ellen had been given second chances too—not in love, but in life. But he realized how crazy he would sound if he told them that yesterday morning he’d been wheelchair bound but that after drinking holy water he’d been healed.
They spoke off and on with the Fletchers during the elegant three-course meal of sushi, broiled lobster tail, chocolate-covered fruit, and scrumptious cheesecake. Finally, after their servers had cleared away the last of the dishes, Dr. and Mrs. Fletcher stood.
“You’re not going already?” Ellen reclined in her chair, her features relaxed and her eyes bright. “They’re just about to dim the lights for the stargazing.”
“We’re not as young as the two of you.” Mrs. Fletcher stifled a yawn. “Besides, I’m sure you didn’t come all this way to spend time with a couple of old fogies like us.”
Ellen waved off her concern. “We don’t mind in the least. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you.”
Harrison didn’t quite agree, but he refrained from voicing his contradiction.
“You’re too sweet.” Mrs. Fletcher linked her arm into her husband’s. “But I can tell that handsome husband of yours is dying to pull you into his arms and have you to himself.”
Brilliant. Just what he needed. Complete strangers informing Ellen of the feelings he’d tried to conceal from her for years. Before he could say anything to correct their wrong assumption, the lights went dim and the couple hustled away.
Once he and Ellen were alone, she sat stiffly in her chair. “What should we do?”
He crossed his arms behind his head and leaned back so he could view the sky. The expanse of stars that met his gaze was incredible. Thousands of light specks dotted the dark canopy of the universe. “Tilt back like this. It’s a perfect view.”
“No, not about the stargazing.” Her tone was soft, almost shy.
“Then about what?” He knew what she was referring to, but he couldn’t face her. If he did, she’d surely see the stark longing in his eyes.
“Their room is just down the hall from ours, and they were checking into their room at the same time we were.” She twisted at the teardrop pearl in the middle of her necklace. “Now, apparently, they assume we’re a couple. Perhaps everyone here assumes it.”
“I’m sorry, love. We’re staying in the largest room, the one reserved for honeymooners.”
“So, people think we’re here on our honeymoon?” Her voice contained a note of panic.
“We’re not wearing wedding bands, so maybe not.”
“That’s true. Even so, maybe we should try to switch, perhaps get separate rooms.”
“The honeymoon suite is the only one available at such short notice.”
“And I’m not complaining. I love the suite. I love this place. But I do feel bad for allowing everyone to believe we’re married—and sleeping together.”
Of course, he’d never had any intention of sleeping with Ellen on the trip, but just the mention of it heated his blood several degrees. “We’ll never see these people again, so why worry about what they think? However, if it makes you feel better, we’ll work it out tomorrow and inform the Fletchers we’re just friends.”
She finally sat back and tilted her head up to the sky. “Good idea.”
Just friends. The words grated him, as they had earlier. But he knew it was what she needed to hear whether he liked it or not.
Ellen twisted the teardrop pearl at the hollow of her neck. “Do you really think Marian is alive in the past?”
