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.Tanner nodded, still shocked at Adrienne's presence. Of course.They walked around the harbor, Tanner quietly pointing out the renovations under way and describingher plans.Adrienne was impressed, both by the scope of Tanner s design and the enthusiasm shedisplayed.The young woman she had known had matured in her absence, her wild streak tamed.Tanner's simmering anger seemed to have quelled.Adrienne was suddenly afraid that perhaps Tannerhad outgrown her passion for her as well.The thought made her ache, but she knew that the changes inTanner were for the best.She would have to hope that there was still room for her in Tanner s heart. It s wonderful, she said, meaning it.She glanced at Tanner with a new respect. You must be veryproud.Tanner flushed with embarrassment, but she was pleased as well.She took Adrienne s hand. Comeinside I want to show you the model of how things will look someday.She led Adrienne to the office.Josh Thomas looked up as they entered and rose stiffly from behind thedesk.He eyed Adrienne coldly, nodded, and left the room.Adrienne raised one eyebrow and followed his retreat with her eyes. Guess I m one of his un-favoritepeople, she remarked.Tanner looked uncomfortable. Josh is a little protective of me.Sorry.Adrienne shrugged. He has a right to be.I can see why he finds you special. She looked at Tanner, thelove she felt for her very clear in her face.Page 85Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlTanner hurried to the drafting board and began explaining the plans to Adrienne, who tried to listenattentively but found her mind wandering instead to the curve of Tanner s neck as she leaned over thetable, and the slight smell of the sea that clung to her, and the soft golden glow of her skin.She sighedand stepped away from the woman beside her, afraid if she didn't she'd take her into her arms right therein the office. Tanner? Would you mind if we saved the rest of this for another day? I m tired it was a long flight.Ithink I d like a bath and a long drink.Tanner glanced at her in surprise, noting for the first time that Adrienne, although tanned, was thinnerthan she remembered, and there was a hint of shadows under her eyes.Her heart lurched with suddenfear.Was she ill again? Is that why she had come?" Adrienne, she said, her anxiety palpable,  are you all right?Adrienne looked startled for a second and then understood.She impulsively pulled Tanner to her,hugging her briefly.She looked straight into Tanner s dark eyes, reading the concern there. I m morethan all right.The doctors tell me I m in perfect condition and all of my latest tests were absolutelynormal.Okay?Tanner closed her eyes in relief, and then grinned weakly. Okay.But you are a little thin!Adrienne kissed her lightly on the forehead. From missing you," she whispered.She placed one handon Tanner s cheek and caressed her neck softly.Then she leaned into Tanner and kissed her with fierceintensity.Tanner closed her eyes and clung to Adrienne, savoring the taste and smell of her.At lengthAdrienne lifted her lips away from Tanner s and murmured throatily,  I ve missed you so much.Tanner sighed, lowering her cheek to Adrienne s shoulder, her arms around Adrienne s waist as if toprevent her from vanishing. It s been so long.I had almost stopped hoping.They swayed together, bodies touching, listening to one another breathe, each searching for some signfrom the other.Finally, Adrienne said, "Come on I want to see the rest of the island.I didn t realizehow fond I had become of this place.Tanner took the shore road home, driving slowly, neither of them saying much.It was enough for themoment to be near one another amidst the beauty that had surrounded them that magic summer.They found Tom and Constance seated comfortably on the verandah, talking and enjoying a late lunch.Constance greeted Adrienne warmly and had the maid show her upstairs to the guestroom.Tanner saidshe would be back as soon as she showered and changed.Her face glowed with an excitement shecouldn't hide, and her step was light as she bounded down the path to her bungalow.Constance laid her hand on Tom s arm and glanced at him fondly. I suppose I have you to thank forthis?He grinned, boyishly pleased with himself. In part.I did talk with Adrienne, and she admitted she wasmiserable.I told her that she wasn't alone in her feelings.She finally explained that she wouldn't evenconsider coming here until she'd had her next check up.So far she s doing fine.Constance sighed with relief. Thank goodness.The change in Tanner is remarkable.I haven t seen herPage 86Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmltruly smile in months.Tom sipped his martini and cleared his throat. I have some news of my own, Constance. Oh? She looked at him questioningly. I ve been cleared for a transfer to Washington in the spring.I ll be posted there permanently.Constance laughed with delight. But that is wonderful, Tom! I m so happy for you! I was hoping you d be happy that I will be close to Whitley Point.She answered softly,  Oh, but I am.Adrienne coughed to announce her presence and crossed the deck to join them. Forgive me foreavesdropping, but I couldn t help overhearing.I m delighted for you, Tom.That s a very impressivepromotion. Thank you, Tom accepted graciously.He looked from Adrienne to Constance and continued,  I havesome other news as well.Papers crossed my desk a few days ago which concern you, Adrienne. Oh? she said as she reached for the martini pitcher. I m not being court-martialed, I hope. Far from it.Your promotion just came through  and about time, too.As of next week, CaptainPierce, it will be official.Congratulations!Adrienne looked at him in astonishment. My god, Tom, did you arrange this promotion? Absolutely not they asked my opinion, and I gave it to them.You deserve it. Deserve what? Tanner said as she climbed the outside stairs to join them.Adrienne attempted to signal Tom to silence, but he continued unperturbed. Adrienne has beenpromoted to Captain, Tanner.Tanner stared at Tom for a moment and then she turned to Adrienne. Congratulations, she said softly.Adrienne shrugged and offered Tanner a drink. Thank you.It s really just a paper promotion.I m suremy life will proceed pretty much as it has. She smiled slightly and added,  But, I m pleased.The four of them talked, the easy companionable conversation of friends.Eventually, Tom mentionedthat he had a few business matters to discuss with Adrienne, and they left Tanner and Constance towatch the sunset together.Tanner sat beside her mother, lost in thought.Constance rested her hand gently on Tanner s arm. Where are you?Tanner started slightly at the touch, then shrugged. I was thinking about Adrienne s promotion.I m surenow she ll never want to leave the Navy.I m proud of her, I really am.But I, I  had hoped --Page 87Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlConstance nodded knowingly. Don't jump to conclusions, Tanner.Find out what she wants.Tanner noted a wistful note in her mother s voice. Are you in love with Tom, Mother? she asked. Oh, Tanner.I don t know if `in love is the right term for it.People your age fall in love.People my ageare friends.But I ve grown very fond of him he s a marvelous man quite sensitive and gentle.I domiss him when he s gone [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]