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His heart gave a quick, hard bounce. This wasn’t merely the reflection of the moon or stars on water. This was a steady, shimmering light that seemed to be moving toward him. There was no doubt that this was Grace’s mysterious spirit light.
Knowing that Grace was missing the opportunity of a lifetime, he cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted her name. In the darkness he could hear the echo of his voice bouncing across the water and echoing in the nearby forest. Several more times he shouted, keeping watch on the door of the cabin, hoping to see Grace.
Pulling himself onto the dock he shouted again at the top of his lungs, but there was no sign of her.
The mysterious light was closer now, and moving directly toward him.
He slipped into his jeans and stood watching as the light continued drawing near. While he watched, the light began to glimmer brightly before it gradually took on the unmistakable shape of a woman.
She was too far away to see clearly. Her hair was covered by some sort of hooded cape that left her face in shadow. The cape, long and flowing, swirled about her ankles and shimmered with golden light as she appeared to glide effortlessly across the silvery waves.
Josh knew his jaw had dropped. Though he thought briefly of fleeing, he stood riveted to the spot.
While he stared in amazement, she paused and extended her arms, palms uplifted toward the sky. At her movement, a gust of bitter wind whipped the waves to foam and sent the trees along the shore dipping and swaying. The wind ruffled his hair and bit into his flesh, leaving him shivering.
Through it all he experienced no fear, only a sense of wonder at what he was witnessing. The light around her grew brighter until it was nearly blinding in its intensity.
While he watched, the image of the woman began to shimmer and fade until it was gone. In its place there was only darkness.
Josh shuddered and realized that the air had grown frigid. Chilled to the bone, he snatched up the blanket and shirt and boots and made a mad dash toward the warmth of the cabin.
„Ummm.“ Hearing the sound of the cabin door, Grace was abruptly yanked from the most pleasant dream. She’d been a little girl again, warm and snug in the embrace of her mother. Though she couldn’t see the woman’s face, she’d known instinctively who she was.
Struggling to hold onto the memory, she sat up, shoving tangles of hair from her eyes. „Guess I fell asleep.“
She turned and, seeing the look on Josh’s face, was suddenly wide awake. „You look like you’’ve just seen a ghost.“
„Yeah. That’s exactly what I’d call her.“ Too agitated to think about sleep, Josh set the coffeepot over the coals before pulling on his shirt.
„Her?“
He turned and gave a solemn nod. „Your spirit. She was out there.“
„You saw her?“ Grace was on her feet and across the room in an instant, clutching his hands. „What did she look like? What did she do?“
At her touch, he experienced again the quick flare of heat and blamed it on the fact that he was still wired from what he’d just experienced. „I never really saw her face, but she looked the way I’d expect a ghost to look.“
„How?“
He shrugged. „Shimmering light, a kind of ethereal form that suggested a woman.“
He was already questioning what he’d seen. Had it really been a spirit? Or had that icy swim after so many hours of hot, sweaty work affected his mind?
Grace squeezed his hands. „Did she say anything?“
„Not a word. But I had the feeling that she’d been expecting someone else.“ Or had he imagined that, as well? „Anyway, she lifted her arms and there was this sudden rush of cold air, almost as if she’d summoned it.“ He shivered, remembering. „The trees along the shore were bent low from it, and the waves turned to angry foam. And then, as quickly as she’d come, she was gone.“
„And I missed it.“ She released his hands and turned away on a moan of disgust.
„If it’s any consolation, I did my best to wake you.“
She glanced over her shoulder. „You did?“
He nodded. „I shouted your name at the top of my voice. Actually, I called you a couple of times, but got no response.“
„That doesn’t make any sense. I’m the lightest sleeper in the world. The so«nd of aipin dropping can have me awake and pacing for hours. I can’t believe I missed the reason I’m here.“ Grace gave a long, deep sigh of a
„Hey, you’re only human. You’ve been through a lot since yesterday. We both have.“ He moved up behind her and closed his hands around her upper arms, rubbing gently. „Who knows? Maybe she’ll visit again tomorrow night.“
„You don’t really believe that, do you?“
„Maybe I’m just trying to convince myself as well as you.“ His voice, so close to her ear, sent shivers along her spine.
She turned and found his face inches from hers. „You still look pale.“ She touched a hand to his cheek. „You sure you’re all right?“
„I’m fine.“ His voice sounded husky to his own ears. „But I wouldn’t object if you wanted to hold me.“ He gave her a heart-stopping grin. „Just for a minute, of course.“
She couldn’t stop the smile that curved her lips. „Oh, sure. Of course. Hold you.“
„Hey, it’s not every day I encounter a ghost.“
„Well, at least you saw her. That’s more than I can claim.“ Still smiling she wrapped her arms around his neck.
„Mmmm. That’s helping a lot. I feel better already.“ With a sigh he drew her close and pressed his mouth to the tangle of hair at her temple. „But if you feel like kissing me, just until my heart settles down, you understand, I won’t object to that, either.“
Now she was laughing. A soft, rumbling laugh that welled up and spilled over. „That’s a good line, Josh. I bet you’ve had a lot of luck with it.“
His smile went straight to her heart. „Actually, this is the first time I’ve tried it. Is it working?“
„I’d say so. I am holding you. And I’m halfway tempted to kiss you.“
„You are?“
Her laughter grew. „Just to see if I can soothe your poor, overworked heart.“
„I knew, the first time I saw you, that you were an angel of mercy.“ His mouth covered hers in the softest of kisses before he drew back.
The laughter died on her lips.
Seeing it, he dragged her close, keeping his gaze steady on hers. „But the thoughts I’m having about you right now are far from heavenly.“ This time his kiss was neither soft nor gentle. The arms that held her were almost bruising as he savaged her mouth.
For the space of a heartbeat she pulled back, caught by surprise. Then, as his lips claimed hers again, she sighed and leaned into him, giving herself up to the moment.
His lips moved over hers until she opened to him, urging him to take more. And he did, holding her so close, she could feel every beat of his heart inside her own chest. The taste of him, wild and just a bit dangerous, excited her. The press of that hard, muscled body to hers had her brain scrambling until she couldn’t seem to hold a single, coherent thought.
What would it be like to lie with him? To have those strong arms around her all night? To give in to the pleasure he offered, until they were both sated?
„Josh. Wait.“ Struggling for breath, she pushed free of his arms. „I’m… no good at this.“
He caught her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. „I’d say you’re very good.“
„I don’t mean kissing. It’s this… man-woman thing. Relationships. I’m just no good at it.“
He started to draw her close. „Then we’ll forget about relationships and just go back to kissing.“
She started to laugh, but it came out on a sigh. „Sorry. I really enjoy kissing you. But sooner or later it would lead to more. And that just never works for me.“
His eyes narrowed slightly. „Maybe you’ve just never tried it with the right one.“
„Maybe.“ She shrugged and backed away.
Picking up her jacket she slung her backpack over her arm and headed for the door.