Page 79 of Summer Weddings
“I’ll walk you home,” John said.
She waited until they were outside before she thanked him.Although they were only halfway through September, there was a decided coolness, and the hint of snow hung in the air. Bethany was glad she’d worn her coat.
“Thank you, John, for a lovely evening.”
The pilot buried his hands in his jacket pockets. “I’m sorry about the coffee.”
“You didn’t do it on purpose.”
“What about your skirt?”
“Don’t worry—I’m sure it’ll wash out.”
“You didn’t get burned?”
She’d assured him she hadn’t at least a dozen times. “I’m fine, John, really.”
“I want you to know I’m not normally this clumsy.”
“I’m sure that’s true.”
“It’s just that it isn’t often a woman as beautiful as you agrees to have dinner with me.”
There was something touching about this pilot, something endearing. “What a sweet thing to say. Thank you.”
“Women like to hear that kind of stuff, don’t they?” John asked. “About being pretty and all.”
Bethany hesitated, wondering where the conversation was heading. “I think it’s safe to say we do.”
It was difficult to keep from smiling. With someone else, she might have been irritated or worse. But not with John. Besides, the evening was so beautiful. The sky danced with a brilliant display of stars, and the northern lights seemed to sizzle just over the horizon. Bethany couldn’t stop gazing up at the heavens.
“Is it always this beautiful here?”
“Yup,” John said without hesitation. “But then they say that beauty’s in the eye of the beholder.”
“That’s true.” Bethany shrugged, a little puzzled.
“It won’t be long now before the rivers freeze,” he explained soberly.
“So soon?”
“Yup. We’re likely to have snow anytime.”
Bethany could hardly believe it. “Really?”
“This is the Arctic, Bethany.”
“But it seems as if I just got here. It’s still summer at home.”
“Maybe in California, but not here.” He looked worried. “You aren’t going to leave, are you?”
“No. I signed a contract for this school year. Don’t worry, I’m not going to break my commitment because of a little snow and ice.”
They strolled past the school, and she glanced at the building with a sense of pride. She already loved her job and her students.
Soon her house was in sight. Bethany was deciding how to handle the awkwardness that might develop when they reached her front door. She didn’t plan to invite John in.
“Thank you,” Bethany said again when at last they stood on the stoop.
