Chapter fifty-one

When Carly stepped out of the bathroom, clad in clean shorts, a T-shirt and wet hair, she found Pat in the kitchen, making them sandwiches.

"I'm going to hate sandwiches by the time this is all over with," Carly said.

"Me, too. I'm thinking a bowl of gumbo would hit the spot."

"And fried shrimp," Carly added.

"I'm starving."

"Me, too."

Pat pointed to the table. "I made you a drink. Bourbon. But there's no ice."

"I don't care." Carly settled at the table and lifted the glass, then paused. "I should really go feed the egrets."

"I did it. The fish smells like hell, though. I doubt we'll be able to stand touching it in the morning."

"I'll need to go into town anyway. I've got to get something to keep them in," she said.

"Pet store?"

"No. I'll go to one of the vets in town and borrow a cage."

"You think they'll make it?"

"Yes. There're old enough. Another two weeks, maybe, then we can let them go."

"You think the parents will come back?"

Carly shrugged. "Maybe. I hope so. It would be nice, wouldn't it?"

"Yes." Pat looked at her damp hair, already nearly dry and reached across the table to brush it away from Carly's face. Their eyes met as Pat's fingers brushed across Carly's cheek. "Why are we making small talk?"

"Because I thought it would be uncivilized if I just dragged you back to the bedroom right away."

"Is that what you want to do?"

Carly blushed. "I've thought of little else all day."

Pat nodded. "Me, too."

"Do you find it amusing?" Carly asked.

"What?"

"That I can't seem to control myself around you. That I can't keep my hands off you," she said quietly.

"Amusing? No, I find it to be exciting...refreshing," Pat said. "In case you haven't noticed, I can't exactly keep my hands off you, either."

"I never thought this would happen to me, Pat," Carly admitted. "The first day I met you, I knew you were dangerous. I tried so hard to keep you away."

"I know. But I didn't want to be kept away."

"I still can't promise you anything, Pat."

"Can't or won't?"

"Please don't make me," Carly whispered. "I'm scared of what I feel for you."

"You know I'm in love with you, don't you?"

Carly squeezed her eyes shut and looked away. "Please don't say that."

"Is it easier for you to pretend that I'm not? That way, it can just be sex between us? No real ties?"

"I'm scared you'll hurt me," Carly admitted.

"So I shouldn't tell you that I want to wake up with you for the rest of my life?"

"Oh, Pat," Carly whispered. She took Pat's hand and squeezed it, finally meeting her eyes. "You don't know what you're asking of me."

"Yes, I do."

They sat quietly at the table with hands clasped between them for long moments, their eyes meeting then pulling away. Finally, Pat stirred.

"You know what I'd like to do?"

"Hmm?"

"Catch the sunset," Pat said. "There's this great little spot on Goose Island that looks out over Copano Bay. I think we can make it in time," she said.

Chapter fifty-two

Pat turned down the dirt road, ignoring the ‘Private Property' sign. The road escaped the oak motes and ended right at the bay. They both got out and stood in front of Pat's Jeep, eyes turned to the west as the sun hovered over the bay.

Then Pat pulled Carly in front of her and leaned against the Jeep, holding Carly lightly from behind. Carly's hands came up and covered Pat's at her waist and she sighed contentedly. They said nothing, just watched as the sun dipped lower in the sky, turning the bay a brilliant orange. Then, as the sun touched the water, a rosy red replaced the orange, shimmering in the waves, only to be replaced by a gentle pink glow where the sun had been only moments before.

For the first time that Pat could remember, she didn't itch to hold her camera. She was holding all that she needed. Carly.

"That was beautiful," Carly whispered.

"Yes, it was."

They remained that way, looking out over the bay as the pink faded from the sky. Finally, Pat moved, turning Carly in her arms to face her.

"Yesterday, a storm was raging...today, we're blessed with a beautiful sunset. No matter what happens, the sun still comes and goes as planned, doesn't it?"

Carly nodded, her eyes locked on Pat's.

"You know, it's funny. All these years, I had given up on finding someone. I mean, I'm thirty-six. I figured I was destined to be alone. It's not that I never looked, you know. I did. But I was always looking for someone that could be there for me. I always imagined the perfect someone that would be a part of my life. I never really considered what I would be to them. It was always about me. But I find myself wanting to be the perfect someone for you. I want to be your hero. I want to be your rock. I want to be there for you to lean on. I find what I need is to be needed...by you. To be trusted by you. Everything I imagined in my life before seems so shallow compared to what I feel in my heart for you, Carly. I never thought I could truly love someone. It wasn't a part of my life. But I so want to love you, Carly."

Carly let her tears fall. She no longer cared if Pat saw them. She reached out a gentle hand and touched Pat's face, surprised to find dampness there as well. Her heart broke. This wonderful, proud woman loved her. How could she deny that? How could she possibly run from this?

"You're just a romantic fool, aren't you?" Carly whispered.

"Yes."

Carly leaned forward and kissed Pat, softly, gently, without the raging passion that normally consumed them. This kiss was totally about love...and the joining of souls.

"Take me home, Pat. I want to make love to you. I need to make love to you."