Chapter 5

Lauren noticed Rad was so deep in thought he didn’t argue about not getting to try his hand at the games he’d wanted to play on the way into the amusement park. His brow was creased as he stared straight ahead, his jaw was set, and his expressive face now seemed somber.

She wondered what to say or do to get him to smile again when a booming voice with a strange accent broke the silence. “Stop. Let me tell your fortune.”

They both turned around at the same time and stared at the turban-headed mechanical man inside an ornate fortune-telling booth. “Your fortune is mine for the telling and yours for the hearing.”

Rad nudged her. “You game?”

Lauren didn’t want to have anything to do with a fortune teller, but since Rad was almost smiling again, she consented and stepped closer.

“I can see your future.” The fortune-teller wore a bright yellow silk shirt with a black vest and numerous jeweled necklaces. “Step closer and you shall see it too.”

“Okay.” Lauren pulled a bill out of her pocket and stuck it in the slot. “I’ll give it a shot.”

“Zoltar the Gypsy, at your service.” The supposed fortune-teller inside the booth came alive, waving his jeweled hand back and forth over a crystal ball. “Today is your lucky day, my friend.”

Rad stepped closer, smiling broadly now.

“Never forget that you can tell a wise person by what they don’t say as much as by what they say. Sometimes it is wiser to say little rather than much.”

They looked at each other with quizzical expressions.

“Give me your treasure,” Zoltar continued. “I have much wisdom to share.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means he wants another dollar. Let’s go.”

Before they turned around, a ticket popped out of the machine that said, “Your Fortune.”

Lauren tried to grab it, but Rad had it in his hand and was reading out loud before she had time to react. “Okay, this is more like it. It says: When you pull a card and receive a heart, you and your beloved will never part.”

He held up the piece of paper for her to see. “Look, you got a heart.” He showed her the artwork of an Ace of Hearts.

Lauren attempted to grab the ticket, but he deftly avoided her and began reading again. “Hold on. There’s more.” He cleared his throat. “‘You are a strong believer in fate. You feel you have no control over your destiny.’”

He raised his gaze to hers. “True?”

Before she had time to answer, he continued, “Fortunately, you are destined to be very happy indeed.”

“Wow,” Lauren said, making one last attempt to snatch the paper from his grasp. “I feel better already.”

“But wait, there’s more. It says down here at the bottom you have a graceful walk and a determined step.” Rad smiled reflectively. “I can vouch for that.”

“Now you’re just making things up.” Lauren crossed her arms and stared at him.

“No, I’m not.” He pointed to the paper. “It says, ‘you always walk as though you know exactly where you’re going.’” He nodded. “Um hmm. Right again. Now, let’s see here.”

The next words made Lauren’s heart pick up its pace.

“‘You will endure a great hardship in the near future, but everything will turn out for the best, and unending happiness will be yours.’”

Lauren wrinkled up her nose and pretended to be unaffected. “That’s silly. You don’t believe in that stuff, do you?”

“Seemed to be right on target until the end.” He stared at her thoughtfully. “By great hardship, it’s probably talking about a late flight or something.”

“Geez. Hope that doesn’t happen.” Lauren pretended a long layover would be the worst thing in the world that could happen, even though she knew she faced hardships of far greater consequence. “Good to know everything will turn out in the end.”

Amusement flickered in the eyes that met hers. “See? You do believe.” He took her hand and started walking. “You got this little obstacle coming, this little hardship, and then, bam—unending happiness is all yours, baby.” He squeezed her hand. “Zoltar has spoken.”

Lauren laughed, partly because of his words and the optimistic way in which they were spoken, and partly because of the sensation of her hand in his. The contact had produced an unexpected jolt that was almost electric, but Rad just whistled as if he didn’t have a care in the world—as if it was perfectly natural for him to be walking hand in hand with a girl he’d just met.

He nodded toward the far end of the Boardwalk. “Think we can make it all the way to the end?”

“If you’re up to it.” Lauren said the words jokingly as she ran her gaze over him. Frankly, he looked like he could walk to the Pacific Ocean with her on his back if the need arose.

“Let’s give it a whirl.”

