Loving Hearts (12 page)

I
an looked through the window at the line of sailboats docked in the small marina, then back to the owner of White Lake Sailing Adventures. “You’ve been very helpful.” He glanced at Esther’s notepad filled with a multitude of information. “I think you’ve answered just about all of our questions.”

“Would you like to take a closer look?” Wes Garrison asked. “I can tell you a little about the boats we’re using and which ones I’d recommend.”

“What do you think?” Ian asked, making sure Esther wanted to take the time.

She nodded, folding the notebook and slipping it into her pocket.

Garrison stepped to the door and opened it, motioning for them to follow.

Stepping into the sun, Ian inhaled the fresh lake air. Being on the water surrounded by sailboats gave him the urge to hurry back to Loving and sail his cutter. The season would draw to a close soon.

Out on the pier, Ian grasped Esther’s arm as they walked along the rough planks. If recommendations were to be made, he thought Esther would want to suggest the most useful and practical vessels for the resort. Looking at the boats and getting Garrison’s opinions seemed worth the time.

Their footsteps thudded on the boards, and looking down at the pier, Ian noticed Esther had worn practical shoes with rubber soles. He grinned, thinking of her expression the day he’d suggested they walk along the shore when she had worn dress shoes.

Garrison paused. “Now, here’s one I’d recommend. This is a forty-foot ketch,” he said, gesturing to one of the larger vessels. “It’s great for a full day on the lake. The cabin is roomy with a large dinette, a settee and a workable galley.”

“Looks like it could sleep about eight people,” Ian said.

“Right. It has two heads with showers. We added a bimini strong enough for sunbathing or for sitting. Even a place to pack the sails.”

“I’ve never heard of a hardtop bimini,” Ian said. “Aren’t they usually cloth?”

“This one’s specially made,” Garrison said.

“It’s a beauty.” Ian looked at it with longing, already dreaming of buying a bigger boat someday.

“It carries five hundred gallons of water and a thousand of fuel.”

Impressed, Ian nodded. If he had a sailboat this large he could spend a week or more exploring quaint ports and exotic islands.

“Look back here,” Garrison said, motioning them
to the stern. “We added this four-foot swim platform and ladder. Easy access to water.”

“That’s a great feature,” Esther added, pulling out her notebook and making notations. “That and the bimini.”

He beckoned them along, and as they went, Garrison pointed out a smaller sloop, probably thirty-four feet, excellent for a few hours’ sailing, and another ketch suitable for three or four sailors who wanted to experience an overnight trip.

When Garrison had finished, they followed him back to the building. Ian’s mind felt saturated with information, and he was pleased that Esther had picked up brochures and taken volumes of notes—the model and details of each vessel. They could discuss them all later.

“Thanks for your help,” Ian said, extending his hand to the owner.

Garrison grasped it. “You’re welcome. If you think of anything later, feel free to call.”

“I may just do that,” Esther said, thanking him before they left.

With their Sailing Adventures brochures and the notebook, Ian and Esther headed to his car. In the parking lot the gravel crunched beneath their feet and the seagulls wheeled overhead, filling the air with their raucous cries. Ian opened Esther’s door, and when she was seated, he rounded the car and climbed inside.

“My mind’s loaded,” he said, taking a long, slow look at Esther’s face. She’d been quiet today. More businesslike.

Wishing he knew why, Ian reviewed the past Sunday when he’d met her father. Ian had thought the day had gone well…at least for Rachel and Jeff. Uriah had said he’d pray about Ian’s way of looking at the situation, and that seemed like a good step to Ian.

Esther leaned over and slid the booklets and notepad into an attaché case before turning to face him. “I thought this was worthwhile. Thanks for your help.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, sensing again the distance between them. Knowing if he let things go they would only get worse, he grappled for a solution. “I’m starving,” he said, hoping a lunch outing would also break the tension. “Let’s stop and eat.”

“That’s fine,” she said.

“How about the Crosswinds? They have good food.”

“Sure. Anything,” she said.

Her response seemed lackluster, but he didn’t let that sway him. They traveled the short distance in silence, and after he parked, Ian hurried around to open her door.

