Page 52 of Unexpected Union

“It’ssort of one-sided, isn’tit? I mean, you work all the time—even here.”

The musicended and he released her.

“I thinkon thisissue, we’regoing to have to agree to disagree.”

Shenodded, feeling sad that he seemed to be missing some of thejoys in life.

Hercomment annoyed Mitch.He had things going exactly the way he liked them. For the mostpart.

As theywalked back to thetable, he watched her. Holding her head proudly, movingwith such grace, he was struck with how much he’d enjoyed thistime.

Nolonger railing againstfate, he’d accepted the downtime and given his staff a bit moreautonomy. Which might prove to be a good move. Time wouldtell.

And timewas running out on his enforced convalescence. He had anappointment with the doctorin Boston in three days.

Once heleft the resort, he didn’t plan to return. If the doctor continuedto harp on more time off, he’d spend it at his apartment.

Suddenlyhe realized the thought held no appeal. There’d be no bright-eyedenthusiastic woman thereto share the hours. No lake to walk beside or gaze at from a porch.No fish to catch.

“Ichanged my mind,” Audra said as he held her chair for her. “I might have some of thatchocolate concoction that I saw when we walked by thatcouple.”

Shenodded ata nearbytable.

Heflagged a waiter andgave the order.

“I shouldn’t,”she said, with a dreamy look on her face.

For amoment Mitch feltalmostjealous of a stupid piece of cake. He wished Audra would look athim that way once more.

“But Ido so love chocolate”She looked at him. “Want to share?”

“Yes.”

Hewanted some of her cake and some of her lightness and happiness.For the first timeinyears, work faded in importance.

Impatiently Mitch waited for the dessert, ate his half in acouple of bites and assoon as Audra finished, whisked her onto the dance floor again. Heliked holding her in his arms, moving to the tempo of the music.Maybe it was time to take this vacation to the next level. She wasreceptive to his kisses. More than receptive, her mouth was adelight. Her own spark of passion ignited his every time theytouched.

It was latewhen he noticed how tired she looked.

“Readyto go home?” heasked.

Shenodded. “I’m really tired. Despite the nap, I think all thatexercise on the water and the dancing has done me in.”

In onlymoments they were in one of the courtesy jeeps, being driventhrough the darkness, the headlights the only source of illumination in addition to thestars overhead.

Mitchtipped the driver and took Audra’s hand to climb thesteps to the porch. Thedarkness enveloped them when the jeep turned the bend and was lostfrom view.

For amoment Mitch remembered his first morning. Nothing had gone as he’d anticipated. Too bad hecouldn’t have foreseen the future.

“I’llhave a light onin asec,” he said, opening the door.

“I’m goingup,” she said. “I had a great time tonight. Thanks.”

Stayingby the end table he nodded. She looked exhausted. Not the most auspicious time toexplore the possibility of more intimacy. He’d wait. They still hadthree more days before he had to leave.

“Goodnight.”

Hewatched her climb the stairs, then checked his watch. It was toolate to go back to thelodge to use their guest office. And too late to call his secretaryeven if he had his cell phone.

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