Chapter Two

George woke up before Jessica and looked over at her. He couldn't help smiling. She was as far away from him as she could manage without leaving the bed itself. He didn't need to ask her if she was sharing her bed with anyone. He hoped she wasn't too embarrassed about his assistance earlier. He didn't see anything other than her behind and he was careful not to stare. Her nightgown was a simple blue cotton shift that was neither revealing or sexy. It was just a practical garment chosen for comfort.

He tried to sort through his feelings. He was so grateful his prayers had been answered and she was safe and sound. He was also angry she had so foolishly risked her life over a silly disagreement. He knew how she treasured her independence and he tried very hard not to stand in her way but his heart was just beginning to beat normally again. She wasn't aware of the many drownings caused by the caves. Even the foolish teenagers finally stayed were posted signs to keep out but that never deterred the daring spirit of youths determined to risk their lives until four teens drowned near the very spot where Jessica stood.

He couldn't bear thinking about how close he came to losing her. He knew she had been in precarious situations before. She was always chasing down a murderer but for her to die accidentally would have been the end of him. She knew he cared for her, wanted a romantic relationship with her and they were going to discuss it today. He let her get away with evading the conversation long enough. He suspected their argument wasn't even about the book. She was trying to avoid a relationship discussion. This time he would be insistent. If they were going to disagree, at least the air would be cleared.

Jessica's stomach was growling and it woke her up. The bed beside her was empty. She must have slept a long time. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand she saw it was nearly four o'clock. She slowly sat up. She was sore and stiff but she was moving a little easier. It took a few minutes to get out of bed but she was able to walk into the bathroom on her own. Coming out she noticed the door between their rooms was closed so she slowly walked over and knocked. George opened it almost immediately. He was still in his pajamas but had a robe over them now. She immediately felt naked standing there in her nightgown. She was going to turn around but he went into her room and fetched her robe and helped her put it on. She gave a small grateful smile.

"Hungry for some dinner?" He was watching her face carefully. "I can order some food and have it delivered."

She agreed and he went and picked up the phone. She was twisting nervously while he ordered.

"Would you be more comfortable in your room?" he asked.

"It doesn't matter," she answered. George pulled out a chair for her and bade her to sit. He pulled out the other chair and sat it across from her.

"I want to say first that I am so very thankful you're alive." He took her hands in his. "You scared me more than I've ever been in my life."

"I scared myself," she admitted. "It was foolish of me and I hope you can forgive me."

He smiled gently at her. "Of course, lass." He let go of her hands and she frowned slightly. "I don't believe our argument was over your book."

"Nooo," she admitted slowly. "I was feeling pressured."

"Because I wanted to discuss our relationship?" he asked.

She nodded her head. "I do want a relationship with you, George. I'm just not sure how I want it to be."

"You mean you'd rather be friends and not a couple." he stated instead of questioning.

"George, I am fond of you, very much." she colored slightly. "It's the intimacy that frightens me, I think."

"You think jumping into bed immediately is what I'm after?" His face showed big disappointment. "I would not have waited all these years for you if I just wanted sex.

"Not immediately but surely at some point in the future," she questioned.

"And you don't want a physical relationship," he finished for her. He stood and returned his chair to its proper place. "Then we'll remain as we are."

Jessica searched his face but he had schooled it into neutral perfection. "I know I'm disappointing you, again…I guess I just don't know what I want."

He arched an eyebrow at her and she colored because of the lie she just told. He changed the subject which threw her off kilter.

"Do you still want to go on the tour of the castle in the morning?" he asked. "I don't think your body will thank you for a bumpy bus ride so I can hire a car to take us there and we can join the bus group once we arrive.

"That would be wonderful," she agreed.

All in all it was a good time the following day. The weather was perfect with a slight breeze to keep them cool. The car was comfortable and they were able to converse easily with the driver. They arrived early so they walked around a little before the bus with the other guests drove through the gates. Their guides divided them up into manageable groups. Jessica noticed they were clustered by abilities with slower walkers grouped together and faster ones in their own huddle. She wasn't as sore but her vivid bruises had her wearing a long sleeved T Shirt and jeans. George kept them in the slowest group that rested often and she was grateful. They didn't get to see the entire castle like those groups that moved faster but she saw enough. One day she would return to see the entire site.

They had dinner out and returned to the hotel tired. She opted to have a soak in the tub so George said goodnight and retired to his room.

Jessica's body was nicely loose and relaxed when she dressed for bed. She was grateful she didn't need help getting out of the tub. She pulled on her robe and grabbed a book for a little reading when she heard George's door to the hallway close. She looked through the peephole and saw him headed toward the elevator. Where was he going at this time of night?

