A Match for Celia

“I do trust you,” she said with a little smile of relief that she’d gotten that out of the way. “I have from the beginning.”

Reed’s smile faded. “We have to talk.”

“I know. There are so many things we still have to learn about each other. And such a short time left,” she said, fretting. “I have to be back at work at the bank Monday. I suppose you have to get back to your job, too.”

“Celia, about my work.” He hesitated.

“Can I get you folks any

thing else?” the waitress asked, appearing suddenly beside their table, recalling them abruptly to their public surroundings.

Reed released Celia’s hand and sat back in his chair. “No, not for me. Celia?”

She shook her head, curious about what Reed had started to tell her.

The waitress nodded and slipped their tab onto the corner of the table. Reed picked it up, glanced at it, and laid a bill on top of it. “Are you finished?” he asked Celia.

“Yes.”

He glanced at his watch. “Let’s go for a walk.”

“All right.” She set her napkin on the table and rose.

Hand in hand, they strolled down the beach. There were quite a few people out this morning, Celia noted. Joggers, fishers, sunbathers, early picnickers. Some college-age guys playing fetch with a couple of big dogs. Mothers trying vainly to keep their children coated with sunblock.

November, she reminded herself with a slight shake of her head. Sometimes the contrasts between here and home were very disconcerting. Made her wonder anxiously if anything she’d found here would survive the return to reality.

Reed led her back in the direction of the resort. He said little, but kept glancing at his watch. Finally he sighed, stopped and ran a hand through his hair. “We have to talk.”

“Yes.” He’d said that already, and she’d already agreed, but she didn’t bother pointing it out. Something was obviously bothering Reed. Something important.

Why was it so hard for him to begin? What wasn’t he telling her?

Celia felt her nerves knot somewhere low in her middle. “What is it, Reed?” she prodded, hoping to help him.

He looked again at his watch. “Damn it, there isn’t time.”

She couldn’t understand his sudden obsession with the time. “Why? What do you have to do today?”

“I have to…er…make some calls. Business,” he added vaguely. “I’m sorry.”

Why was it that men kept saying that and leaving her this week?

Celia wryly shook her head. “You don’t have to apologize,” she assured him. Those words were starting to sound a bit too familiar. “I understand.”

“I want you to go to your suite and wait for me,” he said, and the suggestion sounded suspiciously like an order. “It may take a while, but I’ll call as soon as I’m free.”

“Why should I have to stay in my suite just because you’re busy?” she demanded, turning to face him. “There might be other things I’d rather do.”

Reed looked frustrated. “Celia, you don’t understand.”

“Don’t start that again! Either tell me what you’re trying to say, or drop it.”

He grumbled something unintelligible and pulled her into his arms. “I just want to keep you safe.”

She spread her hands on his chest and looked up at him, trying to read his expression. “You’re right. I don’t understand. Safe from what, Reed?”

“From Alexander.”