"How's your daddy doing?" she asked. Noahtook a couple of steps before answering.
"He passed on earlier this year, right after I got back."
"I'm sorry," she said softly, knowing how much he had meant to Noah.
He nodded, and the two walked in silence for a moment.
They reached the top of the hill and stopped. The oak tree was in the distance, withthe sun glowing orange behind it. Allie could feel his eyes on her as she stared in thatdirection.'
"A lot of memories there, Allie."
She smiled. "I know. I saw it when I came in. Do you remember the day we spentthere?"
"Yes," he answered, volunteering no more. "Do you ever think about it?"
"Sometimes," he said. "Usually when I'm working out this way. It sits on my propertynow." "You bought it?"
"I just couldn't bear to see it turned into kitchen cabinets."
She laughed under her breath, feeling strangely pleased about that. "Do you still readpoetry ?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I never stopped. I guess it's in my blood."
"Do you know, you're the only poet I've ever met."
"I'm no poet. I read, but I can't write a verse. I've tried."
"You're still a poet, Noah Taylor Calhoun." Her voice softened. "I still think aboutit a lot. It was the first time anyone ever read poetry to me before. In fact, it'sthe only time."
Her comment made both of them drift back and remember as they slowly circled backto the house, following a new path that passed near the dock. As the sun dropped alittle lower and the sky turned orange, he asked:
"So, how long are you staying?"
"I don't know. Not long. Maybe until tomorrow or the next day."
"Is your fiancé here on business?"
She shook her head. "No, he's still in Raleigh."
Noah raised his eyebrows. "Does he know you're here?" Sheshook her head again and answered slowly.
"No. I told him I was looking for antiques. He wouldn't understand my coming here."
Noah was a little surprised by her answer. It was one thing to come and visit, but itwas an entirely different matter to hide the truth from her fiancé.
"You didn't have to come here to tell me you were engaged. You could have writtenme instead, or even called."
"I know. But for some reason, I had to do it in person."
"Why?"
She hesitated. "I don't know . . . ," she said, trailing off, and the way she said itmade him believe her. The gravel crunched beneath their feet as they walked insilence for a few steps.
Then he asked: "Allie, do you love him?"
She answered automatically. "Yes, I love him."
The words hurt. But again, he thought he heard something in her tone, as if she weresaying it to convince herself. He stopped and gently took her shoulders in his hands,making her face him. The fading sunlight reflected in her eyes as he spoke. "If you'rehappy, Allie, and you love him, I won't try to stop you from going back to him. But ifthere's a part of you that isn't sure, then don't do it. This isn'tthe kind of thing you go into halfway. "Her
answer came almost too quickly.
"I'm making the right decision, Noah.”
He stared for a second, wondering if he believed her. Then he nodded and the twobegan to walk again. After a moment he said:
"I'm not making this easy for you, am I?"
She smiled a little. "It's okay. I really can't blame you."
"I'm sorry anyway."
"Don't be. There's no reason to be sorry. I'm the one who should be apologizing.
Maybe I should have written."
He shook his head. "To be honest, I'm still glad you came. Despite everything. It'sgood to see you again."
"Thank you, Noah."
