To Love and Cherish Read Free Page A

island, always eager for new adventure. She’d learned the history of the island, the animals and plants, the birds and sea creatures—and she’d loved each moment.
    During her first winter on the island, Evan had described the ebbs and tides of the ocean, never making her feel foolish for her many questions. On other visits, he’d told her stories of the pirates and Civil War soldiers who had rowed into the narrow inlets under cover of night, using the island to hide their booty or deliver supplies to Confederate soldiers. He was a wondrous storyteller, and she’d listened to him for hours, enjoying each exciting tale. Other days, the two of them had walked barefoot in the sand and laughed when the lapping ocean licked at their feet.
    â€œWait here.” Evan ran toward the water’s edge, leaned down, and picked up a shell. He returned and reached for her hand. He placed the shell in her palm. “Your favorite, an angel-wing shell.” He grinned at her. “I think it’s one of the biggest we’ve found.”
    Melinda nodded, unable to push out a thank-you, the shell a reminder of their many explorations. She rubbed her finger across one of the sharply beaded ribs. The simple act flooded her mind with unbidden memories that had provided endless fun and, for her, so many new experiences.
    Evan had shown Melinda the beauty of the marshlands as the sun shimmered across the wet grasses, and when he learned she’d never caught a fish, he taught her—and how to bait a hook, as well. With dogged determination, he’d taught her to paddle a canoe. A smile tugged at her lips as she recalled nearly tipping the canoe on more than one occasion. There were times when she believed he knew her thoughts before she spoke them and that she knew his.
    But that wasn’t true today. Today she didn’t think he knew her at all.
    Evan grasped her shoulders and turned her until they were face-to-face. His dark eyebrows were almost meeting over his eyes as he stared at her. “I understand you don’t want to leave—especially since you were to remain another two weeks. But arguing during the little time we have left makes no sense, does it?”
    â€œI don’t want to argue, either, but this isn’t just about staying another two weeks.”
    Evan stared at her as though she’d spoken to him in a foreign language. “If it isn’t about leaving early, then what is it about?”
    â€œIt’s about remaining here on the island—forever. About never leaving.”
    He tipped his head back and shrugged. “Well, no one stays on this island forever. You know that. This is a place where the wealthy come to hide away from the world. Problem is . . . you can’t hide forever.”
    Her frustration mounted to new heights. He was being so practical, and while that was a quality of his she loved, right now she wanted to scream. Maybe she needed to speak in short, concise sentences until it became crystal clear.
    â€œPlease listen to me, Evan.” She looked deep into his eyes. “I do not want to return to Cleveland—not now, not ever. I want to live the remainder of my life here on Bridal Veil Island.”
    He tipped his head to the side. “Stay here? What would you do?”
    I could be your wife! Oh, how she wanted to say those words to him. Instead, she did her best to remain calm. “I could get a job. Maybe at the clubhouse. Don’t they need someone to—”
    He shook his head. “It’s closed up once all the guests return home. Any jobs here on the island during the summer months are filled—by men.”
    â€œBut Emma is here year-round.” Emma and Garrison O’Sullivan had been living on the island year-round from the time Garrison had been hired to oversee care of the horses and livestock.
    â€œYou’re right, but there are days when I know she’d rather be anywhere but on this