One True Thing
Chapter 1
The azure sky was cloudless, melding into the blue-green waters of the sea.
The heat from the unfettered sun clung to her skin, and small beads of perspiration dotted her forehead beneath the large, shading bill of her hat.
The age-old wood of the dock creaked beneath the steady steps of the Captain as he carried their bags aboard the boat, and she flashed a sincere, if nervous smile at the man who helped him, pretending to groan from the effort of shouldering her bags.
She watched the two men disappear into the boat's cabin and let her gaze wander around the harbor, noting the boats and yachts of many sizes. Some of them had occupants. Others were empty, bobbing up and down with the surge of the gentle waves.
A slight touch on her hip startled her, but she allowed herself to relax and breathe more evenly as she stared into the pair of deep brown eyes she loved so completely and without reason.
His voice was low and soothing, and she felt the warmth of his hand through the thin material of her white dress as it moved to the curve of her waist, caressing and gentling her.
"Are you ready?"
She slid her palm into his, trusting him not to let her fall as she stepped carefully into the unsteady vessel.
His arm curled protectively around her waist as he led her to the back of the boat, and she watched the Captain untie the ropes from the docks and take his place at the wheel.
The engine came alive, and after a few minutes of laid-back handling and expert navigation out of the harbor, it was adrift in the open sea.
The wind whipped her hat back, and his mouth curved upward at the corners, wanting to laugh at her.
She saw the mixture of love and trepidation she knew to be in her blue eyes reflected back at her in his gaze, and she slipped an arm around his neck, cupping his jaw in the palm of her hand, the golden band on her finger glinting in the sunlight.
His lips moved against hers with slowness and uncertainty at first, but their kisses grew bolder as she snaked her other arm around his neck, pressing her body more firmly against his solid form. His fingers tangled in her blond hair, dislodging her ridiculous hat, and she smiled against his mouth when she felt the wind lift it away.
They broke apart, breathless and laughing as they searched the ocean behind them, seeing the hat bobbing uselessly in the deep blue waters.
"I'll buy you a new hat," he offered, unable to curtail the smile on his lips at the reappearance of the sparkle in her eyes.
"I never liked that hat anyway," she laughed, running her hands down his sides and letting her arms loop around his waist. She tucked her head in the curve of his neck, one of her hands rising of its own accord to slip into the open vee of his loose dress shirt and trace lazy circles on the revealed bronzed skin. She rubbed her nose against his skin like a kitten seeking affection, the teasing quality of her voice a hum near his ear. "But, by all means…buy me a new one if you insist."
He laughed, low and deep, the vibrations in his chest pleasant and reassuring as he gave her waist a firm squeeze.
The sky was so blue, and the ocean calm, and in his arms she relaxed fully, pushing other, more troubling memories of a trip similar to this one to the back of her mind as miles and miles of blue, rippling waves were traveled.
They were a world away from home, and with each passing moment, she felt freedom and love blossoming inside her heart, other damning emotions fading to the background.
The island appeared before them, a tiny speck on the horizon, and they had to strain to hear the Captain's voice over the rush of the wind in their ears as he pointed in its direction with a broad smile. "This island's been a favorite honeymoon spot for years. You'll enjoy your week here."
She tried to move her hand from his chest, drop it to her side, but a strong hand on hers quelled her movements. "Don't. Stay with me, Sheridan." She sighed, resisting her sudden urge to run and wrapping her arms more tightly around him instead.
The island came into closer focus. Pale white sands, towering palm trees, and an unadorned structure beyond the beach surrounded by lush green growth had them drawing in their breath in surprise.
The Captain simply smiled at them as he cut the engine, letting the boat drift closer to the shore with the rolling surf. Several feet out, he dropped the anchor and turned to them in question. "Do you want to make the trip first, or your luggage?"
She stared at the man blankly in confusion at first, then laughed at her own stupidity. "Luis?" she asked, looking into his twinkling brown eyes expectantly. She tried to telegraph to him her wishes through her eyes, feeling slightly foolish at the notion. Her lips curved up happily when Luis answered for them both.
"Would you mind taking us first?"
"Not at all," the Captain said affably. "I'm used to Honeymooners not caring if they have a stitch of clothing with them at all."
She blushed a deep red at the man's comment, casting her eyes down.
"Just teasing, Ma'am," she heard him apologize, and she looked up to find both the captain and Luis laughing at her. She pushed at Luis's chest playfully before taking his hands and letting him lower her into the small rowboat.
The rowboat rocked with the waves and the addition of extra weight as Luis and the Captain got on board, and soon she found herself with her back to Luis's chest, held securely in his arms as the other man rowed them inland.
Both men hopped out of the boat into the shallow water, tugging it toward the beach.
She held her sandals in one hand as she clasped Luis's hand with the other, squealing as the water splashed around her ankles and meeting Luis's lips in a brief kiss. "We're here," she whispered, her eyes holding the tiniest remnant of hesitation. She leaned into his touch as he feathered his fingers through her short blond curls, tucking her hair behind her ear and letting his palm cup her jaw.
"We're here," he told her calmly as he watched the Captain row the tiny boat back out to sea to retrieve their bags. "And we're just Sheridan and Luis. No one else. We're just us, okay?"
She blinked away her tears as she nodded her head, leaning her forehead against his as he ran his thumbs over her damp cheeks gently.
Luis kissed the tip of her nose and drew back, raising her chin to gaze into her blue eyes for a long moment before releasing her. "I'm going to help bring in the bags."
She took a shaky breath at the absence of his touch when he was gone, turning toward the path leading to the beach house they'd call home for the next week.
The golden band slid off her finger, its metal warm and solid against her palm as she studied it for a moment. Her fingers curled closed around it, and she closed her eyes as she let it drop into the pocket of her filmy white dress.
Her eyes were brilliant, blue, and as clear as the sky when she opened them, glancing back at Luis and sending a reassuring smile his way before she turned and began walking up the stone path.
Just Sheridan and Luis.
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