She walked over to her window after turning out her room light. Four stories below she saw George exit the lobby and walk to a parked car. A woman came out of the passenger side and the car drove off. They didn't go inside but stood there talking for a few minutes. She gave George a long hug and Jessica frowned. Who was this woman? She watched for thirty minutes as they talked. George had his hands in his pockets and looked hunched over at times. The woman rubbed his arm on two different occasions and gave him another hug. The same car pulled up and George opened the passenger door and assisted her in. He spoke with the driver for a minute before kissing the woman's cheek and closing the door.

Did George have another woman? Who was she? Jessica couldn't fathom George dating someone while purporting to love her. He wouldn't do that and even though they didn't see each other often he never mentioned dating anyone, at least not to her.

Her conscience started to bother her. She went out with other men but she didn't consider those dates, just escorts to events or dinner. Maybe that's what George does too. She didn't like that thought. He kissed that woman the same way he kissed her. She gave him a long hug, longer than Jessica ever gave George. Jessica was getting agitated. Why would he sneak down to see this woman? Did he want to discuss their relationship because he was interested in that woman and wanted to make sure he wasn't 'cheating'? She heard George return to his room. Going to the adjoining door she put her ear to it and didn't hear a sound. Drat! A minute later the faint sound of a shower running was discernible and Jessica moved away from the door.

She began to pace. It had never dawned on her that George wanted to discuss their relationship because he was interested in someone else. They weren't very near to the building but she could tell by the style of dress that the woman was around her age. A tear fell. She spent so much time running from him that she didn't realize he stopped chasing. Not wanting to lose control of her emotions she did the only thing she could think of at the moment, she went to bed.

She woke with a raging headache. She took a pain reliever and went back to bed. She begged off breakfast and told George she would meet him for lunch and then they could head to the beach as planned. There was a twenty minute wait to get a table at lunchtime so she sent him ahead and told him to call her when their table was ready. She knew she was avoiding him but she was still reeling over the night before.

"How is your head?" He asked as they sat down to lunch in a garden-like restaurant.

"Much better thank you," she replied. She lifted the menu to study it.

George stared at her. Something was off. She wasn't looking him in the eye and there was no need to study the menu so judiciously. She always ordered a salad at lunch. If she was very hungry she added a bowl of soup.

"Lass?" He waited until she shifted her eyes from the menu and to him before saying more. Her eyes were focused over his right shoulder. "What's wrong?

"Nothing, I'm just trying to decide how hungry I am," she answered, purposely misunderstanding his query. She couldn't meet his eyes however and he noticed.

He stared at her until she briefly looked at him before looking away. He took pity on her and changed the subject but he did wonder why. She couldn't possibly still be embarrassed about helping her in the bathroom.

They strolled down to the beach after eating lunch and settled into beach chairs. Their bathing suits were beneath their clothes so it was only a moment or two before George applied sunscreen and offered the bottle to Jessica who immediately began spreading it on her. She had applied some before going to lunch but she was fair skinned and burned easily. She put on her sunglasses so she would be able to look at him and began talking about several things in general.

George wondered what she was hiding. Jessica was being a regular chatterbox and it wasn't like her. He also didn't like how her sunglasses hid her eyes from him. The mirrored lenses reflected his own face back to him. He reached for a water bottle and offered her one, which she declined, so he drained half of it. They watched people for several minutes. It was always amusing to see them cavorting in the water. It was especially fun watching the little ones that were so excited about the ocean but screamed when having to shower to wash off the sand.

As the afternoon wore on, George struggled to keep his face neutral. Jessica was still refusing to let him in or even acknowledge there was a problem. While he was able to keep a smile on his face, he couldn't control the sadness in his eyes.

Jessica was beginning to feel guilty. Not only had she eavesdropped but she was keeping George at arm's length and his eyes were downcast. He still tried to joke with her but it was obvious his heart wasn't in it. She decided to come clean.

"George, I heard you leave your room last night." She began. "Where did you go?"

"I went downstairs for a short while. I was feeling cooped up." He reclined his chair further and stretched his arms.

Well, that didn't help, thought Jessica. "It would be nice to have a balcony for fresh air," she remarked.

He agreed and changed the subject. "Didn't you say you wanted fish and chips while you were down here? There's a place about two miles from here and it's a pretty popular place if you'd like to go tonight."

"I would but no malt vinegar for me," she laughed.

"You don't know what you're missing," he laughed in return. They lapsed into silence. He turned to face her. She looked lovely with her sun hat and her bathing suit was very flattering.

She decided to try one more time. "Did you stay up late last night? I did some reading then I was out like a light."

"I watched the telly before bed but I was well rested this morning." He answered.

Jessica was just able to stop from frowning. Why didn't he want to mention who he spent time with last night unless she was important to him? She chewed on her lip. She turned her head away as a small tear slipped out of her eye.