Lauren tried to keep her mood light and imitate his carefree demeanor, but she didn’t have much practice in the art of cheerfulness, especially over the past five years. She found her thoughts drifting to what tomorrow would bring and the endless and difficult tasks that needed to be accomplished once she landed. When Rad’s protective hand tightened and pulled her closer, she knew he was reading her mind again and drawing her back to the present moment. She smiled up at him, thanking him wordlessly as a warm glow flowed through her.

The silent conversation they shared was not without its effect on Lauren. Something in this man’s manner soothed and calmed her, and left her feeling blissfully happy and fully alive. She felt a strange, numbed comfort as she focused on the feel of her hand in his, a hand that was strong, firm, supportive and kind.

And then she focused on something else. With her fingers comfortably laced in his, Lauren discerned a rough callous on his hand—the type of callous caused by target practice.

A lot of target practice.

Like hours of target practice every day.

She should know. She had a blister on her hand from the last few days on the range.

Lauren pondered her discovery. Was he a police officer? Or an assassin? Those were the only two professions she could think of that would require long hours of range training and excellent marksmanship. Rad didn’t seem inclined to talk about his career, and she didn’t want to ask. It would only result in the obvious question of what she did for a living.

“So when you’re not traveling, you still call Virginia home?”

Rad’s voice interrupted her thoughts, and his question made Lauren pause to think. The last time she ‘hadn’t been traveling’ was back when she was still in school. That seemed like a long time ago—days when getting to class and writing papers had been pretty much the limit of her responsibilities. She’d been out of the country almost continuously for close to five years now and didn’t have anywhere here to call home.

She took so long to answer that Rad must have thought she didn’t want to.

“I mean, you still have family in Virginia?”

“No.” That one didn’t require a lot of thought. “No family. I’m an only child and my parents both died.”

“Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to get so personal.”

“No. That’s okay.” Lauren took a deep breath and stared out over the water a moment, trying to decide how much more she wanted to say. This was not something she usually talked about, especially not with a stranger. Yet for some reason, she felt it necessary to share.

“They were on Flight 77.” She paused and closed her eyes. It was hard to even say the words. “On 9/11.”

She heard Rad murmur, “The Pentagon flight.”

Lauren had tried to put that tragic time behind her, but it wasn’t something she could ever forget. The incident was stamped on her conscience as distinctly as a dark tattoo etched on pale skin. It was the day she had gone from a carefree—somewhat wild—teenager, to a focused, motivated adult, intent on preventing anything like that from happening in the United States again. It was the impetus for who she was and everything she did. It both drove her and sustained her.

“I’m sorry,” Rad said again, obviously distressed at himself for bringing it up. “I’m sure it hurts to talk about it.”

“I don’t usually tell anyone.” Lauren blinked back the moisture building in her eyes. “It’s hard to share, even after all these years.”

Rad put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a firm, compassionate squeeze. “I’m honored you shared it with me.”

Lauren caught the reflection of his thoughts in his eyes as he stared down at her and felt held fast by the intensity of the sympathetic and supportive look.

“How about you?” Lauren tried to change the subject. “You from a big family?”

“I got some brothers and sisters here and there. Parents in Texas.”

“You’re from Texas? I didn’t detect an accent.”

“My dad’s military. We’ve lived all over.” He chuckled. “Nowhere long enough to get an accent I guess.”

“My dad was military too,” Lauren said. “Navy. I guess that’s why I love the ocean so much.”

“Yeah, having a sailor for a dad will do that to you.” He glanced over his shoulder at how far they had come. “You need a break yet?”

“No, I’m good.” She gazed up at him with half a smile. “Unless you’re having trouble keeping up or something and need to sit down.”

That caused him to laugh loudly. “You’re still trying to beat me, aren’t you?” He rested his arm across her shoulders for a moment. “Don’t get your hopes up. I think I’ve got enough in me to make it until the bitter end.”

As they continued walking, Lauren observed other women noticing Rad, and she had to smile. She didn’t blame them. He was a tall, rugged-looking man, and the way his tee shirt emphasized the breadth of his shoulders was enough to make even some of the grandmothers turn their heads.

Seemingly oblivious to the complimentary looks, Rad glanced up at the sun. “It’s getting hot. Maybe I do need a break. How about some ice cream?”

“Good heavens.” Lauren shook her head. “I’m going to have to go on a diet after today.”

