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brow. “Huh?”
    â€œThis is our last dinner on the cruise. We’ve had such a good time that I hate to see it end. But I am looking forward to spending the evening with you.”
    â€œBaby, don’t ruin tonight by getting sad and sentimental on me. Let’s just focus on having a good time.But you’d better hurry.” He pointed to the clock again, and she stepped back into the bathroom, resuming her preparations.
    A couple of hours later, Rainy enjoyed the smooth creamy taste of the baked Alaska for dessert. Winston pried her fork from her fingers, feeding her the last bite of the succulent treat. Bittersweet nostalgia swept through her as she finished her last dinner on the cruise ship.
    Â 
    She sluggishly awakened as her alarm clock sounded early the next morning. Fat drops of rain splattered against her window as she exited the warm cocoon of blankets. An hour later she was refreshed and her bags were packed. She yanked the desk drawer open and removed Winston’s birthday card. She caressed the ornate blue envelope. She clutched his card as she moved through the passageways. Minutes later, she took a deep breath and knocked on his door.
    â€œRainy!” He regarded her with curiosity as she stepped into his room. As she touched his elbow, his hazel eyes bore into her hers, relaying the pain and sorrow he suffered. “It’s seven o’clock, so we should be docking soon.”
    â€œYeah, I know.” His leather bags, swollen with belongings, were packed and sitting beside the door. The familiar scent of his clean woodsy cologne dominated the small cabin. Black jeans stretched over his lean hips and his large feet were covered with pecan-brown sandals. Touching his muscular bicep, she swallowed and pulled the card from her purse.
    â€œAre you okay?” she asked.
    He shrugged. “About as well as can be expected.”
    She pressed the card into his hand. “Happy birthday, Winston.”
    â€œOh, you didn’t have to do this.” Warmth and tenderness flowed through his voice.
    â€œI purchased it while we were in Cozumel. I didn’t know about Pam then. I didn’t even know if giving you a birthday card would be appropriate in light of what you revealed to me. But I thought I’d take my chances and give it to you anyway.”
    He grinned as he opened the card and read it. “Thank you. I like it a lot.”
    â€œI’m glad I made the right decision. Are you sure you’re fine today?” she asked again.
    â€œI’m doing much better since you came to see me.”
    The bed creaked beneath their weight as they sat upon the blue comforter. He gave her a warm smile as he playfully tickled her stomach. Giggling, she sat in an upright position. He suddenly hugged her so tight, she wondered if he’d ever let go. “I don’t think anybody has ever hugged me so hard.”
    â€œWell, hopefully I’ll be hugging you a lot. I really like holding you, Lorraine Jackson.” He held her chin between his index finger and thumb as his lips lightly touched her forehead.
    He dropped his arms and opened the desk drawer. He pulled out a pad of paper and a pen. “Let’s exchange personal information.”
    â€œOkay.” Still swooning from his friendly kiss, shewondered if she could write her information. She managed to place her phone number, home and e-mail addresses on the pad and he wrote his information on a fresh sheet of paper. “There’s something else I wanted to ask you about.”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œWell, I don’t expect you to say yes since we just got back home today and everything—”
    He sighed and gave her a huge grin. “Stop beating around the bush and ask me.”
    â€œOkay. If you have time, could you come to church with me today? They have an evening service at six.”
    â€œRainy, I’d love to go to church with you this evening.” She wrote down the