Chesapeake Summer (24 page)

“When will I hear it?”

“Tomorrow. I'll tell you tomorrow.”

He kissed her palm, folded up her fingers and gave her hand back. “In that case, I'll come back tomorrow.”

She stared at him. “You're kidding.”

“No.”

She watched in silence while he cleared his plate, rinsed his dishes and searched for his keys. She didn't want him to leave. “Saying something doesn't make it so.”

“I disagree. If you say it, you believe it. It's like confession. Owning up to something takes courage because it makes it real.”

“You're not Catholic.”

“I'm a Baptist, same as you. Good night, Verna Lee.”

He had pulled the car out of the driveway and was nearly ready to accelerate when she ran after him. He almost missed her. If he hadn't taken a last look out the rearview mirror, he wouldn't have seen her waving, calling after him. He stopped, rolled down the window and waited.

Slowly she approached the car, bent down and rested her arms on the open window. “I'm set in my ways.”

“I figured that.”

“Where would we live?”

“My house.”

“Why not mine?”

“I have the better view.”

She thought a minute. He did have the better view. “Okay.”

He sighed. “I need the words, Verna Lee. If you can't say them right now, that's okay. I'm not going anywhere except home.”

She backed away. “Step out of the car, Detective Atkins.”

He turned off the engine, climbed out and leaned against the door. “What now?”

Sliding her arms around his neck, she hid her face in his shoulder. “I don't want you to go,” she murmured.

“I won't.”

“Do I have to look at you?”

He grinned. “No. Not this time.”

Resting her head against his shoulder, she closed her eyes and whispered, “I love you, Wade.”

He could feel the pounding of her heart. “I love you, too, Verna Lee.”

“Is that enough?”

He laughed. “For now, it's enough.”