Love Is Patient and A Heart's Refuge (9 page)

“So we’re just supposed to sit around and twiddle our thumbs while we wait for Dara to decide whether or not she’s going to give us access to her office?” Dylan’s question was surprisingly quiet, but Lisa felt his exasperation.

Alex smiled a sad smile. “No. You’re supposed to be on holiday.”

Dylan blew out his breath in an exasperated sigh. “Dad, you asked me to come and help you figure this problem out. I’m trying to do that, but not getting a lot of cooperation from either you or Dara. And Ted doesn’t have a clue what’s going on. I hope this isn’t an elaborate waste of Lisa’s and my time.”

“You have to believe me when I say it is making a difference, Dylan. But today you won’t be able to do anything. Why don’t you take a break for now.” He smiled at Lisa. “Take Lisa out on the boat. The work will keep for an afternoon. Trust me, it will all come together. Hopefully soon.”

Dylan shook his head, his shoulders sagging lightly as if in defeat. “I guess that’s the crux of the matter, isn’t it, Dad? Trust. You should give some serious thought to how you want us to proceed.”

Alex almost winced. “Can we carry on this conversation some other time?” he asked quietly.

“I’ve nothing more to say. For now.” Dylan glanced at Lisa and held his hand out to her. “I guess we have the afternoon free.”

What could she do but take it?

As his fingers wrapped around hers, his eyes held her gaze. “So, what do you think of going sailing?”

Lisa swallowed down the sudden uplifting rush of pleasure. She was supposed to be helping Gabe. But as Alex had said, they couldn’t right now.

But could she afford to spend the afternoon with Dylan? And what would Gabe say when he found out?

“Go ahead, Lisa,” Alex urged. “Dylan’s an excellent sailor. You can trust him.”

Dylan threw his father a puzzled glance, then with a shrug turned back to Lisa. “What do you say?” he asked, his voice pitched low.

Lisa felt the intimacy of his tone, was drawn into the intensity of his gaze and against her better judgment said yes.

“So which one is your dad’s boat?” Lisa asked, staring through the forest of masts bobbing up and down in the marina. The sun flashed off pristine hulls, gleaming chrome and brass overwhelming the tiny flashes shot off by the water.

“It’s the sloop on slip E over there. I doubt you’d be able to see it, though.”

Lisa stood on tiptoe, scanning the various boats, then nodded. “Oh, yes. There it is.”

Dylan jerked his head around, frowning his puzzlement. “How do you…” Then he caught the joke. “Very smart. And what do you think of the ketch beside it?”

Unable to stop the mischief that had caught hold of her, Lisa rolled her eyes in mock disgust. It was as if getting away from his family and from his work had allowed them to choose their relationship. And she was tired of intensity and seriousness.

“Like I don’t know my boats. Look at its mast. That’s no ketch.”

“And it is a…” Dylan prompted, picking up on her mood.

“If you don’t know, I’m not going to enlighten you,” she said with an airy wave of her hand.

Dylan tugged on the brim of her hat, pulling it lower over her eyes. “We’ll see how cocky you are once you’re out on the water,” he said with a grin.

As she followed him along the dock she felt the tensions of the morning drift away with the light breeze that teased her hair.

She breathed in the peculiar scent of the harbor—water, the faint scent of diesel and the underlying smell of fish. Gulls wheeled above, taunting them with their strident cries. Below them, water gurgled against the pilings, slapped the hulls of the boats.

It was going to be a glorious day.

“This one, right?” Dylan said, stopping in front of a midsize boat. It looked to be about thirty feet long, its mast stretching far above them.

She glanced at the prow of the boat and saw
The
Stephanie
written in flowing cursive. “You’re more percipient than you look,” she said with a grin.

“And percipient enough not to use that word instead of perceptive, which is what it really means.”

“I rest my case,” Lisa said with a grin. “So this is the vessel.”

“It’s not a big boat, but it handles like a dream,” Dylan said. He untied a line and climbed up into the boat. “Hand me the gear and then I’ll help you on.”