Rad put his hand out and squeezed one of her biceps. “You seem to be in pretty good shape to me. I don’t think a little ice cream will hurt you one bit.”

Lauren felt the color rising in her cheeks at the compliment and scolded herself for blushing like an enraptured teenager. No one knew how hard she worked to stay physically fit with no gym—and no one had ever noticed or cared. Not that they could notice with what she normally wore. She shook it off and pushed her way to the counter, pulling out a twenty dollar bill and slapping it down by the register. “My treat this time.”

“Okay. Okay. Equal rights and all that. I get it.” Rad held up his hands and laughed. “But don’t go getting all feminist on me.”

“No need to worry about that.” Lauren squinted at him. “I just want to pay my fair share.”

Rad ordered his ice cream and turned to face her. “Maybe you’re paying your fair share simply by being here.” He didn’t give her time to analyze his words but took his ice cream and her free hand and pulled her back onto the walkway. “Let’s go. We’re not to the end yet.”

They ambled along eating their ice cream without talking, sidestepping people and children, but keeping a steady pace. With the Boardwalk now teeming with people, it took some effort and concentration to walk without getting tangled up in a baby carriage or bike.

Lauren finally paused a moment to wipe some sticky ice cream off her hand with a napkin. “Where’re you and your buddies staying anyway?”

“Down around 15th, about a block off the beach.”

“Oh, one of those frat-house type of places.”

“Yeah, right. I don’t think my buddies would like the comparison.”

“Well, how would I know? I just met you. Remember? And I still haven’t met your so-called buddies.”

“Guess you’re right. Feels like I’ve known you forever.”

Rad kept walking, licking his ice cream cone as if the words he’d said were nothing to him, but Lauren’s heart picked up its pace again. It wasn’t because she feared or felt threatened by him now—but because she felt the same way. How could that be? In the breadth of half a day she had told this man more about herself than she had shared with some people she had known for years. Why did she feel so safe and secure with him? And what was this startling and exhilarating sensation that overtook her when he gazed deep into her eyes or wrapped his fingers around hers?

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Her life was complicated enough. She made up her mind right then and there not to add to the complexities and confusion by fretting over where this was going. They would both be leaving tomorrow and never see each other again. Today is all that matters. Just go with it.

When they were done, and they had removed the worst of the sticky ice cream off their fingers, Lauren sat down on a bench facing the ocean. “Okay. Now it’s break time.”

“If you say so.” Rad took a seat beside her.

“You were just waiting for that, weren’t you?” Lauren gazed up at him. “You wanted me to sit down first.”

He held his hands in the air innocently and shrugged. “Hey, if you need a break, that’s fine. It’s not like this is a competition or anything.”

Lauren could tell from the tone of his voice that a competition was exactly what it was, and his next statement confirmed it.

“But for the record, you did call it quits first.”

She laughed loudly and with obvious amusement. “You are almost intolerable. You know that?”

“Pretty sure I’ve been called worse.” He sat back and crossed his arms. “Almost intolerable. Geez. That’s almost a compliment.”

“I should have known you’d see it that way.” Lauren shook her head.

Rad kicked his legs out in front of him. “So what’s your favorite memory about your grandmother?”

Lauren took a deep breath as she thought about it. “Probably hunting seashells. We used to get up early every morning so we’d be the first ones on the beach.”

“Hmm.” Rad nodded. “Like this morning.”

“Yeah.”

“So what was the best thing you ever found?”

Lauren crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and leaned her head back. “My best find ever was actually this morning.”

“Really?” Rad laughed. “Thank you.”

“No-o, not you.” Lauren elbowed him playfully. “I found a sand dollar.” She paused for a moment as the memories came rushing back. “My grandmother always talked about sand dollars—the elusive treasure we could never find.” She looked up at him. “It’s like she put it there for me to find this morning. You know what I mean? It’s so rare.”

“That’s pretty special. Worth losing your hat over.”

Lauren smiled. “Thanks to you, I didn’t lose it.” She stared at the lacey-looking whitecaps dance and dissolve on the dark waves. “You ever hear the sand dollar legend?”

“Something your grandmother told you?”

“Well, there’s actually a poem about it that’s told at Christmas and Easter.” Lauren had left the shell in her room, so couldn’t show him, but she tried to describe it. “There are five slits on the shell that represent the wounds on Christ when on the cross, and then there’s something that looks like an Easter lily with a star in the middle that represents the star of Bethlehem. On the back is the outline of a Poinsettia, the Christmas flower.”

