A moment for you
When a beach trip stirs memories of a past love, Katherine is certain she’ll never feel it again…until someone from her past rekindles hope in her heart
Katherine walked across the sand, her eyes trained on the shells that the early morning tide had washed onto the beach. She had beautiful memories of this place…and the dear friend who had consoled her after her parents’ divorce.
This was her first time back since she was 14 years old, yet she’d never forgotten his words: “Friends forever, Kathy. I’ll never forget you. We’ll come back some day— same time, same place. I promise.”
Where was he now? Did he remember her? Such a broad span of time…the same place? What were the odds?
She was glad to have this morning to herself. She dug her toes into the damp sand— a comforting feeling from the past.
Her life hadn’t been what she’d expected. No fun-in-the-sun laughter or the children she’d hoped for. And now, as a widow, she felt more alone than ever.
The wind whipped her shoulder-length hair. She didn’t care. She felt free. For the first time in a long time, she admitted.
Suddenly, laughter invaded her introspection. Squinting in the direction it came from, Katherine saw a swimsuited family roughhousing in the surf.
“Let’s set up the volleyball net first, Dad!” one called. “Then we’ll dig for sand crabs.”
“As always, three against two,” their dad teased. “That’s hardly fair considering how bad I am at volleyball!”
What a beautiful family, Kathy mused, suddenly self-conscious.
“Dad, look! There’s your third!” a voice said. “Get her before she gets away.” Who? she wondered as two girls and two boys raced toward her. “Lady, want to play volleyball with us?” A boy in the red trunks asked. “Doesn’t matter if you know how,” his twin grinned. Their dad jogged up. “Hey, c’mon gang, you’re scaring her.” He stuck out his hand. “Sorry if they startled you. This is Lucy, Kacy, Matt and Flynn. And I’m Trace Mccallen.” Her breath caught as she took in her friend from all those years ago, the same teasing brown eyes, winking dimples on
“Her breath caught as she took in her friend from years ago”
each side of his lips. At age 15 he was cute, but at 40, he was a knock-out. Please God, don’t let this be a dream. She took his hand, just the way she had 25 years ago when they’d said goodbye, a tingling warmth spreading through her as their eyes met. “I’m Katherine. Katherine Long.” Would he remember? “Katherine,” he repeated softly. He gave her hand a squeeze: a small gesture that almost took her breath away.
“This is my favorite beach!” Kacy chimed. “I’ve never seen you here before.”
Katherine laughed. “My first time since I was a teen. I’m just here for the week.”
Trace motioned toward their supplies, never taking his eyes off her.
“Join us. We have enough food to even feed your family if they join you.”
He was fishing for information. She liked that. “No family,” she answered.
His eyes widened. Softened. “Then you’re officially one of us for the week.”
They talked as the kids put up the volleyball net. “They seem great,” Katherine smiled. “They are…but tell me about you. You never came back in all these years?
“Not until today,” she sighed. “And you?” She loved how the wind kicked up his thick hair as he smiled. “Every summer until I got married.” She shook her head. Of course, he was married. Why wouldn’t he be?
Silence filling the space between them, they turned to look at his children.
“I’ve always heard that youth is wasted on the young,” he mused as they laughed.
“That’s for people who try to hang on to their youth.” “You don’t?” he asked. “Only the good memories…and the promises.”
His eyes locked with hers, and Kathy felt herself flush. “I came every summer, Kathy. After my wife, Karen, died, I bought the summer place. I knew you’d come back one day—if you remembered.” “I wasn’t sure…” she paused. “That you wanted to?” he prodded. “That you’ d remember.” He held out his hand. “We were kids, but I fell in love with you the moment I met you, Kathy. You were free, fearless.” “Because of you.” She took his hand and delighted in the warmth of it, the perfect fit. Same time, same place had finally arrived.