The three of them dined with Hartley that night. He was intelligent,
interesting, and wonderfully worldly. He had traveled everywhere, knew
fascinating things and knew all kinds intriguing people. And more then that
he was a nice man and was extremely polite about dividing his attention. He
never left anyone out and all three of them felt as though he enjoyed being
with them. But when they walked back to the cabin, he walked besides Linda.
And he spoke to her in gentle voice that seemed meant for her ears and no
others.
Emily and Angie went inside when they arrived at the cabin. Linda stayed
outside with Hartley for a while.
"I feel a bit foolish for saying this to you", she explained, as they sat
peacefully beneath a nearly full moon that shone bright in the night sky.
"And I have no idea if this means anything to you, but I just didn't want
you to get the wrong impression. But I am married." She said and was
somewhat startled to see the look of disappointment in his eyes. "He's
working for most of the summer. And I realized what I said may have mislead
you. But to be honest with you the main reason I came up here was because I
needed some time on what to do. I plan leaving him when he returns. But our
marriage ended with the death of our son. And I think that it's just time
to move on. Get away from the misery he's been outing me in."
"Will he be surprised?" Hartley asked quietly. He was looking at her now.
He barely knew her and yet he liked her honesty, her kindness, and her
directness. But he was sorry to hear she was still married. "Is he aware of
how you're feeling?"
" I don't see how he couldn't. He's barely spoken to me for a year. He
blames me for our son's death and I don't think any of that will change and
I can't live like that anymore. I'm sorry I don't mean to tell you my
problems, but I just wanted you to know I was still married. At least for
the moment, but I don't think for much longer."
"Thank you for being honest with me." He smiled. It was incredible even to
him how much he liked her. She was the first women he really liked since
Sharon and only after one day he was crazy about her " You know I have no
idea what I'm doing here. I wasn't even going to come back. I've been
feeling sorry for myself for the last two years and I haven't looked at
another woman. And now suddenly here you are, like the sun shining on the
mountains. And all I can say is that I have never been so bowled over by
anyone before. I don't know what this will be, or if you even interested in
me, but I want to tell you that I hardly know you and yet I care so much
for you. I hate the fact you lost your son." He said as he gently put an
arm around her and pulled her against his shoulder. "I hate what your
husband has done to you, I don't like the fact you're not divorced from him
yet because someone like him does not deserve you. I'm not even sure that
important. But when I saw the hurt in your eyes when you looked at that
little boy, I wanted to take that away from you. You'll probably never want
to talk to me again and I won't do more then tip my hat at you for the rest
of the trip. I'm probably making an ass out of myself, but I really don't
care." His eyes were searching for hers in the moonlight and hers were
filled with tears. Those were all things she was longing to hear from Vince
and he never had. Vince had completely abandoned her and all of a sudden
there was this man answering all her prayers. "I just want to be with you,
and talk to you and learn all about you. and what happens, happens."
She sat looking at him, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"I have to be dreaming." She said looking at him with eyes full of tears
and wishes. Was it possible for her to find someone like this? After
everything that happened to her?
"That's how I felt all afternoon. But lets not look for answers so soon.
We'll just enjoy what we have for the moment," he said, feeling her hair
brush against his cheek, he closed his eyes. He didn't say another word; he
just sat there holding her for a long time, until he felt her begin to
tremble. It was partly from the chill, the rest was pure emotion.
"Your cold, I'll take you in," he said wishing he didn't have to leave her.
She stopped and looked up at him, and once again he out his arms around
her.
"Thank you for everything," she whispered, feeling him close to her, and
then he walked her up to the door and left her there. She slipped inside
hoping the others had gone to bed and she was grateful they had. But when
she went into her room she found a fax from Vince on her bed. "Hope all
goes well. Work is good. Best regards to your friends. Vince"
That was it. It was painfully simple. And on the bottom Emily had written,
"If I were you, I'd call my lawyer."
Life had a new meaning, one door was closing but just up ahead another was
opening and through it she could see the sunlight.
