Message in a Bottle - Nicholas Sparks [70]
The tenderness in his voice made her tears begin to fall. He went on, almost too quietly for her to hear.
“Theresa, I think I’m in love with you.”
I think I’m in love with you, she heard again. I think…
I think…
Not wanting to respond, she simply whispered: “Just hold me, okay? Let’s not talk anymore.”
They made love first thing in the morning and held each other until the sun had risen high enough to let them know it was time for Theresa to get ready. Even though she hadn’t spent much time at all at the hotel and had brought her suitcase over to Garrett’s house, she hadn’t checked out, just in case Kevin or Deanna called.
They showered together, and after dressing, Garrett made Theresa breakfast while she finished packing her things. Zipping her suitcase, Theresa heard the sound of sizzling in the kitchen as the smell of bacon wafted through the house. After drying her hair and putting on some makeup, she walked into the kitchen.
Garrett was sitting at the table, drinking coffee. He winked at her when she entered. On the counter he’d left a cup by the coffeemaker, and she poured herself some. Breakfast was already on the table—scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. Theresa sat in the chair closest to him.
“I didn’t know what you wanted for breakfast,” he said, motioning toward the table.
“I’m not hungry, Garrett, if that’s all right with you.”
He smiled. “That’s fine. I’m not that hungry, either.”
She got up from her chair and went to him, sitting in his lap. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. He held her tightly in return, running his hands through her hair.
Finally she pulled back. Their time in the sun this week had left her tanned. In her jeans shorts and clean white shirt, she looked like a carefree teenager. For a moment she stared down at the small flower designs stitched into her sandals. Her suitcase and purse stood waiting next to the bedroom door.
“My plane leaves soon, and I’ve still got to check out of the hotel and return the rental car,” she said.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”
She nodded, her lips pursed. “No, I’ll be rushing just to catch my flight as it is, and besides, you’d have to follow me in your truck. We can say good-bye just as easily here.”
“I’m going to call you tonight.”
She smiled. “I was hoping you would.”
Her eyes began to well with tears, and he pulled her close.
“I’m going to miss having you here,” he said as she started to cry in earnest. He brushed away the tears with his fingers, his touch light against her skin.
“And I’ll miss having you cook for me,” she whispered, feeling foolish.
He laughed, breaking the tension. “Don’t be so sad. We’re going to see each other again in a couple of weeks, aren’t we?”
“Unless you’re having second thoughts.”
He smiled. “I’ll be counting the days. And this time you’re going to bring Kevin, right?”
She nodded.
“Good, I’d like to meet him. If he’s anything at all like you, I’m sure we’ll get along great.”
“I’m sure you will, too.”
“And until then, I’ll be thinking about you all the time.”
“You will?”
“Absolutely. I’m already thinking about you.”
“That’s because I’m on your lap.”
He laughed again, and she gave him a watery smile. Then she stood and wiped the wetness from her cheeks. Garrett moved to her suitcase and picked it up, and they both left the house. Outside, the sun was already climbing in the sky, and it was warming up quickly. Theresa retrieved the sunglasses she kept in the side pocket of her purse, holding them in her hand as they walked to her rental car.
She unlocked the trunk, and he placed her things inside. Then, taking her in his arms, he kissed her once gently and released her. After opening her car door, he helped her inside and she put the key in the ignition.
With the door open, they stared at each other until she started the car.
“I’ve got to go, if I’m going to catch