“Thanks,” she said, stepping to the pavement. She walked beside him into the restaurant.

The dining room was quiet. Only a few tables were filled and the guests were widely spaced around the room, allowing customers some privacy. Ian held Esther’s chair until she was seated, then slid onto another. In unison, they lifted the menus and surveyed the choices.

When Ian made his selection, he placed the menu on the table corner, folded his hands and waited.

After a lengthy pause, Esther looked up. “You’ve decided already?” she asked.

He gave her a slight nod, returning her silence.

She shot him a knowing look as if she realized he was echoing her withdrawal. Placing her menu on top of his, she gave him a direct look. “I’m making better progress than I’d expected on the research. I may have it ready sooner than the first of the year.”

The announcement surprised him—disappointed him, in a way. “Philip will appreciate that,” he said. Though the conversation had only turned to Bay Breeze, Ian felt grateful they were talking.

“I’ll go over the information with you beforehand,” she said, “but I think Philip’s wasting his time with any consideration of acquiring fishing charters.”

“Why’s that?” Ian asked.

“Too many companies in the area. Over thirty, if I remember correctly.”

“That many?”

She nodded. “It would hardly be worth the cost of a captain and crew. Let alone the boat, gear and insurance.”

“I really thought having a fishing charter available at the resort would be a nice draw for guests,” Ian said. “Better than having to arrange their own bookings in advance.”

She straightened. “But I have an idea. I even sent out a couple of feelers.”

She’d piqued his interest.

Esther sipped the glass of water before continuing. “What do you think about negotiating a contract with a nearby fishing charter company?”

“What do you mean—contract?” Ian asked.

Her face brightened and her voice rose with enthusiasm. “Bay Breeze could work out a deal with a nearby fishing charter. The resort would bring them new business, and in return, the resort guests would get a discount.”

Amazed at her creative idea, Ian reached across and rested his palm on her hand. “That’s good thinking, Esther.” Even the simple touch sent longing scurrying through his chest.

“The typical fee is about a hundred dollars plus another hundred per hour. So four hours costs about $495. If the charter company would knock off a hundred, let’s say, that would be a saving to resort guests and no great loss to the charter company.” Her voice died away.

Ian glanced over his shoulder and spotted the waitress, and they curbed their conversation until she took their orders and picked up the menus.

When she left, Ian continued. “Did you say you’d put out some feelers?”

Esther nodded. “Two of the four companies I spoke with sounded like they’d be willing to negotiate. Philip might work toward a bigger discount, but anything would help.”

Ian agreed, and seeing her enthusiasm made him even happier.

Their food arrived, and during the meal they rehashed the sailboats and what might work for Bay
Breeze. Ian agreed the boats would be a great draw, and he felt confident that Philip would want to add at least one, maybe two vessels to be available to the resort guests for a fee.

He finished his sandwich first and leaned back, sipping his soda and watching Esther take bites of her taco salad. She picked up a corn chip and nibbled on it, then used another to scoop up some of the meat sauce. She mesmerized him.

When Ian first met Esther, she’d come across as authoritative, intelligent and decisive. Now he observed her vulnerability, the part of her she hid from most people by not getting too familiar with them.

But he’d gotten close to her—closer than most, he guessed—and her sensitive side nudged Ian’s heart. She was as tough as cotton…and as pure.

“Why are you looking at me?” Esther asked.

Uneasy that she’d noticed, Ian chuckled. “Just thinking about us.”

A frown narrowed her eyes, and tension pulled at her mouth. “What do you mean, us?”

“How well we’ve gotten to know each other,” he said. “I understand everyone keeps part of his psyche a secret, but…” He hesitated, not knowing how to say what he was thinking without Esther building her protective wall. “We’ve become real friends.”

She didn’t move, instead studied his face.

Ian held his breath, wondering what was coming.

Her eyes shifted. “Yes. We have become friends.”

He relaxed and filled his lungs.

“But…I suppose that’s the problem.”

“Problem?” Ian faltered. Only Esther could find difficulty with having a friendship. His shoulders drooped while he waited.

