The Ties That Bind

shoulder. "Definitely cruel and unusual punishment. I must remember to try teasing you again sometime."
    He grinned, his expression relaxed and unabashedly satisfied. "Anytime, honey. I'll look forward to it every weekend."

* * *

    THE NEXT FEW DAYS passed in a haze of happiness for Shannon. She continued with her work during the hours when Garth disappeared inside his own cottage to pore over his bid proposal papers, but every free moment for both of them was spent together. They took long walks on the beach, walked into town for groceries and Shannon's mail and ate dinner in Shannon's cottage. After dinner Shannon served brandy and turned on the stereo. When Garth reached for her, she went into his arms with the eagerness of a homing pigeon.
    When the morning arrived that Garth was due to leave for San Jose, Shannon stood beside the Porsche to say goodbye. Her eyes were suspiciously bright, although she kept her smile very much in place. Garth took her in his arms.
    "I'll call you tonight," he said into her hair.
    "Good." She sniffed.
    "Hey, don't cry," he murmured. "I'm going to be back next weekend, remember?"
    "Please don't forget to come back, Garth," she said very seriously.
    "I couldn't forget," he replied simply. "I need you too much." He kissed her once more and then he got into the Porsche. "I'll leave work early Friday afternoon."
    "It's a long drive," Shannon pointed out, thinking how easy it would be for him to change his mind about making such a long trip after a busy week.
    "I don't mind. You'll be waiting at the end of it, won't you?" It wasn't so much a question as a statement of fact.
    Shannon nodded. "I'll be waiting."
    "That's all I need to know." He glanced across the driveway to where her little red Fiat sat. Garth's brows came together in a thoughtful frown. "I'm not sure I like the idea of your running around in such a small car. You'd be safer in a bigger vehicle."

    "Are all Porsche drivers so condescending toward other sports cars?" Shannon teased.
    "It's not a question of being condescending," Garth began firmly. "It's just that I think you'd be better protected in a larger car." His expression cleared. "Never mind. We'll talk about it later. Take care, Shannon. I'll be back soon. Be here for me."
    Shannon smiled mistily and waved as the Porsche roared out of the driveway. She would be waiting. For a brief, unhappy moment she wondered again about what it was going to be like conducting a weekend affair. She knew she was falling in love with Garth Sheridan.
    Shannon had always imagined that love would be a sharing kind of emotion and would of necessity involve a sharing of day-to-day lives as well as the sharing of passion.
    She turned back to her cottage, telling herself that it would all work out in the end. Her relationship with Garth was at the very beginning stages. There was plenty of time to hammer out the logistical details. In the meantime she had her work. The buyer from the San Francisco boutique would be arriving the following week and she still had several more sample tote bags to print.
    Her heart lightened as she opened the door of her studio and began organizing her printing preparations. She had her work and next weekend she would have her lover. Life was good.

* * *

    ON FRIDAY MORNING Garth was aware of being nearly consumed by his need to be on the road. Outside his office window, San Jose baked in the smoggy heat of a summer's day. All he had been able to think about since he'd gotten out of bed this morning was driving to the coast. With any luck he'd get out of the Sherilectronics office after lunch. God knew he'd spent enough late nights behind his desk this past week to justify an early departure. Shannon was going to wait dinner for him. She had told him so on the phone last night.
    Garth closed his eyes and allowed himself the luxury of thinking of Shannon and the coming weekend for a brief moment. The truth was, he always seemed to be thinking about that subject even when his attention was on work. With his customary self-discipline, however, he generally managed to keep the image pushed back to the edge of his awareness where it couldn't get in the way of his getting done what had to be done. Shannon was in a separate compartment from the rest of his life, and he fully intended to keep her there.
    Garth had no intention of letting Shannon get mixed up with the side of his life that revolved around work. It suited him perfectly that she lived a safe distance