A Whisper of Eternity - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,28

and waded into the surf. She yelped as the water swirled around her ankles. Gee, but it was cold.

Determined, she waded deeper into the water, then dove under a wave and began swimming.

She let out a shriek when something came up behind her and brushed against her arm.

"Hey, it's only me."

"Bryan!"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"Well, you did." Treading water, she turned to face him. "What are you doing out here?"

"I always come out for a swim before I go to work. When I saw you..." He shrugged. "Hope you don't mind a little company."

"No, but I was just about to go back in."

"I'll race you."

She made a face at him."Like I have a chance of beating a lifeguard."

"Well, because I'm a lifeguard, I'll give you a head start."

"Well, because I'm out of practice, I'll take it."

She struck out for shore, her adrenaline pumping. She had been on the swim teams in high school and college, but that had been a few years ago. She hadn't had a chance to get in much practice since college. Now, it felt good to be in competition again, even if she didn't have a hope of winning.

She risked a glance over her shoulder to seeBryan coming up behind her. He swam with seemingly effortless ease. And he was gaining on her.

And then he passed her.

He was standing on the shore, grinning, when she emerged from the water. "You could have been a gentleman and let me win," she said, shaking the water out of her hair.

"I thought about it," he said, "but then I decided you'd rather lose honestly."

"You were right." She walked up the beach toward her blanket, and he followed her. "How soon do you have to go to work?"

He glanced at his watch. "I've got a few minutes."

She plopped down on the blanket. "Want to keep me company until then?"

"Sure." He dropped down beside her. "Are you doing anything tonight?"

"Not really."

' Wannago to the movies?"

"I'd like that."

"Great! Pick you up at seven?"

"All right.How long have you been a lifeguard?"

"Since I got out of high school.I'd do it all year, if they'd let me."

"What do you do in the winter?"

"I work over at the Y. I teach kids how to swim, hold classes in self-defense, and if there's enough interest, I teach tai chi."

"You look like you lift weights."

A faint flush colored his cheeks. "Yeah, well, I do that, too."

"So, why don't you live in D.C. with your folks?"

"They expect too much of me, you know? I mean, I think it's great that my brothers all followed in the old man's footsteps, but I'm just not cut out to be a cop.Or an accountant, for that matter. I'm afraid I'm a big disappointment to both of them."

She laughed. "I'm a big disappointment to my folks, too. They were hoping I'd marry a doctor or a lawyer and give them a dozen grandchildren."

"How about a lifeguard?"

She laughed again, only to break off abruptly when he didn't join in. "You're not serious?"

He nodded." ' Fraid so."

"But we just met, and..."

"And I'm too young for you. Does age really matter? Would you be happier if I was older?"

"No," she said, thinking of Dominic, "I wouldn't be happier. But,Bryan , we hardly know each other."

"I'm hoping to remedy that." Leaning forward, he kissed her on the cheek. "I've gotta go. See you tonight." Rising, he took a few steps,then turned back. "Hey, where do you live?"

"Up there," she said, pointing. "The big house that looks like Dracula lives there." She said the words without thinking, and then shuddered. Draculadid live there.

"Gotcha.See you at seven."

Tracystared after him, bemused. She hadn't had a date in months. Now she had a too-young lifeguard on one hand and a too-old vampire on the other. Given a choice... but she didn't have to decide, she drought, applying a fresh coat of suntan lotion. She could date anyone she wanted.

But right now, she just wanted to soak up some sun.

Bryanarrived at her door promptly at seven. He wore jeans, a T-shirt, and boots and it occurred to her that, with his blond hair and blue eyes, he looked an awful lot like Brad Pitt.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Yep, just let me get my jacket."

"Jacket?"

"It gets mighty cold in the theater sometimes. Come on in. I won't be a minute."

She leftBryan in the living room while she ran upstairs to her bedroom to get her jacket.

And almost ran into Dominic. She looked up at him, one hand pressed to her heart. "Dominic! What