The Dating List (28 page)

A big breath brought on a shudder.
Care? You'll
never know how much.

"I love you. I don't want to lose you, either."

"It would be easier to feel the commitment if we were
married."

"If we can withstand the separation then I'll feel
confident about our commitment. Hold onto that ring." A small smile
lifted the corners of her mouth as she dabbed at her eyes.

"So we're sort of engaged?"

She shook her head.

"You're free to find someone else. So am I. If we do,
then we were not meant to be. Time to get back to the party."

"Wait, Leah."

She took a shaky step back. He grabbed her elbow,
steadying her as her hand wrapped around his biceps.

"And if we don't find anyone else?"

"Then we
are
meant to be…and I'll be ready to
make a commitment to you."

An uncertain smile passed over his lips.

"Not sure if I like this idea."

"Why? Doubting you'll still want me?"

"Doubting
you'll
still want
me
." He
pushed several stands of hair out of her face.

"Then isn't it better to know before getting
married?"

"We're talking romance, not logic."

"Our lives, Colin, our lives. I don't want either of
us to be unhappy. We've sailed into a fabulous affair. Can it last?
Time will tell."

She took Colin's hand and started back to the party.
He followed her along.

****

Grey and Carrie were cutting the wedding cake when
the lovers returned. Colin sighed as he slipped an arm around her
waist.

"I want what they have."

"So do I," Leah whispered in return.

The happy newlyweds fed cake to each other and
laughed. The quartet continued to play while everyone sat down to
eat dessert. Grey approached Colin.

"We'll be leaving in an hour. Ready, Squirt?"

Colin nodded. "When does your limo arrive, Leah?"

"About half an hour," she said looking at her
watch.

"Let's dance while we can."

She fell into his arms for a sweet, sensuous slow
dance.

****

Stuart swept Delia into his arms for a dance.

"Marvelous wedding, my dear," he whispered into her
ear.

She smiled. "I'm exhausted. But everyone looks
happy."

"Except those two." Stuart nodded toward Colin and
Leah.

"In a little while, they'll be parting for six
months. Young love, so intense."

He chuckled. "You're pretty intense yourself."

Color stained her cheeks as she peered up at him. "I
think Carrie had the kind of wedding she wanted."

"Very classy."

"I thought so. Good thing Janice calmed down. I was
ready to kill her. Now we're at peace again. Isn't Carrie the most
beautiful bride ever?"

"She's lovely. You'd make a beautiful bride, too,
Delia."

She raised her eyebrows.

"Me? My marrying days are over."

"Sure about that?" He eased her into a dip.

"What did you have in mind?"

"Perhaps this isn't the time or place…"

"It isn't." She rested her head on his shoulder.

"But later…when the guests are gone?"

Delia giggled. "I love it when you're
mysterious."

****

An hour later, Delia rounded up Colin and Leah.
Carrie and Grey came down dressed in street clothes to make the
trek to New York City. They were scheduled to stay in a suite at
The St. Regis for a night then catch a plane to Paris. But first,
Carrie had to throw her bouquet. Several women were vying for
position. Leah hung back. Carrie turned her back, closed her eyes
and gave a healthy toss. The bouquet bounced off the head of one
woman and into Leah's arms. Colin burst out laughing at Leah's
flustered red face. Delia smiled as she leaned over to whisper in
Leah's ear.

"I'll make the same wedding for you, sweetie."

"Colin! Bring the car around," Grey called, motioning
for his brother.

He nodded, turned and took Leah in his arms for a
passionate kiss. Grey stopped, his mouth open slightly as his
brother bid farewell to his lady love. Heavy blinking was obvious
by both lovers as they parted.

"Good luck in your new job," Leah said, cupping his
cheek.

"Thanks. You, too."

"Until Christmas," She said, sliding her hand over
Colin's.

"Christmas."

He turned abruptly and walked away. Within five
minutes, he pulled up in his brother's Jaguar. Grey opened the door
for Carrie, bid everyone farewell, got in the car and closed the
door. Colin took one last look at Leah before he put the Jag in
gear and roared away.

