Page 31 of Moonlit Hideaway
Sierra swallowed an unexpected pulse of nerves. Her eyes rested on his, a shade of greenish-gray speaking to her like a valley of refuge. She moved her hands in position and strummed the air, hearing the chords in her head, and began to sing—a song about his eyes and the refuge for her heart.
It was a love song, and from it, she poured the feelings she didn’t dare to express. That even though she wouldn’t be staying, the refuge he provided would remain forever in her heart.
In a world that’s always rushing,
You’re my quiet, calming hush,
In your eyes, I see the truth,
In our silent, stolen moments.
You’re my peace in the chaos,
In your arms, I find my place,
With you, everything feels just right,
A haven in the dark of night.
Out here, under the open sky,
Your eyes hold a love that never dies.
In the quiet, just us two,
Your heart says all I need to know.
Tears formed as she lost herself to the song, strumming the imaginary guitar and wondering how his eyes would turnstormy, and the wind and waves would overrun the sand, and how she’d be gone and the wreckage left behind—precisely what his mother had warned against.
Under the moon, with you,
I felt a love that was pure and true.
In the dance of the waves, on the sandy shore,
You held me close, but I needed more.
In your eyes, I’ll hide my goodbyes,
In your look, my secret lies.
Though I have to go, your love will stay,
In my heart, a never-ending play.
Our time will echo in my soul,
Your love, a part that makes me whole.
Though we go our separate ways,
You’re my refuge, in all my days.
She stopped strumming, and her voice faded, leaving the slap of the water against the boat and the call of the gulls. Her eyes still held Hank’s as she blinked and held out her arms to him.
He swept her off her feet, rocking the boat and her heart to the core. His touch, his rugged looks, and the security of his arms hadn’t been enough to send her hurtling over the edge. What did her in was that huge heart that would take her in and not only know her but understand and accept her transitory nature—that she would one day be gone—and still take the risk of loving her—of walking in knowing he’d be hurt.
“I can’t let you do that.” She broke from his embrace, tears streaming down her face. “You’ve been so good to me, and I can’tgo into this knowing I’m going to hurt you—that I’m going to walk away from you. From this sanctuary. From all of this.”