Lisa gave him the thermos and cooler holding food that the housekeeper deemed necessary for a trip out on the boat. Then Dylan held out his hand.

Lisa’s hesitation was minute.

“You don’t have to be afraid,” he said, smiling his encouragement. “The boat won’t tip. I promise.”

She took his hand, but was disappointed by how quickly he let go of her hand. As he unlocked what looked like a small door broken into three parts, Lisa glanced upward. The tiny flag at the top of the mast seemed impossibly high.

Her stomach lurched and she grabbed the nearest rope to steady herself.

“What’s wrong?” Dylan asked.

“How are you going to get that sail all the way up that mast by yourself?”

“I’ll use the halyard on the main and the furlings on the jib.”

“Furling. Is that like a small furlong?” she joked, trying to cover up her nervousness and her lack of knowledge. She had never been on a boat before. And now she was going to allow Dylan to take her out onto the ocean?

Dylan laughed, sliding the boards up and setting them aside. “Come down below a moment. We can put the food away and I can give you the grand tour.”

Lisa rubbed her damp palms against her pant legs and followed Dylan through the narrow entrance and down the ladder to a small room belowdecks. A family picture hung on a short wall above a small couch built into the side of the boat. The kitchen had a small stove with an oven, a sink and counter and cupboards directly above them. Everything a person needed for a long trip.

“Okay, landlubber,” Dylan said, glancing around. “A few lessons. The front of the boat is the bow, the back is the stern. If you’re hungry, you can make something in the galley. Behind you is the head, self-explanatory if you take a look, and to get back up to the cockpit you clamber up the companionway.”

Lisa blinked, trying to absorb the information Dylan seemed to take delight in deluging her with.

“Since this is belowdecks, I’m assuming a whole other vocabulary awaits me once we go up the—” she gestured to the ladder behind Dylan “—companionway.”

“We haven’t even started on mainsails, jibs, lines and sheets.”

Lisa grinned. “Just tell me when I’m supposed to say, ‘Avast, me hearties’ and I’ll try to keep up,” she said, looking around the snug interior of the boat. “This is cozy,” she added.

Dylan tapped a pole leading up from the floor of the interior, looking around, as well. “I’ve spent a lot of happy hours on this boat.”

Lisa didn’t think she imagined the wistful tone in his voice. “Did you go with your family?”

“Mostly just me and my dad,” he said quietly, looking past her as if seeing other memories.

Lisa stopped the questions that almost spilled out. It wasn’t any of her business. She didn’t need to tangle herself any deeper in the affairs of this family.

Yet a gentle sorrow seeped through her for the hurt she heard in his voice. An echo of the regret in his father’s voice when he spoke of Dylan.

“I have to check the engine room,” Dylan said. “You can go above deck and enjoy the weather.”

As he moved to pass her, their eyes met. He slowed, she didn’t move and awareness sparked between them. In the close quarters it was almost palpable.

Stop this now.

Lisa pulled her gaze away, turned and escaped up the companionway into the sunshine above. As she sat down on the bench beside the wheel, she took a long slow breath.

Dylan’s movements below set the boat rocking lightly.

She shouldn’t have come here. Shouldn’t be spending this personal time with Dylan. She was trespassing over the boundaries she had set herself, moving into a place that would be too hard to escape.

A gull’s cry pulled her attention away from her disquiet, and the slight rocking motion of the boat soothed her anxiety.

It was just a short sailing trip. When would she ever have a chance to experience that?

The day was going to be just fine, she assured herself, the tension easing from her shoulders. What was happening between her and Dylan was simply a product of spending more time together than she had with any man for a long time.

As long as she was aware of that, she could handle it.

D
ylan turned on the fuel, opened the sea cock and ran through the usual presailing check. His movements were sure, practiced, old habits slipping back as easily as putting on worn shoes.

The routine alleviated the moment of tension created by the allure of Lisa.

