Saving Forever - Part 2 by Lexy Timms

at a small table outside by the barbeque overlooking the freshly cut lawn and water. They barely talked. Charity figured it was because they were both tired from the long trip. When Elijah went to pour her a second glass of wine, she declined.
    “Sorry,” she said, yawning. “I’m wiped and in about a minute I’m going to need toothpicks to keep my eyelids open. Do you care if I head upstairs for a nap?”
    Elijah shook his head and poured more red wine into his goblet. “I’m going to walk over to Albert and Mia’s.”
    She tried to stifle back another yawn but it managed to escape. She covered it with her hand and then stared out across the water. The rolling waves and their calming, continuous sound tempted her to close her eyes. The warmth of the early evening sun seemed to be in on the temptation as well. She blinked a number of times and focused on Elijah. He seemed amused by her. “It’s good to see your smile.” 
    “It might be the last time you see it for the next few days till we’re back on the plane.” He took a long drink of his wine.
    She didn’t have the energy to argue. She decided to cover the basics. “Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine.” He stared out across the water watching dolphins jump and swim.
    Charity had the gut feeling again that coming had been a mistake. How could they have gone from such easy company to completely uncomfortable? Simply because of a five minute conversation with his mother? “Is there anything you need me to do?”
    “No. Go get some rest. Text me when you wake up and I’ll come back to the house.”
    “Okay.” She stacked their plates together and began clearing the table.
    “Just leave it. I’ll do it when I finish my wine.” He poured the rest of the bottle in his glass. 
    Charity stood and was slightly disappointed when Elijah remained seated. She walked behind his chair, letting her hand trail across his shoulders as she passed. He didn’t say anything and neither did she.
    The house was quiet except for the sound of nature coming in through the open windows. Nearly winter in New York and summer here. She made her way up the spiral staircase and down the long hall to her room. She’d changed into a long skirt and tank top after her shower and slid her skirt off to hang over the back of one of the gorgeous chairs by her bed. The soft, yellow sheets were cool against her freshly shaved legs and the rest of her body. She closed her eyes and fell instantly asleep.
     
    Charity rolled over in the comfy bed and snuggled against the pillow. For the past five years she’d moved to a lot of different towns but she’d never had a problem settling in and being comfortable. At the moment, however, she couldn’t remember where she lay. New Zealand. The answer drifted through her head like a light breeze. Her eyes shot open. It had grown dark but from the rest she’d just had, it felt like it should be morning.
    She hit the indiglo on her Iron man watch. Nearly midnight. She cocked an ear. The only noise she could detect came from the open window. Rolling over , she debated trying to go back to sleep, but she had already slept seven hours and her body disagreed. It wasn’t used to that much sleep in one stint. Maybe a light snack would help her try to sleep.
    She flipped the light beside her bed on and slipped out of the bed. Rummaging through her suitcase, she found a pair of Capri jogging tights she’d bought from Lulu lemon and slipped them on. Tank top and tights – probably not the fanciest thing to wear in this castle but from the sounds of it, everyone was sleeping.
    The dark hallway got lighter as she walked toward the staircase. Elijah’s door was closed. Someone had left the large chandelier on that lit up the grand room entrance. Even on a low setting it shone bright. At least that was what she thought until she got closer and realized the full moon shining through the sun windows was the source of the brightness.
    The stairs were cool under