She was different tonight, somehow. Softer. Kinder. More comfortable in her own skin. Maybe the two weeks away from him and her continued counseling had helped her relax a little. Not that any amount of counseling could ever undo the trauma of her life. But it could at least teach her to cope.
And to believe she had purpose beyond what her evil father had planned for her.
As they reached the boat dock, Jack saw two middle-aged guys running toward them. They weren’t targeting Jack and Eliza but they were aggressive all the same. Jack put his arm around her slim shoulders and moved her out of the path of the men. He turned to her. “Sorry. They would’ve run right over you.”
“Thanks.” She took a quick breath. “I’m not used to being around so many people.”
“Here.” Jack took her hand. This isn’t crossing lines, he told himself. He was only helping her navigate the walk way. He grinned at her. “Where we’re going, there won’t be crowds.”
He led her down a few stairs to a ticket booth and minutes later he was helping her onto a pink flat-bottomed boat. Jack walked with her to a spot near the back. The name “Luke” was on the Reserved sign.
“Really?” Eliza’s happiness was genuine. “For me?” As if she were any other twenty-year-old. Like she hadn’t spent half her life in captivity.
She wore a white and yellow ribbon in her hair, and as she took her seat, her smile remained. “I’ve never done anything like this.”
That was true. Growing up captive in the Palace, Eliza hadn’t taken part in most normal activities. But Jack didn’t mention that. “It looks like Venice. In Italy.” He glanced behind them and ahead. “Don’t you think?”
A soft laugh came from her. “I’ve read about Venice. But… I haven’t been there.”
“Yeah, I guess not.” They had so little in common in some ways. And so much, all at the same time. “Well, now you know a little of what Venice looks like.”
Sitting across from her, Jack could almost believe this was their first date. Almost.
When the cruise was under way and they were meandering down the narrow river, Jack took a deep breath. There was no easy way to begin. “Eliza… I’m sorry.” He kept his hands on his knees beneath the table. So he wouldn’t be tempted to take hold of hers again. The last thing he wanted was to confuse her… or himself. “I brought you here so I could apologize.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.” Her anger was gone. That was the difference. The change only made her more beautiful.
“Yes, I did. I wasn’t honest with you.” He leaned closer. This conversation was for just the two of them. “You thought I didn’t like pretending to be your husband, is that right?”
“Yes.” She looked down for a moment. “That was obvious.”
“Okay… so that’s why I’m sorry. Because that wasn’t it at all.” He ran his fingers through his hair. There was no easy way to get to the point. “Eliza… you won’t believe this.” He chuckled. “I think I met an angel.” He shook his head. “Anyway, I’ve been talking to God. For real. I really believe He wanted me to meet with you.”
“You talked to God?” She narrowed her eyes. “You said you weren’t sure you even believed. Because of… what happened.”
“Right. That was before. But these last few weeks I realized… whenever I needed Him, I was still praying. Still asking for His help.” He paused. “So I asked Him again and this guy… this stranger showed up. I can tell you more later, but when he left, I asked God about you.”
“Me?” She looked to the deepest part of him. “Why?”
“Because I’d hurt you. I knew it.” Jack had to make her understand. He chose his words with great care. “But now I know why I hurt you.”
This time she didn’t respond, but her eyes never left his.
Nothing could’ve stopped him from taking her hands now, not with what he was about to tell her. He reached out and gently eased his fingers between hers. Friends could do this, right? If not, they could sort out the confusion later. For now there was only the river, the San Antonio September sky, and the two of them.
He ran his thumbs over her soft hands. “Eliza, it wasn’t that I didn’t like pretending to be your husband.” He let himself get lost in her eyes. “It was that I couldn’t make myself pretend not to be.”