Part 16 (1/2)
”Lucky for you.”
This last comment caused everyone to roar. When the laughter died down, Buck had a very serious question that only led to more hilarity.
”Smokey, how do you handle disobedience?”
Smokey and Dallas chuckled ”I don't,” she admitted, and Dallas went on to explain.
”Smokey has the most unusual crew I've ever met. No man is under 40, and they all have appointed themselves guardians of their captain. I was watched like a hawk.”
”Why?” Buck asked ”They do tend to be rather protective,” Smokey answered, ”because they've known me from the time I was a child On 128.
the other hand, they don't know Dallas, and trust for a new; man comes hard in a crew as close as my own.”
”So you really never discipline anyone?”
”It wouldn't do a bit of good,” Smokey said with a wry shake of her head.
Dallas jumped in at that point and told the story about the spinach. Jenny and Pastor Chase had tears rolling down their faces as he recounted the tale. Smokey laughed at Dallas*
version of the event and added when he was done that it happens nearly every voyage.
Pastor and Mrs. Chase said their goodbyes soon after that, and everyone stood to stretch their legs. The room was very warm to Smokey, so when Jenny and Tate saw them to the door, she headed out the French doors of the parlor for a bit of air. Dallas watched her exit and without a word to anyone, followedV Kathleen took all of this in without distress. Turning away so Dallas would feel free to follow his heart, she began to visit with Buck and Greer.
It was cold outside, but the cool air felt wonderful as Smokey stood above the beach and listened to the pounding of the waves against the sh.o.r.e. The nearly full moon sent a ray of light across the surface of the Atlantic that was mesmerizing, s.h.i.+mmering and winking at her like a thousand tiny jewels.
She felt more than heard Dallas' presence behind her on the gra.s.s and turned to find him approaching. He stopped beside her and stared at her for a long moment.
”Did I tell you that you look lovely this evening?”
”Thank you, Dallas. I was thinking you look wonderful too.”
Again Dallas stared at her. ”I've never before waltzed with a woman, but right now I wish there was music”
129.
Smokey smiled at the very thought and then at herself. ”I'd jbably step on your foot.”
Dallas smiled in return. ”With your little feet, I wouldn't ;n notice.”
Smokey chuckled softly, a sound that sent a s.h.i.+ver down ; Dallas' spine.
”Now how would you be knowing about the size of my feet?” she wished to know.
Dallas' vast hands came up, and he held his fingers about seven inches apart. ”You forget I've sailed with you. Your boots are only this big.”
Suddenly Smokey didn't feel like laughing. It seemed such an intimate, tender thing to have Dallas know the size of her feet. The thought of leaving him, perhaps for the better pan of the year, felt like a knife in her side.
Smokey watched as those hands came forward now to frame her face. He made no move to kiss her, but she felt his thumbs stroke gently over her cheekbones. His eyes in the moonlight were warm and intimate like a man in love. Smokey was afraid to hope.
”Dallas,” Kathleen's voice came faintly from the direction of the house.
”Yes, Kathleen?” Dallas turned but did not take his hands from where they'd dropped on Smokey's shoulders.
”Buck and Greer are leaving now. Would you like me to ride home with them?”
”No, Kathleen, I'll be there in a few minutes.”
They both watched as she moved back to the house, and Smokey was pleased at how calm Kathleen had sounded. It didn't change the inevitable, however--she was still sailing next week.
”I have so much I want to say to you,” Dallas spoke.
Smokey tipped her head to see him.
”Dallas--” Smokey began.
”Kathleen and I are just friends.”
”I think I figured that out already, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm leaving.”
130.
”And you'd rather that I leave things unsaid right now?*1]
”I might regret it someday very soon, but yes, I do. I don'tl want you here, not able to get in touch with me if you change your mind”
”You don't understand if you think that's going to happen.”
Dallas wanted to say more, but Smokey was adamantly shaking her head.
”You need to go, Dallas. Next time we see each other, we'll talk. We'll both have had time to think, and then we can share where we are.”
Her logic and ability to keep calm in an intense situation was one of the things he admired most about her, but at this particular moment, he wanted desperately to kiss her. He'd have loved for her to put her logic aside for just a few minutes.
Instead he did as she asked His hands slid tenderly down her upper arms before he reluctantly broke contact.
”Go with G.o.d, Smokey. You'll be in my prayers.”
The words were barely audible. Then Smokey stood alone and watched him walk away.
”I think I owe you an apology, Kathleen.”
”No, Dallas, you don't.” Kathleen's voice was tight with anger, and Dallas sighed ”Yes, I do. You're furious and I--”
”You're right,” she cut him off in rage. ”I am angry, but not with you.”
Dallas pulled the buggy to a halt and s.h.i.+fted in the seat to see her. It was getting colder by the moment, but he had to learn the truth.
”What's going on, Kathleen?”
”You wouldn 't believe me if I told you.” Her voice was self-mocking, and Dallas persisted ”Try me.”