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looked too close at them. Being near him in the hot tub had made her feel too shy to do more than glance at his tattoos.
    "What do they stand for? I saw the parachute but couldn't see the one on your left."
    "On my left is the Marine Corps eagle, globe, and anchor, and my other one is for recon with the parachute and scuba diver."
    "So you know what it is to be shot at."
    "Yes."
    She looked down at her cup. "For a long time after my husband was shot I had terrible nightmares. Like I was seeing it happening again right in front of me and then I'd wake in a sweat."
    She'd shared herself with him again so easily as if she'd known him forever. What would he think of her?
    "That's normal." Nick nodded.
    He actually understood .
    On a level no one else did. Unlike her friends, he didn't say get over it or treat her with pity. Instead, he acted normal. And that felt really good.
    "Normal."
    "Yes."
    He was the first person she'd met who'd heard her story and treated it matter-of-factly without the usual poor Kara attitude. She wanted to move on with her life, but how could she when everywhere she went everyone treated her like poor Kara? Viv was the worst.
    Normal. Amazing how a simple ordinary word could feel so good.
    Nate patiently waited for her to speak. Something else she wasn't used to.
    "I try to remember the good parts of our trip more than what happened after."
    "I understand. Is this your first trip since Washington?"
    "Yes."
    "Well, I hope you have fun. It sounds like you're overdue."
    "Yes, I guess I am." She smiled. "I'm looking forward to the private island."
    "What are you planning to do there?"
    "Oh, just lounge on the beach with a book."
    "Have you ever been snorkeling?"
    "No."
    "I'd be happy to teach you."
    "Oh, I don't know." She hesitated. "I only recently learned how to swim."
    "You'll be fine, sweetheart. You'll wear an inflatable vest, and I'll make sure nothing happens to you."
    "Well, maybe. But I'm not a very good swimmer."
    "You don't have to be. You just float and hold my hand."
    "Oh. Okay, I can do that."
    "Good." He smiled. "You're going to love it. All the brightly colored fish and the coral. It's a beautiful world down there. I'm looking forward to showing it to you."
    Kara listened as Nate described places he'd gone snorkeling and scuba diving. He'd traveled all over the world.
    His confidence and physical strength comforted her. Perhaps that was why she didn't hesitate to share private things with him. He seemed like a long lost friend. Familiar and safe.
    Time seemed to stop when he was near, as if they were in a dream on some other plain. One where she belonged. Where she was destined to be.
    This isn't logical. This is real life, not a dream.
    She pushed her thoughts away and finished her drink.
    After she finished, Nate slipped his fingers beneath hers. "I've enjoyed getting to know you better, Kara." His thumbs rubbed the back of her hands. "Thank you for sharing what was troubling you tonight."
    Kara blushed.
    His gaze held such warmth and tenderness she felt lost within it. Lost and yet found.
    "Walk you to your cabin?"
    "I'd like that."
    "Good."
    On the way, they examined the art covering the walls throughout the ship. He knew something of art and though she knew little, he told her she had a good eye.
    "I always wanted to paint or draw," Kara said.
    "What stopped you?"
    "Oh, I don't know."
    She'd put away her scribbling when she married Neil to focus on their marriage. Neil wasn't much into artsy things and never understood her "doodles," as he called them.
    Maybe she'd take a class when she got back home. Just for fun. Maybe sketch a thing or two. It had been years since she'd thought of doing that.
    Somehow she didn't think Nate would find it silly. Still she said nothing of what she was thinking.
    They started down the hall toward her stateroom. Something sat outside her door.
    "Oh, look," she said. "That could be my luggage."
    "I'll bet it is."
    They stopped outside the cabin door, and