Bayberry Island Series

moment just thinking about it.  She hadn’t seen Carol in about a month or so and was looking forward to playing with the kids again.  She knew that Mickey would be delighted beyond words.

   She gave Tony another hug as she and Sean started back down the stairs toward the deck.  The sun was just beginning to set below the horizon and the sky looked like it was on fire.  The few wispy clouds that dotted the sky were vibrant pinks and purples.  The sun itself was a perfect circle of deep orange and as it slipped below the water the waves looked as if they were spitting flames across the surface of the bay.  The painting before them took their breath away.  They stood silently watching as the top of the sun disappeared below the horizon.  No words could describe the beauty and majesty of the perfect sunset that God blessed them with that night, or the passion it stirred in Charley’s soul.  Charley was filled with such awe that she didn’t even notice when Sean reached down and took her hand in his and gave it a little squeeze.

   When the last piece of the sun sank down to the west Charley looked down at their intertwined hands and then up into Sean’s eyes and a tear began to fall down her cheek.  Sean reached up with his other hand and wiped the drop of water off her face.  “Charley, what’s wrong?  Did I do something wrong?”  He was so sincere that her heart ached even more than it already did.

   “No, Sean, you didn’t do anything wrong.  Everything seems so perfect right now and I know it can’t last.  It can’t be real and knowing that makes my heart ache.  It almost feels like a gift from God and a dream that is just on the verge of becoming reality, but a reality that will probably never exist.  I just can’t accept what I am feeling right now because of the fear that I will wake up and find it is all just a dream.  I’m sorry, but I have to go.  I will call you later this weekend about your offer of the shop.”  She squeezed his hand, turned and walked away tears streaming down her face.

   “Oh, God, what is going on?  I am not ready for what is happening between Sean and me.  I am so afraid to give into these feelings.  It is too soon for me, but Lord, if it is your will then help me to accept it.  Have you really sent me the man you have chosen for me after all this time?  When I finally give up on trying to find the one, you send him to me.  Is that the way it works, Father?  I give my future to you and you give me my future?  If so, then help me to be ready for it, because right now I am so very afraid,” Charley prayed quietly to her Lord.  She was standing on the far side of the ferry when it finally docked at the island.  She waited until she was sure that Sean was gone before she disembarked and started for home.  She didn’t even go up to tell Tony goodnight.  She wasn’t sure she could face anyone right now.  All she wanted to do was take a long bath, read her Bible and get some much-needed rest.  Tomorrow promised to be a very busy day.

Chapter 11
   Saturday morning turned out to be cloudy and breezy with light showers.