It's a Love Story

Roman blushed slightly and hugged back. "You're welcome."

Dante smiled at them and finished setting the table. Normally, they just ate breakfast whenever they woke up. No one had to eat all at once. That's what lunch and dinner were for.

Roman smiled, excusing herself and going to change out of her clothes. They were wrinkled and dirty from the flight and from sleeping in them.

Dante took a shower in his brother's bathroom and got dressed before coming back out and looking at his brother's favorite stuffed animal. He picked it up and studied it. "Pavo... What did you not do? Why are you still here," he asked the little blue stuffed puppy.

Pavo wanted to answer his brother, but he couldn't. Even if he did, he wouldn't be able to hear him. He stayed still, though he knew Dante could sense his spirit within the puppy.

Roman stepped into the door way, looking at Dante. She cleared her throat and smiled at him. "Will you take me to the beach?" she asked. Last time she wasn't able to go because of her leg and arm.

He looked at her and nodded, smiling. "Sure." He set Pavo down on the bed, his thoughts still on why he hadn't crossed over.

Roman looked at the animal for a moment but then left with Dante.

Dante grabbed his swim trunks and sunscreen, towels, and the like and waited patiently for Roman. He was deep in thought, as it was noticable on his face.

She went to him with her bathing suit under her shorts and tank top. She looked at him and frowned. "What's wrong?"

He looked up at her and shook his head, knowing she probably didn't want to think about his brother again. "Nothing," he smiled and offered her his free hand. "Beach?"

She took his hand. "Sure you don't want to tell me what you were thinking about?" she asked.

"I don't want to make you think of things that hurt you," he murmured, walking to his horse. He saddled him up and put the beach bag in one of the saddle bags, his clothes in the other. He helped her up and climbed up behind her. "Do you mind if we ride the same horse," he asked her.

She knew that he was thinking about Pavo so she didn't push it any further. "No, I don't mind." she smiled at him.

He smiled softly and took the reigns, his arms reaching around her since he was behind. He held her with one arm so she didn't fall and steered the horse with his other arm.

She smiled. "You know I've been riding a horse all my life? I don't think I could fall off if I tried."

"I'm sorry," he said, taking his arm back and putting the other hand on the reigns.

"You didn't have to let go, I was just sayin." she shrugged.

"You enjoy horses," he smiled. "Next time, I'll let you borrow ma-ma's horse. We can race, then."

She smiled. "I'd like that."

He smiled and nodded. "Tomorrow," he promised. He wanted nothing more than to hold her close and kiss her softly, but he refrained himself. Her heart belonged to his dead brother. Maybe that's why Pavo was still with them. Did he ever get to kiss her, he wondered.

Roman stayed quiet, really wanting to kiss Dante. She was getting over Pavo and was falling for Dante.

"Are you alright," he asked her softly as his horse trotted down the sandy trail to the beach.

She nodded slowly. "Just thinking."

"About what," he asked her softly as he lead the horse to a beautiful spot on the beach with no one else around for at least half a mile. He slipped off of the horse and held his hand up to her to help her down, though he knew she wouldn't need it.

She was more than able to get off the hourse on her own, but she took his hand and let him help her off so she didn't hurt his feelings. "I'm thinking about Pavo... And about you..."