Persistence of Dreams
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By Ann Warner  |
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Read an ExcerptLuz met Charles’s gaze, but before she could respond, the quiet between them was filled by the loud talk of three teenage boys taking seats nearby. It had probably been a good thing they’d been interrupted. Luz wasn’t entirely certain what Charles was asking, but if he meant what he seemed to mean, she wanted time to savor it. His story about his mother and what had happened with his father…she ached for the child he’d been. No one should grow up thinking they weren’t loved. For that matter, she didn’t think anyone at any age could thrive without love. Still, she didn’t know if he was quite ready for her to declare she loved him. She finally gave up worrying it and simply enjoyed considering the possibilities as they drove back down the mountain, window-shopped in Manitou Springs and had lunch in a café that smelled of fresh-baked bread. She sat back, while Charles paid the bill, making no attempt to stifle the thrum of excitement that was making the day much more than one of simple sightseeing. “What do you think about a visit to the Garden of the Gods?” he asked. “Would you believe? I haven’t been there either. “ He shook his head. “Luz Cristina, you can’t possibly have studied all the time.” “Pretty much.” And it no longer mattered in the least that she’d been almost completely dateless at Colorado College. Not if that was the price for this day with Charles. At the Garden of the Gods, she climbed out of the car and looked at the scattering of huge red rocks. “Oh, my. I had no idea.” He gave her a bemused looked. “I used to train here. The scenery’s a good distraction. I always managed a couple of miles more than I thought I could.” As if it was the most natural thing in the world, he took her hand and led the way along the paved walkway. They passed walkers, joggers and clusters of tourists taking photos. Charles pulled on her hand to lead her onto a steep side trail away from all the other visitors. They climbed a short distance to where the view of the valley and mountains opened up. “I don’t know why, but nobody seems to come up here,” he said. They found a flat rock where they could sit side by side facing the mountains, and he put his arm around her. She leaned against him, smiling happily to herself. Letting herself begin to believe. “There’s something I need to discuss with you,” he said. “It’s about those letters Henry and Jean found.” His words jerked her from her happy dream. So this day was about business after all. But what did she expect? Of course, Charles Larimore couldn’t possibly be interested in her. That moment of connection on the top of Pike’s Peak had been an illusion. Brought on by sugar and thin air. She pulled away from the shelter of his arm. “What about them?” The words came out stiff and angry, but really, she felt like weeping. “It worried me. I have a colleague who’s a whiz with computers. She offered to help.” “You had no right to do that without asking me.” She struggled to hold back tears of anger and betrayal, struggled even harder not to beat her fists against his chest since that would simply reinforce his view she was too young for him. “You’re right. I should have asked. I’m sorry, Luz.” He picked up one of her hands and rubbed his thumb on her wrist. “You have the silkiest skin. I love touching you.” Was he trying to distract her? Well it wasn’t going to work. She jerked her hand away. “I said I was sorry, Luz, and I am. Do you want to know what she found out?” His tone had turned brisk. “This really isn’t a date, is it. You’re just finishing up my case.” The thought hurt so much, she wanted to jump up and run away, except there was no place for her to run to. He turned slightly and put his hands on her shoulders, keeping them in place even when she tried to squirm away. “I’m really blowing this, big time, aren’t I. I did want to see you, to tell you what I found out. But that’s not what this is about. Not by a long shot. I missed you. I really wanted to see you, but…well, I guess I needed an excuse.” She stared at his chin. “That’s really lame, Larimore.” He was not getting around her with pretty words. He had to prove he meant it. She raised her eyes to his and stilled. He had that look he’d had on top of the mountain. Or maybe that was simply a case of her wishful thinking getting totally out of hand. “Yeah. I agree. Pretty amazing. Seems you’ve reduced me to jello. And that doesn’t happen very often.” His lips twitched, and then in the next moment he was smiling. “Lime or raspberry?” Her words, without permission, skittered along the edge of laughter. “Lime for my lovely Luz.” His expression sobered, and he rubbed his thumb against her cheek. Her breath caught. “I really am sorry, Luz.” “It’s bad, isn’t it.” “It’s not good.” “Maybe we better get it over with then.” He shifted and put an arm around her. Giving up, she let him hold her. From the look on his face, she was going to need that comfort. |