A misty glaze filled her eyes, and he noticed her cheek tremble. “I feel guilty. Sitting in church last Sunday, everything hit me. The deceit. The injury. The sin.”

“Whoa.” Ian straightened his back and lost any sense of good humor. “We created a little cover-up to give you a break from Rachel’s matchmaking. Most of the assumption was part of Rachel’s and Jeff’s imaginations.”

That wasn’t exactly true. The relationship had become real to Ian. Only Esther fought getting close and letting go of her single life.

“But we did things to lead them on. You can’t deny that.” Her misty eyes widened.

“At first, yes. I admit that, but then we reacted with real emotions, Emotions of two people who’d…become friends.” He’d almost slipped and said two people who loved each other. He couldn’t deceive himself anymore. Telling her—no matter what happened—was all he could do.

He grasped his courage. “Esther, listen—”

“No, you listen, Ian. Yes, you’ve been a…good friend. I enjoy your company, but you and I both know we have absolutely no intention of making any more of this relationship than what it is. A friendship.”

His lips twitched with the words he’d started to say. Maybe she knew that she had no intention, but Ian had begun to feel differently. Much differently.
His admiration had grown. His enjoyment of her company had grown. His yearning for a loving commitment with her had grown.

Her words catapulted from his head to his heart. Why make a fool of himself, falling on his knees and begging her to love him? Better rise to the occasion and agree. “Okay.” His chest ached with the pounding of his heart. “So what are you…we going to do?”

“You don’t have to do anything. I can tell her we broke up,” Esther said, a look of sadness filling her eyes.

“But that’s more deceit,” he said, hoping to help her come to her senses. “Let’s just let things go, Esther, and see what happens.”

He grasped her hand, yearning to bring it to his lips and kiss it. “Your father’s thinking over what I said. Remember? He said he’d pray about it. If God’s willing, he may just change his mind. Then the point is moot. Why upset Rachel if there’s no need?”

Praying she’d listen, Ian watched her expression shift and change.

“You’ve made a point, but…” She lowered her head and lifted her hand, stroking the bridge of her nose. “But if this gets out of hand any more than it already has, I’ll have to talk with Rachel and tell her it was all a game.”

The whole thing had begun as a charade for Esther, but not for Ian. He couldn’t tell her now. His feelings for her had germinated for a year before he’d initiated any real contact, thinking it might blossom
into a meaningful relationship. “Whatever you have to do.”

Her look settled the matter. She’d ended it, and he would keep quiet. “When should we get together to go over this part of the report?”

She pushed her salad away, half-uneaten, wiped the napkin across her mouth and dropped it on the table. “Give me a few weeks.”

He only nodded, his mind heavy with thought. Silence stretched into discomfort. “Dessert?”

“No,” she said.

“Then we can go.” He pushed back his chair and rose. Before he could get to Esther she had swiveled in her chair and was standing.

He still had time. Time to capture Esther’s heart. Time to test his courage and tell her the truth.

“What do you think?” Esther asked, shifting her focus from the report.

“Perfect.” Ian held a copy in his hand and fingered the pages. “Philip will be impressed, and I think you’ve come to a perfect conclusion. One sailboat the first year, then another if it looks successful, and work out a contract with a local fishing charter. You get an A plus.”

“Thanks.” She sent him a sincere smile.

“I’ll set up an appointment with Philip so you can do an oral presentation.”

“That’s good,” she said. “Once he’s had a chance to read it, I’ll answer any questions.”

“It’s a good report. I know he’ll think it’s money well spent.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you. I think you know that,” Esther said.

“Yes, you could,” he said. He paused a moment, then let the conversation shift in another direction. “Any news from your dad?”

“News?”

“Has he said anything about changing his mind? Blessing Rachel and Jeff’s engagement?”

Esther shook her head. “God will have to hit him with a club.”

A chuckle flew from Ian before he could contain it. “Sorry, but that struck me funny.”

“Funny, but true. Dad’s probably still praying.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I told Rachel that you’d met Dad and what you’d said. She was thrilled and hopeful.” She let her hand drop to her lap. “That’s the part that bothers me.”