Page 46 of Return to the Island

25

Tack

We spent a few days working to help remove downed trees, pick up foliage and clean the pool area. In those moments, I realized I didn’t know as much about Juliet as I thought. She was obviously hardworking and dedicated, but I should have remembered how hard she worked alongside me when we built the boat. I gained a new appreciation for her because others adored her. She was amazing with the locals, offering a comforting touch or hug of support. She didn’t complain about lifting a hand or handing out food. Without refrigeration, we started offering what we could to those nearest the resort. There was only so much the few of us at Redemption could eat.

“You’re amazing,” I said to her as she fell across my bed. We were in my private rooms, and I looked forward to all the things we would do here. She rolled to her back and looked up at me.

“You’re pretty awesome, too,” she said, smiling slowly at me. There was something in her eyes, an intensity in that violet color, and I knew nothing in the world would be more important to me than having her always look at me with that look.

“I love you,” I said, as I reached for her ankles, stroking up her shins. Her lids closed, and she groaned.

“That feels nice,” she said, letting her arms stretch across the bed. I tugged at her ankle, and her eyes sprang open.

“You didn’t answer me,” I said sheepishly, wanting to hear the words from her. She sat upward and reached for my jaw.

“Yes, I did.” She smiled slowly. “I said that feels nice. You loving me feels nice to me.”

“I still want to hear it.” I pressed forward and kissed her. “Every day,” I added.

“I love you every day.” She giggled, and I bit her lip, holding her laughter.

“Funny,” I teased, but all joking aside, I meant what I said. Every day from this day forward I wanted to hear her tell me she loved me, and I wanted to tell her the same thing.

+ +

“I’m staying longer,” I heard her tell Miller once cell service was restored. She’d stayed an additional week. It pleased me, but I wished I could hear what Miller said on the other end of the conversation.

“I know I’ve never not been there, but I think you can handle it a little bit longer without me, right? They need me here.” There was a pause and she added, “I need to be here with him.”

Miller must have responded and then she said, “I don’t know where it’s going, but I like where it’s at. Isn’t that enough?”

She laughed after another short pause. I liked her laughter, but my heart pinched that it came easily to her with him. Her shoulders slumped as she faced toward the window. I leaned against the entrance to the bedroom, waiting for her.

“I don’t have any resentments, Miller. You know that. It took a long time, but I can’t live with that constant hatred. It was too much bitterness.”

I stood upright, my arms slipping to my sides. I didn’t want her to resent me, although I could not blame her. What had happened would never be forgotten. It would always be there between us, but I didn’t want it to divide us. I wanted nothing more than for us to be together.

“I love you, too, Miller. Talk soon.”

She hung up and leaned her head forward onto the glass. She stood like that for only a moment before standing straighter, spinning, and stopping when she saw me.

Her eyes squinted. “Eavesdropping?”

“Curious,” I said, stepping forward.

“That killed the cat,” she teased, the crease between her brow lessening.

“This cat wants to make it up to you,” I said, holding out a hand for her and she walked to me. She smiled up at me, a playful gleam to her eyes. “Come with me.”

She laughed, her head tilting. “I’ll go anywhere you lead.”

It was just what I needed to hear.

+ +

We held hands as we walked to the boat launch. While it wasn’t foreign to hold a woman’s hand, it felt different walking with her. It was as if I’d never done it before, and yet as if I’d done it every day of my life with her.

“How’s Miller?” I asked.