She nodded. “I wish I could have done more.”
“You did everything you could for Lucette, and you got her and Aline on board the ship. Soon, they’ll be in England with a sea between them and the German Army.”
Her muscles gradually relaxed. The lamp’s flame dimmed and began to flicker.
He slid his hand next to hers. “You’re going to see them again.”
She touched his fingers.
“Leaving France doesn’t mean that you’re giving up your fight.” He squeezed her hand. “I have no doubt that you’ll find a way to serve the Allies while you’re in Britain.”
She nodded.
“When the war is won, you’ll return to Paris and reunite with Colette and Julian, and you’ll resume your dreams of a singing career.” He looked into her eyes. “You’re going to have a long and beautiful life.”
Even in the worst of circumstances, you give me hope and make me feel good about myself. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. “What if I want more?”
“Like what?”
She swallowed. “You.”
He straightened his back.
“I’ve been reluctant to tell you how I feel, because I thought that I needed to choose serving the country over my personal desires.” She drew a deep breath. “I was speaking with Lucette, shortly before she was injured, and she reminded me how important it is to open your heart to the people you care about when you have the chance.”
He gently caressed her hand with his thumb.
Her skin tingled. “I’ve come to realize that there are no guarantees of tomorrow. With the war, I feel like our lives can be taken away in an instant. Even if there might not be a future for us, I don’t want to let another day pass without telling you that you mean the world to me.”
“I feel the same way,” he said. “I can’t imagine my life without you.”
A surge of happiness enveloped her.
He stood and helped her up from her seat. He paused, resting his hand on her arm.
She stepped close and her heartbeat accelerated.
The lamp’s minuscule flame flickered and extinguished, turning the room black.
“I’ll search for more oil,” he said.
“No need.” She found his arm, and then led him toward the mound of fishing nets. She lowered her hand, her fingers lingering against his palm. “I think there’s a sail to use as a blanket,” she whispered.
Jimmie found the sail and slid it over the mound of nets to create a bed. He drew close and touched her hand. Their fingers entwined.
As if by reflex, she leaned into him and felt his cast-covered arm wrap around her back. Her breath quickened. She looked up, sensing—through the darkness—his lips approach her own.
Jimmie gently kissed her. His lips drifted from her parted mouth to her chin, and then rested against her neck.
Ruth’s heart thudded beneath her sternum. “I want to be with you,” she whispered.
He placed a hand to her cheek. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she said, her body molding to his. She relished his kiss, deeper and longer. As their embrace faded, they undressed each other, gliding their fingers to find buttons. Buckles. Zippers. Delicately, she slid his tunic and shirt over his cast. With her lips, she caressed his shoulder, and then placed his hand against her bare chest.
“I will never do anything to hurt you,” he said, his voice falling to a whisper.
“Nor I,” she breathed. Her heart fluttered, like a bird attempting to free itself from a cage.
They slipped onto their makeshift bed, where they fell into an embrace, their hands and lips exploring each other. There were no guarantees for a future together, but she wanted nothing more than to be with him. As their bodies became one, Ruth’s heartbeat soared, and she wished that their time together would never end.
CHAPTER 40
SAINT-NAZAIRE, FRANCE—JUNE 17, 1940
Jimmie, being careful not to wake Ruth, slipped out of the sail-covered bed of fishing nets. Moonlight glowed through the shack’s window, casting shadows over the room. He paused with his eyes drawn to Ruth. Sailcloth, draping over her body, accentuated the curvature of her hip. Her chest rose and fell, synchronized with the tranquil cadence of her breath. An exposed leg extended from the bedding. You’re beautiful.
Ruth stirred and opened her eyes. Appearing a bit shy, she covered her bare leg with the sailcloth. “Hi.”
“Good morning,” he said, stepping to her.
“Do we need to leave?”
“Yes,” he said. “The sun will be rising soon.”
She extended her hand. “I wish we had more time.”
“Me too.” He clasped her fingers, fighting his desire to slide in next to her. “Last night was wonderful.”
