Page 28 of Earl of Excess
“It was something that my papa told me. He compared swimming to walking and thought that once you learned things like this, your body remembered it.”
“Your papa was a smart man.” His voice sounded reflective. “I would have like to have met him.”
“He was the greatest of men. I miss him immensely. It amazes me how well Grandmère does without him. She is a very kind person, yet strong and perceptive.” She smiled at the thought of seeing her Grandmère, realizing how much she had missed her presence. “I am grateful for all she has taught me.”
The small stream was much more scenic than the main canal had been. Cypress trees leaned over the water and lined the edges, and with tall cattails and other marsh-like plants, they dominated the landscape. The brackish water looked dark, but you could see it was deep enough for the boat to pass easily through. She leaned over and gazed at the fish darting between the small plants under the water.
“Have you ever had crabmeat?” she asked.
“I believe I have, but it has been a long time. My parents would occasionally have seafood dinners.”
“Grandmère and Aunt Theodosia love to cook things like trout and crab boils. I will ask them if we can have something like that,” she offered, finding herself salivating at the thought of eating more of the salted meats of late. “I wrapped up a small basket of herbs that I had gathered from the Villeré Plantation that morning and brought them for my aunt. I am sure she will make use of them in some special dishes. She loves to cook.”
“You said your aunt is blind. I have discerned that there must be many degrees of being blind, having gone from darkness to this... this shadowed sight that I have now.”
“I cannot shake the feeling... the hope... that yours is related to the battle. However, I do not know how to change it. I continue to pray that it gets better,” Bethany explained.
“I do too,” he acknowledged. “However, I am not allowing myself to dwell on it if I can help it.”
“Matthew, your positivity is contagious,” she said. “I do not know many people that would not be wallowing in misery much more than you allow yourself to do,” she added. “I believe I would feel quite lost and miserable.”
You are someone I wish could be with me all my life.
“I feel sorry for myself. I try to give myself limits, having seen a much darker outcome for so many others. So many of my friends and comrades met a much harsher fate. They lost limbs and much more.” His tone was somber.
He was probably thinking of his batman, Bart, she thought. They must have been very close. “I think we are close to the colony,” she said, purposely changing the subject.
“I thought we must be. You said we were two-to-three miles from the colony when we turned.”
“Yes. We have another bend up here and the place we will dock the boat should come into view.”
They were quiet for a few minutes.
“Bethany, I have tried to say something for a while, now. I still feel that I owe you an explanation for our conversation last evening.” He put down his paddle and carefully found his way over to where she was sitting. Sitting down on the seat across from her, he reached over and touched her face. Then he lifted his other hand so that he gently held her face between both of his hands. “I have feelings I cannot explain. I have never known any woman like you and have never felt this way.”
Matthew leaned toward her and kissed her softly, before pulling her closer and kissing more intensely. She loved his kisses—craved them. She pulled in her paddle and allowed herself to meld with his kiss, feeling her body warm beneath his touch. His kisses were like nothing she had ever imagined. As a girl, she wondered about what a kiss felt like. Now her mind screamed it was glad she had waited to find out...waited for him. She decided that she would live in the minute... and enjoy every second with him.
I will not waste my time with him wondering about life after he goes. It tarnishes the time I have with him, she determined.
She took her tongue and met his, boldly swirling it against his teeth, their breath mingled as she curled her arms about his head, with her fingers swirling the curling hair at the nape of his neck. Remembering where they were, she gently pushed them apart.
“We might be seen by someone once we turn on the bend,” she said in a whisper, more to herself than to him. “I could lose my mind in those kisses,” she quipped.
“Yes... I tend to lose my head with you,” he returned.
I am losing my heart to this man, she realized.
“There will be a bend in a few minutes. We will turn, and then, we will put in at a small dock that is off to the right. I will put some brush over the boat, once we get our things out.” She wondered about the sword and the guns. “I think we should bring the guns and sword with us—in case the boat gets stolen. I hate to always say that, but it happens, as you now must realize.”
He sniggered. “I guess it is a commodity around here. I see that, now.”
“I had forgotten the food I brought as a light meal. I packed a canteen of water and some bread and cheese.”
“I think we almost became a meal!” he joked. “I would like some water. And I would bet Dandie would enjoy some.”
A small yip at the mention of her name got them both laughing. It was nice that they could laugh about everything. She still felt terrified when she remembered the face of that gator. And hated that she had to kill it. It was a waste—and he was only doing what he needed to survive. She just was not giving up her dog to his belly.
The cypress trees seemed to push further into the right side of the stream, signaling that the turn was upon them. “Matthew, if you will pull up your paddle, I will guide us into the turn,” she offered. He had not stopped helping her paddle, which had made it easier. It would be wonderful to see her aunt and her grandmother.