Leah's chin quivered and her eyes fill with tears as
she struggled for control. Delia put her hand on Leah's
shoulder.

"It'll work out. You have an exciting time
ahead."

"Just wish I could share it with him."

Delia pulled Leah into a hug. The younger woman hid
her face, allowing a few tears to escape.

"I believe what you have is real. Patience. Go out
there and show them what you can do, Leah. Shock them with your
talent, make Colin proud. This is your time to shine."

Leah pulled herself together enough to smile at
Delia.

"You're right. I'll do my best."

Harvey came out of the house carrying Leah's two
suitcases as the limo pulled up. The driver loaded her luggage as
she got in the back seat.

"
Au revoir
," Delia called.

"
À bientôt
." Leah waved as the limo headed for
the airport.

"Ah, young love, so sweet, so pure, so…painful," she
sighed.

July, Paris, France

Email from Leah to Colin.

I finally got unpacked. The apartment is small but
very chic. The view is of a tiny side street but I love it anyway.
How would we fit you into this space? With a shoehorn! Seriously
it's quiet and lonely without you. But all of Paris is outside my
door. Back later.

Love,

L

Reply from Colin.

Found a great two bedroom apartment on the second
floor of a house in Willow Falls. Unlike your tiny place there's a
ton of room here. Enough for me and you. I seem to rattle around
here like a marble in an empty shoebox. Trying to focus on
preparing my lectures and outlining a program for the wrestling
team but my mind keeps drifting to thoughts of you. You'd love it
here. Tons of fresh air and room to breathe.

I want to hear all about Paris. Don't meet any hot
Frenchmen, okay?

Love,

C

August, Willow Falls, New York

Email from Colin to Leah.

Wow! Paris sounds great! Wish I were there with you
to take it all in. Met any men, yet? Hope not. How's the job
going?

Half our team is experienced and half are new. I keep
telling myself the new guys aren't dumb, just inexperienced. Still,
we have a long way to go. I work out with the team. Keeps me in
shape and less time thinking about you.

I have my lesson plan completed but I almost blew
lunch thinking about my first lecture. TMI? LOL! Guess I'm the
newbie there. I hope everyone loves your designs and you haven't
met any men yet. Have you? Still missing you like crazy. But I have
found a few friends to go to football games with. Harry, John and
Cathy are just as rah-rah as I am about Kensington's team. Wish you
were going with me, instead.

Love,

C

Reply from Leah

You'll be great lecturing the students. It's the
anticipation making you nervous. Besides a few nerves will make you
better. I have faith in you. And as for the wrestling team, I know
you can whip them into shape and win some matches. Keep working
out. Makes me look forward even more to touching you again.
TMI?

Lady Jeanne has sold my first design! I'm so excited!
Everyone is very happy. She's given me a guide, Jean Pierre. He's
showing me around the city. We will travel together to other cities
to visit great art museums and get ideas for designs. Wish you were
coming with me. I miss you so much.

Love,

L

September, Paris, France

Email from Leah to Colin,

I can't believe Lady Jeanne sold my second design,
the one I made up for Carrie. Oops, I think I wasn't supposed to
tell about that! LOL. I'm very excited. I've been at the Louvre,
sketching, every day this week. There are so many fabulous ideas
there waiting to be picked up.

Lady Jeanne has scheduled a month-long trip for Jean
Pierre and me to travel to Italy and a few other places. I'll be
sketching and trying to take in all the art. I know that seems like
a lot of time but it will pass quickly.

Who is this Cathy person? You're going to football
games with her? Is it serious? Is this something I should worry
about? I love you, Colin, in case you've forgotten.

Love,

L

Reply from Colin,

Don't worry about Cathy. She's only a friend. It's
more fun to go to the football games with her than alone. I didn't
think about the time change when I set up Skype. It's seems
impossible to talk to you, see you. I wish I could touch you.

