What the Waves Bring by Barbara Delinsky Page B

phone and listened for a moment—hearing nothing but the wild thunder of her heartbeat. Still dead. A slow smile relaxed her features, as she turned toward the sofa with a shrug. Heath’s reappearance stopped her midway.
    Satisfaction glowed on his dark and manly face, lit now with a gleaming white smile. “That’s it.” He brushed imaginary dirt from his hands. “All set to go?”
    April responded as much to his obvious pleasure with himself as to the fact that he had freed the car. “It’s out?” She grinned. At his nod, her heart skipped a beat. “But,” she said, feigning a frown, “where are we going?”
    â€œI believe you talked about the town of Nantucket, some nine miles from here?”
    â€œGood memory …”
    â€œWell, I thought it might be nice to spend an afternoon on the town.”
    His excitement was enough to chase away any lingering doubts—for the time being, at least. “That might be very
nice,” she drawled coyly. With Heath standing now directly before her, clear thought was nearly impossible, particularly with the endearingly boyish expression he wore.
    â€œI had in mind some lunch, a treat or two, a little stroll, some shopping—”
    â€œShopping?”
    â€œIt might be helpful”—he looked quickly down at the jeans, which had borne the brunt of his free-the-car endeavor—” if I had a change of clothes. Nothing fancy, mind you. Do you think that some shop might stock jeans?”
    â€œI know just the place.”
    â€œGood! Uh … there’s only one problem.” His features darkened into a frown.”
    â€œProblem?”
    His elaboration consisted of a very brief and low murmur. “I haven’t any money.”
    At the secrecy of it all, April burst into gay laughter. “My man, you picked the right shore upon which to wash! Don’t you know that money is no problem here?” In merry self-mockery, she looked around the living room of her home, furnished with a modesty that belied her claim. When she smiled again, there was a softness in her expression that, had she seen herself, would have given her pause. “That’s no problem at all, Heath. I can give you whatever money you need.”
    His dark eyebrow arched. “Just a loan.”
    â€œJust a loan.” She nodded. “And I think you’ll find that my rates are more reasonable than any in town!” Chuckling, she ran for her purse. But somewhere between the living room and the kitchen, a thought intruded on her pleasure. When she reappeared before Heath, her face was strained.
    â€œWhat is it, darlin’?” he asked, sensing her distress,
putting his hands on her shoulders, then tilting her chin up with his thumb.
    â€œWhat if someone sees us?” she asked, more timidly than she might have wished.
    â€œThat would be inevitable.”
    â€œWhat if someone knows you?”
    â€œThen one problem will have been easily solved.”
    â€œBut, Heath! What if—” She truly enjoyed him, in, oh, so many ways. The thought of his leaving today was painful.
    â€œDarlin’, listen to me,” he interrupted gently. “No one can take away from us what we’ve had.” He’d read her fear precisely. “Sooner or later, I’ll have to learn who I am. Who was it that said, ‘The truth shall make you free’?”
    â€œThe Bible,” she whispered, then forced a smile. “Say, you aren’t a preacher, are you?”
    He growled as he threw his arms around her and pulled her into his embrace for a fast moment. “If I am, I’ll have my hands filled. You, sweet April, are incorrigible!” With a quick kiss on the tip of her nose, he led her out of the house.

CHAPTER FIVE
    â€œYou really shouldn’t be driving, Heath.” She smiled smartly at him from a pose of comfort on the passenger’s side of the car.
    â€œAnd why