A Love for All Time by Dorothy Garlock

taken her hand again, and she laughed up at him and suddenly decided that, whatever came later for her, she was going to enjoy this day. She felt unable to deny herself the excitement of being with him in this little rustic resort town. The future would have to take care of itself. “I want to open a shop and sell handmade garments.” As they walked slowly down the sidewalk she found herself telling him her ideas for making the clothes during the winter months so she would have an inventory ready for spring. He listened intently.
    “You sew that well? Do you make men’s shirts?”
    “I never have, but I could. I make all my knit pullovers.”
    “I can’t get a shirt that’s wide enough in the shoulders that doesn’t swallow me around the waist, and usually they aren’t long enough to tuck into low-slung jeans.”
    “That wouldn’t be a problem. Take away a little here, add a little there. I’ll use you as a model. Better yet, a walking billboard. I’ll make a shirt and put a sign on the back and you can stand out in front of the shop.”
    He chuckled and she caught the devilish glint in the depths of his eyes. “Like a wooden Indian, huh?”
    “Something like that.”
    “Did you make that shirt?”
    “Uh-huh. The jeans, too.”
    He stopped and turned her around. “You’re kidding!” He ran his hand down over her hips, then tucked his fingers into the hip pocket. “You’ve even got a label, CASEY. I’ve picked myself some woman!” Then, as if talking to himself, he added, “She’s not only beautiful, but independent, witty, talented, and ambitious.”
    Casey’s face froze and the smile left her eyes. Dan sensed immediately he had said something wrong. “What is it? What did I say to take that happy look off your face?”
    “Nothing. Forget it.” She started to walk down the street, her hands deep in the side pockets of her jeans, more conscious of the scar on her face than she had been all morning. At the car she waited for him to unlock the door.
    Without saying a word he started the motor, turned the car into the stream of traffic, and headed up the coast. They had driven only a short way when he turned down a sandy road toward the beach and pulled to a stop. The Pacific Ocean spread out before them.
    “I want to know what turned you off.” His hands gripped the wheel and his domineering eyes gleamed through narrowed lids.
    “I despise insincere flattery,” she said icily.
    “Insincere? I meant every word I said,” he gritted in an equally intense tone.
    “Liar!” she spat. “I’ve heard my father spout similar lines!”
    “Don’t ever compare me to Edward Farrow! Or to any other man.” Casey could see that he was furious and found herself unable to move as his hands shot out and gripped her shoulders. “I think I know what’s in that head of yours.” His smoldering look was pinning her to the seat. Her hands clenched together tightly in her lap.
    “Stop trying to run my life for me. You have no right—”
    “I have a right and you know it whether you admit it to yourself or not. The trouble with you is you’re too damned proud. I wouldn’t go so far as to call you vain, but close to it, Casey. Close.”
    “I’m not!” she spat. “Stop analyzing me.”
    “You’re afraid for me to see what’s under that beautiful veneer,” he snapped. “You’ve been brainwashed by all that feminist propaganda that says it’s wrong for a woman to want to merge her life with that of a man, share his dreams, his ambitions, marry and have children. In fact it’s the most natural and right thing for a woman to do—along with a lot of other things.” He paused and she heard his breath hiss between his teeth. “You’re ashamed to admit that it was a comfort to know I was taking care of you in the hospital. You think it’s a weakness to depend on me. You’ve been on your own for so long you’re afraid of commitment, especially now that you think your appearance isn’t what it was