“That’s pretty neat.” Rad stared out at the water. “All in one little shell.”

“Yeah. They also say that when the sand dollar is broken apart, the pieces resemble five doves spreading good will and peace.”

“Then I guess you have a real good luck charm.”

“Yep. A gift from the sea. Or heaven.” Lauren sighed and propped her feet up on the sea wall. “I’m not sure which.”

Rad’s attention drifted instantly to her toes. “Nice pedicure.”

Lauren smiled. “No pedicure. Just painted them this morning.” She lifted her leg and pointed her toes, twisting her foot one way and then the other as she admired her work. “It’s supposed to be a shade called Sensational Sunrise, but I think it looks more red than pink.”

Rad’s gaze moved slowly from her foot, up her leg, until his sparkling eyes were focused on hers. “Well, at least they got the sensational part right.”

Lauren felt a whooshing in her ears, like an ocean wave had landed on her head. What kind of man noticed a woman’s toenails? And complimented her on them? And was a perfect gentleman? And fun to talk to? And as comfortable to be around as a best friend?

She reached for the arm of the bench to steady herself. Was she awake? Was this for real?

Rad leaned forward and touched her little toe, which rested unnaturally under the one beside it. “What’s up with this?”

“Oh, I broke the little toe and taped it to the next one as a splint.” She tried to wiggle her toes, but those two didn’t move. “I guess I didn’t do a very good job and it healed that way.”

“You didn’t get it set by a doctor?” His brow creased with astonishment.

Lauren shrugged as if it wasn’t something she’d ever thought about. “No. It was just a broken toe.”

“Must have been a pretty bad break. How’d you do it?”

“Geez. You really want to know how I broke my toe?” Lauren could feel her cheeks turning red.

“Well… yeah. Why not?”

“I was a teenager and it’s embarrassing.”

“Then I definitely want to know.”

Lauren took a deep breath and thought about it. “You have to promise not to laugh.”

Rad didn’t respond so Lauren bumped him with her shoulder. “Promise or I won’t tell.”

“All right. I promise.”

“Well…” Lauren hesitated, not sure how to proceed. “Okay. So I was riding my horse in my bare feet and decided to jump a fence.” She gazed up at Rad to make sure he was keeping his promise. He appeared to be picturing the scene rather than getting ready to laugh, so she continued. “The top rail was down so it wasn’t that high, but my horse had second thoughts and veered to the left.” She brought her foot up and pulled her toe out from the others as far as she could. “My little toe hit the fence post as we were going over and snapped back to about here.” She pulled even harder, but her toe wouldn’t move, so she pointed to where it had been flayed out from her other toes.

Rad cringed. “Too bad it didn’t catch the stirrup, instead of your toe.”

“Oh yeah, except, no saddle,” Lauren said, sheepishly. “Bareback.”

“Hmm. Barefoot and bareback. Great combination. Bet that hurt.”

Lauren shrugged. “No more than getting stepped on by a twelve hundred pound horse in your bare feet.” She pointed to a toe on her other foot that had been broken as well.”

“There’s a way to prevent that.” Rad looked down at her in a brotherly way. “It’s called shoes.”

“Yeah, that’s what my dad used to say.” Lauren had been staring out over the water but turned to Rad. “You ride?”

“I did in Texas. Western though—no jumping fences.” He shook his head. “And I used a saddle and wore boots.”

“Okay, rub it in. You promised you wouldn’t laugh.”

“I’m not laughing,” he said seriously. “I’m just picturing this little hellcat on horseback.”

“To tell you the truth, the only reason I rode bareback was because I wasn’t strong enough to lift a saddle onto a seventeen-hand horse.”

Rad whistled. “Seventeen hands? How’d you get on?”

“Fence. Tree. Boulder. Bucket. Whatever was around at the time.”

“You still crazy like that?” He gazed at her with a curious expression. “Or did you grow out of it?”

Lauren laughed. “I guess it depends what your definition of crazy is.” She stopped laughing and studied him. “I don’t imagine you’ve ever done anything that someone might think is crazy.”

“You got me there,” Rad said, frowning slightly. “You got me there.”