Hearts Crossing (Woodland) (7 page)

“I'd love to.”

He reached up to stroke her cheek then took hold of her hand. The simple gestures were more than enough to make her nerve endings sing. Her hand fit into his perfectly. The sensation of his skin sliding against hers did provocative things to her senses, warming her with longing as her heart performed a softly cushioned tumble.

They walked to the empty dance floor in front of the band's dais. Collin wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing the hand he held to rest against his chest. Jazz music turned into an alluring wash of sound that drew Daveny away from the fact that they were all alone on the floor and settled her instead into a world with Collin alone.

A soft hum of pleasure escaped her. It felt so good to be held close, to experience the solid strength of his arms. She looked up at Collin as they swayed together, moving in a slow, artful pattern. Collin rested her hand on his chest just long enough to slide his fingers through her hair, twisting an end softly around his fingers before releasing the strands. Daveny shivered with pleasure.

She tucked her head against his shoulder when he reclaimed her hand. She wanted to capture and isolate each one of the feelings he released, so she closed her eyes, savoring.

Daveny felt cherished and utterly content—as though her soul were melding into place with its perfect mate.

****

“Two single scoops of butterscotch coming right up.”

“Thank you,” Collin replied, paying for the treat.

Daveny claimed her cup and added spoons to both servings. “I didn't know your favorite was butterscotch, too.”

“Kind of spooky, isn't it?”

“A
Twilight Zone
moment.”

They meandered along the waterfront while they ate. Daveny went barefoot, her sandals dangling from a fingertip. The sand still felt warm beneath her feet, retaining the last of the day's heat. Occasionally she strayed just close enough to the breaking water to douse her feet.

“There's a bench up ahead. We can sit down to eat if you'd like.”

Daveny nodded in reply to Collin's offer, following his lead and sitting next to him. Lights rimmed the water to the left and right. A foghorn sounded periodically, its pitch low and mournful. They finished their ice cream in silence.

“I've really enjoyed this Collin. Thank you so much.”

“You're welcome.” He focused on the cup he held. “I've had a great time.”

“I want to thank you for something else, too.”

“What's that?” He looked at her, outwardly puzzled.

“Thank you for making me feel so special.”

He deferred his attention and shrugged, but Daveny intended to make her point. Collin set aside his ice cream cup, and she did likewise.

“You've found dozens of little ways to show that you care. That you're thoughtful. I want you to know I've noticed every gesture, and those actions tell me a lot about who you are.”

He shrugged again. “I didn't do anything out of the ordinary, Daveny.”

“You're right. It's part of who you are. You're wonderful, Collin.”

He leaned in and claimed her lips so quickly, with such breathless need, Daveny was swept away then pulled under before she could even blink. She sighed out an exclamation and the mingling of their breath created sweetness—longing.

She reached out, holding on to him, trying to ground herself amidst delicious, spinning desire—an onrushing wave of need that went far beyond the mere physical, for Collin reached out emotionally as well, wrapping himself around her heart and mind.

“Daveny,” he whispered at last, “you make me come so close to believing that statement.”

She held his face between her hands and searched his shadowed features beneath the milky white glow of the moon.

“Believe it, Collin,” she urged stridently. “Please.
Believe it
.”

7

Late Thursday morning, Daveny sat in her office and worked on freshly negotiated landscaping plans for a Grosse Pointe Woods home that skirted the shores of the Detroit River. Photos, documents and overview sheets covered the gleaming surface of her pride and joy—a Victorian style desk of maple, complete with a brass desk lamp, presently turned on to warm the area with needed light and emphasis. Outside, rain spattered against the window display of a world colored gray.

The stately, 1920’s masterpiece of pale cream stucco featured wide and deep grounds that sloped gently toward the river. That would be her canvas. Plans came to life in her mind, and she began to work in earnest, losing all track of time until the soft electronic chime of an e-mail delivery alert brought her back to reality.

“How brave are you?” Daveny puzzled aloud over the subject line as she clicked it open. It was from Collin.

To:
[email protected]

From:
[email protected]

Subject: How brave are you?

Our conversation at dinner the other night left me thinking about your job—and gave me an idea. Since I’ve gotten to see you at work in your natural habitat, I’d like to return the favor. If you’re interested, I’d love to have you talk to my English class about putting yourself into nature and making it come alive. You game? I’ll give you more details if you aren't scared off.

