Chapter 45

The Captain slowed the boat and the sail dropped down until Sarah's feet touched the water. She squealed with laughter. Sarah kicked her feet and leaned back to look up at the canvas. The Captain then sped up the boat and Sarah rose skyward again.

"AJ, you might want to use that camera, or she'll kill you when she gets down," smirked Webb.

AJ looked down at the camera he was holding and started taking pictures of Sarah's adventure. Finally, after what had felt like forever, to AJ and the Clay, the crew slowly reeled Sarah back down. When her feet touched the platform both men inhaled their first good breath since she had been hooked to the harness.

"WOW! AJ, that was wonderful. You wouldn't believe everything you could see from up there," laughed Sarah.

"Let me guess, sky, ocean, and sand," he teased.

"Well, yeah, but it's so much nicer than flying in a plane. It's slow and so much freer! You can see more of everything. Thank you for bringing me, AJ," Sarah said and leaned over and kissed him tenderly on the lips.

Both stunned for a moment, but AJ recovered quickly and asked, "Are you cold, Darlin'?"

"Yes, a bit. Did we bring a blanket along? I'm afraid I got my shorts wet, too," said Sarah shivering.

"Let me see what I can find," replied AJ walking away.

Webb stood there, surprised to see Sarah kiss AJ. Granted it was a brief kiss, but still, even
playing husband and wife, Clay felt that just shouldn't have happened.

AJ brought Sarah back a blanket that the crew had on hand. Then he handed her the camera because it was his turn to go up. Once in the air, he could imagine how overwhelmed Sarah
had been. He took a deep breath and could smell that clean salt air. He looked around and saw a small school of porpoises playing not far from shore.

Back on the boat, Sarah and Clay were having a serious discussion. Clay watched the sun sparkle off Sarah's mock wedding ring, he picked up her hand and smiled. "You know I still love you, Sarah, and if you wanted, we could make this ring the real thing. Marry me, Sarah," he asked so seriously that it caused Sarah to recall Ms. Bea's prediction.

"Clay, I'm sorry, but I don't love you and you deserve someone who does," responded Sarah gently pulling her hand from his.

"You're in love with AJ, aren't you Sarah? Well, nothing can ever come of it. You're under his chain of command, sweetheart," he remarked snidely.

"Now you're being ridiculous, Clay, of course I don't love AJ," said Sarah glancing at him high in the air. "We're suppose to act like a happily married couple and I think we've done just that for this mission. I don't love AJ, and he doesn't love me. You're imagining things, Clay." Before the tears could form, to give proof to her lie, Sarah turned, and walked back to the platform. Waving to get AJ's attention, she took several pictures of him. They were certainly going to have some great pictures of this little mission to show back home.

Clay was next, frowning and giving them trouble as they hooked him to the sail. However, once in the air, he found himself relaxing and enjoying himself. He could see several shrimp boats working off shore along with other boats, and he wondered what it would be like to be at the helm of his yacht in these beautiful waters. He'd bet mother would love a peaceful vacation down here. The only part of the parasailing Clay didn't care for, was getting his feet wet then going back up again. "If I'd wanted my feet wet there are plenty places I could have placed them in the water myself," he griped talking to himself. "I can't understand why Sarah doesn't love me. I'd see she that had everything she ever wanted."

To be continued….