Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [91]
"It does," he agreed, but he had a feeling the magic had more to do with Kate than with the room.
She walked over to the windows. "The Sound is there. You'll be able to see the water when the light goes on."
"There's a light?"
"It's automatic. It comes on around nine o'clock in the summer. But I prefer it like this, the moon dancing around the room, lighting up the shadows."
There was something about her words that gave him pause, and then it clicked. "The Moon Dancer. This is where the name came from, isn't it?"
Kate nodded. "Yes. This was my mom's favorite place. We always came at twilight, just as the moon was coming up. She'd tell us stories about the island. She was born here and knew all the history. Sometimes we'd bring a picnic. There are a lot of memories here," she said with a wistful sigh.
"Of both your parents or just your mother."
"Just my mom. My dad never came with us. For him, the magic was always out on the water."
"Am I trespassing on sacred female ground, then?"
"I think it will be all right. I sense that despite your outwardly cynical appearance, there is a bit of the dreamer in you."
"I'm about reality, not dreams."
"That's not true. Any man who roams the world in search of stories has to be a dreamer at heart, just like any man who sales across the ocean. You like a big canvas to paint on; so does my father."
"What about you, Kate?" he asked, searching her eyes. "Wasn't there a part of you that enjoyed that trip around the world?"
"Oh, yes, there definitely was," she said, surprising him with her answer. "But it wasn't so much about battling the water that thrilled me, it was that first glimpse of land off in the distance. Was it a mirage born of boredom and loneliness? Was it a deserted island? Would there be people living on that island, lost to the world? Would we be their rescuers? I used to make up stories along the way." She smiled at him. "We never did find anyone on a deserted island, but every time we saw land, I thought it could happen. And when we'd sail into some foreign port, I'd stand on the deck of the Moon Dancer and soak it all in. I loved hearing the different languages, seeing faces of people I'd never seen before and never would again. I remember this little girl on the docks in South Africa. She was begging for food. I'd never seen such poverty in my life. I gave her my sunglasses, and her face lit up like a miracle had just occurred. That's what I miss, Tyler. Those little miracles that you don't expect."
"And yet you're happy to stay here on this island, reading about other people's adventures?"
"Yes, I am. I'm not saying that someday I won't travel again. But for now what means the most to me is predictability, security. Maybe it's just part of getting older. I don't want to be a gypsy. I want to be a part of something that takes root and grows. What I did on the Moon Dancer was enough for me. But I bet you can't say the same. You're still a wanderer. You're still in search of something."
"Possibly," he admitted. "But I'm not sure what it is."
"You'll know when you find it," she said, meeting his gaze.
"Yes," he agreed.
"Are you ready to go?"
"No. I have another idea." He extended his hand to her. "Would you dance with me?"
"There's no music."
"For dreamers like us, that won't be a problem will it?"
Kate hesitated, then put her hand into his. "I have a hard time letting someone else lead."
He pulled her up against his chest and gazed into her eyes. "Then just take me wherever you want to go."
She cleared her throat, a slight blush washing across her cheeks. "I don't think I can -- I need a beat."
"How about if I sing?"
"You can sing?"
"Don't sound so surprised. I'm a man of many talents."
"What do you sing?"
"Frank Sinatra mostly. My dad was a huge fan. Played Frank's songs over and over again." He began to hum a tune, because he couldn't remember the words. But, then again, it was difficult to remember anything