Loving Hearts Read Online Free PDF Page A

Esther, she’d never forgive herself…or Jeff.
     
    Esther slowed her steps, astounded that she had prodded herself to visit the bustling marina. She’d waited two weeks before accepting his invitation. While some boats stood in dry dock for maintenance or repair, others hummed into the slips with well-tuned motors, their sails furled.
    Embarrassed, she stood on the pier and eyed the many boats, wondering which one belonged to Ian. She’d never asked the name—and now she stared at Suzie II, Bright Penny, Just 4 Fun, a multitude of catchy phrases. While she studied the boats to find Ian, her stomach turned cartwheels. Why had she come?
    As she turned away to escape the busy pier, a voice sailed through the breeze.
    “Esther?”
    Pivoting, she scanned the dock again and, seeing him, sent Ian an uneasy wave as he bounded toward her.
    “I’m glad you came,” he said, a shy smile playing on his lips. “I’d nearly given up hope that you’d take me up on my offer.”
    She’d thought the same. Still, seeing his pleased look gave her a warm feeling. “I had the day off and decided it was too lovely to sit inside doing research.”
    “I’m glad,” he said. “Come see what I’ve done…with help. I decided I couldn’t do it alone.” He beckoned her to follow.
    Walking behind him, Esther admired his build. In the library and at the resort, his physique had often been hidden beneath a suit jacket or windbreaker.Today, a T-shirt snuggled against his well-toned chest. His tanned arms rippled with muscles. He seemed like a seaman…as Uncle Jim had looked while raising the sails or fighting a bullying wind.
    The memory squeezed against her heart, but Ian’s enthusiasm drew her forward.
    “Can you climb?” he asked, pointing to the ladder.
    She nodded, glad that she’d worn sneakers and a pair of jeans. He waited behind her as she moved up the ladder, and at the top he hovered nearby to give her a boost onto the boat deck, then followed.
    “What’s her name?” Esther asked, straightening her back and eyeing the freshly polished hull.
    Ian ran his hand along the railing feeling the smooth, polished wood. “She’s called Lady Day, ” he said, “but captains always want to rename their boat. I’ll give her a new name when I christen her.”
    She nodded and looked toward the horizon, drawing in a breath of air drifting up from the river and the connecting lake. Ian stood so near she caught the fragrance of his sun-warmed skin and the faint scent of spicy citrus.
    “What do you think? Good progress, huh?”
    She had no idea what work went into refurbishing a sailboat, but she recalled her uncle’s sloop and thought the cutter looked in good shape. “It looks great. What’s left to do?”
    “Install the mast, repair the mainsail and finish the painting. Another week and it’ll be finished. That gives me more than a week to sail her and see how she does.”
    The thought set her on edge, but she hid her discomfort. “I’m sure it’ll be great.”
    “How about coming along? I’ll have her out a couple days first. We could take her out a week from Saturday. What do you say?”
    She lowered her eyes, wishing with all her heart she could say yes. She remembered the wonderful feeling of being out on the water, the wind in her hair, the sun warming her skin. “You know how I feel, Ian. Anyway, my sister’s birthday party is that day.”
    “Oh,” he said, with disappointment echoing in his voice.
    “I’m sorry, Ian.” To her surprise, Esther meant it.
    Perspiration rolled down his face, and he pulled off his spectacles and wiped moisture from the bridge of his nose with his handkerchief.
    Esther fixed her gaze on his handsome face, usually hidden behind the heavy glasses. His sculpted nose looked unburdened and the deep blue of his eyes shone with more brilliance.
    He grinned, and two dimples winked at her before he slid the glasses back on. “One day I’m getting contacts. I hate these