The vessel that had once seemed roomy enough with four people aboard now seemed cramped and crowded. He and Lisa would constantly be bumping into each other, and from her reaction a moment ago he sensed she would be the one constantly pulling away.

He wrote the barometer reading and closed the log book with a light laugh at his own whimsy. Her reaction shouldn’t concern him. It was just a day away from work, that was all.

It was the thought of taking the boat out, not being with Lisa, that quickened his heart, he reassured himself.

It had been a long time since he had gone sailing. In
Toronto all his time was spent at Matheson Telecom, to the detriment of many relationships and his leisure time.

And now he was moving to another company where he would have to prove his worth.

Dylan pushed the thought aside as he switched on the radio and listened. Shipping traffic sounded light. He quickly checked the weather. All the pieces were in place for a perfect day. Enjoy the moment, he thought as he clambered up the companionway.

He started the engine. The motor turned over immediately with a muted growl.

“Lisa, do me a favor,” he said, checking the gauges. “Look over the stern and see if water is coming out of the exhaust.”

The boat rocked slightly as Lisa moved and leaned over. “I see water pouring out from something.”

“Good. Thanks.”

“Water coming out of a boat is a good thing?”

Dylan glanced up at the worry in her voice. Smiled at her comical expression. “Water comes in from the sea and goes into the cooling part of the engine, then out the exhaust. Like air flowing past the radiator of a car.”

“Landlubber question coming up,” she said, sitting down again. “If this is a sailboat, why do you have an engine in it?”

“It’s much easier to maneuver out of the marina with a motor than a sail. And quicker.” He pulled out a life jacket. “Here. Put this on.”

Lisa held up the lime-green personal flotation device and pulled her lower lip between her teeth. “You
realize, of course, this color is going to totally wash out my complexion.”

Dylan laughed, thankful once again for Lisa’s easy humor, always ready at hand. “Better your complexion than having you washed overboard.”

“Just how far are you planning to go? Tokyo?”

“I guess we’ll see where the day takes us.” He jumped off the boat and untied the spring lines, then the bow and stern line and got back on. He put away the lines and took his place behind the wheel of the boat.

As they motored out of the marina, Dylan could feel the tensions of the past week ease away, soothed by the movement of the boat, the light breeze on his face. The promise of a beautiful day of sailing ahead canceled out the puzzle of his father’s actions.

“This is the most I’ve seen you smile since I’ve met you,” Lisa said, angling him a grin.

“I’ve missed this,” he said quietly, navigating his way through the throngs of boats.

“Toronto is on the water. Didn’t you ever go sailing there?”

“No time.”

“Are you going to have time at your next job?”

Her casual comment hit a vulnerable spot. “I’ll be busy.” He would be going nuts, he amended. Starting over. Trying to prove himself.

Was he doing the right thing?

It was too late for second thoughts, but they hovered in his mind nonetheless.

“Mr. Upwardly Mobile,” Lisa teased. “Ted doesn’t seem to work as hard as you do.”

“Ted is his own person,” Dylan said, hoping his reply sounded more forgiving than he usually felt toward his older brother.

Lisa pushed her billed cap farther back on her head, as if to see Dylan better. “I get the feeling you’re not filled with fraternal devotion to Ted.”

“Fraternal,” he said, flashing her a teasing glance. “Most people would say brotherly.”

“It is related to brothers. From the Latin word
frater
meaning brother. Also connected to fraternity.”

“You like fooling with words, don’t you?”

Lisa smiled, lifting her face to the light wind. “Among other things.”

She didn’t elaborate and Dylan was content to leave her to her little secrets. He knew there were more. One being the person who had called her a couple of times on her cell phone, whom she never talked about. He was also fairly certain she had gone visiting the same person the evening of the rehearsal party he had attended alone.

She had told him at the interview that she was unattached. So who was this mystery person?

“So when do you hoist the mizzenmast?”

Dylan pulled his attention back to Lisa. “This is a sloop. Only has one mast. A boat with three masts has a mizzenmast, and you only hoist sails.”