Collin

Daveny smiled to herself; she nibbled on her lower lip. If she breathed in just deeply enough, she experienced him in phantom, tasted his skin, felt his touch.

He was a special man; she only hoped he would find a way to reconcile himself to his faith and the spirit of God. Daveny couldn't imagine a relationship without that most vital component. So, despite a lurching fear of speaking in front of gatherings, she clicked on the reply toggle and began to type:

To:
[email protected]

From:
[email protected]

Subject: Re: How brave are you?

I have to admit, I’m more than a little intimidated by your request, but if you let me know what you’re after, I guess I can somehow dissolve that big lump of fear in my throat and say yes.

Let me know the date and time. Call me. Hope you’re surviving the end of the school year…I'm looking forward to seeing you.

Daveny

Anticipation over seeing him again and pleasure at his continued connection stirred a sparkle against her nerve endings.

“Earth to Dav!”

Daveny jumped when Kiara made an abrupt motion in front of her eyes. The imp just grinned when Daveny glowered at her.

“Distracted?” she queried sweetly, batting her lashes in a coy way as she settled into the chair across from Daveny's desk. Kiara crossed her long legs, gracefully arranging her skirt. “Late night with the beau?”

Her words, though light and teasing, struck home. A floodgate released, a realization and recognition.

“Kiara,” Daveny replied in all seriousness, “I'm in trouble.”

Daveny's partner and the Jane-of-all-trades for Montgomery Landscaping waited attentively while Daveny nipped at a thumb nail. At length, Kiara prompted, “What's wrong?”

“It's Collin. I swear I can't get him out of my mind.” Issuing a frustrated sigh, Daveny started to reorganize project papers and photos, hoping the effort would help her re-center and focus.

“Dinner was fun, huh?”

“Very.”

Kiara arched a brow. Waited.

“He's amazing. Sweet and strong, and heaven knows he's attractive—to a degree that leaves me...”

“Flushed? Like you are right now?”

“I am not...” Oh, yes she was. Daveny's overly warm cheeks were a dead giveaway. “There's something about him that's remote though. Barricaded in a way.”

Kiara just shrugged. “So bust down the walls.”

“Oh, OK. Thanks. Wish I'd have thought of that myself. Have a nice day now.”

“You're prickly today. Feeling a little tense?” Kiara teased, unaffected by Daveny's half-hearted snipe. “Listen, if anyone can entice a soul to trust and openness, it's you. The quality is built into your DNA. It's how you're wired. People
relate
to you.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I think it goes deeper than trust. Maybe I feel this weird disquiet because of his stand on God.”

“Which is?”

“He doesn't stand for God at all. That's huge for me. A deal breaker.” But then Daveny considered that statement. “He wasn't always that way. He told me he used to be a regular at Woodland.” Then his brother died. Loss and pain ensued. Daveny began to connect the puzzle pieces to form a somewhat clearer picture.

“Dav, hear me out about something before you fire me.”

Daveny narrowed her eyes for show, restraining an affectionate grin. “Go on. Carefully.”

“Well, maybe you're
meant
to help him...”

“Oh, no.” Daveny rebuked that conclusion, lifting both hands to ward it off. “I'm nobody's reformer. Faith comes from within.”

“Very true, but look at what's been accomplished already. Look what's come to be between the two of you. Maybe God is taking a hand in both your lives. I'm not talking about reforming him—I'm talking about continuing to be exactly who and what you are. I believe he'll come around.”

Daveny digested that summation for a moment. The point was valid. Besides, what was the rush and urgency? There were no time clocks here, nor schedules with which to adhere.

“Is he worth it?” Kiara asked in conclusion.

“Worth what?”

“Worth waiting for. Working for?”

Daveny took a deep breath before replying from the heart. “Yes. I believe he is.”

Kiara's smile dawned, slow and sure.

****

“It’s not that big a deal. Promise.”

Daveny snorted softly, twirling the phone cord around her finger as she chatted with Collin a few hours later. “Yeah. Isn’t that what the crew of Titanic said right after spotting that big ol’ chunk of ice in the middle of the ocean?”

He ignored that quip. “Here’s the drill. You come in, take your assigned position on a stool at the front of my class, and talk about the beauty to be found in nature. Describe it all—the colors, the scents, the tapestry you create. Explain how you see it evolve in your mind.”

Daveny arched a brow. “You’ve nailed it already. I nominate you to do the talk instead.”