The Devil and Danna Webster by Jacqueline Seewald

any words." I smelled the flowers that he'd bought me. Kevin pressed my hand and seemed pleased.
    When we reached my house, the light on the porch was burning like a beacon.
    "I'll walk you up," he said, "unless you want to talk a little first."
    "I'd like to, but it's past midnight. I better go in."
    He nodded and we got out of the car. At the top of the steps, he took me into his arms.
    "Do you see why I like the city now? A whole different world, isn't it? Maybe we could see Chinatown together next time. I'd like to look at it through your eyes. We’ll dine on authentic Chinese food."
    When I didn't answer, he took my hand and pressed it. Then he pulled me tightly against him and kissed me. I found myself kissing him back. His lips were still sweet from the ice cream dessert, but there was something exotic, and other, about the taste of him. I could hardly breathe. His lips lingered on mine. His tongue skimmed my lower lip. When he let go of me, I began to tremble.
    "Hey, you're cold. I better let you go inside. I'll phone you soon, okay?"
    I just nodded, unable to speak. I would never forget my first date or that kiss.

Chapter Six
    The lights were off in the living room but the television was playing softly. I heard a rustling in the darkness. Was my stepfather waiting up to yell at me for getting in after midnight? Well, at least I hadn’t turned into a pumpkin!
    "You're awfully late," a sleepy voice said.
    "Mom? How come you're still up?"
    "I've been dozing on and off. We were a little worried about you. I made your Dad go to bed at eleven. He wasn't feeling very well. It's that cough of his. Got to get him back to the doctor again."
    I groped around for the light switch. "I'm sorry we were late. Kevin had these tickets for a play in New York and we also had dinner there."
    "Sounds like he took you out in style."
    "It was great," I assured her. "We had a wonderful time. I wish you wouldn't tell Dad that we were late though. I don't want to upset him or make him angry."
    "I know I'm too soft with you, but all right. Just get in by midnight next time you go out with him."
    The next time! Would there be one? I hoped so. I really did enjoy being with Kevin.
    "Want to hear about my date?"
    My mother yawned. "Tomorrow morning. Let's get to bed. Now that I know you’re home safe and sound, I’ll be able to get a good night’s sleep."
    ****
    The next morning, I woke up with sunlight pouring into my room. I found my stepfather in the kitchen reading the Sunday paper but my mother wasn't there.
    "She's gone to church," my father replied to my question.
    "Without me?"
    He looked at me. "She wanted to let you sleep."
    My stepfather continued to read the newspaper as I ate a light breakfast. Afterwards, I went back to my room and did some homework. At eleven, my mother returned home in a good mood.
    "Beautiful day today. Last days of summer."
    "Think I'll go over to the beach and do some sketching."
    "Perfect day for it," my mother agreed.
    I gathered up a large sketchpad and some drawing pencils and took off for the cliff which was my favorite private place to work. I felt one with nature here. It was so peaceful, almost a religious experience. This was my church.
    "How do you manage that?" The voice surprised me. I almost dropped my sketchpad.
    I looked back. And there stood Gar Hansen, golden hair catching the glint of the sun, eyes bluer than the sky.
    "How do I manage what?" I asked, distracted by his male beauty.
    "The way you make those sketches comes alive like that. When I look at the paper, it's as if the tide is actually coming in."
    "Thank you. I don't think it's that good though."
    He looked so tall and powerful standing over me, the clouds and sky behind him. I had the sudden urge to sketch him.
    "I don't claim to know much about art, but it seems to me, you're very good. Those waves look alive."
    I felt my face growing hot and knew I was blushing. I hated it when that happened but there seemed no