River of Fire by Jacquelyn Cook

Author:Jacquelyn Cook [Cook, Jacquelyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BelleBooks Inc.

Chapter 9

Adrianna remained the focal point in the silent scene of shocked disapproval. Panic-stricken, she suddenly heard an artificial chuckle penetrating the silence. Foy! She had hoped to escape before he saw her. Frantically she clapped her hand to her tumbling hair. Scooping up her fallen bandanna, she prepared to flee.

“Come on in; the water’s fine,” Foy said with false heartiness.

“I—maybe I shouldn’t get too much sun,” Adrianna stammered. She pulled her elbow away form his grasp.

Foy’s voice dropped to an intimate whisper. “I love to count new freckles. Come on.”

Running lightly into the warm Gulf waters, they splashed through foaming waves until they stood waist deep. Through the crystal water, Adrianna’s black-stockinged calves were clearly visible. Looking like a little boy in his striped, short-sleeved suit, he grinned at her mischievously. She let out a relieved breath that she was screened from the view of those on shore.

Spanning her waist with strong hands, Foy lifted her gently as they jumped to ride the gentle swells. Adrianna wished she could stay in Foy’s embrace and never have to walk back up on that beach.

Squeals of laughter came from Mignonne and her group of friends playing nearby, yet Adrianna and Foy felt joyfully alone. When a sudden breaker foamed over her head, Adrianna coughed and spluttered, tasting salt.

Gleefully, Foy pulled her out to deeper water, higher waves. As the roaring surf arched over them, he pulled her close. Cradled in the curve of the wave, they clung, kissing as the whitecap cascaded over them.

Breathlessly exhilarated, they rose and fell with the gentle surf. Adrianna’s bandanna was snatched away by the changing tide. Her long hair floated about her laughing face. Her muscles were tiring, but Adrianna hated to see summoning arms motioning them back to shore.

They paddled back to shallow water. On her stomach, Adrianna walked her hands on the white-sand bottom and let her legs float behind in the foam at the tips of the waves. How could she stand up? The wet stockings stuck to her long legs. She lay limply, dreading the staring eyes of all those she must walk past to reach the steamer. The tide pushed her upward, scraping her stomach on the sand.

Childish shrieks drew haughty faces around. Beau and Win shouted with delight as the incoming tide filled their moat. They screeched with horror as the relentless waves washed away their sand castle.

Adrianna wished she could wash away clear to China. Snatching the moment of distraction, she stood. Her shaking legs were too weak to run. An arm closed around her shoulders and wrapped her in the concealing folds of a ground-sweeping cape. Surprised, she looked down into Mignonne’s eyes.

“I’ll never forget this,” Adrianna whispered. Thankful tears trickled through the salt on her cheeks. Pulling the dark blue hood over her flaming hair, she clutched the flapping cape around her quivering legs. “I’ll love you forever!”

Smiling in silent satisfaction, Mignonne walked across the island with Adrianna and up the gangplank. The girls turned to look back, sorry to end the enchanting day.

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