Among the Missing Read Free Page B

saving my energy for the canoe," he called.
    She turned her head and grimaced at him. "I know! Let's forget about the canoe. Why don't we just leave it up at the car? We can swim in the river, instead. Lie in the sand, soak up the sun, have our picnic right here on the beach."
    "Where's the fun in that?"
    "Oh, we might think of something."
    "You stay if you want. I'm taking the canoe down to the lake."
    "And leave me here without you?"
    "You've done other things without me."
    The fun seemed to drain from her. "For God's sake, Bass. I know what I did. I told you I'm sorry. What do I have to do?"
    "I don't know."
    "God, why did you have to bring that up?"
    "I'm sorry. Forget it." He set down the basket and cooler beside the trail and went to her. He took the towels and sun block from her hands and let them fall to the ground.
    Faye threw herself against him. She clutched him tightly, pressing her face to his chest. "I'm sorry." She was crying. "I'm so damn sorry."
    "It's okay." He gently stroked her back.
    "I wish to God it'd never happened."
    "It's okay."
    "I love you, Bass."
    "I know. I love you, too."
    "I was so stupid. I only did it . . ."
    "Hey, hey. It's all right."
    "If you want your ring back . . . ?"
    "I don't. Of course I don't. Come on, now. We've been through all this. Everything's fine."
    She nodded, her face wet against his shoulder.
    "And we'll still get married," he said. "If you still want to."
    She sniffed. "Of course I do. Of course. I want to marry you so badly."
    "Now let's get down to the river while we've still got some Saturday left."
    She turned her face up to him. It was red and wet. Her nose was running. She wiped it dry and Bass kissed her. Then he gave her a gentle swat through the seat of her bikini pants. She flinched a little and laughed.
    "Let's go," he said.
    She gave him a hard squeeze, then let go. While Bass hurried up the trail, she picked up her things. Then she waited for him. As he walked quickly toward her, the basket and cooler swinging by his sides, she used one of the towels to wipe the tears from her face.
    "Go," he said, bearing down on her.
    With a laugh, she whirled around and scampered on ahead of him.
    And suddenly stopped at the foot of the trail.
    Bass, about to run her down, dodged to the right and halted beside her. "Look," she said, and ducked her head slightly.
    Bass turned his eyes toward the river.
    With trees no longer in the way, he saw two people lying in the sand near the water's edge.
    "What are they doing?" Faye whispered.
    "Sleeping."
    "She's naked."
    "Sure looks that way," Bass whispered.
    "What'll we do?"
    "Take a closer look?"
    Faye's eyes, playful again but still red from the recent tears, gave him a mocking scold.
    "Pretend they're not here?" Bass suggested.
    "They're bound to wake up. I mean, we still have to bring the canoe down, and everything."
    "So?" Bass said.
    "She's naked. I don't want them to wake up and find us here. Anyway, we don't even know what kind of people they might be."
    "Well, I know one thing. We're not going to let them mess up our canoe trip. We'll just go on with our plans as if they aren't even here."
    "But they are here."
    "We've got as much right to be on this beach as they do."
    "But she's naked."
    "Probably just working on an even tan."
    "Let's go back, honey. Please?"
    "No. Look, don't worry about it. If we disturb them, too bad. Let them call the cops."
    Faye made a nervous laugh and quickly pressed a towel to her lips. Lowering the towel, she whispered, "We do have friends on the force, don't we?"
    "Sure do."
    "Man, would these two be in for a surprise."
    "Anyway, nobody's going to call the cops. We'll just mind our own business and let them mind theirs."
    Lips pressed together, Faye nodded briskly.
    "Come on," Bass said.
    He started walking forward, Faye close to his side. The motionless couple was still a fair distance away. The man wore blue jeans, but no shirt. He looked slender and fit. His feet were bare. Curled on his