“Oh, that’s right. I read that somewhere,” she said, snapping her fingers. “Did you ever sail a boat with more than one mast?”

Dylan shook his head. “We had a larger boat than this at one time, but it still only had one mast. Dad traded it off on this smaller boat because the rest of the family
seldom came along.” He couldn’t help but smile, remembering how relieved his sisters had been that they no longer had to be coerced into coming along. He could never understand their reluctance. To him, sailing had been the ultimate release. A place to get away from the stress and tension of school.

The one place he and his father were on equal footing.

“So you and your dad sailed a lot?”

“Almost every chance we could get.” Dylan turned the boat into the wind and slowed the engine. “Come here. I need your help now.”

Lisa pointed to herself. “Me. As in this landlubber?”

“This is easy. Just hold the wheel exactly where it is. I need to pull up the mainsail and unfurl the jib.”

Lisa got up, suddenly looking nervous. He moved over so she could take the wheel.

“Don’t look so tense,” he joked.

“I’m not tense,” she replied. “Just terribly and extremely alert.”

“You don’t have to white-knuckle it.” Dylan let go as soon as she had the wheel. “Just hold it right where you have it. Nice and steady.” He waited a moment. “You okay?”

“I’m fine. You just go unfurl some sails.”

Her bottom lip was clamped between her teeth and a deep frown pulled her eyebrows together. He was about to make another comment, but kept it to himself. Once she saw that the boat wasn’t going to take off, she’d be fine.

In a matter of moments he had the mainsail up. He untied the furling line and pulled the jib sheet.

The sails started undulating as they caught their first taste of the wind.

“Dylan. What’s going on?” Lisa’s voice had flown up an octave. “Those sails aren’t supposed to flap like that, are they?”

“They’re just filling up,” he called back, unable to stop laughing. “Just steer to port.”

“Office language, please.”

“Your left.”

As he worked his way back, the sails, seemingly satisfied with what was offered, filled with a snap. The tug pushed Dylan’s heart against his chest, the familiar expectation of exhilaration sending his blood singing through his veins.

“This boat is tilting. Is it supposed to tilt like this?”

Dylan came up beside her and let her struggle along a moment. “You’re doing great, Lisa. A natural.”

“Well, it’s been fun, but I have to scream now. Please take over.”

“Here. Let me help you.”

He stood behind her, placed his hands over hers and gently corrected their course.

She drew in a deep breath, but to his surprise didn’t pull away. Of course, as tightly as her hands were wrapped around the wheel, he doubted she was able to move at all.

“It’s not as hard as it looks,” he said as her hair tickled his chin. She smelled as fresh as sea air, with a hint of feminine sweetness. “Just keep the boat pointed in this direction for now and we’ll be fine.”

The boat skimmed over the water, the pull of the
sail singing through the lines. Dylan’s spirits responded, thrilling to the faint groan of the boat, the tautness of the sail.

Lisa hadn’t moved since he had come up behind her, but her hands no longer held the wheel in a death grip. He couldn’t see her face, but could feel her slowly relaxing.

“It goes pretty fast,” she murmured, still holding on to the wheel.

“The wind isn’t even that strong today. Sometimes this boat just flies.” Dylan shifted his weight, his arms brushing hers. “You didn’t put on your life jacket.”

“I’m a good swimmer.”

Dylan didn’t push the point. Once they got farther out, he would have to insist she put it on. But for now he didn’t want her to move. Wanted to enjoy the feeling of protecting her. Sheltering her.

And so far she didn’t seem to mind him standing right behind her.

They sped away from the harbor and swooped under Lions Gate Bridge.

“This is a very different vantage point than when I first came here,” she said, her head tilting up to look at the bridge as they sailed under it. “You promised you’d take me sailing when we drove over that bridge. And here I am.”

Dylan looked down at her upturned face. A dimple danced beside her mouth and her eyes shimmered, turning a soft hazel in the sunlight. When her head bumped his shoulder, her eyes swung around to his and a mixture of emotions tumbled across her face. He caught a glimpse of yearning that called to his own loneliness.

