18

 

Harrison took her to a new restaurant along The Royal Mile, but all Shelby could do was pick at her salmon. Although the food was delicious, she was preoccupied. He made a valiant effort to engage her in conversation but respected her right to stay quiet. Finally, pushing her plate toward Harrison, she encouraged him to finish it. He did, after first polishing off his Aberdeen beef while she ate her vegetables. Good thing his appetite wasn’t affected. Men could eat their way through anything. Daddy had been the same way.

After dinner, Harrison drove them to a park and pulled a blanket out of the back of the car. They found a spot and spread the blanket on the ground, settling on it.

Harrison reclined beside her. “Speak to me.”

The night was lovely with a hint of a breeze, the moon almost directly overhead as the sounds of sultry jazz wafted across the capital city, luring lovers and romantics to join in the timeless, eternal dance.

“And then we dance,” he said.

“Dancing can be dangerous.”

“We dance.” His tone left no room for resistance.

“We dance.” Shelby’s lips upturned ever so slightly. When he reached for her, she gave him her hand. Her heart hurt from all the emotion, and a tear slipped down her cheek.

“Shh,” he said, gently moving her hand aside and brushing away the tear. “Come. Dance with me now.”

Sitting up, Harrison held out his hand, expectancy written in every nuance of his face and fathomless blue-green eyes. After only a moment’s hesitation, she allowed him to pull her to her feet, and they joined others of all ages and nationalities swaying slowly to the music.

Under normal circumstances, dancing made her feel awkward and inept, but not so with Harrison. Never with Harrison. He made everything comfortable. Easy.

“You’re very good at this.” She ran a hand over his five o’clock stubble, rough and masculine.

“Easy to do when I’m holding the most incredible woman in the world in my arms.” His eyes reflected the light filtering from the moon overhead.

Leaning her head against his solid chest as they moved together in time with the rhythm of the music, Shelby felt his warmth. Felt Harrison’s heartbeat beneath the fabric of his cotton shirt. Strong and steady, like the man. When she inched her hand upward, he wrapped his fingers around hers, clasping them together.

He twirled her in a slow circle with a gentle smile she’d forever remember. “God brought you here to find Pops, Shelby, but I’m every bit as sure He brought us together for His divine purpose.” Harrison lowered his head and touched his lips to hers. Achingly tender. “I’ll always remember this dance, this moment,” he whispered, “as the night I gave my heart.”

With his words, her thoughts spun faster than her body as he twirled her again. If he expected an answer or a declaration of love, Harrison revealed no outward disappointment when she found no adequate response.

Instead, Shelby stopped dancing and drank in the sight of him, allowing her gaze to travel over his. “Harry,” she said. “I’ll never forget...”

He kissed her temple. “It’s all right not to say anything. Just let me hold you.”

And so she did.