Page 19 of The Fragile Truth
Understanding lit her beautiful features. “Ah, now I know the real reason why you didn’t want me digging into the chocolates.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he punched out, slathering his Southern accent on thick.
“Sounds like fun. Let’s do it.”
He released her hand as she stood. “I’ll just get this cleaned up.”
“I may not be able to cook a lick, but I can help put the food away.”
She tipped her head. “I guess you’re a better guy than you gave yourself credit for.”
“Maybe so,” he laughed. Sadie couldn’t have guessed how much her words meant to him. Could he learn to trust God? To open himself up to heal? With a woman like Sadie at his side, Ian was starting to think that anything was possible.
* * *
Fiery orangeand pink streaks pushed across the evening sky, celebrating the departure of the setting sun. Sadie and Ian walked hand in hand, their toes sinking into the soft sand with their every step. The rhythm of the crashing waves was a soothing lullaby. Sadie’s tongue tingled at the taste of salt in the humid, thick air. It was a perfect evening … almost perfect enough to make her forget her real reason for coming to Honeysuckle Island. Originally, she’d planned to book a room at The Oliver, but she couldn’t afford to stay there long-term. Also, she didn’t want to call any undue attention to herself.
Sadie cast a sidelong glance at Ian, her gaze lingering on his strong, lean jaw. Ian was a warrior in every sense of the word—the kind of guy that she found wildly attractive. His stubborn determination and no-nonsense attitude called to her. He had no idea how similar the two of them actually were. This week, while working at The Sea Salt Grill, she’d asked casual questions about Ian.What kind of sheriff was he? What type of girls did he like? What was he like when he was growing up?Most people assumed she was asking questions because she and Ian were an item.
Dating him was working like a charm, giving her an inside track into the town of Summerhaven. More importantly, her association with the sheriff would help ingratiate her with The Chasings and other prominent families on Honeysuckle Island. Answers were what she needed.
The hard irony of the situation was that Ian was exactly the type of guy she could fall for. An image of Danny flashed through her mind, flooding her with a pain that was all too familiar. Sometimes, the hurt was so fresh that she felt like she’d just lost him. Other times, it seemed as though she’d loved him in another lifetime.
That she even had feelings for Ian was shocking. She’d assumed that Danny would be her one and only love, but she supposed the heart had more capacity to care than she’d imagined. Not that she was falling for Ian. No, that couldn’t happen. She had to stay focused on her goal.
She’d told Ian at the sports bar that she was staying with a friend in Wilmington who fixed her up on a blind date. None of that was true. Her initial meeting with Ian had been well-planned, right down to her paying her “date” to make a pass at her. In the end, when Ian threatened the guy, she could tell that the coward was about to crack. For a second there, she feared he’d blab all. But then the guy scampered away, and her secret remained safe.
Urgency pulsed a fevered trail through her blood as she looked out at the water. The way the waves pounded the shore and disintegrated into nothingness held her interest with an eerie fascination. That’s how she’d felt for the past three years. She’d been so frantic in her quest to right the injustices of the world that she nearly lost herself in the process. Few people could fathom the cold terror she’d experienced while living in prison. Two members of a church congregation frequently visited her cellmate. While Angela was only mildly interested in their message, it struck a chord with Sadie. She soaked up their words of inspiration like a sponge. Eventually, the church members started coming to visit Sadie. They gave her a Bible, which became her lifeline. She learned how to pray and how to be still so she could receive answers to those prayers. One of the first things she did after getting released from prison was to get baptized. Then, she turned her sights to coming here so she could uncover the mystery that had plagued her when she was behind bars … with way too much time to think about all the ways she’d messed up her life.
Ian stopped walking. “What do you think?”
“It’s incredible,” she murmured. Sadie needed a reminder that despite the hardships of life, there was still much good to be had. The trick was to not allow the bitterness to consume her. It almost had. But now, she was on the right track. Hopefully, she would soon be able to discover the truth. Only then could she truly put the past behind her and move forward.
Ian slid his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “How do you like Honeysuckle Island so far?”
She smiled inwardly at the touch of pride in his voice. He spoke as if it were his island. “The pictures that I’ve seen of the hotel don’t do it justice.” After milling around Harbor Village and getting ice cream, they’d taken a golf cart to the hotel. They walked around the lobby, with Sadie admiring the unique detail of the painted wood ceiling and the décor while Ian pointed out the improvements made during the renovation.
Ian then drove her to one of his favorite beaches. Sadie was impressed with the solitude and how she felt at one with the forces of nature, out here with the sand, wind, and water. Sadie had forgotten how much she enjoyed companionship. Ian’s touch was both comforting and thrilling. They watched in silence as the sun dipped below the horizon. Ian released her shoulders and turned to face her. The tenderness in his compelling crystal blue eyes jabbed her with guilt. She’d told herself initially that she wanted to begin her search by getting close to Ian, so she could see if he were in any way to blame for everything that happened. From what she could tell, Ian was innocent. He seemed like an upstanding guy. No, it was more than that. He seemed like a great guy—a man of principle, a man who cared about his employees and the citizens of his town. Should she tell him the truth about who she really was? No sooner had the thought entered her mind than she was repelled by it. No, it was too soon. She had to stay the course.
Her breath caught as Ian’s hand went up to cup her cheek. His arm encircled her waist, pulling her close. The smolder in his piercing eyes evoked a longing that surprised her. She soaked in the symmetry of his chiseled features, taking note of his prominent cheekbones, his aquiline nose, the sexy cleft in his chin. How easy it would be to become Sadie Thomas, for real. She and Ian could build a life together here in this beautiful place. Desire throttled a dizzying current through her when his gaze moved to her mouth. Instinctively, her lips parted, her breath coming faster. Ian possessed a strength that drew her like a magnet.
Here is where she should pull back. She should give him some insipid objection about why they couldn’t get involved. Against all reason, she moved closer, melding against the hardness of his muscles. His mouth covered hers with a gentle persuasion that circled spirals of ecstasy through her. His lips were both firm and soft. She felt the strength of his character, mingling with the power and virility of his body. He deepened the kiss, his lips becoming more urgent, sending her stomach tumbling in a mad swirl.
Then it happened. Her heart broke free of the iron box, escaping the tight guard that she’d so painstakingly kept. It soared high and free, dancing like a joyful whisper in the playful breeze. When the kiss was over, a stunning new revelation settled over her.
She wanted Ian to know who she was. She wanted him to understand why she’d come here. She wanted him to see her as herself, not the person that she’d fabricated.
Give it time, her inner voice urged. If she told him the truth now, everything would come tumbling down around her. Her mind plunked a timeline out of the air.
Two weeks! She would tell him in two weeks.
Until then, she would let him get to know her as Sadie, the aspiring personal chef. That part wasn’t far from the truth. She loved to cook and was good at it. Seeing the enjoyment on Ian’s handsome face as he devoured her food infused her with deep satisfaction.
There were hints of humor around the edges of Ian’s eyes and mouth. “You’re pretty good at that.”
Her eyes rounded, and she felt herself blush. “Quit embarrassing me,” she blustered, swatting his chest.
Laughter rumbled in his throat. “Nothing to be embarrassed about.” He searched her face, his expression turning serious. “This might be too much for you on a first date, but I’m not one to lallygag around the topic.” The corners of his jaw twitched. “I like you … a lot.”