You're traveling with Jean Pierre for a month? Do you
have separate rooms? When are you leaving? Are you sleeping with
him? Please tell me it isn't so.

Lectures and wrestling are okay but I keep thinking
of you traveling with this guy. It's hard to concentrate. Of course
I still love you. Please tell me you feel the same.

Love,

C

Reply from Leah

I didn't think about the time change either. I miss
talking to you. I'm going to be on the road a lot now, so the
timing gets even crazier. I miss you so much.

Love,

L

October, Willow Falls, NY

Email from Colin to Leah.

Hi, Leah,

The wrestling team has won two matches and lost two.
We have two guys with star potential and the rest have a lot to
learn. I'm hopeful that we can improve and have a winning team next
year. The school seems happy so far.

Lectures are going okay. Students seem interested.
I'm beginning to remember their names and be more relaxed. Lots of
papers to grade at night. Tires me out so I'm sleeping better. I'd
rather you tired me out in bed, but I can't have everything.

Our football team is doing better than the wrestling
team. Cathy and I bet on every game. So far I've won two lunches at
the local pizza place. She's won one.

When are you taking this trip? I'll be worried about
you every day you're gone. Only three months till Christmas. I'm
crossing the days off my calendar.

Love,

C

Reply from Leah,

Glad to hear your teams are doing well. A little
worried about those bets with Cathy. I hope they don't morph into
something more than food. I knew you'd be okay with the lectures.
You're a good speaker. Wish I could be there to listen in.

The trip is planned for October 15 to November 15. I
probably won't have Internet access then, so don't wig out if you
don't hear from me for a while. You will be traveling with me in my
heart – as always. Don't worry about Jean Pierre. He's not half the
man you are.

Lady Jeanne sold my third design. She's not happy
with what I'm doing now, though. I'm a little concerned. I'd better
find inspiration on this trip or I might be in trouble. Missing you
a ton. Will email as soon as the trip is over. I hope you don't
find someone else while I'm traveling.

Love,

L

****

It had started snowing at noon. By two o'clock, the
heavy snow tapered off into a smattering of stubborn flakes
continuing to fall. The sun was out but an inch had already
accumulated. Carrie fisted her hand and wiped it in a circle on the
window in the front door of her wedding present from Grey, the old
Victorian home in Pine Grove. She pulled her black cashmere
cardigan a little tighter to keep out the draft as her eyes
searched for her husband.

Grey was shoveling snow off the front walk when he
caught her signal and waved. She held up a mug of hot chocolate and
motioned for him to come in. He stomped the snow off his boots, put
down the shovel and headed for the front door. Cold snowy air blew
in with him. Carrie shivered as she handed the hot beverage to him.
His cold lips found her warm ones before seeking the warm
liquid.

"Lunch," Carrie said.

Grey took off his boots, then his down jacket. He
hung it on the peg by the front door before he walked through the
living room, freshly painted a dark teal blue with white trim.
Winter sunlight streamed in the tall front windows, warming Grey a
bit. He followed her into their big kitchen. On the round antique
oak table two places were set. Two small bowls of homemade New
England clam chowder sent a tempting fragrance through the air.
Grey slid into his seat and picked up his spoon.

"Walk is almost finished," he said, blowing cool air
on a spoonful of hot soup.

"I still have two pies to make and our cauliflower
cheese casserole."

"Mom is in love with that dish. Says dad only eats
cauliflower when it's in your casserole."

Carrie smiled as she joined him at the table.

"Soup is delicious."

"Thank you. I was hoping the house would be finished
by Thanksgiving but the holiday crept up on me. We're nowhere near
done."

"Is the guest room done for Colin?"

"It is. I thought he was staying at your parents'
place?"

"He might and…he might not!" He gave her a
mischievous smile.

"What does that mean?"

"Tell ya later. Besides, it's not definite yet." He
averted his eye from her gaze.

"Our first Thanksgiving in our own house in Pine
Grove as husband and wife," she sighed.