The Wedding - By Nicholas Sparks Page 0,81
leave you . . .”
“But?”
“But I’ve got to check on dinner.”
She nodded, looking sensual, looking beautiful. “Need any help?”
“No. It’s just about done.”
“Would you mind if I stayed outside, then? It’s so peaceful out here.”
“Not at all.”
In the kitchen, I saw that the asparagus I had steamed had cooled, so I turned on the burner to reheat them. The hollandaise had congealed a bit, but after I stirred it, it seemed fine. Then I turned my attention to the sole, opening the oven to test it with a fork. It needed just another couple of minutes.
The station I’d tuned the kitchen radio to was playing music from the big band era, and I was reaching for the knob when I heard Jane’s voice behind me.
“Leave it on,” she said.
I looked up. “I thought you were going to enjoy the evening.”
“I was, but it’s not the same without you,” she said. She leaned against the counter and struck her usual pose. “Did you specifically request this music for tonight, too?” she teased.
“This program has been on for the past couple of hours. I guess it’s their special theme for the night.”
“It sure brings back memories,” she said. “Daddy used to listen to big band all the time.” She ran a hand slowly through her hair, lost in reminiscence. “Did you know that he and Mom used to dance in the kitchen? One minute, they’d be washing dishes, and the next minute, they’d have their arms around each other and be swaying to the music. The first time I saw them, I guess I was around six and didn’t think anything of it. When I got a little older, Kate and I used to giggle when we saw them. We’d point and snicker, but they’d just laugh and keep right on dancing, like they were the only two people in the world.”
“I never knew that.”
“The last time I ever saw them do it was about a week before they moved to Creekside. I was coming over to see how they were doing. I saw them through the kitchen window when I was parking, and I just started to cry. I knew it was the last time I’d ever see them do it here, and it felt like my heart broke in two.” She paused, lost in thought. Then she shook her head. “Sorry. That’s kind of a mood spoiler, isn’t it?”
“It’s okay,” I said. “They’re a part of our lives, and this is their house. To be honest, I’d be shocked if you didn’t think about them. Besides, it’s a wonderful way to remember them.”
She seemed to consider my words for a moment. In the silence, I removed the sole from the oven and set it on the stove.
“Wilson?” she asked softly.
I turned.
“When you said in your letter that from this point on, you were going to try to be more romantic, did you mean that?”
“Yes.”
“Does that mean I can expect more nights like tonight?”
“If that’s what you want.”
She brought a finger to her chin. “It’ll be tougher to surprise me, though. You’ll have to come up with something new.”
“I don’t think it’ll be as hard as you think.”
“No?”
“I could probably come up with something right now, if I had to.”
“Like what?”
I met her appraising stare and was suddenly determined not to fail. After a brief hesitation, I reached over to shut off the burner and set the asparagus to the side. Jane’s gaze followed me with interest. I adjusted my jacket before crossing the kitchen and holding out my hand.
“Would you care to dance?”
Jane blushed as she took my hand, twining her other arm around my back. Pulling her firmly to me, I felt her body press against mine. We began to turn in slow circles as music filled the room around us. I could smell the lavender shampoo she’d used and feel her legs brush against my own.
“You’re beautiful,” I whispered, and Jane responded by tracing her thumb against the back of my hand.
When the song ended, we continued to hold each other until the next began, dancing slowly, the subtle movement intoxicating. When Jane pulled back to look at me, her smile was tender, and she brought a hand to my face. Her touch was light, and like an old habit rediscovered, I leaned toward her, our faces drawing nearer.
Her kiss was almost breathlike, and we gave in then to everything we were feeling, everything we wanted. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her again, sensing her