Without stopping to think or analyze the right or wrong, he caught her chin with one hand, turning her face a fraction toward his.

She shifted her body ever so slightly toward him. Rested her head back against his shoulder.

When Dylan lowered his mouth to hers, she didn’t move or resist.

The boat straightened. Lisa pulled away. “What’s happening?”

“Got distracted,” Dylan murmured, catching the wheel and turning it back to starboard. As the sails filled again, Dylan glanced down at Lisa.

She hadn’t moved away from him. Dylan took a chance and placed his hands over hers and rested his chin lightly on her head.

Just as when they’d danced at Chelsea’s wedding he couldn’t banish the sense of rightness he felt. As if every silly thing in the world would make more sense if only they could stay this way. Together.

He brushed his chin over her head, unable to suppress his good humor. He had never had feelings like this for any woman he had ever been with.

Yet he knew less about her than he did about any of the other women he had dated.

The unwelcome thought lurked on the edges of his mind and he suppressed it. Pushed aside his second thoughts.

He had a beautiful woman in his arms. He had favorable winds, a warm sun and open water ahead of him.

It was as close to perfection as he could expect.

Lisa didn’t want to move. In fact, if she could have her way, time would stop, would remain in this moment while she savored every nuance, every image.

The fresh smell of the water breaking away from the boat, the faint groaning of the lines holding the sail, the warmth of the sun.

Dylan’s arms around her creating a haven of safety. They didn’t have an audience now, so there was no need to pretend.

And what about your own pretense?

Lisa bit her lip as guilt crowded out the peace of the moment. Things were starting to overlap, feelings seeping out around loyalty.

She was standing in the arms of the kind of man she had dreamed of since she was a young girl. A man who had the kind of family she had always wanted.

And if they found out who she was, it would all disappear as quickly as fog when the sun came out.

Dear Lord, what have I started? How can I fix all this?

Her prayer was born of a desperation to find a way to satisfy her own conscience, newly aroused by the church service the other day. She needed to help her brother. She wanted to be a part of Dylan’s life.

But she couldn’t do both.

“Thanks for the lesson,” she murmured, ducking under Dylan’s arm. She felt suddenly chilled and slipped her sweater on. And then her life jacket.

She didn’t look at Dylan. Instead she concentrated on the water, squinting against the light dancing on the waves.

Another sailboat surged past them, the laughter of the occupants following in its wake. Lisa pretended to be intent on its progress, envying the people their light spirits.

How had her life gotten so complicated? Her plan had seemed so easy before she went for the interview. Find information. Help her brother. Foolish of her to think that she could take this all on herself.

She blinked against a surprising onslaught of tears.

I’ve been foolish, Lord. I’ve been stubborn and I’ve been proud,
she prayed.
Please forgive me. Help me get through this. Show me what I should do.
Her prayer was a muddle of questions, a confusion of thoughts. Yet, as before, she felt a gentle peace cover her. Nothing had been solved, but she no longer felt alone.

“Are you okay?” Dylan’s voice broke into her thoughts and she turned to face him, her smile genuine now.

“I think so.”

He frowned at her cryptic response, but thankfully didn’t press her.

Lisa drew on old coping skills honed with each move she and Gabe had made to a new foster home. New situations and emotions.

This was where she was at the moment. She didn’t need to think back or ahead. She had to control the things she was directly involved in right now.

She turned her face up to the sky, soaking in the warmth of the sun and allowing herself pleasure in the feel of the movement of the boat dancing over the water. The jagged mountains edging the harbor set a romantic counterpoint, clearly underlining the uniqueness of this time and place.

She chanced another look at Dylan. He stood on the deck, feet slightly apart, his hands resting lightly on the wheel. He looked more relaxed than he had since she had met him.

“So if we’re heading away from Vancouver with the wind at our back, how do we get back?” she asked, trying to lighten the tone of the afternoon.