Water Signs: A Story of Love and Renewal
Page 12* * *
It seemed an eternity before the wayward waitress finally came back
to take their order. Maddy listened in amazement as Ken rattled off about
three different entrees, a side of fresh fruit and a rasher of bacon. Was he
really going to eat a ham and cheese omelet, a stack of pancakes, French toast, hash
browns, sausage, bacon and melon? True, he was a big guy, but still! All of this food at
once, at nearly quarter past three?
As if reading her mind, Ken explained, "I wish you could order in
halves so you could try everything."
"Good point," Maddy concurred, smiling. Now that did make sense.
"Don't you want anything?" he asked.
"Uh, no-not hungry. Just coffee for me," Maddy responded,
thinking of her figure.
The two of them shared many laughs in those early morning hours, as
Kenny savored a small portion of each plate and encouraged Maddy to try
some of his choices. She did finally relent, enjoying the sweetness of
maple syrup soaked through perfectly grilled pancakes-a treat she rarely
indulged in.
he stated forthrightly. Maddy was struck by his sincerity as she studied his
face, not fully comprehending that such an attractive man would hold that
opinion of her.
Drawn to her by some powerful, unseen force, Ken leaned in and
kissed her on the cheek as he squeezed her shoulder, breathing in her
intoxicating Trésor perfume as he did so. That this incredible girl saw
herself as anything but mesmerizing was beyond his comprehension. All
he wanted to do was protect her, keep her safe and happy. What a fool
he'd been to seek out her skinny friend first at the club. She didn't hold a
candle to Madeline's beauty-or her sweetness.
As if to shake him out of his reverie, Maddy admonished him again.
"Ken, come on, I don't even know you and we're in a public place. Please,
stop embarrassing me!" She pushed him away once more.
Feisty, too. He definitely liked that in a woman.
* * *
Safely back in the Key Largo lot, Maddy thanked Kenny for a great
evening. Setting formality aside, she opened her door to step out after
"Wait!" He stopped her by grabbing her arm. "Are you going to the
beach tomorrow?"
"Yes, definitely," she replied.
"Well, what time?" he pressed.
"Not sure, depends on when I get myself to church, and since it's
already so late, I doubt I'll wake up in time for early Mass."
"Aw, a nice girl who goes to church," he remarked.
"Don't make fun of me Ken," she cautioned softly.
"Madeline, I am not making fun of you, I'm truly impressed. I just
want to see you again. Will you give me your number?"
She looked at him skeptically, though a wave of excitement coursed
through her body at the thought of meeting him at the beach. When
neither of them could locate a pen or a piece of paper, Maddy told him
she was in the phone book.
"Not that you'll remember my name by tomorrow morning," she
added, still smarting somewhat over the fact that her statuesque friend
had been his first choice, in spite the fun evening they'd just shared.
matter-of-factly. She was not the kind of woman a man easily forgets.
"Well, just in case I'll be at the 19th Street beach sometime in the late
morning or early afternoon. My family is heading down for the day, and
that's where we usually hang out."
"Until then," he whispered, leaning in to place another affectionate
kiss on her cheek.
"Yeah, well like I said, we'll see if you even remember my name when
you wake up," she smiled as she got out.
Ken waited until she'd started the engine, and then motioned for her
to go ahead of him. Finding the red devil rose lying on the passenger seat,
Maddy waved to him while holding it in her grasp, as a not-so-subtle
reminder of how the evening began. He shot her a mixed look of
sheepishness and exasperation as she drove past him, more determined
than ever to find her by the water's edge in just a few short hours.