Page 47 of Return to the Island

“He’s fine.” I squeezed her hand, hinting I didn’t believe her. “He’s worried. But he doesn’t need to be, right?” Her hesitation made me step in front of her.

“He doesn’t need to worry and neither do you. There’s going to be more changes when we return to Baltimore, but we’ll tackle them together. Different but the same,” I repeated my new motto.

“We’re going back to Baltimore?”

“Yes, I need to get back as well.”

“But I thought you were based in Virginia.”

“Corbin Industries is. Calliope is in Baltimore, remember?” I’d already told her these things.

“Why?” She looked up at me, squinting in the blossoming sunshine. It was nice to see the blue sky overhead, no more gray clouds lingering.

“My Mouse disappeared there, and I was trying to find her.”

“I wasn’t hiding.” She bit her lip as her mouth curled.

“You weren’t easy to find, either,” I added, cursing once again that she had tried to find me and the security of Corbin Industries kept her out. She stepped toward me, and I opened my arms to envelop her.

“When will we leave?”

“Tomorrow,” I answered. We stood holding one another for a moment, and I could feel her hesitation. Returning home wasn’t going to be easy, but we both had to face reality again. I had a plan to assure her things were never going backward.

We continued on until we reached the beach, where I directed us to a boat launch.

“What’s this?” She laughed.

“The maiden voyage,” I announced, reaching down for the stern and pushing the double outrigger forward in the calm bay water.

“Is this…” Her voice faded.

“Vixen 2,” I proclaimed, stepping into the ankle-deep depths. “Come on, first mate. Get in.” With a clap of excitement, she raced for the bow and climbed aboard. She perched on the front seat as I moved the craft forward, feeling pride in building this boat all on my own, and anxious that we were about to take the first cruise in it.

I slipped into her easily and paddled us forward, quickly taking us out to the edge of the cove.

“She’s perfect,” Juliet called over her shoulder, excitement in her tone.

“She’s beautiful,” I replied, implying both my companion and the boat. When we’d made it as far as I risked us going on the first trip, I pulled the oar backward, slowing the craft to float gently with the waves. Juliet shifted so she faced me.

“What are you—” She stopped abruptly as I climbed the length of the skiff to reach her. “You’re going to make us tip,” she squealed, gripping the edge of the boat.

“We can’t tip. It’s a double outrigger. We’re supported by balance on both sides.”

She stopped squirming as I knelt before her on both knees. I reached forward with one hand, cupping her jaw. Her eyes gleamed in the bright sunlight, filled with the anticipation of what would come next. I’d typically kiss her. She licked her lips, waiting for me to descend to them.

“Can I ask you?” The question was reminiscent of asking her for that first kiss. Just one, I had asked then. Forever forward, I wanted all her kisses.

“You can ask me anything.” Her voice was breathy, and if I didn’t have something important to ask, I’d take her in the bottom of this craft, fully taking her breath away.

“Will you marry me?” Startled, she pulled back from my grasp. Her eyes opened wide and her mouth popped open, but no sound escaped. “Mouse?”

Tears sprang to her eyes and confusion struck me. Did I misunderstand? Did she not want this as much as me?

“Mouse?” I questioned again at the same time she said “Yes.” Liquid moistened my eyes in relief. I pulled the ring from my pocket, the one she said was perfect, and I agreed, because it was simple, refined, and delicate, like her.

“Thank you,” I sighed, relief shifting to excitement. Land was too far away, and I instantly wanted her. She giggled as I slipped the ring on her finger. Her brows pinched, thinking my gratitude was in response to her answer.

“Thank you,” I clarified, “for returning to the island. For coming back to me.”