A Walk Along the Beach(24)
“Willa.” Sean gently shook my shoulder.
I jerked upright, shocked to find we were parked outside my apartment complex.
“We’re home,” he whispered.
I raised my hands over my head and stretched. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to drift off. How long have I been asleep?”
“Awhile.”
“I fell down on the job of keeping you awake,” I said, and pressed my hand over my mouth to squelch a yawn.
“Don’t worry. I enjoyed listening to you snore.”
“I didn’t?” I asked, horrified.
“No, you didn’t, but you did drool a bit.”
I was speechless until he laughed.
Bandit poked his head between the seats again and looked from Sean to me, as if waiting for me to leave.
I could take a hint. “I had a wonderful day. Thank you, Sean.”
“I had a good time, too.” He placed his hand around the back of my neck. “Would you mind terribly if I kissed you?”
“Ah…sure.” I closed my eyes and leaned toward him. He didn’t keep me waiting long. His mouth covered mine, and wow. This guy knew how to kiss. I placed my hands on his shoulders and leaned into him. My heart and my head soared as the kiss became fully involved. I loved the taste and feel of him, and found myself wanting more of him, wanting to give him more of me.
When we broke apart, Sean’s eyes held mine. “Wow,” he said, and cleared his throat. He didn’t sound anything like himself.
“Wow,” I echoed, and I realized I didn’t sound like myself, either.
CHAPTER 10
Sean
Although I’d been planning this trip to Bolivia, I was reluctant to leave Willa. Time with her was a gift. After our all-day trip to Toppenish, we were together every day for the next week. I made it a habit to stop by the coffee shop for another of her specialty drinks. I’d tried several now and found I rather enjoyed drinking coffee when it was disguised. She’d quickly wrapped herself around my heart. This was different from any other relationship I’d had. Willa was unlike any other woman I’d dated. She helped me view the world in ways I never had before; she showed me the importance and appreciation of family. Since I’d started spending time with her and saw the closeness she shared with her siblings, it made me want to grow closer to my own family. Both my parents noticed and had commented. Once it was clear my career in baseball was over, I rented an apartment close to my parents. I used the next couple of years to build my portfolio as a professional photographer. Being raised in Colorado Springs had its downfalls. Despite my efforts to start over, everyone knew me from my baseball career. I needed to move someplace where the entire city hadn’t watched me grow up in the sport. I happened upon Oceanside, as fate would have it, doing a shoot of the Olympic rain forest. The town and the community immediately appealed to me. I could remain anonymous in this tiny burg. While in town I walked past a real estate office and a photo of a home captured my attention. On impulse, I went to see it and saw the potential. I made an offer that day, and learned I got the house the next. And as they say, the rest is history.
My flight out of Seattle was scheduled for July 5, and after all the effort I’d taken to get what I needed lined up, I stared at the date on my calendar with regret. This wasn’t a good time to leave. Still, my head was looking forward to learning what I could about the Bolivian people in the backcountry. My heart, however, would remain in Oceanside with Willa.
Willa told me Harper planned a barbecue for the holiday on the beach and invited me to join her, along with Harper and her friends, later in the afternoon after she closed the shop. I was concerned that she might be exhausted after doing a hard day’s work, but when I saw her, she immediately brightened. Happiness radiated from her as she waved and hurried to meet me.
Unable to leave Bandit behind, I brought him along. The moment he viewed Willa, he strained against the leash, anxious to get to her. She’d changed into a sleeveless yellow summer dress with white polka dots and was barefoot. I’d never seen her look more beautiful. Her natural beauty was unlike the other women I’d dated. Willa didn’t need a full array of makeup or expensive clothes or jewelry.
The beach was crowded with those celebrating the holiday. Harper had apparently staked out her territory early that morning. She set up a barbecue and table, along with blankets and a huge multicolored umbrella. I noticed several folding umbrella-style chairs. The firework display was not to be missed, or so Willa had told me. I’d lived in the area the last Fourth of July but had avoided the crowds and the tourists, preferring to stay at home instead of joining my family.
Harper raced across the sand to greet Willa, me, and Bandit. She introduced me to her friend John Neal and a couple of others. I remember Willa had mentioned that John and Harper were part of a group that would be climbing Mount Rainier later in the summer.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Harper said, motioning toward the table, covered with a variety of salads and chips and dips, along with the accouterments for the barbecue hamburgers and hot dogs.
“Starving.” I’d finished the mural project and sent the photos and the article I’d written on to Seattle Magazine. I was pleased with how it had turned out. By far my favorite photos, however, were the ones I’d taken of Willa and Bandit that day. Half the time she was unaware I had my camera focused on her. I’d printed out my favorite five of those and pinned them on my office wall. After seeing her every day for the last week, I wasn’t sure how I would fare for the next twenty-three without her.