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He could see tears welling in her eyes as she lost herself in the remembrance, and the sight sickened him. He reached over and gave her a hard backhand slap across the face.
    Her eyes jerked wide, and her whole body tensed from the sharp blow. It was as if she was struck by a bullet. “Why did you strike me?” she gasped.
    â€œBecause you needed it, needed it badly,” he snapped. “That torch you carry around is as worn out as an overcoat. I’m surprised someone hasn’t taken you over a knee and spanked it off. So your husband was dashing. So what? He’s dead and buried, and mourning over him for all these years won’t resurrect him from the grave. Lock away his memory somewhere and forget him. You’re a beautiful woman—you don’t belong chained to a coffin full of bones. You belong to every man who turns and admires you as you pass by and who longs to possess you.” Pitt could see his words were penetrating her weak defenses. “Now you think about it. It’s your life. Don’t throw it away and play ‘Camille’ until you’re withered and gray.”
    Her face was distraught in the morning sun, and her breath came in sobs. Pitt let her cry for a long time. When she finally raised her head and turned it toward him, he could see that her cheeks were streaked with tears, mixed with tiny grains of sand, clinging to the wetness. She looked up at him, and he caught the gleam in her eyes. They were soft and scared-looking, like a little girl’s. He lifted her in his arms and kissed her. Her lips were warm and moist.
    â€œWhen was the last time you had a man?” he whispered.
    â€œNot since…” Her voice trailed away.
    Pitt took her as the long shadows of the rocks crept upward over the beach, shielding their bodies from the sun. A flight of sandpipers circled overhead and descended upon the damp sand at the water’s edge. They scurried back and forth, playing tag with the surf. Every so often one of the birds would cast a beady eye at the two lovers in the shade, staring for a fleeting instant before returning to the chore of stabbing its long, curved beak in the sand for food. The shadows shortened as the sun rose higher in the sky. A fishing boat chugged by a hundred yards from the end of the rocks. The fishermen, dropping their nets in the water, were too busy to notice anything unusual on the shore. At last Pitt drew back and gazed down at Teri’s serene and smiling face.
    â€œI don’t know whether to ask for your thanks or your forgiveness,” he said softly.
    â€œPlease accept them both along with my blessing,” she murmured.
    He kissed her lightly on the eyes. “See what you’ve been missing all these years,” he said, grinning.
    â€œI agree. You’ve certainly shown me a wonderful antidote for my depression.”
    â€œI always prescribe seduction. It’s guaranteed to cure any and all rare maladies and common ailments.”
    â€œAnd what is your fee, Doctor?” she said, accompanied with a feminine giggle.
    â€œConsider it paid in full.”
    â€œYou’re not going to get off that easily. I must insist you come to my uncle’s house for dinner tonight.”
    â€œI shall consider it an honor,” he said. “What time and how do I get there?”
    â€œI’ll have my uncle’s driver pick you up at the entrance to Brady Field at six o’clock.”
    Pitt’s eyebrows raised. “What makes you think I’m stationed at Brady Field?”
    â€œYou’re obviously an American and that’s where all the Americans on the island are.” Teri grasped his hand and pressed it to her face. “Tell me about yourself. What type of job do you perform in your Air Force? Do you fly? Are you an officer?”
    Pitt did his best to look serious. “I’m the base garbage collector.”
    Her eyes opened wide in surprise. “Are you really?