Under the Boardwalk: A Dazzling Collection of All New Summertime Love Stories by Geralyn Dawson Page A
Authors: Geralyn Dawson
Ads: Link
sea. Her gaze slipped to Drew's bare feet and she checked just to make certain he hadn't grown talons during the past ten years.
No talons. However, his steps certainly appeared determined. She braced herself for the attack she fully expected him to launch.
He didn't disappoint her. "Why have you come?" he demanded, finally halting within arm's reach of her.
Calm, Hannah. Remain calm
. "I have something to ask you."
"So ask." He folded his arms and leaned closer.
Hannah forced herself not to take a step back. Licking her lips, she tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear and tried to overcome her dismay. Calm, ha. The man could intimidate a shark.
And I'm more shrimp than shark at the moment.
What had happened to the storm that had blown ashore—blustery, powerful, and forceful? This wasn't going at all as she had planned.
"Well?" he said, a definite sneer in his tone.
"Drew, I…" Her voice trailed off as she searched for words.
I'm glad you put your clothes on? I missed you? I was wrong to leave you? I wish I could turn back the clock
?
"You what?"
No, she couldn't say that. She had not come here for that. Besides, speaking those words would be ten times more difficult than getting out the request she'd come so far to make. She looked him in the eyes, swallowed hard, and said, "I represent the Texas Historical Preservation Society. We are a group of concerned citizens dedicated to ensuring that the history of our state is not lost to the annals of time. As you probably know, the capitol burned two years ago, and in addition to the building, that ravaging fire claimed a number of historically significant documents, including the state's only copy of the 1836 Republic of Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico."
Drew started to laugh, softly and, Hannah thought, bitterly. "That's why you've come? The Declaration of Independence?" His laughter grew louder. "The irony of this moment slays me."
"Irony?"
He nodded. "That you of all people would value that particular document enough to make this particular request."
She felt a breeze of strength whisper through her. "Maybe, Drew, it's because of who I am and what I've done, or more importantly what I
failed
to do, that I recognize the value of independence more than most."
This time he was the one who looked away. Drew shoved his hands in his back pockets and turned to face the water. For a long moment the only sound to be heard was the gentle wash of the waves against the sand and the high-pitched call of the seabirds from on high. Finally, he spoke. "Do you remember the story behind that piece of paper?"
Sensing his need to repeat it, Hannah answered, "Bits and pieces. Would you tell me again?"
He drew a deep breath, then said, "It's been almost fifty years now since my grandfather stood as witness to the signing of the declaration at Washington-on-the-Brazos. The new government kept one copy, then President Sam Houston asked for volunteers to take the other four to leading towns around the country in order to spread the news more quickly. My grandfather jumped at the chance to do his part and almost immediately, he left for Bastrop. He did his duty and showed the declaration to every person he met along the way. Three days after the fall of the Alamo, he finally made his way home—just in time to die. Turned out he showed the prized document to a Mexican spy. They fought and my grandfather killed him, but he received a mortal wound in the process."
Drew kicked a tuft of grass with a bare foot and continued, "My grandmother packed up the declaration with the rest of her husband's things and fled her home barely ahead of the Mexicans."
"In the Runaway Scrape," Hannah added, remembering the term for the time of mayhem when a large part of the Texas population abandoned their homes to escape the advancing enemy army.
Drew nodded. "They eventually settled along the coast Over time, accidents and illness have taken every Coryell but me. That's how the
No talons. However, his steps certainly appeared determined. She braced herself for the attack she fully expected him to launch.
He didn't disappoint her. "Why have you come?" he demanded, finally halting within arm's reach of her.
Calm, Hannah. Remain calm
. "I have something to ask you."
"So ask." He folded his arms and leaned closer.
Hannah forced herself not to take a step back. Licking her lips, she tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear and tried to overcome her dismay. Calm, ha. The man could intimidate a shark.
And I'm more shrimp than shark at the moment.
What had happened to the storm that had blown ashore—blustery, powerful, and forceful? This wasn't going at all as she had planned.
"Well?" he said, a definite sneer in his tone.
"Drew, I…" Her voice trailed off as she searched for words.
I'm glad you put your clothes on? I missed you? I was wrong to leave you? I wish I could turn back the clock
?
"You what?"
No, she couldn't say that. She had not come here for that. Besides, speaking those words would be ten times more difficult than getting out the request she'd come so far to make. She looked him in the eyes, swallowed hard, and said, "I represent the Texas Historical Preservation Society. We are a group of concerned citizens dedicated to ensuring that the history of our state is not lost to the annals of time. As you probably know, the capitol burned two years ago, and in addition to the building, that ravaging fire claimed a number of historically significant documents, including the state's only copy of the 1836 Republic of Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico."
Drew started to laugh, softly and, Hannah thought, bitterly. "That's why you've come? The Declaration of Independence?" His laughter grew louder. "The irony of this moment slays me."
"Irony?"
He nodded. "That you of all people would value that particular document enough to make this particular request."
She felt a breeze of strength whisper through her. "Maybe, Drew, it's because of who I am and what I've done, or more importantly what I
failed
to do, that I recognize the value of independence more than most."
This time he was the one who looked away. Drew shoved his hands in his back pockets and turned to face the water. For a long moment the only sound to be heard was the gentle wash of the waves against the sand and the high-pitched call of the seabirds from on high. Finally, he spoke. "Do you remember the story behind that piece of paper?"
Sensing his need to repeat it, Hannah answered, "Bits and pieces. Would you tell me again?"
He drew a deep breath, then said, "It's been almost fifty years now since my grandfather stood as witness to the signing of the declaration at Washington-on-the-Brazos. The new government kept one copy, then President Sam Houston asked for volunteers to take the other four to leading towns around the country in order to spread the news more quickly. My grandfather jumped at the chance to do his part and almost immediately, he left for Bastrop. He did his duty and showed the declaration to every person he met along the way. Three days after the fall of the Alamo, he finally made his way home—just in time to die. Turned out he showed the prized document to a Mexican spy. They fought and my grandfather killed him, but he received a mortal wound in the process."
Drew kicked a tuft of grass with a bare foot and continued, "My grandmother packed up the declaration with the rest of her husband's things and fled her home barely ahead of the Mexicans."
"In the Runaway Scrape," Hannah added, remembering the term for the time of mayhem when a large part of the Texas population abandoned their homes to escape the advancing enemy army.
Drew nodded. "They eventually settled along the coast Over time, accidents and illness have taken every Coryell but me. That's how the
Similar Books
