Page 38 of Be One with Me

As if he senses my thoughts, Nolan turns to me. “You’ve been pretty quiet since we got on the boat. Are you enjoying the ride?”

“Yes. I’m actually thinking about how much I’ve been enjoying our time here. Time with you.”

“I’m enjoying it as well. Truth be told, I’m happy anywhere, as long as I’m with you.”

I give him a quick kiss and a grin, deciding to keep the moment light. This isn’t the time or place for me to reveal my deeper feelings. “Let’s be honest. A bad day here beats any day in Green Springs or Chicago!”

Nolan chuckles and scoots me closer into his side. “You are absolutely right, city girl.”

Neither of us seems concerned with looking at social media or checking in at home, although Elijah is under strict orders to contact me if anything happens to Sandy. We’re confident our respective businesses are in capable hands. Drew is looking after the garage, and Barbara Jeanne is running the boutique. Nolan and I remain happily ensconced in a romantic bubble, our own little world. A world of spoken desires, but still unspoken feelings. I know it’s no longer enough to show Nolan how I feel, I need to tell him. Two weeks have passed in the blink of an eye. If Nolan asked me to stay in Bonaire forever, I would in a heartbeat. Will I still feel this way about him when we get home? Every day I ask myself the question, and the answer is the same: yes.

After a beautiful night of leisurely, but passionate, lovemaking, I wake first. I take the opportunity to memorize Nolan’s face. He’s a study in contradictions. Rugged in appearance, yet refined in his speech. Hard working, but soft hearted. He lives simply, but is so complex in character. Always humble, and never too proud. I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to convey to him how much he means to me.

I can’t help but reach out and touch him, gently caressing his cheek. It’s not enough to satisfy my urge to connect, so I run my fingertips over his chin, along his neck, and down his sternum. He’s fully exposed down to his waist, as he must have pushed the sheet down in his sleep. I trace the shape of a heart on his stomach, willing him to feel my presence. Nolan lets out a pleasant moan and turns his body to face me. He opens his eyes and I can see the love shining there. I hope he can see the same in mine. He reaches out to me and gently trails his fingertips between my breasts. Involuntarily, I arch toward him. He pulls me closer and whispers against my lips.

“Mornin’, my city girl.”

I sigh in complete contentment. I lower my head and softly trail kisses along his chest. I can feel the strong pulse of his heartbeat. Now is the time. I tilt my head up toward his face again. “I have something to tell you.”

“I have something to tell you, too.”

“I’ve been waiting for the right moment.”

“I’ve been waiting for the right moment, too.”

I trace his lips with my finger, again simulating the shape of a heart. I take a deep breath and forge ahead.

“Nolan Green, my friend, my lover, my country boy. You've given me so many gifts, freely, without the pressure of expectations or demands. Even when I haven’t been deserving. You’ve given me friendship, laughter, support, love; but most of all, you’ve given melife. I love you, more than I ever thought possible. By helping me overcome my fears and regain my sense of self, I’m now able to give you my heart.”

My heart is literally pounding, and the butterflies take flight in my stomach in anticipation of his reaction. After what seems an eternity, but is really only a few seconds, Nolan cradles my face with his hands and looks into my eyes as if he can see all the way into my soul.

“Sally Jones-Patrick, my friend, my lover, my city girl. You’ve had my heart since the day we met. I never dreamed I’d get a second chance at love. You’ve given me that. And so much more. Along the way, I’ve learned something.”

I exhale, suddenly realizing I’ve been holding my breath. My eyes grow misty as he continues.

“The path that leads to happiness is so narrow that two people cannot walk on it unless they become one. Be one with me, please, and make me the happiest man on earth.”

Now the tears are rolling freely down my checks. Tears of happiness. Followed by laughter of joy, sheer joy. As Nolan brushes the tears from my eyes, I’m finally able to speak. “I’m sorry I don’t have a witty quote for you right now. But I do have this: Yes, my love, I will be one with you. I want to walk down the path of happiness with you for the rest of our lives.”

The End